One sure way to learn how to catch sailfish in Islamorada is to book a charter at Bud n’ Mary’s Marina, and then you’ll have nothing to worry about on your Islamorada Sailfish Charter! Fishing for Sailfish in Key West, Florida can be caught using a variety of techniques. Dave! google_ad_client = "pub-8927719727425204"; I prefer 15 … Being able to catch Sailfish in Key West is the dream every angler has when considering what Key West Fishing Charters to book. We want to keep Islamorada Sailfishing a healthy Fishery. If possible, troll dredges and teasing baits if you don’t have the luxury of live baiting. ... Other Types of Bait Fish to Catch in Florida. Bud N' Mary's Fishing Marina is located in Islamorada, Florida, The Sportfishing Capital of The World! This method allows the bait to swim just under the surface creating a lot of action, increasing the percentage of raising a feeding fish. The first thing you are going to want is a set of spinning rods (3 to 4). I use a double line (either a spider hitch or a Bimini twist) about 2’ long and tie on a 15 foot, 40 – 50 lb test monofilament leader. Gather some barracuda to use as shark bait; they’re easy enough to catch on an incoming tide. The vast majority of these bridges offer the angler-on-foot a good opportunity to catch many of the gamefish we have in the Florida Keys. Many people do more damage to the fish trying to remove the hook then letting the saltwater and air rust the hook out. To set up a chum line, string the bait on a short loop cable clipped to a trap float. Winter through early spring for sailfish. Part 1. Even anglers in kayaks catch sailfish in South Florida. You can also drift a little bit, but be careful not to let all the lines get tangled. The first thing you are going to want is a set of spinning rods (3 to 4). Famed Florida Keys resident, author and angler, Ernest Hemingway, can be seen photographed with his prized sailfish catch off Key West in 1940. Want your shot at catching a sailfish of your own? Under windy conditions the Kite Fishing technique is the most effective way to raise a bite. Bonefish. The ballyhoo should swim up in the chum and work their way towards the chum bag. written by Evan Anderson . Ballyhoo live on almost every reef in the Florida Keys, as well as many grass patches. Trolling is a common technique that has proven to catch Sailfish. Handle your bait as least as possible. You can slow troll, (motor in and out of gear), and change depths till you find where the fish are coming through. While the number of sailfish brought to Florida Keys docks has significantly dropped in recent decades due to an evolving environmental ethic, actually boating and killing a … 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. All our guides are local Key West Fishing Captains, Fishing for Lady Fish in Key West Florida. There are plenty of spots to go trolling in Florida offshore. The best time for shark fishing is in the morning. Kingfish, Wahoo, snapper, grouper, tuna, sailfish, and most other fish will gladly take this bait. google_ad_width = 728; We catch sailfish a few different ways; including slow trolling live bait, sight fishing, as well as kite fishing. There is also a great dive shop, boat rentals, motel, boat storage, transient dockage, and tackle store. However, they're most plentiful in April and May. Small pieces of shrimp work great to catch ballyhoo. That combined with year-round warm weather and a relaxing tropical setting makes the Keys a great place to vacation. Catch a sailfish in the blue waters of the Florida Keys, the same ocean fished by Hemingway. In Marathon, Florida our fishing vessels reach depths of 250ft only 10 miles offshore. *Current prices are 30% cheaper than cruise lines! Love it or hate it, sailfishing can be one of the most exciting fights you’ll experience out on the water. More Sailfish can be caught here in a day than almost any other location in the world. It is home to over 40 of the finest offshore captains and backcountry guides. Sailfish can also be seen on weed lines and debris found offshore, depths usually ranging between 150 to 1000 feet of water. Get the FREE Ebook! They crushed the newest record of 70 releases that everyone thought would stand for years. Don’t use bait that has red spots around the nose or has missing scales. Just about everything that swims in the ocean eats ballyhoo, and they are plentiful, especially throughout the Florida Keys. Make sure you don’t over crowd your bait wells with too much live bait, a good rule of thumb for ballyhoo is 1 - 1.5 fish per gallon (so a 30 gallon well would hold 30 – 45 live baits comfortably). I consider trolling slow 1 to 2 knots. If the fish is tired out, you want to revive the fish. Paul Ross continues to be one of the best at the game. As one of the most acrobatic fish in the sea, a Sailfish can jump up to 20 times throughout a fight, and on Key West light tackle fishing, this is quite an accomplishment to land this fish. However the peak of the Sailfish migration is in the month of April. It was established in 1944, and over the years has been one of the most famous sportfishing destinations in the world! ... Smoker King Mackerel, and the Sailfish. Don’t yank back to set a circle hook! Our sailfish usually show up in October and stay through April. Charter Info. Choosing the right bait Tarpon will eat a variety of live bait so your best knowledge is to know what type of bait they are feeding on where you are fishing. The Season for Sailfish fishing in Key West starts around the beginning of October extending through the spring months. 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. After you have your rods and boat, you are going to need live bait. To prove it we are matching all online pricing on the tours we offer. The Sailfish range from 25 ft of water out to 2000 ft, depending on the location of the bait fish. , Bud N' Mary's Florida Keys Fishing Marina. Thanks to our catch-and-release ethic, as well as other conservation initiatives, the sailfish population's numbers seem to be higher than at any time in recorded history. We offer high-class sailfish charters on the DirtyBoat in Islamorada. Most of our Islamorada sailfish will be in 75’ – 175’ of water. You never know what you might catch in the blue waters off the Florida Keys. /* 728x90, created 1/13/11 */ Live bait is the key to catching sailfish in Islamorada. There’s a few different ways we go fishing for sailfish in the Florida Keys. 11601 … Another 3 miles out, the deeper reef edge begins in 45 to 60 feet, and it is there that some of the best fishing in the Keys can be found. In this episode of Into the Blue, Captains Scott Walker and Steve Rodger chase Walker’s favorite species, giving their best advice for catching these elusive acrobats.“Sailfish is the premiere game fish in the Florida Keys,” says a smiling … When the Ballyhoo are located on the shallow reefs, Sailfish are known to chase this delectable treat no matter what the depth. Sailfish season usually runs from about late September until early May. That way when you get a bite the wire straightens out and the sailfish will have a chance to swallow the bait, getting free line with no resistance, before you set the hook. But here is the catch (no pun intended) – Google Eyes are not that easy to catch. Jimmy Nelson & Fishing with Luiza. The single day catch record for the Florida Keys of 70 sailfish caught and released set on April 12th by the Main Attraction crew was broken 10 days later on April 22nd 2020 by team Vice Versa Fishing Team with 76 sailfish released in a single day. When you get the sailfish by the boat grab the leader and take a few pictures of the fish in the water. You can find artificial dredges from a variety of bait companies that will all have realistic baitfish presentations. After you have your ballyhoo in the bait-well you’re ready to head out to the Reef. Slow trolling live ballyhoo is one very effective way for catching sailfish in the Florida Keys. Sailfish travel in and out of the cuts in the reef throughout the day, so the likelihood of an encounter by sitting on the edge or looking around in the sand is good. Florida Keys Sailfish Season - While sailfish are caught here year round, the peak of the sailfish season is generally in April and May. When it comes to sailfish fishing Florida winter months are better. Slow trolling live ballyhoo is one very effective way for catching sailfish in the Florida Keys. Some of the best Sailfish fishing in Key West is done with the Shimano Trinidad 30. google_ad_slot = "3683909777"; After the fish eats the bait, wait 3 to 4 seconds, close the bail, and start winding steady when catching sailfish in Islamorada. There’s a few different ways we go fishing for sailfish in the Florida Keys. When Florida Keys Sailfish Fishing, I typically fish 3 to 4 rods, with 2 in the out riggers and 1 or 2 on the flat lines. Catch Sailfish (Istiophorus) in Key West with Delph Fishing Charters. In fact, our prices are up to 56% Cheaper*, Fish Key West Guides is the #1 Fishing Charter Concierge in Key West. During the winter between January and March the cold fronts will peak a good sailfish bite along the reef with some stiff winds out of the North East and East. #BullbusterAmbassador Flying Fish Charters getting ready to leader a lively sailfish. I look for bait in 15’ – 30’ of water typically. When you set your rods out you want to fish with the bails open, making a bend in the copper wire by the reel to hold your line. You can either cast net or hook and line them. - Terry Gibson. You can contact Bud N' Mary's at 1-800-742-7945 or e-mail us: bnmfm@budnmarys.com. If you hook a sailfish watch your other baits because many times there’s more than 1 fish back there. Don’t handle the bait with “suntan lotion hands”. It’s best to keep the fish in the water, but if you want a picture holding up your trophy just do it as quickly as possible. The favorite and most effective way of Key West deep sea fishing charters is using live bait. 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. Bodies of sailfish seem to … You'll typically fish along the … 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. Thinking of catching other bait fish types? 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. Book your trip with us and get a full day trip for only $1000. April and May is when the water temperature is optimal for this Pelagic Species. However, if you can see the hook and you have control of the fish you can remove it. I put the circle hook downwards through the lower jaw of the ballyhoo, and then wrap the copper wire down the shank of the circle hook, around both the ballyhoo beak and hook shank. The second leg of the three-event Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship series, the 27th annual Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament, is scheduled Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 19-21, in Islamorada. Stuart, Florida, where I live, bills itself as the Sailfish Capital of the World, and … Since Atlantic sailfish are thought to be the fastest fish in the ocean, reaching speeds of 67 mph, you want a reel with a capacity of at least 300 yards of line. We will be posting fishing related events, catches, media publications, and overall news concerning Bud N' Mary's here, so keep tuned in! If you choose to hook and line the bait you want to use 6 to 8 lb test on the bait rods with small “hair hooks”, size 12 – 14 j hooks. These southern seas offer quick access to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, along with a couple of other perks which make for prime Sailfish … Live bait trolling for sailfish in Islamorda, FL with Capt. Take a Sailfish Charter with Capt. We use 12 or 20 pound spinning tackle to catch these beautiful fish. When asked what makes the Keys renowned for this type of fishing, especially when sailfish are often taken in bally­hoo schools off the ­beaches of South Florida, Ross cites the sheer abundance of ballyhoo in the Keys during winter, the more expansive … One of the seasons I most look forward to in Florida is sailfish season. The best Sailfishing in Florida is primarily found in Atlantic waters, especially in the Keys and along the state’s southeast coast. Often prior to going out the Captains will pick up some wild, fresh caught live bait for the Key West fishing trip. How to catch Sailfish in the Florida Keys. After the fish looks lively you can release him. Sweet E'Nuf Charters. Everything is a top catch in the Florida Keys. The Sailfish is one of the most sought after sport fish in the world. Now you’re one step closer to Sailfish fishing in Islamorada! _____ Follow Capt. Bring a couple blocks of frozen chum and a fine mesh chum bag. Most of the activity occurs between Fort Pierce and Key West. ... Download The Top 10 Sportfish of the Florida Keys (and When to Catch Them!) Every year, records are broken for Florida fishing tournaments and single-day releases. 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. We will match or beat any competitors online pricing. Now is the time of year to get out and give this … These include Florida Keys, Gulf of Mexico, and the Gulf Stream. A father and son show off a king mackerel, one of the many species you can catch in the Florida Keys. - Terry Gibson. Getting to the sailfish is largely a matter of timing—either timing a good bite, or putting in the time to catch scattered fish. ... along the lower Florida Keys and includes a portion of the Florida Bay, continuing to the West and North of the Dry Tortugas, encompassing more than 5000 square miles of fishable water within range of our hi-tech, offshore boats. For the drift technique any Shimano spinning reel with a bait runner feature is used best with a live threadfin herring or a small blue runner ranging from 1 to 2 lbs. 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. It is important to use the friskiest of the bait you catch. This will help ensure the lines stay straight behind the boat, reducing tangles. If you hook 1 fish be ready for more! You’re also going to want a piece of copper wire attached to the foot of your spinning reel, about 3-inches long. google_ad_height = 90; Part 2. The first rule of thumb when it comes to catching tarpon is having good live bait. They need time to come out of the fish’s stomach to set in the corner of the sailfish’s mouth. On the leader I use a 6/0 – 7/0 non-offset circle hook. This is in contrast to sailfish and marlin where catch and release is commonly practiced. Read on to find out more about what you can target in this abundant natural environment. Equipment Used to Catch Sailfish in Key West Some of the best Sailfish fishing in Key West is done with the Shimano Trinidad 30. 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. I prefer 15 lb monofilament line on a medium action 7’ rod. Fishing for swordfish is also likely one of the most challenging fishing trips you can include on your Florida Keys vacation. There’s always a few lobster and crab traps out on the Reef during sailfish season, so keep your eyes out so you don’t get tangled in them. You can also use any of the fish you caught previously – including dolphin and blackfin carcasses.