Let's go Sailfishing!

LET’S GO SAILFISHING!

 

 

The sailfish when that word is said most people in the USA immediately think Florida Keys and South Florida. Billfish live in warmer sections of all the oceans of the world and Sails are predominately blue to gray in color and have a unique and recognizable dorsal fin that give them the name sailfish, this fin will cover most of the back of a sailfish. The final thing we all recognize is the bill resembling that of a sword fish or even marlin. That gives them the name bill fish.

There are two species of Sailfish and there are really no differences between the two other than where they are located. Atlantic Sailfish is the one we all see photos of and on TV. The Second is the Pacific Sailfish. If you ever want to going fishing for sailfish, not that sail fishing in the USA is bad but if you really want to experience it, Wahoo recommends Malaysia and areas in the South Pacific in and around western Australia.. You will see a video we attached of sail fishing with Herb Carman and these are not super rich guys and you can tell by the gear and the boat it is much like a flats boat trip in Florida. The difference is there are a lot of sailfish in this part of the world. There are other good places but we think this is the best chance for the average guy to go really get into the sails. The sailfish grows fast and gets up to 8ft in length and can swim up to 110 MPH they are the Porsha racers in saltwater fish.

All that being said when a  sailfish feels threatened  all the fins and dressing makes them appear much larger than they  actually are, This can also be seen when they are feeding or when  a group of sailfish use their sails to "herd" a school of fish or squid. Sailfish are high social and communicate with each other it has been said they can send signals with color flashes in by changing their color instantly when in a school to let others know there is food or danger. Sailfish are highly prized known for their incredible jumps and great speed, awesome array of colors, from browns and grays to vibrant purples and even silver. Their body colors are often highlighted by stripes of iridescent blue and silver dots.

 Tackle needed is in the 15-35lb range on rods and you need the line to take the surge on the runs as they take a lot of line at first and at mach II. We line braid on a hi speed or at minimum 2 speed reel.

The Shimano TLD 20, 400 yards minimum of Berkley, mono or braid 30-40 pound test, with a seven foot, medium action Catcher Sailfish rod or the 6’10” Bait Pitch Rod from Catcher Rods. Couple of pointers, keep  5 pounds of drag set in the strike position, most Sailfish at the boat in 20-30 minutes.  5/0  Mustad bait hooks, the right bait on your hook is critical  Ballyhoo, Pilchards, and Threadfin Herring, and goggle eye all work. Sailfish will come up on your bait, mouth it, and if your drag is tight the boat will pull it from his mouth and he might not come back. Only keep your fishing reel at 4 to 5 pounds drag. Most important is that the sailfish is a prized resource and when you have the privilege to catch one makes sure you release it and before you do use gloves and pull it along the side of the boat remove hooks and hold the fish by the bill and allow water to run through the gills for several minutes. We do not like to take the fish out of the water so GoPro with underwater photos and in water photos are best.

If you want to know more about Sailfish and some ways to catch them we are happy to share with you so please send us a email to info@wahootackleandfishing.com and we will get back to you. If you want to book a trip and Catch a sailfish we can do that to.

Let’s do the Sailfish!