Sailfish season off Carrabelle
Sailfish fishing out of Carrabelle is deep-water trolling, run from about May into late summer or early fall. This guide gives the two published season windows, the distances boats run from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy, and eight named reefs and towers with depths, ranges and bearings. The listed sites run from 39 ft at 5.5 nm to 105 ft at 28.9 nm. Our sailfish fishing guide covers the fish itself, including biology and general seasonality.
Guidesly window
Guidesly’s Carrabelle fishing overview puts the season from about May into late summer or early fall. The same page names trolling in deep water as the local method.
Fishanywhere calendar
The Fishanywhere Carrabelle calendar runs June through September. The two windows overlap through the summer, which makes that stretch the safest one to plan around.
| Source | Season window |
|---|---|
| Guidesly | About May into late summer or early fall |
| Fishanywhere | June through September |
How far boats run from Carrabelle
Boats out of Carrabelle run to deep water offshore. Every range and bearing on this page is measured from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy. The nearest listed site is 5.5 nm out and the farthest is 28.9 nm.
- Nearest listed site: Carrabelle 3 Mile, 5.5 nm
- Farthest listed site: S Tower, 28.9 nm
- Reference point for all ranges and bearings: Carrabelle Red 10 buoy
Reefs and towers off Carrabelle
The sites below run nearest to farthest from Red 10, with depth in feet.
| Site | AARA ID | Depth (ft) | Range (nm) | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrabelle 3 Mile | FR0018 | 39 | 5.5 | 107.2 |
| Robby’s Reef (2016 addition) | FR0039 | 52 | 11.6 | 127.7 |
| Carrabelle Reef Culverts | FR0012 | 70 | 14.5 | 169.5 |
| O-Tower Barge / Carrabelle Reef Barge | FR0013 | 74 | 15.0 | 169.0 |
| Carrabelle/Rotary | FR0011 | 15.6 | 176.7 | |
| K Tower | FR0007 | 60 | 17.2 | 113.8 |
| S Tower | FR0005 | 105 | 28.9 | 173.3 |
| CCA Dr. Bart Carey Reef (Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System) | 50 |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Ranges and bearings are for planning. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Depth does not rise steadily with distance. K Tower sits 17.2 nm out in 60 ft, farther than the Culverts at 70 ft and the barge at 74 ft.
Inside 12 nm
Carrabelle 3 Mile (AARA FR0018) is one of several Carrabelle 3 Mile sites. This one sits in 39 ft, 5.5 nm out at bearing 107.2.
Robby’s Reef (AARA FR0039) is a 2016 addition. It holds 52 ft, 11.6 nm out at bearing 127.7.
The CCA Dr. Bart Carey Reef, part of the Carrabelle 10 Mile Reef System, sits in 50 ft.
14 to 18 nm
Four sites fall in this band:
- Carrabelle Reef Culverts (FR0012): 70 ft, 14.5 nm at bearing 169.5.
- O-Tower Barge / Carrabelle Reef Barge (FR0013): 74 ft, 15.0 nm at bearing 169.0.
- Carrabelle/Rotary (FR0011): 15.6 nm at bearing 176.7.
- K Tower (FR0007): 60 ft, 17.2 nm at bearing 113.8.
The Culverts, the barge and Rotary sit on bearings between 169.0 and 176.7, so they can be fished on one run. K Tower lies on 113.8 and needs its own leg.
S Tower
S Tower (AARA FR0005) is the deepest and farthest site on the list: 105 ft, 28.9 nm out at bearing 173.3.
How sailfish are fished here
Per Guidesly, the local method is trolling in deep water. The deepest listed water is 105 ft at S Tower, 28.9 nm out, while the barge holds 74 ft at 15.0 nm. For broader trolling context across the Gulf, see our Gulf of Mexico sailfish guide (see also the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide).
Who fishes for sailfish out of Carrabelle
Two groups fish for sailfish out of Carrabelle. Owner-operators run their own boats to the listed structure, and guided trips are the source of the published season and method. For anyone weighing a guided day, see our billfish fishing guides.
FAQ: sailfish out of Carrabelle
When is sailfish season off Carrabelle?
Guidesly gives about May into late summer or early fall. Fishanywhere gives June through September. The two windows overlap through the summer months.
What is the deepest and farthest listed site?
S Tower, AARA FR0005. It sits in 105 ft, 28.9 nm out at bearing 173.3 from the Carrabelle Red 10 buoy.
What is the nearest listed site?
Carrabelle 3 Mile, AARA FR0018. It sits in 39 ft, 5.5 nm out at bearing 107.2 from Red 10.
How are sailfish fished out of Carrabelle?
Boats run to deep water offshore and troll, per Guidesly.
What are the bearings and ranges measured from?
The Carrabelle Red 10 buoy, for every listed site. The figures are for planning, and chart layers are not for navigation.
