UTERSailfish fishing in The Florida Keys
In The Florida Keys, sailfish peak November–April and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Sails on the edge of the reef from Key Largo to Key West — kites and ballyhoo; best behind the fronts.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Sailfish in The Florida Keys, month by month
- JanuaryPeakSails on the edge of the reef from Key Largo to Key West — kites and ballyhoo; best behind the fronts.
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchPeakLate-season fish, good through March.
- AprilPeak
- MayLeaving
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberArriving
- NovemberPeakSailfish season begins on the reef edge.
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish sailfish near Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon
Oceanside flats and patch reefs inside the reef line, the reef itself, then the Gulf-side banks and basins of Florida Bay and the backcountry. Bridges and channels connect the two. The clearest, warmest water in the state.
Fish Scouter charts 1,715 ledge / hard bottom, 695 artificial reef spots in the The Florida Keys map area — the kinds sailfish hold on.
What to use for sailfish
- Goggle-eyesBridled through the eye sockets for sailfish and kingfish, kite-fished or slow-trolled.
- Pilchards (whitebait)Free-lined or under a cork, hooked through the nose on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook. The one bait that catches everything inshore.
- Threadfin herring (greenbacks)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined, or slow-trolled. Fragile — handle them wet and fast.
- BallyhooRigged on a wire or mono trolling rig, skipping or swimming, behind a skirt or naked.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 70–84°F water, best at 74–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch sailfish in The Florida Keys?
Peak season is November–April. Sailfish are here year-round. January: Sails on the edge of the reef from Key Largo to Key West — kites and ballyhoo; best behind the fronts.
Where do sailfish hold in The Florida Keys?
Look on ledge / hard bottom, artificial reef — around Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine, Key West.
What is the best bait for sailfish in The Florida Keys?
Live bait: goggle-eyes, pilchards (whitebait), threadfin herring (greenbacks), ballyhoo. Goggle-eyes: Bridled through the eye sockets for sailfish and kingfish, kite-fished or slow-trolled. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for sailfish in The Florida Keys?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
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All about sailfish · The Florida Keys, the whole year