When sailfish run off Palm Beach
Sailfish fishing out of Palm Beach centers on a ledge in 120 to 200 ft, about 20 minutes from Palm Beach (Lake Worth) Inlet. The port sits in the middle of Sailfish Alley, the Gulf Stream corridor from Fort Pierce to North Miami Beach. For the inlet, ramps and marinas, see the Palm Beach port guide. The fish arrive on the winter migration, moving south through the Gulf Stream past the port.
Peak months
The peak runs November to March, according to Mallard Sport Fishing. That window follows the winter migration, which carries schools south along the Gulf Stream.
Year-round
Some sailfish are talked about through the rest of the year, but most of the fish show up in the winter run.
Where boats run from Palm Beach Inlet
Most boats work one ledge, and it is a short run.
The ledge
The sailfish ledge sits in 120 to 200 ft, about 20 minutes from Palm Beach (Lake Worth) Inlet.
Sailfish Alley
Sailfish Alley is the Gulf Stream corridor from Fort Pierce to North Miami Beach, with Palm Beach in the middle. The Atlantic Southeast sailfish guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide) covers the regional picture.
Grounds and structure off Palm Beach
The sailfish ledge sits in 120 to 200 ft, the wrecks off Singer Island in 80 to 85 ft, and The Hill farther out in 200 to 300 ft.
| Spot | Depth (ft) | Position | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sailfish ledge | 120-200 | About 20 minutes from Palm Beach Inlet | sailfish |
| The Hill | 200-300 | Farther out than the sailfish ledge | blackfin tuna |
| 120 ft ledge | 120 | Offshore of the inlet | kingfish (Mallard’s kingfish edge) |
| 100 to 300 ft edges | 100-300 | Offshore edge | wahoo |
| Bridge Reef and the Playground | 100-200 | ||
| M/V Ana Cecilia | 80-85 | 1 mile offshore of Singer Island | |
| Danny McCauley Memorial Reef (tug) | 80 | 1 mile offshore of Singer Island | Part of the Wreck Trek |
Breakpoint chart layers are not for navigation.
Sailfish ledge
The ledge is in 120 to 200 ft, about 20 minutes from the inlet, and is the main sailfish ground.
The Hill
The Hill is in 200 to 300 ft, farther out than the sailfish ledge. It is a blackfin tuna spot.
120 ft ledge
This edge is in 120 ft, offshore of the inlet. Mallard calls it the kingfish edge.
100 to 300 ft edges
The offshore edge runs through 100 to 300 ft and is fished for wahoo.
Bridge Reef and the Playground
Bridge Reef and the Playground sit in 100 to 200 ft.
M/V Ana Cecilia
The M/V Ana Cecilia lies in 80 to 85 ft, 1 mile offshore of Singer Island.
Danny McCauley Memorial Reef
The tug sits in 80 ft, 1 mile offshore of Singer Island. It is part of the Wreck Trek.
How sailfish are fished here
The local method, per Mallard, is a kite rig with live bait.
Kite rigs
Mallard names the kite rig as the local method, fished with live bait.
Goggle-eyes and threadfin herring
Mallard names goggle-eyes or threadfin herring for the kite rig, so those are the baits to have in the well.
Fish moving south in the Gulf Stream
Mallard reports the schools moving south through the Gulf Stream. This is the pattern behind the winter run: fish stream past the ledge, and the kite spread sits where they pass.
Who fishes sailfish out of Palm Beach
If you want a captain-led day before running your own boat, start with the billfish guides page.
Charters
Six operators list sailfish out of the port:
- Island Time Sport Fishing: 52 ft Viking. Capt. Tyler Morris. Departs Sailfish Marina.
- Mallard Sport Fishing charters: Mallard, a 54 ft custom-built sportfishing vessel at Sailfish Marina.
- Absolute Action Sportfishing Charters: 34 ft Legend center console Angler Management. Capt. Blake Naumann.
- Reel Intense Fishing Charters: custom 35 ft center consoles. Captain Weston.
- Reel Candy Sportfishing: Reel Candy at Sailfish Marina. Capt. John Bobnar.
- Sol Search Charters listing: based at Sailfish Marina.
Gold Cup
The Gold Cup is a sailfish tournament out of Palm Beach, usually in January.
FAQ for sailfish fishing out of Palm Beach
When is peak sailfish season off Palm Beach?
The peak runs November to March, according to Mallard Sport Fishing. It follows the winter migration through the Gulf Stream. Some sailfish talk carries year-round.
How far is the sailfish ledge from Palm Beach Inlet?
The ledge is about 20 minutes from Palm Beach (Lake Worth) Inlet. It is the main sailfish ground for boats running out of the port.
What depth do boats fish for sailfish?
Boats fish about 120 to 200 ft on the ledge. The Hill is farther out in 200 to 300 ft and is known for blackfin tuna rather than sailfish.
What bait works on the kite rig?
Mallard names goggle-eyes or threadfin herring on a kite rig. Both are live baits used on the local sailfish spread.
Where do Palm Beach sailfish charters leave from?
Sailfish Marina is home to Island Time, Mallard, Reel Candy and Sol Search. Island Time departs from there, and Mallard, Reel Candy and Sol Search are listed at the marina.
