Brandon, the reason why I ask on this forum is that 98% of marlin fishermen don't have the knowledge about throwing poppers or stick baits, let alone at a marlin. In my opinion there is a lot more angling skill involves in catching fish on casting lures, rather than trolled lures. Hence Im asking the guys on here for any info. A GT fisherman would have more chance of marlin on a casting rod than a marlin fisherman who has never throw or rigged a popper.
The hooks will have to be thin enough to penetrate with a light drag, but strong enough to hold the fish on the leader.
Here in New Zealand on calm days we are sometimes lucky enough to come across a marlin "tailing" on the surface. This is when they are semi resting, and all you see is a big sickle-like tail sticking out of the water( not to be confused with a large Mako shark). The theory is to cast a stick bait and drag it back past its nose.
Alternativly casting at a bait ball. Either way, I think your heart rate would be going a million miles an hour!
I'm still undecided on a twisted or single strand leader. Still a month or two to day dream.
You can see in this photo that you will want to get the tail hook quite far back in the mouth for a good hook set. This fish wan caught on a trolled surface lure (so it doesn't count