Catch a sailfish in the blue waters of the Florida Keys, the same ocean fished by Hemingway. Most of the activity occurs between Fort Pierce and Key West. Dave Jones, Capt. The 46-foot Hatteras is roomy, handles the seas well, and provides a tournament style rigged vessel with dual 75 gallon live wells fed by a sea chest containing duel 1500 gallon per hour pumps. If you are driving through an area and see Ballyhoo swimming by: slow down, set the anchor out, and put the chum bag in the water. They crushed the newest record of 70 releases that everyone thought would stand for years. The Florida Keys stretches 150 miles from North Key Largo to Key West and as you drive from one end to the other, you will cross 42 bridges. When fishing Florida Keys sailfish are caught in the Gulf stream off the Atlantic coast all year long. During the period from January to March, cold fronts often equate to a good Florida Keys sailfish bite while trolling along the reefs with natural baits such as ballyhoo or goggle eyes. Fishing for swordfish is also likely one of the most challenging fishing trips you can include on your Florida Keys vacation. Florida Keys Sailfish Season - While sailfish are caught here year round, the peak of the sailfish season is generally in April and May. This method allows the bait to swim just under the surface creating a lot of action, increasing the percentage of raising a feeding fish. However, they're most plentiful in April and May. Get the FREE Ebook! You’re also going to want a piece of copper wire attached to the foot of your spinning reel, about 3-inches long. On the drift or slow trolling are the choice of most, this depends on the sea conditions of the day. We offer high-class sailfish charters on the DirtyBoat in Islamorada. Equipment Used to Catch Sailfish in Key West Some of the best Sailfish fishing in Key West is done with the Shimano Trinidad 30. This will help ensure the lines stay straight behind the boat, reducing tangles. This rod is a great light tackle conventional reel used with 15 to 30lb test line is a great reel to fly from the kite. The Sailfish range from 25 ft of water out to 2000 ft, depending on the location of the bait fish. #BullbusterAmbassador Flying Fish Charters getting ready to leader a lively sailfish. Bonefish. Don’t use bait that has red spots around the nose or has missing scales. After you have your ballyhoo in the bait-well you’re ready to head out to the Reef. Now is the time of year to get out and give this … One of the seasons I most look forward to in Florida is sailfish season. Slow trolling live ballyhoo is one very effective way for catching sailfish in the Florida Keys. Most of the time it’s a safer bet just to cut the leader as close to the hook as possible and leave in the fishes mouth. google_ad_height = 90;
You may have to chase down your sailfish with the boat too, if that’s the case you’ll have to wind up your other rods. Catch Sailfish (Istiophorus) in Key West with Delph Fishing Charters. If you hook a sailfish watch your other baits because many times there’s more than 1 fish back there. Some of the best Sailfish fishing in Key West is done with the Shimano Trinidad 30. Most islands in the Florida Keys have access to a wide variety of fish species with much less travel time compared to other parts of the country. More Sailfish can be caught here in a day than almost any other location in the world. Dave! If the fish is tired out, you want to revive the fish. //-->, Bud N' Mary's Florida Keys Fishing Marina. We use 12 or 20 pound spinning tackle to catch these beautiful fish. Slow trolling live ballyhoo is one very effective way for catching sailfish in the Florida Keys. You can also drift a little bit, but be careful not to let all the lines get tangled. A father and son show off a king mackerel, one of the many species you can catch in the Florida Keys. Read More. ... Smoker King Mackerel, and the Sailfish. You'll typically fish along the … Under windy conditions the Kite Fishing technique is the most effective way to raise a bite. I prefer 15 lb monofilament line on a medium action 7’ rod. This is in contrast to sailfish and marlin where catch and release is commonly practiced. Part 1. In Marathon, Florida our fishing vessels reach depths of 250ft only 10 miles offshore. Even anglers in kayaks catch sailfish in South Florida. Bring a couple blocks of frozen chum and a fine mesh chum bag. The ballyhoo should swim up in the chum and work their way towards the chum bag. There’s a few different ways we go fishing for sailfish in the Florida Keys. After you have your rods and boat, you are going to need live bait.