Sailfish in Islamorada

Florida’s state saltwater fish and Islamorada’s winter headline: the first cold front brings them, a run of famous tournaments follows them, and nearly every one is released.

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When is sailfish season in Islamorada?

Winter. Bud N’ Mary’s says sailfish are consistent off Islamorada from November through March, usually after the first cold front, and A Fishing Guru peaks them December to February. The Keys tourism council grades them Peak in January, February, March, November and December. Islamorada’s sailfish tournaments run December to February.

An Atlantic sailfish with its sail raised

The fish

The sailfish is Florida’s state saltwater fish. FWC puts it at up to 11 feet and 220 pounds and says it grows fast, reaching four to five feet in its first year; the Florida Museum notes that southern Florida fish run smaller, generally 68 to 90 inches. It feeds hard on small fish and squid. The Florida state record, 126 pounds, came from near Big Pine Key.

Sailfish season in Islamorada

The Islamorada sources agree on winter and differ only at the edges. Bud N’ Mary’s: consistent November through March, usually after the first cold front, with a few days of tailing sails in April or May. A Fishing Guru: December to February peak, with early fish in November and scattered spring fish. Robbie’s Capt. Kit Mobley, in Keys Weekly in March 2026: peak December through April. None of them supports summer sailfish.

The Keys tourism council’s calendar grades sailfish Peak in January, February, March, November and December, Good in April, May and October, and Lower in June, July, August and September.

The tournament winter

Islamorada’s sailfish tournaments track the season. The Keys tourism council lists the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament (4–6 December 2026), the Junior Sailfish Tournament in its 61st year (11–13 December), and in January the Captain’s Cup and the Cheeca Lodge Presidential, the last two legs of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship. See tournaments.

Can you keep a sailfish?

Almost every Keys sailfish is released.

FWC says not to remove a sailfish from the water, even for a picture, and to use non-offset circle hooks with natural bait. Selling any Atlantic billfish is prohibited.

Every limit is on what fish you can keep.

Florida state-water rules as they apply in the Keys, Islamorada included, read on FWC’s page on 6 October 2026. FWC changes these; its page is the final word.
RuleFWC, Keys state waters
Minimum size63 in lower jaw to fork
Bag limit1 billfish per person
SeasonOpen all year
SourceFWC: Sailfish

Which trip to book

An offshore trip in winter. Six or eight hours gives the crew time to work the reef edge and beyond: Islamorada offshore three-quarter days ran $1,200–$1,700 and full days $950–$2,000 per boat in the October 2026 read. See deep-sea fishing.

Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: sailfish profile ; Bud N’ Mary’s: sailfishing in Islamorada ; A Fishing Guru: month by month .

Check it at the source

Sailfish: questions

What month is best for sailfish in Islamorada?

December to February is the core, by A Fishing Guru and the tournament calendar; Bud N’ Mary’s widens it to November through March, starting after the first cold front. Summer is not sailfish season here.

Can you keep a sailfish in Florida?

Legally one billfish per person at 63 inches lower jaw to fork, but almost every Keys sailfish is released. FWC says not to take one out of the water, even for a photo, and sale of Atlantic billfish is prohibited.

Next step

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