As Mark said, stick baiting or popping for Marlin is a specialist skill since most of us only come across them either in an opportunistic way, as you've described, or as a result of targeting them with bait and switch techniques.
Most of my experience with poppers and stick baits has been with sailfish but I guess some of it translates. Trebles do work but hook up rates suffer in comparison to singles on assists. You will hook a lot of fish before you get one to stick and when you are only getting to cast to the odd fish that may be interested that translates into a significant amount of time casting to fish that you probably won't catch.
Most sailfish I've caught have been in packs and I always feel there's a competition element in getting an aggressive take and a successful hook-up. You may need to think carefully about the type of lure and retrieve that you use, you will need to get their interest and distract them from the bait ball. That may be an effort in itself.
The rod is important as well. It needs to have the ability cast well and at the same time the stiffness to set the hook into a hard, bony mouth.
Just a few thoughts.
Regards,
Trevor
