Sailfish are Well-Respected as the Kings of Florida Keys Sport Fishing
One of the most sought after game fish in the Florida Keys, sailfish are found in shallower Atlantic areas anywhere from 20 to 200 feet.
SeaSquared Charters starts our day of sailfishing by filling the live well with ballyhoo, aka sailfish candy. We catch them either by hair hooking them individually on rod and reel or by throwing the cast net.
We often do double duty while catching bait by casting for the fine eating yellowtail and mangrove snapper that lurk on the same patch reefs.
Once we have secured sufficient bait, we move beyond the edge of the reef and patrol the areas from 120 to 200 feet in depth. Charter captains fondly refer to this region as Sailfish Alley. We typically deploy four baits at a time at varying distances from the boat – two in the outriggers and two flat lines. Sailfish have an uncanny ability to locate baits. They often pop up in pairs or triples and attack the ballyhoo without hesitation.
While in pursuit of the sails, we typically also encounter good numbers of other pelagics, such as dolphin, blackfin tuna, wahoo and king mackerel.
If the sailfish are not cooperating on any given day, we convert to drifting the wrecks and artificial reefs for amberjack and mutton snapper. That way, our ballyhoo won’t go to waste and there will be something tasty to take home for dinner.
Special thanks to Chris Babiana and Florida Keys Fish Tales Offshore Media for shooting this video of sailfishing with Captain Chris Johnson and SeaSquared Charters.
While on assignment at the World Sailfish Championship in Key West for one of our media partners, Coastal Angler Magazine, Captain Chris Johnson had the opportunity to interview Nicole Portuondo.
Chris King, director of the Championship, puts on a top quality five-day event, compelte with parties in Mallory Square and many Duval Street hot spots, a live concert by Randy Houser, Don Shula’s Coach’s Party and Charity Auction and a celebrity-filled awards banquet and dinner.
One of our interviews was with Nicole Portuondo of Team Mar Azul in Miami. At the tender age of 16, this world class lady angler took top female angler AND top junior angler honors in the 2010 Championship.
Chris Babiana, of Florida Keys Fish Tales Offshore Media, went with us to capture the action in high definition.
