Sailfish off Madeira Beach are caught in 150 ft of water or more, not on the nearshore reefs. Boats troll a spread set for tuna and mahi, and Islanders with short ballyhoo run inside those baits on either side for a sailfish. From Madeira Beach, a sailfish is a fish that shows up in a tuna and mahi spread rather than a dedicated fishery.
Where boats run for sailfish off Madeira Beach
Boats run out through John’s Pass and troll in deep water. Depth and timing come first, followed by the grounds.
Depth
Boats troll at 150 ft or more. That is where the tuna and mahi spread goes out, and where a sailfish may come up in it.
- Trolling depth: 150+ ft
- Pass: John’s Pass
- Spread: tuna and mahi baits outside, Islanders inside
When
For timing, see the sailfish species guide for biology and our Gulf of Mexico sailfish guide (see also the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide) for the Gulf-wide picture.
Grounds and structure near Madeira Beach
These are the named places between the pass and deep water. The reefs are structure and waypoints on the way out, and sailfish are not found there.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Position (FWC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| John’s Pass jetty and bridge | At the pass | Named structure at the pass | |
| Madeira Reef (Madeira Beach Reef) | 29-32 | 27 46.3 N, 82 54.9 W per FWC | Concrete culverts |
| Treasure Island Reef | 29-33 | 27 44.5 N, 82 52.9 W per FWC | Concrete culverts |
| St. Pete Beach Reef | 25 | 27 40.6 N, 82 51.8 W per FWC | |
| Clearwater Reef | 27-32 | ||
| The Elbow | 120-250 (trip range) | Trip range, not specific to The Elbow | |
| Middle Grounds | 120-250 (trip range) | Hubbard’s 39-hour trip, 100 to 150 miles offshore |
Chart positions here are for planning, not navigation.
John’s Pass
The jetty and bridge are named structure at the pass, where every run to deep water starts.
Nearshore reefs
Madeira Reef and Treasure Island Reef are concrete culverts in 29-32 ft and 29-33 ft. St. Pete Beach Reef sits in 25 ft, and Clearwater Reef in 27-32 ft. Positions are in the table above. All four are named structure and waypoints at 25 to 33 ft, well short of the 150+ ft where the sailfish troll takes place.
Offshore grounds
The Elbow and the Middle Grounds both sit in a 120-250 ft trip range. That range describes the trip, not a depth for either ground. The Middle Grounds trip runs 100 to 150 miles offshore.
How sailfish fishing out of Madeira Beach works
The spread is laid out in two bands. Tuna and mahi baits go out on either side, and the short baits for sailfish run inside them.
The spread
From farthest to nearest:
- Outside baits: tuna and mahi baits, one on either side.
- Inside baits: Islanders with short ballyhoo, one on either side.
The short Islanders are the sailfish baits, run inside the tuna and mahi baits. A John’s Pass captain’s spread layout puts them in that position.
Where the Islanders go
The Islanders sit inside because they are the short baits, with the tuna and mahi baits farther back. Run one on each side. For rigging and wider billfish technique, see our billfish guides.
Who fishes for sailfish from this port
Two kinds of boats work this water.
Private boats trolling 150+ ft
Boaters run out of John’s Pass to 150 ft or more and set the tuna and mahi spread. The short Islanders go inside, and a sailfish is a possible bonus.
Long-range party trips
Hubbard’s runs a 39-hour trip to the Middle Grounds, 100 to 150 miles offshore. The trip range is 120-250 ft.
FAQ about sailfish off Madeira Beach
How deep do boats troll for sailfish off Madeira Beach?
Boats troll in 150 ft or more. The spread is set for tuna and mahi, with the sailfish baits run inside it.
What spread catches sailfish here?
Tuna and mahi baits run outside. Islanders with short ballyhoo run inside, one on either side.
Are the nearshore reefs sailfish spots?
No. Madeira Reef, Treasure Island Reef, St. Pete Beach Reef and Clearwater Reef are named structure at 25 to 33 ft. The troll is at 150+ ft.
How far is the Middle Grounds?
The Middle Grounds are 100 to 150 miles offshore on Hubbard’s 39-hour trip. The trip range is 120-250 ft.
Where are the rules for sailfish?
FWC sets the state rules, and federal billfish rules also apply. Check both before fishing.
