Damn Good Sailfish Fishing Charters

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“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and look forward to getting you out on the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

Sailfish Fishing Charters

Veteran Operated
This trip is managed by a veteran of the US armed forces.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Miami

Big Game Expedition - 60' Hatteras

100% (3)
60 ft 1 - 12 People From $1,300
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Fort Lauderdale

Big Game Fishing Off Fort Lauderdale

100% (1)
37 ft 1 - 12 People From $800
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Pompano Beach

Unforgettable Day Offshore

100% (17)
45 ft 1 - 6 People From $850
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Key West

Key West Mixed Bag Trip

100% (10)
43 ft 1 - 6 People From $950
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Deep Sea, Nearshore in Stock Island

Key West Nearshore/Offshore Trip

100% (6)
63 ft 1 - 12 People From $1,850
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Miami

4 Hr Offshore Big Game Trip

100% (19)
36 ft 1 - 6 People From $599
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Everything to Know About Booking a sailfish fishing charter

What are the best sailfish fishing charters?

Why should I book a sailfish fishing charter with Captain Experiences?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 440 sailfish trips, and the most popular trips are Cabo VIP Fishing - 32’ Luhrs guided by Jim, #1 Offshore Charter guided by Brad, and Key West Offshore or Inshore guided by Antonio.

Our guides are rated a 4.79 out of 5 based on 3908 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Looking for kid friendly sailfish guides / fishing lessons? Check out our beginner and family friendly sailfish guides.

What types of sailfish fishing charters are common?

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular type of fishing for sailfish as well as nearshore fishing, inshore fishing, and jetty fishing.

The most common fishing techniques are trolling, heavy tackle fishing, and bottom fishing but live bait fishing and light tackle fishing are popular as well.

How much do sailfish fishing charters cost?

Prices for sailfish can range anywhere from about $900 to $4,800, but the average price for a half day trip for sailfish is $1,493. The average price for a full day trip for sailfish is $3,074.

Is booking a fishing guide worth the money?

Hiring a guide provides a number of benefits and many choose to book a fishing guide for a combination of experience, local knowledge, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Working with experienced fishing guides who know the best local spots and techniques can dramatically increase your odds of a great day. Having someone who is on the water every day and knows the area like the back of their hand is going to give you the best chances of success.

Booking a guide is also more cost effective, especially if you only get out a handful of times per year. When you consider all of the costs you would incur on your own such as the price of a boat, maintenance, insurance, gas, high-quality gear and tackle, repairs, and more, you’ll find that DIY is sometimes not worth the expense.

Even if you’ve got a great setup already in your home waters, booking a guide also provides a great opportunity to experience new techniques, new locations, or even a chance at a new target species to knock off the bucket list.

What month is best for sailfish fishing?

The most popular season for sailfish fishing is summer, and most anglers book their trips 69 days in advance.

Do I need a fishing license for sailfish and what are the bag limits for sailfish?

See here for more information on sailfish fishing licenses, sailfish bag limits, and fishing season regulations for sailfish. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right sailfish rules and regulations.

What is a Sailfish?

The sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) is most recognizable for it’s large dorsal fin, or sail, that stretches along their entire back. Known as the cheetah of the ocean, they are some of the fastest marine creatures alive, swimming up to 70 miles per hour, making them highly prized by anglers despite being one of the smaller species of billfish.

Other distinguishing characteristics of sailfish are their blue to gray coloring, and elongated bill. These colors will change into rust color and even black while hunting. There are two types of sailfish, the Pacific Sailfish, and the Atlantic Sailfish, who reside in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans respectively.

How big do Sailfish get?

Sailfish grow quickly, being born at 0.125 inches long, and getting up to four to five feet within a single year. At full maturity, they can grow upwards of 10 feet long and 200 pounds.

That being said, there tends to be a size difference between the Atlantic and Pacific sailfishes. Pacific sailfish can get up to up to a foot longer than the biggest Atlantic sailfish. They can also be much heavier, by up to 70 pounds.

What's the biggest Sailfish ever caught?

In 1947, Carl Stewart caught the largest sailfish ever recorded. It was a Pacific sailfish landed out of the waters of Santa Cruz Island in Ecuador. This giant weighed in over 220 pounds, and was over 11 feet long.

Where is the best place to catch Sailfish?

Sailfish are spread across tropical and subtropical waters, staying in preferred water temperatures of 70 to 83 degrees. They stay close to the surface, usually alone or in small groups, sometimes schooling when hunting.

In the Atlantic, one of the best places to target sailfish is Florida. There are hotspots along the entire Floridian coast, including Miami, the Keys, the Panhandle, and Destin. Outside of the United States, some of the top areas are Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii.

When in the Pacific, Guatemala and Costa Rica are the go-to places. For the best of both Pacific and Atlantic oceans, head to Mexico, where you can go to either coast for access.

When should I catch Sailfish?

Sailfish are typically good to fish year-round, it just depends on where they are in their migration to make sure you’re headed to the right area. For example Eastern Atlantic Sailfish have a seasonal migration south towards warmer waters, so the best time to target them is November through February. Peak season worldwide though tends to be from May to September, especially in July, since summer is the sailfish’s spawning season.

How do you catch Sailfish?

The most common way to hook a sailfish is by fast trolling, using artificial or natural bait. Artificials typically used are plastic lures, feathers, or spoons. Natural bait is preferred, however, and can be live or dead and cut into strips, with options like mullet, ballyhoo, or mackerel. Other methods like jigs, poppers, kite fishing, and fly fishing can also be used.

The “dropback” technique is highly recommended for sailfish. To do so, you should feed line to the sailfish once it is spotted approaching the bait. Continue to free spool until you’re sure that the bait has been taken, then set the drag, wait until there is no more slack, set the hook and get ready to fight. Sailfish are know for their acrobatic leaps, shaking their head, and tail-walking, which is where they skip across the water using their tails.

Are Sailfish good to eat? What are the best Sailfish recipes?

Much like other billfish, sailfish are most often caught and released. They are edible, however they are not considered the most palatable since the meat tends to be very tough, and they also have a high mercury content.

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great experience with Captain Bryan. He is knowledgeable and very personable. He has good stories and a friendly pup. It was my dream to catch a shark and boy did we get lucky! I will not forget that day!

    Christina F. | January 12, 2025

    Trip: 4 hr Offshore Big Game Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great trip with Brad. He was prompt and polite, but most importantly, a very attentive and experienced captain. He gave us many options for our outing and let us determine the course of our day. Highly recommend!

    Curtis C. | January 10, 2025

    Trip: Key West Mixed Bag Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Anthony was awesome! Great with the kids and adults alike. The weather wasn't cooperating on our trip but he still managed to put us some fish even if wasn't our target for the day. I would fish with Captain Anthony again anytime!

    Jb H. | January 7, 2025

    Trip: Ultimate Action Fishing in Key West

  • ★★★★★
    Great time on the water yesterday. Had some friends with me from England who never fished. They had an amazing time. Nick our mate was awesome. Caught a few barracuda and we missed 2 big fish.

    Joby W. | December 31, 2024

    Trip: Miami Offshore Trolling Fun!

  • ★★★★★
    Great day on the water, clean boat, great captain, excellent food, TOP NOTCH SERVICE! We will fish again soon!

    Jerry W. | December 30, 2024

    Trip: Cabo VIP Fishing - 32’ Luhrs

  • ★★★★★
    Great trip! Will be booking again soon

    Damion G. | December 30, 2024

    Trip: Big Game Expedition - 60' Hatteras

  • ★★★★★
    Jesus was great! Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly attentive. Would recommend him for any family trip.

    Benjamin S. | December 30, 2024

    Trip: Miami Beach Fishing Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Knowledgable and fun captain, put my family on the fish. Also mixed it up and fished the conditions. I would use this boat again in the future.

    Bradley | December 28, 2024

    Trip: Swordfish Trip - 31' Rampage

  • ★★★★★
    Capt. Juan was great! Beautiful day on the Pacific with jumping whales and striped marlin. The marlin weren't eating but the dorado were, along with a mako. Such a beautiful apex predator built for speed. Crew was awesome and Capt. Juan made it all easy.

    Stephen B. | December 27, 2024

    Trip: Classic Cabo Sportfish Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Will definitely book another charted fishing trip with Doug!!!!

    Brian W. | December 27, 2024

    Trip: Pompano Beach Classic

  • ★★★★★
    Joel was a great Captain was constantly on the hunt and gave great tips for each species. Todd was a great first mate took great care of us through the whole trip.

    Craig B. | December 27, 2024

    Trip: Marathon Offshore - 30’ Boca Grande

  • ★★★★★
    Brad and his first mate were first class. Helped us fish for all different kinds of fish. We even caught a 6 foot sailfish! Our family had a very nice time and highly recommend Captain Brad!

    Michael V. | December 25, 2024

    Trip: Key West Mixed Bag Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Jesus was great! He was friendly and knowledgeable. We had a great time and will definitely be booking with him again in a few weeks.

    Marcos M. | December 25, 2024

    Trip: Miami Beach Fishing Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Tony was a fantastic guide who knew the right places to fish. His knowledge of the local waters and species was incredible and we caught 30 fish including a prized huge Mutton! So much fun and we will definitely go with Captain Tony with screaming lines again!!

    Stephen B. | December 24, 2024

    Trip: Key West Offshore or Inshore

  • ★★★★★
    Our trip with Tony was amazing! Our family had such a good time catching all sorts of different species. After catching fish pretty consistently for about four hours, Tony was nice enough to clean our fish for us. We were able to take our filets to the restaurant next to where he picked us up where they cooked them for us. Overall it was a great day and we highly recommend Tony and his services!

    Tyler L. | December 22, 2024

    Trip: Key West Offshore or Inshore

  • ★★★★★
    This trip was incredible! I took my wife out with Yoni and his mate while we were in town for a wedding and we had just about the best day of fishing you can ask for. Yoni speaks perfect English and was super accommodating before the trip via WhatsApp. He had drinks on the boat and brought us some delicious mango bread for breakfast from a local bakery (without us asking for a thing). We set off and after we got past the color change in the water had nonstop action. We went 4 for 4 on some of the biggest sailfish I’ve ever caught and ended with a massive hookup on a marlin right by the boat that jumped off after a short fight. The fishing style is awesome: all teaser fishing with no hooks in the water at all, and you (with help from the guys) pitch bait to billfish right at the boat which leads to some absurd hookups. We had lunch with the guys afterwards at one of the beach restaurants near the marina and practiced our Spanish with them. I couldn’t recommend this trip more.

    Attison B. | December 10, 2024

    Trip: Puerto Escondido Deep Sea Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Was in town for Thanksgiving with the fam and had an awesome time out with Capt. Ricky. The boat is super spacious, dry, comfortable, and fast and Capt uses nothing but top of the line tackle. We caught some nice wahoo on the troll that made for awesome sashimi, ceviche, and fish tacos back home. We also came across some floating debris and pitched baits at some Tripletail. They were super picky but Richard and Elliott knew how to make em eat! Thanks guys, will be back soon. – Jonathan with Captain Experiences

    Jonathan N. | December 9, 2024

    Trip: Reel Rush Lauderdale Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    My family and I had an epic day with Taco! Taco and his mate were super welcoming as we jumped on board, and it was clear he runs a super clean and well maintained sportfish. We were on fish in no time with my brother-in-law fighting the fish of his life, a giant Amberjack! From there, we spread the kites and caught mahi, bonita, and a beautiful sailfish. Whole fam had a blast and Taco stole the show, we'll be back! – Jonathan with Captain Experiences

    Jonathan N. | December 9, 2024

    Trip: Florida Fishing Spectacular

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Jim was fantastic. From the start, our communication was quick and easy. He prepared us with what to expect and what the game plan would be for the day. Upon arrival, Captain Jim immediately welcomed us and briefed us on the safety protocols. Once we were out in the ocean trolling, he monitored and prepared all of the lines while entertaining us and feeding us with endless information. Once the fish was on, he coached us through the reel-in process and expertly removed the fish from the line, and encouraged all of us to take a photo with the fish. We would certainly recommend Captain Jim and we will be re-booking with him in the near future!

    Lauren V. | December 9, 2024

    Trip: 4 Hours Offshore Fishing Charter

  • ★★★★★
    If you’re looking for the real Florida deal, Mark’s the man. He’s got more years of experience than anyone out there, an incredible the likes of which no other charter is using, and the know how to make sure that if there’s something in the water, you’ll catch it. GetEmOn!

    Anton R. | December 3, 2024

    Trip: Nearshore/Offshore Sportfishing

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