When sailfish show up off Clearwater
Sailfish off Clearwater are a matter of two single reported encounters, not a season. Local boats that try for them troll live baits and hardware, and the structure they run to sits between 5 and 14.3 miles from Clearwater Pass.
The Clearwater port page covers ramps, the pass and conditions. For biology and behavior, see our sailfish species guide. For the regional picture, see sailfish across the Gulf of Mexico (see also the Gulf of Mexico region guide). This page helps you decide where to look; it doesn’t promise fish.
No season here
No month, water temperature or pattern defines a sailfish season on the Pinellas County coast. Plan a sailfish attempt as an add-on to an offshore day you were already going to run, and size the trip around the other fish.
Where Clearwater boats run
Every distance and bearing on this page starts at Clearwater Pass, the one exit every Clearwater boat shares. The table below runs from nearshore and shallow to farther and deeper.
| Ground | Depth (ft) | Distance from Clearwater Pass (mi) | Bearing (°) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Key Reef | 20 | 5.0 | 194 |
| Clearwater Reef | 27-32 | 5.0 | 311 |
| Dunedin Reef | 27-33 | ||
| Loggerhead Ledge | 40 | 9.4 | |
| Indian Shores Reef | 42 | 14.3 | 238 |
| Veteran Reef | 45 | 12.8 | 300 |
| Rube Alan Reef | 50 | 12.0 | 260 |
| Gregs Ledge | 55 | 13.8 | 289 |
The grounds sit on the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Nearshore reefs inside 5 miles
Sand Key Reef sits in 20 ft, 5.0 miles at 194° from the pass. Clearwater Reef sits in 27-32 ft, 5.0 miles at 311°, the position ReefsNwrecks lists. Dunedin Reef sits in 27-33 ft. The two listed runs split south and northwest from the pass.
Ledges and reefs at 9 to 14 miles
Loggerhead Ledge is in 40 ft, 9.4 miles out. Veteran Reef (45 ft, 12.8 miles at 300°), Rube Alan Reef (50 ft, 12.0 miles at 260°), Gregs Ledge and Indian Shores Reef complete the group. Gregs Ledge is the deepest listed ground, 55 ft at 13.8 miles on 289°. Indian Shores Reef is the farthest, 14.3 miles on 238°.
Depths run from 20 ft to 55 ft inside about 14 miles of the pass, and the bearings spread from 238° to 300°, so the run plan fans west. We make no claim about which ground holds sailfish.
How sailfish are fished locally
Local boats troll live baits and hardware. Anyone running a sailfish attempt already knows how to fish both, so the open question is where to drag them, and the run table above covers that.
Trolling live baits
Live baits are one of the two local methods. The decision is which ground to fish them over.
Trolling hardware
Hardware is the other local method. If a sailfish attempt is part of your day, bring trolling gear, and expect encounters to be rare.
Reading CWBF1 before the run
NDBC station CWBF1 (Clearwater Beach, 27.978N 82.832W) is the nearest NOAA buoy. It is also NOAA tide station 8726724. Before you commit to a 12 to 14 mile run, check:
- Wind speed from CWBF1
- Wave height and period from CWBF1
- Tide timing from station 8726724, for the pass
- The official NWS marine forecast
Weigh those numbers against your boat and your limits.
Who fishes for sailfish out of Clearwater
Two local charters list sailfish. For operators beyond this port, see the wider billfish charter directory.
Reel Deal Sportfishing
Reel Deal Sportfishing runs Reel Deal and Reel Deal II, both 34 ft diesel sportfishers, and lists sailfish.
FishEye Sportfishing
FishEye lists sailfish among its extended-day species, so ask about an extended-day trip. Capt. Brandon Fraley is named as the author of its fishing reports, which are worth reading before you book. FishEye Sportfishing’s own site has the details.
FAQ about sailfish fishing out of Clearwater
Is there a sailfish season out of Clearwater?
No. Both reported encounters are single mentions, and nothing defines a season. Treat a sailfish attempt as an add-on to an offshore day you were already planning.
How far is the deepest listed ground from Clearwater Pass?
Gregs Ledge is the deepest listed ground, in 55 ft of water. It sits 13.8 miles from Clearwater Pass at a bearing of 289°.
What is the farthest listed ground?
Indian Shores Reef is the farthest, 14.3 miles from Clearwater Pass at 238°, in 42 ft. Gregs Ledge is deeper but 0.5 miles closer, so deeper water doesn’t always mean a longer run.
How do local boats fish for sailfish, and should I bring trolling gear?
Local boats troll live baits and hardware. Bring trolling gear if a sailfish attempt is part of your plan. Encounters here are single mentions, so the day should hold up without one.
Which Clearwater charters list sailfish?
Reel Deal Sportfishing runs Reel Deal and Reel Deal II, both 34 ft diesel sportfishers. FishEye Sportfishing lists sailfish among its extended-day species, and Capt. Brandon Fraley writes its fishing reports.
Where do I check conditions before the run?
Use NDBC station CWBF1 for wind, wave height and period. Use its second identity, NOAA tide station 8726724, to time the pass. Then check the official NWS marine forecast before you leave the dock.
