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Photo: ALCUSTOM boats (cropped), Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Tetrapturus pfluegeri
How to catch Longbill spearfish in Florida
Longbill spearfish feed in 72–84°F water and bite best at 74–80°F.
150 pts · trophy at 60"Feeds 72–84°FBest 74–80°FIn season nowLedge / hard bottom
About
The rarest billfish in the Atlantic: a small, slender, short-billed cousin of the marlins that turns up once in a career behind a ballyhoo on the edge. Released, always, and remembered forever.
How to fish it
You don't target them; you troll for sails and mahi and one day one is there. Circle hooks and a gentle release.
What it eats
small rigged ballyhoosmall skirted lures
Live bait for it
BallyhooRigged on a wire or mono trolling rig, skipping or swimming, behind a skirt or naked.What to fish it with
the sizes that fish itLeader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
Hook4/0–8/0
Braid50–100 lb
The rule
not confirmed hereFederal HMS permit required; catch-and-release in practice — confirm at NOAA HMS.
The current rule at MyFWC →Month by month, water by water
When longbill spearfish is the story
The Panhandle
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The Florida Keys
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Miami & Biscayne Bay
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Palm Beach & the Treasure Coast
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