Damn Good Sailfish Fishing Charters

Check real-time availability and compare rates on sailfish fishing trips. Confidently book your next day on the water.

Choose a Date
4.91/5 Average Rating

Damn Good Guides

You will only find quality, vetted guides on Captain Experiences, and we know them all on a first-name basis

Experts Available 24/7

Our US-based team is available 24/7 to help you with any questions or concerns

100% Weather Guarantee

We want to keep everyone safe, so in the case of inclement weather we'll work with you to reschedule at no cost

Top Cities for Sailfish Fishing

“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

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Fort Pierce

Ft Pierce Offshore 47' Buddy Harris

100% (4) Guided by Gil
47 ft 1 - 12 People From $1,690
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Culebra

Sport Fishing Full-day

NEW Managed by Walter
48 ft 1 - 10 People From $3,550
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo Trophy Fishing

100% (6) Guided by Casey
45 ft 1 - 8 People From $1,090
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Marathon

Marathon Offshore | 45' Express

100% (16) Guided by Joseph
45 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,400
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Deep Sea, Nearshore in Playa Flamingo

5/7 Hrs Offshore Or Inshore Fishing

100% (1) Managed by Amber Lynn
28 ft 1 - 12 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 San Juan

Caribbean Fishing 42'

95% (82) Managed by Angel
42 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,200
See All Sailfish Trips

Everything to Know About Booking a sailfish fishing charter

What are the best sailfish fishing charters?

The best sailfish fishing charters are:

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

  • ★★★★★
    Great day with Captain Bill on the water! We did a half day trip with my family and had a blast. My girls didn’t want rough seas so Bill took us out in the bay and we caught our limit of snapper with a couple of bonus trout. The highlight was the shark that tried to eat our snapper boat side! I would highly recommend Captain Bill and we will be giving him a call our next trip back to the Keys!

    Brian B. | March 19, 2026

    Trip: Sportfishing Half Day

  • ★★★★★
    We had an amazing day fishing with Captain Timothy (TJ) and his Mate Mitch. Their professionalism and willingness to go o above and beyond stood out the most. Awesome boat and crew who know him to find the fish. Thanks TJ.

    Steve G. | March 17, 2026

    Trip: 3/4 Day Deep Sea

  • ★★★★★
    Awsome time !!!

    David T. | March 16, 2026

    Trip: Private Offshore Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    I wish that I could give Joel and Tony more than 5 stars. We left the fishing trip with only 1 complaint and that was that we only booked it for 1 day. We absolutely will be back!!!

    Christopher C. | March 11, 2026

    Trip: Private Offshore Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    It was the perfect day to start but we can not control the weather and we made the best of what we could. I personally cannot wait till I book the next trip

    Kevin C. | March 4, 2026

    Trip: Key Largo Offshore Fishing

States

Cities

Countries

Other Fishing Species

Tour Species

Featured Cities

What's biting?

View Sailfish Fishing Reports from our damn good guides.

Didn't Find What You Were Looking For?

Our guides are Damn Good Guides, which means they’re vetted by our team of outdoor experts who know them on a first-name basis. We hand pick each and every one of them, and our network spans all across the US and beyond.

The proof is in the pudding, and we’re incredibly proud of our 4.9 / 5 average review score. Hit the button below to see more trip options:

Enter to Win a

$500 DAMN GOOD GIFT CARD

Gift Card

Sign up to win $500 towards ANY trip. Winners drawn monthly.

By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing communications from Captain Experiences. To opt-out, click the unsubscribe button at the bottom of our emails. Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

See All Sailfish Trips