UTERSailfish fishing in Biscayne Bay
In Biscayne Bay, sailfish peak November–March and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Peak Miami season.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Sailfish in Biscayne Bay, month by month
- JanuaryPeakPeak Miami season.
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchPeak
- AprilLeaving
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberArriving
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberPeakMiami and Fort Lauderdale sails on the edge in 100–200 ft — kites and live baits after the fronts.
Where to fish sailfish near Homestead, Key Biscayne, Miami
Biscayne Bay's grass flats and the finger channels between them, the bayside mangrove shorelines of the national park, the inlets (Government Cut, Haulover, Port Everglades), and the reef line within a couple of miles of the beach.
Fish Scouter charts 515 artificial reef, 332 ledge / hard bottom spots in the Miami & Biscayne Bay 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 Biscayne Bay?
Peak season is November–March. Sailfish are here year-round. January: Peak Miami season.
Where do sailfish hold in Biscayne Bay?
Look on artificial reef — around Homestead, Key Biscayne, Miami, Haulover, Fort Lauderdale.
What is the best bait for sailfish in Biscayne Bay?
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 Biscayne Bay?
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 · Miami & Biscayne Bay, the whole year