Sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus
The Fastest Fish in the Sea — 70 MPH Billfish
- Average size
- 60–120 lb
- Peak season
- December–April (Eastern Pacific)
- World record
- 221 lb — Galapagos Islands, Ecuador (1947)
- Experiences
- 13
Pacific sailfish are the most consistent numbers bluewater fish in the world. A boat working the FAD (fish aggregating device) lines off Costa Rica or Guatemala in January or February routinely releases 15–25 sailfish a day; strong days exceed 40. The fish are big by billfish-for-numbers standards — 60 to 120 pounds — and they tail-walk, greyhound, and run like few saltwater fish can.
Los Sueños (Costa Rica), Quepos, Guatemala's Iztapa, and Panama's Pedasi represent the core of the Eastern Pacific fishery. Boats are sport-fisher class (42' to 65'), tournaments are frequent, and the culture skews more toward fly and circle-hook ballyhoo than live-bait drift fishing. Release-only for sailfish is the dominant ethic.
Best Methods
- ● Teaser-and-switch fly fishing
- ● Dead-bait circle-hook trolling (ballyhoo)
- ● Live-bait drift fishing
- ● Bait-and-switch to spin tackle for entertainment
Gear Notes
Fly: 14-weight rod with tropical IGFA-class tippet. Conventional: 20–30 lb standard IGFA line-class setups. 30' wind-on leaders. Boat provides all tackle on most charters.
Where to Catch Sailfish
13 vetted experiences across 5 countries.
Cape Santa Maria, Long Island, The Bahamas
Cape Santa Maria is located on Long Island in the Bahamas. It is a tropical oasis nestled on Long Island in the South Bahamas.
Costa De Cocos Lodge, Xcalak, Mexico
Costa De Cocos is set among Coconut Palms; there is a rich Mayan cultural charm. It is located at the 'end-of-the-road'.
Crocodile Bay, Costa Rica – Osa Peninsula
Crocodile Bay is ‘Paradise Found’. You will note the attention to detail from the beautifully hand carved front doors of the lodge to the extensive pier.
Deep Water Cay, Bahamas
Deep Water Cay Club is on a private island southeast of Grand Bahamas , seemingly created as a paradise just for truly AVID Anglers. With over a half century of tradition, this is where you can live the fishing life to the fullest.
Flamingo Beach Resort
At Flamingo Beach Resort experience a Pacific Ocean sunset in Costa Rica's vacation province of Guanacaste. This location is the perfect beachfront base from which to explore all of Costa Rica's natural beauty and adventure.
Islas Secas, Panama
Islas Secas sits in the shadow of Panama's highest mountain, the dormant volcano Baru, twenty-five miles from shore. The resort rests upon one of the sixteen uninhabited, pristine, jungle-clad volcanic islands in the Las Secas Archipelago.
Mars Bay Bonefish Lodge, S.Andros, Bahamas
Mars Bay Bonefish Lodge offers accessible bonefishing on South Andros Island in the Bahamas with pristine flats teeming with unpressured bonefish.
Quepos, Costa Rica
Quepos, Costa Rica offers amazing sport-fishing for marlin and sailfish from December-April, with inshore reefs home to huge populations of snapper, grouper, roosterfish, and more. Deluxe hotel accommodations with exquisite Pacific Ocean views.
Rancho Leonero, Mexico
Rancho Leonero is located on the East Cape of Southern Baja, nestled between the Sea of Cortez and the Laguna Mountains. The property covers 700 acres including nearly two miles of unspoiled beach with hacienda-style accommodations.
Silver King Lodge, Costa Rica
Silver King Lodge is located in Barra del Colorado within Costa Rica's second largest rainforest preserve, specializing in tarpon (6+ feet, up to 350 lbs). All-inclusive with gourmet dining and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Stella Maris Resort Club and Marina Long Island, Bahamas
Stella Maris Resort Club and Marina on Long Island in the Bahamas is an intimate plantation-style out island hotel providing the perfect Bahamas resort getaway for leisure travelers and active water sportsmen.
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Tropic Star Lodge, Panama
Tropic Star Lodge provides what many consider to be the finest offshore fishing anywhere, with over 150 world records set at this Paradise location in Panama's Pinas Bay.
Victoria House, Belize
Victoria House on Ambergris Caye, Belize is a gorgeous, small and exclusive resort offering excellent saltwater fly fishing in a top Caribbean location.
Explore Other Species
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