Sailfish, Sail Fish
Sailfish are colored dark blue on top, brown-blue laterally, silvery white underbelly; upper jaw elongated in form of spear; first dorsal greatly enlarged in the form of a sail, with many black spots, its front squared off, highest at its midpoint; pelvic fins very narrow, reaching almost to the anus; body covered with embedded scales, blunt at end; lateral line curved above pectoral, then straight to base of tail.
Sailfish are OFFSHORE species, in south Florida associated with waters near the Gulf Stream; off the Panhandle near the 100 foot fathom line. We catch sailfish more often in the cooler months in East Central Florida and have often seen them "sailing" off Port Canaveral waters or around offshore bait pods "balling" bait together for the feed.
Sailfish are a rapid growing species, reaching 4 to 5 feet in a single year; swims at speeds up to 50 knots; feeds on the surface or at mid-depths on smaller pelagic fishes and squid.
116 Pound Florida Record |
