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

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 Largo

Key Largo Offshore

NEW
34 ft 1 - 6 People From $900
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

8hr Offshore Big Game Trip

100% (19)
36 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,199
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

Inshore, Deep Sea, Nearshore in Boynton Beach

4 Hours Offshore Fishing Charter

100% (1)
27 ft 1 - 4 People From $575
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 La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

Punta Mita Offshore

NEW
35 ft 1 - 6 People From $825
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 Miami Beach

Miami Offshore Trolling Fun!

100% (4)
57 ft 1 - 24 People From $850
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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 453 sailfish trips, and the most popular trips are Half Day Fort Lauderdale guided by , Cabo VIP Fishing - 32’ Luhrs guided by , and Punta Cana Luxury Trip guided by .

Our guides are rated a 4.74 out of 5 based on 3997 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 artificial lure fishing are popular as well.

How much do sailfish fishing charters cost?

Prices for sailfish can range anywhere from about $800 to $4,400, but the average price for a half day trip for sailfish is $1,166. The average price for a full day trip for sailfish is $2,726.

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 an amazing trip with Captain Tony. He was super knowledgeable, kind and patient with a new young angler. He put us directly on fish and specifically the tuna we wanted. We will fish with Tony again for sure. If you are looking for guide, Tony is the man and knows the Key West waters and area well being born and raised in Key West.

    Britt B. | February 18, 2025

    Trip: Offshore Fishing,Reef & Wreck and Sunset

  • ★★★★★
    Paul and his first mate were awesome! We came to catch a sailfish and they made it happen!

    Bill B. | February 13, 2025

    Trip: Ultimate Offshore Thrills

  • ★★★★★
    We had a wonderful afternoon fishing with Antonio and Tony!! Very pleasant and attentive, constantly moving to find us the best spots. Went above and beyond to ensure we caught fish, even on a slow day. Would highly recommend

    Rodney G. | February 9, 2025

    Trip: Offshore Fishing,Reef & Wreck and Sunset

  • ★★★★★
    Carlos and his crews were fantastic! Very communicative before we arrived, making sure that he was planning to help us get just what we wanted out of our fishing charter! When it came to the day, our guides were knowledgeable, friendly and very hard working. They kept our lines out and baited all day long, and our catch certainly showed it!

    Tyler V. | February 1, 2025

    Trip: Tulum Trophy Hunt

  • ★★★★★
    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

  • ★★★★★
    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

  • ★★★★★
    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

  • ★★★★★
    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 Bryan took my sons and I out on a beautiful day through the Haulover Inlet, which was so much fun. we trolled we bought fished we kite fished… We caught sharks, mahi, mahi, and blackfin tuna! Captain Bryan brought his cool little dog along, and we all had a great day!

    John H. | November 11, 2024

    Trip: 4 hr Offshore Big Game Trip

  • ★★★★★
    We had a blast with Joe and Captain Chuck. Will definitely return!

    Yohannes H. | October 28, 2024

    Trip: Legendary Fishing in Key West

  • ★★★★★
    Great experience. Sympatic guys. I can only recommend

    Vejvar M. | October 17, 2024

    Trip: 4 hr Offshore Big Game Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Byran is so fun and so professional in fishing. I love his dog, she went fishing with us and she’s so kind with my kids. We had the best time together! Definitely recommend captain Bryan for your advisor!

    Luxi W. | October 12, 2024

    Trip: 4 hr Offshore Big Game Trip

  • ★★★★★
    We had such a great time and our guide was fun, knowledgeable, and put us on the fish all trip! We will be going back for sure.

    Rae S. | October 6, 2024

    Trip: Key West Offshore Action

  • ★★★★★
    Awesome trip. Captain Bill was a complete professional and put us right on the fish. Everyone left happy with plenty of pictures and a full cooler. First mate Ashley was one of the best I've ever seen at what she does.

    Tommy O. | September 30, 2024

    Trip: Big Boat Mixed Bag

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Steve and mate Stan are the best they put us on the fish and we will definitely be back

    Jason R. | September 25, 2024

    Trip: Key West Sportfishing Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    Excellent guide and first mate. Both were great. Stayed over our time to be sure all the kids caught something. Highly recommend!!!

    Graham S. | September 16, 2024

    Trip: Key West Fishing Slam

  • ★★★★★
    Chris & Will were great. Knowledgeable, professional, engaging and put us on the fish. Would highly recommend this charter.

    Doug B. | September 11, 2024

    Trip: Key West Sportfish Trip

  • ★★★★★
    We had an amazing time! We had a special interest in Mahi and captain brad and his first mate made it happen. It was great, they made us feel super comfortable and confident. We were able to score Mackerel, Yellowtail and we latched on 3 Mahi’s at the very very last second! Super lucky. Brad and his first mate made it happen! We were able to leave with 2 mackerels and 2 Mahi Mahi’s! Thank you! You won’t regret booking with them. Special experience.

    María A. | September 2, 2024

    Trip: Key West Mixed Bag Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Brad and his first mate were amazing. It was my first time fishing off of a boat and I'm glad it was with them! They were both very patient, helpful, and made it an unforgettable experience. We caught snapper and grouper and even hooked an eel! Thanks to both of you for a fantastic time on the water. Highly recommend

    Karen E. | August 19, 2024

    Trip: Key West Mixed Bag Trip

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