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Sailfishing

The arrival of cooler weather on the Treasure Coast marks the beginning of some of the most exciting fishing of the year, sail fishing. Sailfish, Istiophorus Platypterus, are in the bill fish family. They range extensively throughout the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, favoring areas near the gulf stream. In December and January we can take advantage of the sailfish's predictable migration and target them specifically.

There are many techniques to catch sailfish. On Fins we like to fish Treasure Coast tournament style, trolling ballyhoo with the use of dredge teasers.

Dredge teasers incorporate silver mullet and ballyhoo and hold over twenty baits per teaser. One to two of these teasers are deployed just past the prop wash below the surface. Sailfish spend most of there time at mid levels above the thermocline to the surface.

The fact that sailfish spend the least of there time on the surface is where the dredge teasers come in to play and "tease" the fish up to your spread.

I believe in using light tackle, 30Lb. test on Shimano TLD 20s. We look for Temperature breaks where the baitfish gather as well as our target species.

 When a sailfish comes up to the bait it will bill it, stun it, or in our case knock it out of the rigger, then come back around and swallow it head first.

It is vital to "dump" the reel by letting line out to imitate the stunned bait. A simple five count, reel in the slack, set up and hang on.

Sailfish are known for there drag burning runs and aerial acrobatics. Every attempt is made for a quick and safe release, with boat backing down, waves crashing over the transom and a defiant greyhounding sailfish leaping over the swells.

The sail is brought to the boat and released to fight again. If this is exciting to you, we will see you on Fins in December and January.