billfish

Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Wintertime push down the SE FL coast. Tail in the trough on north wind days.

Preferred water temp72–82°F

Preferred depth60–250 ft

Peak monthsDec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Holds oncolor changes, ledges, bait push fronts

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — GulfBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & AndrosBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 27, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 11 of 11 regulations

BAHAMAS

Bahamas — Department of Marine Resources

Catch & releaseCatch & release only

CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY. Circle hooks required. The flats and Gulf Stream edge are prime fall and spring.

STATE

All Florida — State + Federal

Permit requiredPermit required

Bag limit: 1 / angler / day
Minimum: 63″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

Requires NOAA HMS Angling permit. 1/person/day. 63" LJFL min. Most anglers release — recommended tag-and-release. Required to report retained billfish within 24h.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 1 / angler / day
Minimum: 63″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS Angling/Charterboat permit required in federal waters. State: 1/person within billfish. Cannot remove from water if released in federal waters or with federal HMS permit. Cannot retain if hammerhead/oceanic whitetip on board.

FL Atlantic sailfish: 1/day, 63" LJFL, HMS permit federal.

GA_ATLANTIC

Georgia — State waters (0–3 nm) · GA DNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 1 / angler / day
Minimum: 63″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

Per federal HMS.

Georgia sailfish: HMS rules.

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 63″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit.

NC sailfish: 63" LJFL.

AL_GULF

Alabama — State waters (0–3 nm) · AL CNR-MRD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 63″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit.

Alabama sailfish: 63" LJFL.

LA_GULF

Louisiana — State waters (0–3 nm) · LDWF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 63″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit.

Louisiana sailfish: 63" LJFL.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 1 / angler / day
Minimum: 63″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit federal. 1/day per billfish bag.

FL Gulf sailfish: 1/day, 63" LJFL.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 84″ TL (total length)

TX state min 84" TL (uses TL); HMS rule of 63" LJFL applies federally.

Texas sailfish: 84" TL state (TPWD uses TL).

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Catch & releaseCatch & release only

Minimum: 63″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS Federal: catch & release standard. If retained, 63" LJFL min. HMS Angling permit required. FL state strongly encourages release of all sailfish.

SC_ATLANTIC

South Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · SCDNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Minimum: 63″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)

HMS permit. Rod & reel only.

SC sailfish: 63" LJFL.