| Southeast Florida is the sailfish capital of the world! | | | | of fresh fish heading south, setting the stage for |
| There is simply no denying it. If you're not | | | | a banner day. |
| convinced, consider this... | | | | --Fishing a 55 ft. Ocean, my most impressive |
| Some anglers fish a lifetime without ever landing a | | | | release numbers have been accumulated through |
| single sailfish. Many travel to foreign destinations | | | | a combination of kite and rigger fishing. I hang two |
| like Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama where | | | | baits from a single kite, with two more high on |
| sailfish action is reportedly the best in the world. | | | | the surface off outrigger clips. I finish things off |
| Granted, in these foreign destinations double-digit | | | | with two goggle-eyes or blue runners deeper in |
| days are a common occurrence, but what about | | | | the water column. With this approach, I can |
| releasing over 400 sailfish in a single day? Is such | | | | quickly find the exact depth and location of |
| a staggering number even possible? It is if you | | | | feeding fish. Plus, my maneuverability is increased |
| were fishing the recent Florida Yachts | | | | with only a single kite in the air. I can chase down |
| International Sailfish Kickoff, held right here in | | | | hooked fish quickly, resulting in healthier releases |
| Miami in early December. The tournament posted | | | | and more time with baits in the water. When |
| what has to be an all time record. Sixty-five of | | | | everything comes together, release numbers add |
| the area's top teams successfully released over | | | | up quickly. |
| 400 sailfish during the first day of competition | | | | --Fish different baits. Goggle-eyes, ballyhoo, and |
| alone. The fast and furious action set a precedent | | | | threadfins are local favorites, but don't rule out |
| that will undoubtedly be hard to ever match. | | | | tinker mackerel, runners and speedos. Fish the |
| Tournament radioman and committee member | | | | ballyhoo on the rigger rods right on the surface. |
| Capt. Dan Kipnis explained, "Release calls were | | | | As sailfish swim into the spread, any smart |
| coming in constantly with many at the same time. | | | | ballyhoo will leap-frog out of the water in an |
| We didn't even have time to take bathroom | | | | attempt to escape becoming lunch. The |
| breaks." | | | | commotion usually entices already excited fish into |
| Day one of the prestigious event started with | | | | an unstoppable charge. Remaining baits, depending |
| lines-in at 8:00 am and ended at 4:00 pm. After | | | | on exactly how they're rigged, are equally |
| the astonishing numbers we're finally tallied, on | | | | effective both on the surface and deeper in the |
| average, a sailfish was released every minute and | | | | water column. |
| ten seconds. The bite was so 'red hot', L&H, | | | | Capt. V.J Bell |
| skippered by Capt. Neal Orange, Jr., even released | | | | Bone Shaker: Stuart FL. |
| a swordfish; a billfish species not typically caught | | | | Drag Dredges! |
| during daylight hours or this close to shore. The | | | | --For us guys up here, finding sailfish off the |
| day ended with Orange atop the leader board | | | | Treasure Coast is most often accomplished by |
| with a staggering 18 confirmed releases, a | | | | trolling rigged baits with dredges loaded with |
| number comparable to the best days anywhere | | | | natural or artificial mullet or ballyhoo. |
| on the globe. | | | | --The best hook baits are small ballyhoo rigged to |
| Such incredible sailfish action doesn't happen every | | | | swim with 1/8 oz. leads on 60 lb. leader material |
| day, but when ideal conditions all come together, | | | | with either a 9175 Mustad or Eagle Claw EL 2004 |
| and the fish are in the mood to cooperate, the | | | | circle hook. |
| bite can be monumental. To take full advantage | | | | --Run offshore looking for 'fishy' water which can |
| of these and every opportunity, accomplished | | | | include distinct color changes, temperature breaks, |
| captains have fine tuned their approach for | | | | birds, flying fish, and other forms of prevalent |
| making the most of each and every outing. Let's | | | | structure or suspended bait. Pay close attention |
| hear what the pros have to say. Their livelihood | | | | to current and wind conditions, and keep additional |
| depends on their success! | | | | baits in the water as long as possible when |
| Capt. Dean Panos | | | | hooked up so you can turn singles into multiples. |
| Double D: Miami, FL. | | | | --Smooth drop backs with a patient retrieve and |
| Location, Location, Location. | | | | easy setting of the hook is the best way to |
| --Off southeast Florida, the fishing kite certainly | | | | make a solid connection. |
| reigns supreme. While our fellow fishermen to the | | | | --Pay attention to your exact location at all times |
| north prefer to troll rigged ballyhoo, and our | | | | and thoroughly cover and re-cover productive |
| angling buddies in the Florida Keys experience | | | | water. Make smart moves and anticipate how the |
| great success pitching pilchards to 'tailing' fish, here | | | | existing conditions will affect your presentation. An |
| off of Miami a kite-fisherman will have the | | | | appealing trolling spread which encompasses |
| greatest opportunity to capitalize on red hot bites. | | | | multiple hook baits and a pair of teasers is |
| You too can take full advantage of the super | | | | dependent on a hard working mate. It takes a lot |
| action as long as you come prepared, and you're | | | | of effort to make sure everything is 'right'. |
| fishing the right place at the right time. | | | | --Treasure Coast captains appreciate the effort |
| --Hungry packs of aggressive sails are pushed | | | | and rewards of dead bait trolling, though clearly |
| down the coast as wintry cold fronts roll in to our | | | | understand the importance of being ready for any |
| north. Knowing exactly where the bulk of the fish | | | | situation. When the bulk of the sailfish are stacked |
| may be located on any given day will be a major | | | | south of St. Lucie Inlet, we'll often switch to live |
| key to success. In the past few years, the area | | | | bait. Like our buddies down the coast, we'll fly a |
| south of Fowey Light to Pacific Reef has been | | | | kite or two and drift appealing areas. Hook baits |
| consistent during both January and February. | | | | will be whatever we were able to net that |
| Dependent on water quality, sails may also be | | | | morning. If the bait is lively and presented |
| plentiful from Haulover to Key Biscayne. | | | | properly, regardless if it's a herring, big sardine or |
| --Fish sharp color changes in 80 ft. to 300 ft. and | | | | runner, it will usually get slammed. |
| work both sides of the break. Although this early | | | | Capt. Vinnie LaSorsa |
| in the year, the majority of sails will be found | | | | Margaritavich: Palm Beach, FL. |
| roaming the cleaner, blue side. | | | | Small details make big differences! |
| --Keep kite baits right on the surface and if the | | | | --Focus on temperature breaks. If you're serious |
| wind is up and the waves are cresting, keep a | | | | about sailfishing this season, you better hope your |
| sharp lookout for sub-surface cruising fish heading | | | | boat is equipped with a temperature gauge. |
| your way. | | | | Monitor it closely and look for variations when |
| --Lastly, no matter how hard you try, you can't | | | | searching for an ideal stretch of potentially |
| catch 'em standing on dry land. Get out there and | | | | productive water. When you notice a change of |
| give it your best shot - I'm sure the rewards will | | | | at least a degree, there is a good chance sailfish |
| be worth the effort! | | | | won't be far away. |
| Capt. Cory Burlew | | | | --Healthy baits are a must. Hardy, small to |
| Reaper: Pompano Beach, FL. | | | | medium blue runners are my favorite and often |
| Proper presentation! | | | | much easier to come by than goggle-eyes which |
| --Multiple release days are all about proper | | | | have skyrocketed in price. Use soft cloth bait nets |
| presentation and precise execution. The common | | | | instead of the stiff mono type. Soft nets do a |
| goal is obviously scoring the greatest number of | | | | much better job at protecting the bait's fragile |
| releases. To make that happen, the best guys | | | | slime coating. |
| understand the fish's habits and cater their | | | | --Bridle baits. Avoid injuring baits as much as |
| approach's accordingly. | | | | possible. The small difference will make a big |
| --Sailfish encountered off northern Broward | | | | difference |
| County are always on the move, unlike the | | | | --Fish with high speed reels for your kite baits. |
| numbers of fish which have taken up temporary | | | | Fast retrieve reels loaded with fresh line are |
| residency off Stuart and the Florida Keys where | | | | perfect. The extra speed allows you to quickly |
| huge concentrations of ballyhoo, sardines, and | | | | crank the slack out of the line when a sailfish |
| other baitfish are incredibly abundant. | | | | grabs one of your baits and pops the line out of |
| --Ideal conditions include a north to northwest | | | | clip. Come tight quickly to avoid potentially harming |
| wind. Stiff breezes generally force sails toward | | | | the fish with a damaging gut hook. |
| the surface; hence known as 'tailing fish'. | | | | --I am sure you've heard this fundamental before, |
| Northeast to southeast winds usually push sailfish | | | | but let me reiterate. Sailfish bite best with a fast |
| deeper as they continue on their southerly | | | | moving northerly current. Once on scene, stop |
| migration. In other locales, these easterly winds | | | | and keep a close eye on the latitude and longitude |
| may be best, but not here. Optimum conditions | | | | numbers on the GPS. Determine exactly which |
| wouldn't be complete without a strong northerly | | | | direction you're drifting and how fast. Then |
| current which often brings with it a constant flow | | | | reposition accordingly. |