Key facts
About the sailfish
A slim, dark-blue billfish with a spear-like upper jaw and a huge, sail-like first dorsal fin that is blue-black with small black spots. Young marlin also have tall dorsal fins, but only the sailfish keeps the high fin as an adult; sides show 15 to 20 bars of light blue spots.
- Scientific name
- Istiophorus platypterus
- Also called
- Atlantic sailfish, sails, Istiophorus albicans (name some scientists use for the Atlantic form)
- Family
- Billfish family (Istiophoridae)
- Typical catch
- In southern Florida, typically 68 to 90 inches total length (bill included)
- How big they get
- Up to 11 feet and 110 pounds
- Where they live
- Offshore along the Atlantic coast from the Gulf of Maine southward, the Gulf, and the Caribbean; most abundant in the Gulf, off Florida's Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean. Pacific sailfish are found off Hawaii.
- Habitat
- Warm surface waters, often closer to shore than marlin and swordfish – about 120 to 300 feet deep and 77 to 82 F off North Carolina.
- Diet
- Mostly fish and squid, such as tunas, mackerels, halfbeaks (ballyhoo), jacks, needlefish and herring; groups herd bait schools with their sails and take turns feeding.
- Lifespan
- Up to 10 years
- On the table
- Meat has little value; in the Atlantic it is relatively tough and rarely sold unless smoked. Sale of Atlantic sailfish is prohibited in the US.
Where
Where to catch sailfish with a charter
| Town | Captains listing it | Main months | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | 17 | — | Report |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | 17 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec | Report |
| Marathon, FL | 11 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct, Nov | Report |
| Key Largo, FL | 10 | — | Report |
| Key West, FL | 9 | — | Report |
| Hatteras, NC | 9 | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Report |
| Islamorada, FL | 8 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec | Report |
| Jupiter, FL | 7 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec | Report |
| Cocoa Beach, FL | 7 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec | Report |
| Stuart, FL | 7 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec | Report |
| Kona, HI | 5 | Jan, Feb, Dec | Report |
| Carolina Beach, NC | 5 | — | Report |
| St. Augustine, FL | 4 | — | Report |
| Honolulu, HI | 4 | — | Report |
| Daytona Beach, FL | 4 | — | Report |
| South Padre Island, TX | 3 | — | Report |
| Charleston, SC | 3 | — | Report |
| Murrells Inlet, SC | 2 | — | Report |
| Pensacola, FL | 1 | — | Report |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 1 | — | Report |
| Morehead City, NC | 1 | — | Report |
| Nags Head, NC | 1 | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Report |
Counts are captains who list sailfish, as of October 2026. Months come from the state wildlife agency or local captains’ published calendars where we have one; seasons and limits change, so check current rules.
Before you go
What to know about sailfish fishing
Things to know
- Federally managed by NOAA Fisheries as an Atlantic highly migratory species; private boats need an HMS Angling permit and charter boats an HMS Charter/Headboat permit.
- NOAA strongly encourages live release; any sailfish kept must be reported within 24 hours, and a federal minimum size applies.
- In tournaments, natural baits must be fished on non-offset circle hooks.
- The lower east coast of Florida is a major spawning area; off North Carolina they are caught May through October.
- Selling any Atlantic billfish, including sailfish, is illegal.
How charters catch them
- Trolling natural baits such as mullet, ballyhoo, Spanish mackerel or bonito
- Trolling artificial lures
- Catch and release, with circle hooks recommended to make release easier
Related fish
Fish caught on the same kind of trip
Questions
Sailfish questions
Can you keep a sailfish?
Only under federal rules: an HMS permit, a minimum size and a 24-hour catch report. Most are released, and NOAA strongly encourages that.
Are sailfish good to eat?
Not really. The meat is tough and has little value, and selling it is illegal in the US.
How big do sailfish get?
Atlantic sailfish reach up to about 11 feet and 110 pounds; Florida fish are usually 68 to 90 inches including the bill.
Facts on this page come from official fisheries and wildlife sources, checked October 2026:
Size and bag limits and seasons change and differ by state. Check the state agency before you keep a fish.
From the blog: Winter Fishing Charters: Where the Bite Stays On
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