The Florida Keys draw anglers from across the globe to its warm, vibrant waters chasing sailfish. Knowing the best seasons and times to chase sailfish in the Keys can really amplify your odds of having a fishing trip of a lifetime.

The best time of the year to sailfish in the Florida Keys is during the months of November and April, as they are migrating to and from the southern waters. The best conditions to look for as a sign the sailfish season is peaking is the first cold front of the fall/winter season.

At the peak of its season, double-digit catches of this billfish can be had. And, though you can expect to have excellent sailfish fishing all year round, there are two peak times, from April to May and again from November to January; these months are when the sailfish are migrating through the Florida Keys.

Best Time of the Year: Sailfish

The best time of the year to sailfish in the Florida Keys is during the months of November and April, as they are migrating to and from the southern waters. The best conditions to look for as a sign the sailfish season is peaking is the first cold front of the fall/winter season. Once that cold front comes, the sailfish go into a frenzy. 

Water conditions are the biggest factor in a successful sailfish adventure. You want to go when the waters are calm, and the winds are blowing from the north; these are the ideal conditions for sailfish fishing in the Florida Keys. 

The worst times for sailfish fishing in the Keys are during the summer months. Though you could still have some luck with one or two sailfish in a single trip, the water condition and temperatures are not what the sailfish enjoy the most. 

Seasonal Breakdown-Sailfish

Winter

Winter has some of the best sailfish fishing in the Florida Keys. From November to January, the sailfish are migrating back south to warmer waters and moving right through the Florida Keys islands. These months provide the best chance of double-digit lands, as well as the iconic blowup so many anglers come to expect. 

Live and fresh baits are used during these months and mainly include ballyhoo. If these baitfish are dead but fresh, the boat crew will rig them up to perform a swimming motion, mimicking the real-life action of the fish. If they are still alive, the ballyhoo is simply hooked and trolled by the boat.

Trolling the bait allows you to cover some distance, traveling about 6 knots, to find where the sailfish are hiding out. The ballyhoo also school most during the winter, meaning the sailfish are most active. 

As the winter season progresses, a popular technique used is kite fishing. The technique suspends the bait at the water’s surface, meaning all of the action, including the fish’s strike, happens in view of the angler. 

Spring

Spring brings with it another migrating season, this one back north through the Florida Keys. This brings another peak season of activity along with it, making spring a great time to fish sailfish in the Florida Keys. The spring tides also cause a unique water condition called “tailing condition.”

This condition is made by the darker waters of the bottom being pushed against the clean waters of the surface by the east winds and currents. It’s called the “tailing condition” because the sailfish is known to stick the tip of their tail through the water as they are moving against the current. This makes for some great sight fishing. 

During the springtime, it is not uncommon to see 30 or more sailfish in a day in the Florida Keys. This, however, doesn’t mean you will land them all, though 10 or more in the boat is not uncommon. 

Though trolling bait is still a common technique used, you will want to be sure the charter you use has a sightseeing tower to allow the crew to spot the tailing action. Once spotter, you will cast your bait in front of the fish and get ready for the fight of your life!

Summer

Though summer isn’t peak season for sailfish fishing in the Florida Keys, that doesn’t completely remove the chance of landing a beauty. When it comes to summer sailfish fishing, following the weather is key.

Sailfish tend to become more active during the cold fronts, which is why their peak seasons are during the winter. However, as the baitfish move to shallower waters, so do the sailfish. In fact, during the summer months, you are likely to see sailfish not far from the shore as they migrate and spawn inshore. 

When the wind moves from the north, the sailfish can be seen “surfing” the waves with their tails. Then’s the time to look for the amazing showering of bait, when the schools of ballyhoo jump out of the water to avoid the sailfish. 

Summer is also becoming a better time than it once was to fish for the sailfish as the population around the Florida Keys is slowly rising. One thing to remember, though, is the summer season is when several other species peak as well, so the waters will be swarming with charters going after other species of fish; things might get a little full.

Fall

As the waters began to cool again is when the sailfish really perk up. Late October into November, just as the first cold front hits, the sailfish will migrate back into the deep waters off the Keys. Depending on which time you go in the fall will determine which location you go to. 

If you’re wanting to go in October, Key West and the southern tip of the Florida Keys may be the best place to go. However, it’s not long into November when locations like Marathon and the Upper Keys start seeing their share of the sailfish action.

It may be hit or miss, depending on the weather conditions of the day, but when the conditions line up just right, and with the right crew, you are sure to hook a sailfish.

If you want to learn what are the best fighting fish to catch to include saltwater and freshwater, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in the Florida Keys

These Florida Keys-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a great service. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Infinite Blue Charters	Marathon, FL
Off Course Charters	Key Largo, FL
Reel Easy Charters	Key West, FL
Good Times Key West	Key West, FL
Jolly Roger II	Key West, FL
Dauntless Fishing Charters	Islamorada, FL
Callion Fishing Charters	Marathon, FL
Kekoa Charters	Islamorada, FL
95FiveFishing Charters	Islamorada, FL
A2 Fishing Charters	Key Largo, FL
Katz Charters	Islamorada, FL
Captain Buddy LaPointe	Marathon, FL
Local Grown Charters	Key Largo, FL

Storms & Sailfish Fishing in the Keys

It’s no secret that the storm season in the Florida Keys starts in May and usually ends in November. When it comes to sailfish fishing, the storms don’t usually play a role. With that being said, though, a winter storm is never out of the question and will always cause a shift in the habits of the sailfish. 

The major issue storms cause when fishing for sailfish is the lack of water clarity. As the storm moves in, the waters will get rough. This almost always kicks up debris and other contaminants from the bottom and clouds the water. The problem with this is most sailfish fishing is done by sight fishing; you need clear water for this. You could still be on the hunt for bait fish showering, but that, too, brings another problem with storms. 

As the storms come in, the baitfish tend to disperse. With nothing to feed on, sailfish will go where the food is. However, as the storms roll out and the water becomes calm once again, the baitfish return with the sailfish not far behind. 

To learn the best time to fish in the Florida Keys, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Are the Florida Keys a Good Spot for Sailfishing?

The Florida Keys has some of the best sailfish fishing in the entire world. Though the Atlanta Sailfish is smaller than its Pacific cousin, it’s still a beauty and fight sought after by anglers from all over the world. 

If you’re wanting to fish for sailfish in the Florida Keys, the best time is from November into April as they migrate. However, if the summertime is when you normally vacation in the Florida Keys, it’s not uncommon to find a charter willing to go on a hunt for the sailfish if the conditions are right. 

Best Sailfish Locations in the Florida Keys

You won’ have any problems finding a great spot to fish for sailfish in the Florida Keys, especially during peak times. The problem, though, will be finding a charter that isn’t completely booked up. When planning your sailfish fishing trip, be sure to plan well in advance. Here are a few of the top places you might want to consider.

Sailfish Fishing Marathon

Located only minutes from the town of Marathon is a seamount (an underwater mountain that comes up from the ocean floor) that provides excellent shelter for baitfish. This, alone, makes for some excellent fishing. However, what makes the Marathon Hump, as it is commonly called, such a great spot for fishing sailfish in the Florida Keys is the near 500 feet drop in the ocean floor, where the waters go from 500 feet deep to over 1000 feet almost instantly. 

Though there is a chance to land a monster sailfish when fishing in Marathon all year round, your chances will greatly increase if you go from January to August. The peak season for sailfish fishing in Marathon is from February to April, when the spring migration season jumps into bloom. 

Local Tip: Polarized sunglasses are a must, especially when sight fishing in the calm, deep waters. Without polarized glasses the chance of you seeing even a monster of a fish a few feet from the boat is unlikely. 

 Besides the Marathon Hump on the Atlantic side, Marathon is only minutes away from the deep waters of the Gulf Stream where you are sure to land a large sailfish when fishing in the Florida Keys during the spring migrating season.

Sailfish Fishing Islamorada

No article about sailfish fishing in the Florida Keys would be complete without talking about Islamorada. Its close proximity to deep waters makes it an excellent destination to catch this famous fish, as many locations are only 3 – 5 miles away from water that’s 20-125 feet deep. This water is perfect for sailfish fishing as they don’t dwell at the bottom. Rather, they often follow schools of baitfish. 

If the water temperature off Islamorada is just right, it’s likely to see sailfish in shallower water, especially during the warm summer months. However, the best time to catch sailfish in Islamorada is during the winter migration season, from November through March. It really starts heating up following the first cold front. That’s because the big schools of bait move from the flats and into deeper waters, driving the sailfish into a feeding frenzy. 

Local Tip: Though so close to the deeper waters, you may still want to book a full-day charter rather than a half-day. A half-day trip gives you a chance at getting on a fish, but a full day with the right charter almost ensures you don’t walk away without catching a sailfish. 

The best place to land a sailfish in Islamorada is right at the edge of the reef off the coast of Islamorada. Here the baitfish are in plenty and you’re sure to have double-digit hookups in a single trip.

Sailfish Fishing Key West

Key West is an excellent destination if you’re looking to land a sailfish in the Florida Keys. This is especially the case along the reefs near Key West. The baitfish swarm in the warm waters off the tip of the keys drawing the attention of the sailfish. 

Peak season here is also from the months of November into April, during both migrating seasons. Live bait, though, is the key as sailfish seldom go for the fake stuff. Be sure to have an experienced crew, too, so they know when and where to get you on the fish. 

Local Tip: Light tackle is best to use, especially in calm waters. Also, when the waters are as clear as they are during peak sailfish times, the fish can see the line and get scared. That’s why many anglers opt to use braided line, which runs thinner than mono. 

Around the American Shoal lighthouse and off Big Pine Key is an incredible place to find plenty of sailfish during peak times. Depending on the weather conditions, you can have double-digit hooks and releases, making for an exciting day on the water.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Islamorada, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch sailfish in Florida, check out this guide. Click here for a breakdown of the best times to catch marlin in Florida.