Florida Game and Fish the Sailfish

Florida Fish Identification

Billfishes

Bluefish

Bluefish

Bonefish

Bonefish

Cobia

Cobia (Ling)

Dolphin

Dolphin

Drums

Atlantic Croaker
Black Drum
Red Drum (redfish)
Sand Seatrout
Silver Seatrout
Spotted Seatrout
Silver Perch (yellowtail)
Weakfish

Flounder

Lefteye Flounders
Gulf Flounder

Grouper

Black Grouper
Gag
Goliath
Nassau Grouper
Red Grouper
Scamp
Yellowfin Grouper
Yellowmouth Grouper
Bank Sea Bass
Black Sea Bass
Rock Sea Bass

Grunt

White Grunt

Herring

American Shad

Jacks

Almaco Jack
Banded Rudderfish
Blue Runner
Cervalle Jack
Greater Amberjack
Lesser Amberjack
Florida Pompano
Palometa
Permit

Grunt

White Grunt

Herring

American Shad

Jacks

Almaco Jack
Banded Rudderfish
Blue Runner
Cervalle Jack
Greater Amberjack
Lesser Amberjack
Florida Pompano
Palometa
Permit

Mackerels & Tunas

Cero
King Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel

Mullets

Fantail Mullet
Striped (Black) Mullet

Porgy

Grass
Jolthead
Knobbed
Littlehead
Pinfish
Red Porgy
Sheepshead
Spottail Pinfish

Sharks

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Bonnethead Shark
Sandbar Shark
Scalloped Hammerhead
Shortfin Mako

Snappers

Blackfin Snapper
Cubera Snapper
Dog Snapper
Gray Snapper
Lane Snapper
Mahogany Snapper
Mutton Snapper
Queen Snapper
Red Snapper
Schoolmaster
Silk Snapper
Vermilion Snapper
Yellowtail Snapper

Snook

Fat Snook
Common Snook
Swordspine Snook
Tarpon Snook

Spadefish

Atlantic Spadefish

Swordfish

Swordfish

Tarpons

Ladyfish
Tarpon

Atlantic Sailfish

Often found in the Atlantic close to the Gulf Stream the sailfish is easily identified by its large sail shaped front dorsal fin which is very large compared to similar fish such as white marlin or longbills.

The large blue dorsal fin is a rich blue covered with black spots and is square and upright at the front end.

The body of the sailfish is a deep blue on top with a blue/brown stripe along the center line of the body. The bottom half of the body is silver to white.

Like the other Florida game and fish such as the blue marlin and white marlin the sailfish also has an extended upper jaw shaped like a spear.

Sailfish Fishing

Florida marlin fishing boats located in the south of Florida near the Gulf Stream will often catch sailfish as they like to feed on or near the surface eating squid and other pelagic fish.

They grow to 7 feet and are therefore considered a worthy trophy by Florida game and fish sportsmen. Generally speaking the larger catches are the females.

The sailfish is a rapid swimmer and anyone who has gone to Florida marlin fishing will know when they have one of these on the end of the line as they can reach speeds of 40-50 knots!

Sailfish Pictures

Pictures of sailfish are difficult to come by other than those taken when game fishing unless you are lucky enough to see them on one of their frequent trips to near shore waters.

This is another fish that tends to stay in the warmer waters and feeds on or near the surface and along reef ledges on a diet of squid, octopus, mackerels and tunas.

Sailfish Video

Sometimes people work at being in the right place at the right time and if you watch this video of sailfish feeding you will discover that all their work was worth it to get this remarkable footage (press the button second right on the bottom of the video player to see it in full screen)...