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 2 of 11 regulations for North Carolina

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.

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.