OffshoreHookup
A sailfish clearing the surface with its full sail spread at dawn

Sailfish SeasonEvery Port

Sailfish peak windows across US offshore ports vary by port; across the 11 ports we track, something is peaking Nov–Sep. January, July, August and December are the hottest, with 5 of 11 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere across US offshore ports.

Bars: share of the 11 ports at peak (orange) and fishable (blue) each month. Number = ports at peak.

Gulf Coast3 ports

Sailfish in the Gulf →
Sailfish bite calendar by port, Gulf Coast
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Galveston, TXPeak Jun–SepOffOffOffOffFishablePeakPeakPeakPeakFishableOffOff
Port Aransas, TXPeak Jul–SepOffOffOffOffOffFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableOffOff
South Padre Island, TXPeak Jun–AugOffOffOffFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableFishableOffOff

Florida Atlantic & Keys6 ports

Sailfish off Florida's Atlantic coast and the Keys →
Sailfish bite calendar by port, Florida Atlantic & Keys
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Islamorada, FLPeak Dec–MarPeakPeakPeakFishableOffOffOffOffOffOffFishablePeak
Key West, FLPeak Dec–MarPeakPeakPeakFishableOffOffOffOffOffOffFishablePeak
Miami, FLPeak Mar–MayFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakOffOffFishableFishableFishableFishableFishable
Palm Beach, FLPeak Dec–MarPeakPeakPeakFishableOffOffOffFishableFishableFishableFishablePeak
Port Canaveral, FLPeak Dec–JanPeakOffOffOffOffOffOffOffOffOffFishablePeak
Stuart, FLPeak Nov–FebPeakPeakFishableFishableFishableOffOffOffOffOffPeakPeak

Carolinas2 ports

Sailfish off the Carolinas →
Sailfish bite calendar by port, Carolinas
PortJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Charleston, SCPeak Jul–SepOffOffOffOffFishableFishablePeakPeakPeakFishableOffOff
Hilton Head, SCPeak Jul–AugOffOffOffOffOffFishablePeakPeakOffOffOffOff

Where to run

Each port's primary offshore run, and its window for sailfish. Tap a port for every run, regulation and source.

Texas

Galveston

Peak Jun–SepFishable May, Oct
Primary run40 miles or less in peak seasonto Summer billfish and pelagic water
Texas

Port Aransas

Peak Jul–SepFishable Jun, Oct
Primary runabout 35 milesto Bakers and Hospital Rock
Texas

South Padre Island

Peak Jun–AugFishable Apr–May, Sep–Oct
Primary runabout 13 miles northeast of the jettiesto RGV Reef
Florida

Islamorada

Peak Dec–MarFishable Apr, Nov
Primary runabout 3.5 nautical milesto Alligator Reef (lighthouse)
Florida

Key West

Peak Dec–MarFishable Apr, Nov
Primary runabout 6 milesto Outer reef (main ship channel)
Florida

Miami

Peak Mar–MayFishable Aug–Feb
Primary runabout 3 milesto The Edge (reef drop-off)
Florida

Palm Beach

Peak Dec–MarFishable Apr, Aug–Nov
Primary runless than 10 milesto Gulf Stream (Sailfish Alley)
Florida

Port Canaveral

Peak Dec–JanFishable Nov
Primary runabout 20 milesto 20-mile weather buoy
Florida

Stuart

Peak Nov–FebFishable Mar–May
Primary runabout 6-8 milesto Sailfish grounds (Sailfish Alley)
South Carolina

Charleston

Peak Jul–SepFishable May–Jun, Oct
Primary runabout 60-65 milesto Georgetown Hole (Gulf Stream ledge)
South Carolina

Hilton Head

Peak Jul–AugFishable Jun
Primary runabout 16 milesto Betsy Ross Reef

How to fish it

Tackle class:20-30lb spinning or conventional, circle hooks required. The window gets you on the water; the rig gets the fish to the boat. Full breakdown on the sailfish page.

  • Kite Fishing Sailfish and MahiFly two baits off one kite and turn a dead-current day into a sailfish bite: the setup, the release clips, and the mistakes that cost you the shot.

Kits for this fish

  • The Sailfish & Mahi Kite Spread KitA complete kite kit, spare release clips, a drag-smooth reel, and the leader to keep it invisible: everything to fly a spread that actually hooks up.

Frequently asked

When is sailfish season across US offshore ports?

Sailfish peak windows across US offshore ports vary by port; across the 11 ports we track, something is peaking Nov–Sep. January, July, August and December are the hottest, with 5 of 11 ports at peak. Fishable year-round somewhere across US offshore ports.

What is the best month for sailfish across US offshore ports?

January, July, August and December. In January, 5 of the 11 ports we track are at peak: Islamorada, Key West, Palm Beach, Port Canaveral, Stuart.

Which US port has the longest sailfish season?

Miami, FL: 10 fishable months on our calendar, peaking Mar–May.

What rig do you use for sailfish?

20-30lb spinning or conventional, circle hooks required. Start with Kite Fishing Sailfish and Mahi.

Where this comes from

Every window here is rolled up from the port calendars on this site, and each port page cites its sources. Peak means the port's sources call it the best stretch; fishable means the fish are around but not at their best. Water temperature and bait move these windows every year. Check state and federal regulations before you leave the dock. Not legal advice.