Sailfish

Sailfish Fishing in Florida

Sailfish are a billfish, and FWC notes that most anglers release them. The minimum size is 63 inches lower jaw to fork, and a sailfish you intend to release may not be removed from the water in federal waters, or in state waters if you have a federal HMS permit.

Florida rules from FWC and NOAA Fisheries, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC and NOAA Fisheries in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 126.00 lb Big Pine Key · June 13, 2009 · Larry Maier

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

About the fish

SizeUp to 11 feet and 220 pounds
Where it livesOffshore waters
What it eatsSmall fish and squid

FWC says they grow fast, reaching 4 to 5 feet in a year.

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • A sailfish you intend to release may not be removed from the water in federal waters, or in state waters if you have a federal HMS permit.
  • FWC says the federal HMS permit is not required for anglers fishing for billfish in state waters. In federal waters it is.
  • NOAA lists no bag limit for sailfish; FWC lists one billfish per person. In state waters on a boat with an HMS permit, federal rules apply unless state rules are more restrictive, in which case state rules apply.

Florida, both coasts: when you can keep one

Florida state waters.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC.
63 inches lower jaw to forkSize limit
1 billfish per personDaily limit. That one fish covers billfish together, not sailfish alone.

Federal waters: when you can keep one

Federal waters, under NOAA Atlantic highly migratory species rules.

  • Vessels with an HMS permitOpenNOAA lists the sailfish fishery as open.
63 inches lower jaw to forkSize limit
No federal bag limitDaily limit. NOAA lists no limit, but billfish cannot be kept if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is already on board or has been offloaded. The vessel needs an HMS Angling or Charterboat/Headboat permit.

Gear rules

A sailfish you intend to release may not be removed from the water in federal waters, or in state waters if you have a federal HMS permit.

Questions about sailfish

Can I keep a sailfish?

Only at 63 inches or more, lower jaw to fork, and FWC's daily limit is one billfish per person. FWC notes that most anglers release sailfish.

Can we lift it into the boat for a photo?

Not if you are releasing it in federal waters, or in state waters on a boat with a federal HMS permit: FWC says a sailfish you intend to release may not be removed from the water in those cases.

Does the boat need a permit?

In federal waters, yes: an HMS Angling or Charterboat/Headboat permit. FWC says it is not required for billfish in state waters.

Is there a closed season?

No. FWC lists sailfish as open year round and NOAA lists the fishery as open.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, billfish, tuna and swordfish regulations and NOAA Fisheries, recreational Atlantic billfish statuses and limits and FWC, sailfish profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.