Few fish are as spectacular as a sailfish. Palm Beach has long been one of the best places to find them, and the winter months are when they show up.
- Season Mostly late fall through early spring
- Where Close to shore along the reef edge and in the Gulf Stream
- How Kite fishing with live baits, plus trolling
- Catch and release Almost always: a quick photo and back they go
- Good for Anglers who want a bucket-list fish
Why sailfish and Palm Beach go together
The Gulf Stream pushes warm blue water close to our coast, and in winter cold fronts send schools of baitfish south along the reef line. Sailfish follow the bait. That is why this stretch of the Florida coast has such a long history with sailfish fishing and tournaments.
When to go
Sailfish are a cool-season fish here. The action typically builds in late fall, peaks in the heart of winter, and tapers off into spring. Wind direction matters: a day or two after a front passes is often excellent, but strong north winds can make the sea rough. See weather and seas and the month-by-month guide.
What is kite fishing?
Kite fishing is a local specialty. We fly a kite from the boat and clip live baits to the kite line so they swim at the surface, flicking and skittering just like a baitfish in trouble. A sailfish sees the commotion and attacks. You can watch the bait, and the strike, from the deck.
- The kite keeps the bait on top, which suits a surface-feeding sailfish.
- It lets us drift quietly with several baits in the water.
- It is great for watching: a sail slashing at a bait is one of the sights of offshore fishing.
How the fight goes
A hooked sailfish often "greyhounds", jumping and tail-walking across the surface. Expect line to peel off the reel. The fight can last 10 to 30 minutes. We let the fish tire, bring it alongside, take a quick photo and release it. That is the standard practice, which is also why these fish are still here for the next angler.
Rules and release
Sailfish are almost always released, and handling them gently improves their chance of survival. Rules for billfish can change, so ask your captain. We cover where to check in fishing rules basics.
Ready to put this to work? Request a trip with Good Mojo and tell us what you want to catch, or send us a question first.
Frequently asked questions
When is sailfish season in Palm Beach?
Sailfish are mainly a late-fall through early-spring fish here, with the best action usually in the middle of winter.
What is kite fishing?
Kite fishing uses a kite to hold live baits at the surface so they look like wounded baitfish. It is a local favorite for sailfish off Palm Beach.
Do you keep sailfish?
No. Sailfish are almost always caught and released. We take a quick photo and let the fish go.
How big are sailfish?
Typical Atlantic sailfish are in the range of about 40 to 60 pounds, with some larger.