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| 20 Top Sailfish Areas Compared |
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| Jan 29, 2001 |
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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA, U.S.A.
(Palm Beaches to Ft.Lauderdale)
SCORE: 46
This upscalestrip of coastline attracts more than tourists in the winter.Schools of sailfish move in, sometimes in hordes, pursuingballyhoo. Families who stay ashore will never lack for things todo.
Shots per day (prime season):*
Expect at least two or three shots most days; on exceptional days,look for 15-25 strikes.
Size of fish: *
Not monsters, sails will run 35 or 40 pounds, for the most part,off southeast Florida.
Release: **
Distance to fish: **
Gulf Stream is often just a few miles out; sails often caught amile or two off the beach -- but at times a run of 20 or 30 milesup or down the coast may be called for, depending where the fishseem to be holding.
Length of prime season:***
While late spring and summer aren't normally peak time, sails arealways around, and good days can/do happen any month of theyear.
Oceanconditions/weather:**
Lots of lovely, calm days here -- but don't look for bestsailfishing then. Sail skippers want winter fronts with strongnortheast winds sweeping in; close-set 3- to 5-footers signal"sailfishing weather."
Charter boats,availability/quality/crews:
***
Justabout any sort/size charter boat you could want, you'll find. Mostcrews know their stuff.
Charter boat, cost (perday):
**1/2
Mostfull-day offshore charters will range from $650-$1,000.
Accommodations: ***
You name it; you'll find it. Lots of pricey hotels but plenty ofhumbler options as well; even near the beaches, $100-$200 per nightwill cover a room nicely. Almost limitless eateries abound -- dittofor Miami, below.
Other stuff to do:***
Shopping, beaches, nightlife, the Everglades and more -- shorebounddays need never be boring. Again, same's true for Miami.
Travel costs: *
Only an hour or two drive from Miami (though traffic on thefreeways can produce peak-time tie-ups). |
COZUMEL, MEXICO
SCORE: 57
This Caribbeanisland, about 28 miles long and 10 miles wide, has long been a hotspot for sailfish, which gather each spring and summer to feed inthe channel that separates the island from the mainland. AlthoughCozumel is the most populated of Mexican islands, much of itremains pristine and is an easily reached, tourist-friendlydestination.
Shots per day (prime season): *****
No shortage of sails here: In season, 15 shots make up a prettytypical day. Good days can double or even triple that.
Size of fish: ***
Lots of sails in the 50- to 60-pound range (often running a bitsmaller early on and larger toward season's end).
Release: *
While most sails are released, it's not always automatic; therelease-minded angler may do well to get this issue squared awaywith a skipper ahead of time.
Distance to fish: ***
A run of 10 to 12 miles is standard, generally off the Yucatan sideof the channel between the mainland and "Coz."
Length of prime season:**
May through September is prime period; May is usually a top month.(Historically March through June offered the peak period, but inrecent years that seems to have shifted.)
Ocean conditions/weather:*
If you want flat-water fishing, better look elsewhere. Coz hasgreat sail action, but typically in 12- to 25-knot winds pushingclose-set 6-footers or better. Also, when fishing just off theYucatan drop-off and close to shore, boats work nearly in thebreakers, so it really becomes rock-'n-roll time. But the Cozumelregulars insist the sail action's so fast, they never have time togive sea conditions a second thought.
Charter boats,availability/quality/crews: ** Roughly 30 or so charter boats onhand, most of them pretty good with crews to match.
Charter boats, cost (per day):*
Figure $500/day to charter an offshore boat (though you can easilypay up to two to three times that for a top-of-the-linesport-fishing yacht down from the States for the high season).
Accommodations: ***
Great choice of lodging here with prices to match, from 35 bucks orso (in town) per night to 200-plus (on the water). Ditto on meals-- $15 will get you all the local food you can eat, but if you wantto spend $50 or more, you can do that, too.
Other stuff to do: ***
Reef and cave diving, Mayan ruins, jungle tours and naturereserves, nightlife, shopping, sky diving.
Travel costs: ***
Best coach price we found: $640. |
MIAMI, U.S.A.
SCORE: 47
It's hard toforget the sight of sailfish balling bait virtually in the shadowof South Beach's pastel high-rise hotels. True, some days you'llwork for your sails, but a good shot at a world-class day within anhour or less of Government Cut makes Miami a good bet for serioussailfish action.
Shots per day (prime season):*
Hoping for three or so shots is completely realistic on thetheoretically average day -- but so are 15 to 20 shots onoutstanding days, which do happen here in the winter.
Size of fish: **
More often than not, sails you release off Miami will be less than50 pounds.
Release: **
Distance to fish: **
Charters find sailfish action within a few miles from shore though,as for the Palm Beaches, a north-south run of five to 20 miles maybe warranted.
Length of prime season:***
Best chances for excellent sailfishing come during the winter andspring, but as for the southeast coast above Miami, sails can beand are encountered throughout the year -- even during August andSeptember when sails may turn up in 1,000 feet, balling sardines.However, if sailfish action is what you're after, book your tripfor March or April -- when it's hard to go wrong.
Ocean conditions/weather:**
See the description for the southeast coast, above; pretty much thesame applies for Miami.
Charter boats,availability/quality/crews: ***
You can find pretty much whatever you might want at docks fromHaulover north Miami Beach) to Miami Beach, downtown Miami(Bayside) and Key Biscayne. Good chance you'll do some serious kitefishing, which, for many boats, has become a productive, popularmethod to nail sails.
Charter boats, cost (per day):**
Figure on spending $700-$800 for larger, all-day charters out ofMiami, or you can hire one of the fast, well-equippedcenter-console or walk-around charter boats skippered by some ofMiami's best for $500-$600.
Accommodations: ***
No destination offers a greater selection of hotels and motels,from flophouse to presidential suite. You should be able to findreasonable accommodations for under $100, especially if you lookinland a bit, away from the beaches.
Other stuff to do: ***
Whaddya, kidding? Professional sports, beaches, golf, NASCAR races,South Beach's Art Deco district, boat shows, snorkeling,bonefishing, the Everglades, art festivals and on and on. It'sMiami!
Travel costs: * |
LA GUAIRA, VENEZUELA
SCORE: 37
While famed LaGuaira Bank won't normally provide the nonstop sailfish actionavailable elsewhere, it surely has its days, and these can occurany month of the year. La Guaira does provide some of the bestopportunities in the world to couple sailfish with other billfish(blue marlin, white marlin, broadbill) to make for slam catches oreven grand slams.
Shots per day (prime season):*
A couple shots at sails would represent a pretty normal day, thoughcertainly double-digit days do occur.
Size of fish: **
Sails here will average 45 pounds or so though once in a while fishcloser to 80 pounds will be released.
Release: **
Distance to fish: ***
It's 12 to 16 miles to La Guaira Bank, depending at which end ofthe bank you start fishing.
Length of prime season:***
You'll catch sails here throughout the year -- there is no specificpeak time; some years, sails occasionally show up in unusuallylarge numbers for short periods.
Ocean conditions/weather:*
La Guaira is famed for billfish, not calm seas. Although the oceanmay become tranquil off the northern Venezuelan coast at times, beprepared for a pretty rugged sea.
Charter boats, availability/quality/crews: ** Boats available for chartervary from 20 or so to 35; the lower figure is more likely duringspring since that's blue-marlin season and fewer boats are willingto charter then. Local crews are mostly well versed in bothlight-tackle and fly fishing for sails.
Charter boats, cost (per day): 21/2*
Charter boats from 35 to 60 feet will range from $650-$1,400 perday.
Accommodations: ***
Excellent hotels nearby; while rates will run about $160 per night,much better deals are available as part of package fishingtrips.
Other stuff to do: **
Shopping and dining are available in Caracas, about a half-hourfrom the marina. Some anglers enjoy the nightclubs in the city, aswell.
Travel costs: **
Figure $500-$600 much of the time as a good coach price fromMiami. |
CANCUN/ISLA MUJERES, MEXICO
SCORE: 53
The top of theYucatan peninsula offers reliable sailfishing in the morning and achance to explore Mayan ruins in the afternoon, if that's yourthing. A short flight from Miami, it's a favorite Caribbeandestination among many blue-water fishermen who also find goodmarlin fishing here.
Shots per day (prime season): ****
With a little effort and luck, you'll realize seven to 10 shots aday; with a little more effort and a good dose of luck, you maywell enjoy 10 to 40 shots.
Size of fish: *
Most sails here run 30 to 50 pounds, but much larger fish can befound -- witness the women's 12-pound line-class record of 112pounds, which has stood since it was caught off Cancun in 1979.
Release: **
Distance to fish: **
An average run is five or so miles, though good action may start acouple miles from the dock -- or as much as 40 miles on somedays.
Length of prime season:***
January through June offers the best chances, with April and Maythe historical peak; however, during the last couple seasons,January through March -- weather permitting -- saw great sailfishactivity out of Cancun. Don't look for numbers of sails in summerand fall, but they are around -- and so are (better numbers of)marlin: A number of grand slams and even some double-grands havebeen taken during these months.
Ocean conditions/weather: **
Early-season fishing usually means brisk northerlies, hard seas --and good action. By April, things tend to calm (with seas comingdown to 3 feet on a typical day). By May, the sun often rises overa flat ocean.
Charter boats,availability/quality/crews: ** Besides a dozen or so Mexican boats,in season you'll find American boats that charter also. A few boastgood fly-fishing skills, such as the charter Keen M, whichhas guided anglers to fly-rod records. (Two sails on fly hold worldrecords from these waters, including a 71-8 on men's 8-poundtippet.)
Charter boats, cost (per day):**
Local boats will run $500-$900 for the day; larger American boatswill cost well into four figures.
Accommodations: ***
You'll find plenty of first-rate hotels here in the $100-$300 rangebut also perfectly adequate rooms for as little as $55 per nightand plenty of restaurants from Domino's Pizza to upscale Mexicancuisine.
Other stuff to do: ***
Plenty of options -- similar to those listed for Cozumel.
Travel costs: **
Rates similar to Cozumel; served by several major and a number ofregional airlines. |
EAST CAPE, BAJA, MEXICO
SCORE: 55
While it isgrowing, the East Cape -- some 50 miles north of Cabo -- retainsmuch of its sleepy, unspoiled character. Good prices, great fishingand hospitable residents have created a clientele hardcore in theirloyalty. Sailfishing peaks, conveniently, when the best numbers ofbig marlin -- blues and blacks -- prowl the warm Sea of Cortezwaters here.
Shots per day (prime season):**
Look for three to five shots most days, during best sailfish months-- but up to 15 on an exceptional day. Also, chances are good inthe heat of summer for blue marlin and a wide-open bite on schoolyellowfin tuna.
Size of fish: ****
The average sail off the East Cape will run well into three digits.A massive 192-pounder remains the women's 50-pound line-class worldrecord since its capture off La Paz, just north of the East Cape,in 1950.
Release: *
Many skippers/fleets wouldn't dream of keeping a sailfish -- butnot all think that way yet, so it's best to ask beforehand.
Distance to fish: *
I've seen sleeper sailfish barely off the beach; a run of four orfive miles will do the job as a rule though sometimes up to a20-mile run will be necessary.
Length of prime season: **
June through October will offer best sailfish sightings, with thesizzling months of July and September often just as red-hot forsails.
Ocean conditions/weather:***
Generally light seas, and by August, often nonexistent, especiallyin the mornings. (However, hurricanes are more likely during thehot months, and they can rough things up pretty well for a day ortwo.)
Charter boats,availability/quality/crews: ***
In all, the East Cape charter fleet, including super pangas,probably consists of 200 or so boats. The "cruisers," mostly 28- to34-foot flybridge convertibles, are adequate if not alwaysoutstanding. Crews vary in their ability to speak English or teasesails to the fly, so check around.
Charter boats, cost (per day):*
Hard to beat the charter rate here; for a full day (usually fromaround 7 or 8 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m.), you'll pay no more than $300 or$400 for a cruiser -- and only about half that for a (perfectlyadequate) super panga.
Accommodations: ***
Quite a few hotels up and down the coast here offer a variety ofrooms from $100-$300 or so per night; meals are often included inthese rates, but there are also plenty of eateries around where$5-$20 will buy you dinner.
Other stuff to do: *
Not a lot beyond the beach and water-sports, includingdiving/snorkeling, though some enjoy desert horseback outings.
Travel costs: **
With a 50-mile taxi ride from Cabo, figure $600-$800 from Miami --however, those flying out of Los Angeles can pay less than halfthat amount. |
MAZATLAN, MEXICO
SCORE: 48
Across the Seaof Cortez from and slightly south of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan mayreceive less attention, but can offer world-class billfishing --and at bargain-basement prices.
Shots per day (prime season): **
You could figure on a half-dozen shots on average during thesailfish season, and you wouldn't be far off most days.
Size of fish: ***
Pacific sails in this area average 70 pounds. They do get a goodbit larger, however -- witness the 198-pound monster taken here in1954, still the men's 80-pound line-class world record.
Release: *
Some Mazatlan charter fleets release all billfish. While not allcharters automatically release sails, most will comply with anglerswho request release.
Distance to fish: ***
A run of 15 or so miles will put you in prime sailfish grounds.
Length of prime season:***
While in most areas, sailfish season runs for several monthscontinuously. Prime months are split here, with May-June andNovember-December the best bets.
Ocean conditions/weather:***
Rough weather's the exception here; most often, the ocean variesfrom calm to a light sea.
Charter boats,availability/quality/crews: ** Convertibles in the 28- to 33-footrange have generally very experienced crews.
Charter boats, cost (per day):*
At $350-$400 per day, Mazatlan charter boats offer one of thePacific's best blue-water fishing bargains.
Accommodations: ***
Again, Mazatlan lodging is a steal, at $60-$120 per night for avariety of rooms from adequate to excellent. Throw in a good dinnerfor 10 or 12 bucks, and what's not to like?
Other stuff to do: **
Great shopping and dining in town; extensive beaches (with somegood roosterfish action along them).
Travel costs: **
While better deals are more likely out of Los Angeles or Houston,from Miami you'll likely spend $700-$800. |
IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO,MEXICO
SCORE: 60
Tucked inbeneath the rugged Sierra Madre range, Zihuatanejo and Ixtapacombine a laid-back vacation setting with super prices and some ofthe best sailfishing this side of Guatemala.
Shots per day (prime season):*****
When conditions are right, 15 to 20 shots per day are likely, but30-shot days aren't unusual, either.
Size of fish: *
Although sails can be abundant, they're not large, most oftenrunning 35 to 40 pounds.
Release: **
Distance to fish: **
A run of 10 miles or so is fairly typical.
Length of prime season: ***
December through May.
Ocean conditions/weather: ***
If you like it calm, the Pacific off Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is hard tobeat; seas more than a couple feet are the exception.
Charter boats, availability/quality/crews:*
While only a few full-time charters operate out of Ixtapa, you'llfind another 40 or so in Zihuatanejo, including both smallconvertibles and pangas.
Charter boats, cost (per day): *
Like Mazatlan, charter rates of $300 or a bit more per day arepretty hard to beat anywhere.
Accommodations: ***
Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa offer an impressive diversity of hotels,from one to five stars, with rates as low as $60 or so per night toas much as $400-plus.
Other stuff to do: **
Again, great beaches, diving and an 18-hole golf course offerdiversions.
Travel costs: **
Here, too, $700-$800 is a likely coach rate from Miami. |
IZTAPA, GUATEMALA
SCORE: 62
No place onearth has received as much press for its sailfishing as this littleseaport of 10,000 people on the southern Guatemalan coast. Fishingis generally so productive that perhaps the greatest danger isoverexpectation: Even Iztapa has its slow days, requiring long runsfor just a few sails. But that's not the norm. Go with a buddy, andyou'll pay about three grand to fish three full days out of Fins 'nFeathers Inn -- a fair market value, apparently, since theoperation keeps very busy.
Shots per day (prime season):******
The numbers say it all: 20-shot days are run-of-the-mill (notaccording to rough estimates, but from figures in captains' logs --see for yourself at www.artmarina.com/guatemala/records/records.);40 to 50 per boat is an excellent day; but figure 60 to nearly 100for real bragging rights here.
Size of fish: ****
Figure 75 pounds or so for a realistic average though some do topthe century mark.
Release: **
Release of sails is a no-brainer in Guatemala. Don't forget, thisis the epicenter of circle-hook catch-and-release fishing.
Distance to fish: ****
While a run of just 10 to 20 miles may be enough during the summer,don't be surprised at other times to run 30 or 40 miles -- ormore.
Length of prime season: ***
Although traditional wisdom suggested that summer was lessproductive for billfish, in recent years, skippers like Ron Hamlinhave proven every day of every month can be prime season for sailsoff Iztapa.
Ocean conditions/weather: ***
Outside of the occasional cold front that pushes down during thewinter months or the odd tropical wave in the summer, the seas ofGuatemala are normally remarkably flat.
Charter boats, availability/quality/crews: ***
The charter fleet of small convertibles -- both American andGuatemalan -- offers well-maintained, serious fishing machines.Crews have had ample chance to gain experience, and most are readyto help clients battle light-tackle or fly-rod sails.
Charter boats, cost (per day): ***
This is no Mazatlan or Zihuatanejo; in fact, you'll pay about threetimes the bargain rate there, with a day charter costing$900-$1,250 or more. For a three-day fishing trip, you'll pay about$2,600 as part of a group of three or about $3,000 with onepartner. Those prices include boat, room, meals and air/groundtransportation from Miami.
Accommodations: **
Locally, not much in the way of hotels; however, Fins 'n FeathersInn offers packages that include its first-rate rooms and greatmeals.
Other stuff to do: *
It's a good thing fishing's so fast because there's really not muchelse to do down here.
Travel costs: **
You can get to Guatemala City from Miami for $400-$500. The 60-mileground transfer ride to Iztapa runs a hundred bucksround-trip. |
FLAMINGO & QUEPOS, COSTA RICA
SCORE: 57
For manyanglers, western Costa Rica's hard to beat as a sailfishdestination. Timing's important, as seasons run fairly short. Anumber of fly-rod experts targeted Quepos sails in the 1990s,resulting in seven of 14 tippet-class records caught here,including three over 100 pounds, the largest 128 1/2 on 20-pound(men's, 1993). Though not covered here, Golfito -- at thesouthernmost end of the country -- adds a third spot that can offeroutstanding sailfish action.
Shots per day (prime season): ****
During peak sailfish season, 10 to 15 shots per day is a reasonableexpectation. Look to double that on exceptional days.
Size of fish: ***
While these Pacific sails may be as small as 30 or as large as 130,they'll typically run roughly midway between those extremes.Certainly, neither port is a stranger to triple-digit trophies, perthe men's 2-pound-test world record of 111 pounds taken out ofFlamingo in 1993, as well as the women's 2-pound record of 102pounds taken out of Flamingo in 1992.
Release: **
Distance to fish: ***
Most often, a run of 12 to 15 miles offshore will suffice forsails, but when blue water moves farther out, the run might betwice that.
Length of prime season:**
The season's pretty short in each area (though the sails move up ordown the coast, so the two areas together share a six-monthseason): February through April out of Quepos and, up the coast,June through August out of Flamingo.
Ocean conditions/weather:**
Flamingo sees some pretty rugged seas in the winter months -- butmuch calmer in the summer when the sails move up. The Pacific offQuepos tends to be more welcoming.
Charter boats,availability/quality/crews: ***
With roughly 60 or 70 boats operating out of each port, one hasplenty of small and large convertibles from which to choose. Crewswill vary, but many are topnotch.
Charter boats, cost (per day):**
You can typically book a 31-footer for $650-$800, larger boats forconsiderably more.
Accommodations: ***
Good variety of hotels, mostly in the $100-$130 range. You'llprobably pay $12-$25 for dinner.
Other stuff to do: **
Explore the Arenal Volcano park or great beaches (with some greatnearshore fishing), hike the forest or ride horses through it, orwhite-water raft jungle rivers.
Travel costs: *
Typically low rates from Miami to San Jose will get you there,coach, for $400 or so; for another $100 or so you can fly on toQuepos or Flamingo. |
PI�AS BAY, PANAMA
SCORE: 50
Good fishing forbig sails (no place holds more world records for Pacific sails)with tre�endous fishing for blue and black marlin in theoffing help Pi�as Bay, just 35 miles north of the Colombianborder, rank high among prime sailfish spots.
Shots per day (prime season): **
You should expect at least a half-dozen shots and 15 or so on avery good day.
Size of fish: ****
Big, averaging 75 to 100 pounds -- world-record big, as in fiveconventional line-class world records for Pacific sails: 141 1/2pounds (men's 4-pound class, 1992), 171 1/2 pounds (men's 12-pound,1976), 116 pounds, 4 ounces (women's 6-pound, 1975), 130 pounds(women's 8-pound, 1985) and a whopping 199 pounds (women's 80-poundin 1968). Add to that one amazing fly record of 136 pounds on12-pound tippet (men's) by Stu Apte in 1965.
Release: **
Distance to fish: **
Expect a run of just four to 10 miles.
Length of prime season:***
Best sailfishing occurs during the first half of each year (Januarythrough June) but often doesn't get red-hot until April.
Ocean conditions/weather: **
Seas can vary considerably, depending upon season and conditions,from calm to fairly rough. May and June offer the calmest weatherduring peak sailfishing.
Charter boats,availability/quality/crews: *** Tropic Star Lodge features 11 of theBertram 31s so popular along Pacific ports. You'll find crewsresponsive and very experienced. Also a few private chartersavailable.
Charter boats, cost (per day):***
For a six-day fishing trip at Tropic Star, you'll pay about $2,700in a group of three or about $3,400 with a partner; that willinclude boat, lodging and meals.
Accommodations: ***
Very comfortable at Tropic Star.
Other stuff to do: **
Mostly fishing, though you can dive, kayak, explore La Playa Blanca(aptly named "White Beach"), hike through the mountain jungle ortake a cruise upriver when tides permit.
Travel costs: **
You can get to Panama City from Miami for $400 or a bitmore,�but you'll need $315 for the air charter to thelanding strip at Pi�as Bay. |
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FIJI
SCORE: 47
Thisfascinating Melanesian country boasts more than 300 islands. Itswinter (summer in our hemisphere) offers a good chance to tanglewith big sailfish.
Shots per day (prime season):**
Three to five should be about right on average days.
Size of fish: ****
Big: commonly 125 to as much as 160 pounds. The 189-poundworld-record Pacific sail in the women's 130-pound class was takenhere in 1967, and sails well over 200 pounds have been landed.
Release: *
Fortunately, local crews aren't wild about keeping sails for food,though anglers may want to make clear in advance their interest inreleasing.
Distance to fish: *
Not far -- often just a mile or two, where the reef edge (whichsails frequent) drops off sharply. In fact, fishermen after reeffish such as snapper hook sails on occasion.
Length of prime season: ***
All the way from April through December will produce good sailaction -- though June through September will be the peak.
Ocean conditions/weather: *
From July through November you can generally count on the steadysoutheasterly trade winds of 15 to 20 knots kicking up 3- to 5-footseas; it gets trickier when the winds blow against the currentsthat run between islands.
Charter boats,availability/quality/crews: **
A dozen or perhaps 15 good charter boats are available full time inaddition to smaller, open boats. Knowledgeable crews aren't alwaysthe norm, here, though they are learning.
Charter boats, cost (per day):*
Rates remain pretty decent: $400-$600 per day will get you acharter.
Accommodations: ***
For $60-$80 per night, you can find plenty of very decentaccommodations (though more pricey, five-star digs can be had onsome of the more secluded islands). Eight to 12 bucks will buy yousome great dinners.
Other stuff to do: **
The tourism industry remains pretty basic, but besides fishing,there are opportunities to enjoy the culture of a friendly people-- plus great beaches and surfing, incredible snorkeling anddiving, jungle mountains and waterfalls and great light-tacklevariety fishing.
Travel costs: ****
You'll pay $1,400-$1,800 or more for this trip out of Los Angeleson Air Pacific, New Zealand or Qantas. Special Note: Last November due tocivil unrest, the U.S. Embassy in Fiji issued a public announcementurging caution for U.S. citizens in the capital of Suva (not onother islands, where most fishing is centered). That expired inearly February, and even before that, tourism officials werereporting peace and harmony. |
DUBAI, UNITED ARABEMIRATES
SCORE: 42
Hard to imaginea more fascinating place in the world to pursue sailfish than justoff the dunes of the Middle Eastern desert. It's not likely to be amajor destination on every sailfish enthusiast's "must" list, butfor numbers and size, Dubai's the real thing. However, untilcurrent unrest in the Middle East abates, this might be one bestleft on the "future" list.
Shots per day (prime season):*
Expect three or so shots, but a 20-shot day is entirelypossible.
Size of fish: ****
These are big sails -- unusually fat sails, according to visitinganglers -- and will average 70 to 80 pounds.
Release: **
Distance to fish: ****
No short runs, here. The amazingly shallow Persian Gulf requires arun of 25 to 30 miles to find fish (and even out there it's justover 100 or so feet of water).
Length of prime season:***
September through March; forget spring and summer when the Gulfwater temperature heats up to something only a little less thanfull boil.
Ocean conditions/weather:***
Glassy, calm seas usually make the run to the sailfish grounds apleasure; only the odd hard blow off the desert roughs things upfor a day or two.
Charter boats,availability/quality/crews: **
Up to eight charters may be available to take anglers sailfishingout of Dubai -- nothing fancy but at least adequate and often wellequipped. Crews vary, but many know what to do.
Charter boats, cost (per day):*
On better boats, $550 per day is the going rate -- considering thelong run, not a bad price.
Accommodations: ***
No shortage of facilities here, from basic "self-catering"apartments at $40 per night, to $80 bed-and-breakfasts to muchfancier hotels. (You want fancy? Try the presidential suite at theBurj al Arab -- for a mere $15,000 per night.) You can get a decentdinner for $10-$20.
Other stuff to do: **
Great shopping, interesting food, chance to ride camels and eventour an "authentic" desert Bedouin camp. (Those quotation marks arethere for a reason.)
Travel costs:*** *
You'll probably invest a couple thousand or a bit more into a tripto Dubai. |
DAKAR, SENEGAL
SCORE: 43
Senegal offersnot only numbers of sails but some of the biggest in the Atlantic,per the seven world records from these waters, one over 100 poundsand another an ounce shy of that mark. And it is, for those in theeastern U.S., one of Africa's more accessible sailfish hotspots.
Shots per day (prime season):**
An honest average would be a half-dozen shots in a day, but overtwice that number happens regularly.
Size of fish: ***
The typical sail will run 50 to 60 pounds- but there are plenty ofbigger sails to be had, witness eight world records (82 pounds, 7ounces for men's 2-pound class in 1990,89-15 in mens' 4-pound,90-13 in women's 6-pound, 99-13 and 99-15 tie in women's 16-poundand 62-14 in women's 16-pound tippet).
Release: *
Some will, some won't; some do, some don't. Find out inadvance.
Distance to fish: ***
A 15-mile run will put you in the best sailfish grounds, most ofthe time.
Length of prime season:**
Sails usually show up just after blue marlin, usually by the middleof June, and will be around in good numbers through October.
Ocean conditions/weather:***
Seas are a seldom problem during sailfish season, though it is therainy period - a good foul-weather jacket can be handy.
Charter boats, availability/quality/crews: **
Small flybridge boats from several sources up to 31-foot Bertrams,many with experienced crews; Saly Fishing club offers Bertrams andcenter-console outboards.
Charter boats,cost (per day):*
Hard to beat the going rate of $350 or so per day.
Accommodations:***
Good variety of hotels in Dakar from $70 or so per night to$200-plus and great meals for $5 to $15. You can arrange a fullpackage deal, including accommodations, meals and charters, fromSaly Fishing Club, about 50 miles from Dakar.
Other stuff to do:*
Shopping, sightseeing, festivals - but best to have a trusted local"guide" along wth you. |
PHUKET, THAILAND
SCORE: 44
Exotic, distant,different -- all this and sailfishing, too! The fishery is stillpretty limited in facilities and interest, but lots and lots ofsails prowl Thai waters off Phuket.
Shots per day (prime season): ***
Six to 10 shots per day wouldn't be unusual; 15 to 30 (especiallyat destinations farther from Phuket) constitute a really goodday.
Size of fish: ***
Sails from 50 to 60 pounds represent a rough average, but they canrun as large as 120.
Release: *
Check it out before you fish: Some charters release all theirsails; others plan to keep them.
Distance to fish: ***
A run of about 16 miles is required from Phuket to the closestproductive sailfish grounds; best action is at Koh Rok, but that's60 miles out.
Length of prime season:***
July through December most reliably; sometimes good sailfishingoccurs during spring and summer, as well.
Ocean conditions/weather: **
During the summer monsoon season, June through September, expectlots of rain and rough seas; however, fishing can often be in thelee of islands. From October on, the weather tends to be sunny andmostly calm.
Charter boats,availability/quality/crews: *
You'll find 15 or so charters in Phuket, varying from poor to (afew) quite good. Some crews speak English; many do not. Some crewsunderstand the nuances of serious light-tackle fishing for sails;many do not.
Charter boats, cost (per day):**
Just as the quality of boats varies, rates will range considerably,from $200-$600.
Accommodations: ***
You name it; you'll find it here and at just about any price youwant to pay, from 10 bucks to 2,000! Ten or 12 bucks will get yougreat dinners.
Other stuff to do: ***
Yes, there's fabulous diving and championship golf (where you mightbump elbows with Tiger Woods), and you can sample the country'swilder side, from riding elephants to the legendary nightlife.
Travel costs: ****
A couple grand, give or take. |
MALINDI, KENYA
SCORE: 48
A world apartand an ocean away, Kenya offers anglers the chance to catch IndianOcean sails just off the east African coast.
Shots per day (prime season):**
You're likely to get a chance to hook four sails here on an averageday during the best months, but on a very good day that figurecould rise to 20.
Size of fish: ***
Average fish will run 55 to 60 pounds, but bigger fish will betaken.
Release: **
Releasing sailfish is common, and tagging is widespread amongcharter fleet.
Distance to fish: *
Barely offshore -- a run of a mile or two, or perhaps three, is allit takes most of the time.
Length of prime season:**
November and December are best months; there's reason to believeplenty of sails remain right into February, but by the beginning ofthe year, most anglers have turned their attention to bigmarlin.
Ocean conditions/weather:***
Calm conditions with a gentle, consistent offshore breeze typifymost of the sailfish season off Kenya.
Charter boats,availability/quality/crews: ** Among Hemingways, Malindi GamefishClub and Pemba Channel Fishing Club, you'll find about 40 charterboats. Add about the same number of private boats available forcharter, and you've got most of the possibilities for the country.Boats and crews will vary, but some mates rank among the best forIndian Ocean billfish. They're used to fishing with day-trippers,however, so you may have to work hard to convince them to let youset your own hooks.
Charter boats, cost (per day):**
Figure on $700 or so for a larger boat. (Smaller "ski boats," asSouth Africans call open fishing craft, can be had for $400 orso.)
Accommodations: ***
For $80-$100 per night, you can get an excellent room and meals,too. Some are comfortable if rustic (such as the Driftwood Club),but Hemingways rates five stars as an outstanding luxury fishingresort.
Other stuff to do: ***
Fabulous shopping ops, visits to game reserves, ancient Arab ruinsand more -- a visit to Kenya has much to offer.
Travel costs: ****
This is another one of those two-grand trips, give or take a couplehundred. |
BOM BOM, PRINCIPE ISLAND
SCORE: 58
The small,volcanic island of Principe (summit 3,100 feet) lies just off thewest coast of central Africa, along with its slightly largercountry mate, Sao Tome. The relaxed pace on tiny Bom Bom with itstiny charter fleet is in sharp contrast to the world-class actionfor big Atlantic sails within sight of the island. This fishery hasproduced five of nine fly-rod records listed in the most recentIGFA record book, including a 94-12 for women's 20-pound tippet(1998) and a 102-pounder in the men's 20-pound tippet class (1993).Getting here isn't cheap, but staying here is.
Shots per day (prime season): ****
Bom Bom's waters offer a dozen or so shots on a typical day duringprime season and 20 on a very good outing.
Size of fish: ****
Atlantic sails run big, here -- 75 to 85 pounds most commonly. Thewomen's 50- and 130-pound line-class records of 114 pounds, 10ounces and 91 pounds, respectively, came from Principe.
Release: *
Crews aren't likely to have a problem releasing sails, but it'salways a good idea to clarify your intentions beforehand.
Distance to fish: *
A mere two- or three-mile run will put you in sailfish country.
Length of prime season: ***
You can enjoy a respectable three hits most of the year, but duringSeptember through December you're more likely to average 12.
Ocean conditions/weather:***
Typically calm seas (and a short run, to boot).
Charter boats, availability/quality/crews: **
Four boats -- that's it -- 28- to 32-foot Blackfins and Bertrams.Skippers are generally international, crews local.
Charter boats, cost (per day):*
Charters here run $450-$650 per day.
Accommodations: ***
There's one lodge on Bom Bom, and it's superb -- chalets withmini-bar, satellite TV and so on. And it's only $100 or so pernight. But wait, there's more: That includes all meals.
Other stuff to do: *
Outside of fishing, diving/snorkeling or relaxing, not much, thoughyou can visit the cocoa and coffee plantation houses abandoned bythe Portuguese when the islands were declared independent in1975.
Travel costs: ****
$1,500-$2,000 would be a reasonable ballpark figure for getting toBom Bom. |
NOSSI BE, MADAGASCAR
SCORE: 51
Nossi Be (alsospelled Nosy Be) means "big island" in Malagasy -- but it's thedozens of tiny islets around Nossi Be that actually make it appearbig. Situated at the northwest corner of Madagascar, it facesMozambique, across the Mozambique Channel, the edges of whichsailfish patrol in numbers. Towering above this unique sailfishspot is Mt. Maromokofro at 9,450 feet.
Shots per day (prime season):***
It's not unusual to get several shots per day at sails year-round;however, during peak months you're likely to average seven or so,and on particularly good days, up to 20.
Size of fish: ***
Look for Indian sails here to average 70 to 75 pounds.
Release: *
Charter crews, once unhappy at the idea of releasing food fish likesails, are becoming more receptive to the concept; the abundance ofreef fish helps ease such requests.
Distance to fish: *
No distance -- much of the time, you'll have lines out within amile or two of the beach.
Length of prime season: ***
It's really pretty prime here all year, but sails invade en massefrom May through November.
Ocean conditions/weather:***
While there will always be exceptions, most of the time the sea isamazingly flat here. In part that has much to do with the fact thatNossi Be is protected by high mountains to the east, from whichmost weather originates.
Charter boats,availability/quality/crews: **
You'll spend roughly $700 for an all-day charter on a larger boat;smaller open boats cost about half that amount. While they're roomyand comfortable, the 45-foot Mauritian-built craft may lack some ofthe sophisticated touches of expensive Western yachts. Mostskippers and crew are local; their lack of longtime experience inbig-game fishing may be evident, and unfortunately, most speaklittle English. However, the knowledge of South Africanlight-tackle and fly enthusiasts who come here to fish is beginningto rub off.
Charter boats, cost (per day): **
Rates here are about the same as for Kenyan charters -- $700 (or$350 or so for smaller open boats).
Accommodations: ***
The single lodge that caters to anglers, Beachcamp is good but notluxurious, with eight thatched huts under coconut palms right athigh-tide mark. The owner has deliberately eschewed electricity tokeep with a very comfortable desert-island experience. The food isoutrageous. And it's all for $60 per night!
Other stuff to do: **
Snorkeling, unspoiled beaches and jungles with fabulous wildlife --but when you're not fishing, don't look for more than that at NossiBe.
Travel costs: ****
It may be only 60 bucks a night at Beachcamp, but it's a bit moreto get there: $3,500 and up. |
BROOME, WESTERNAUSTRALIA
SCORE: 40.5
You'll knowright away that you're not in Kansas anymore when you come to thiscorner of Oz, literally around the world from the United States.The motto in the harbor might be Sailfish R Us. The Indian Oceanwaters don't drop off to deep, clear depths as around many tropicalatolls, but the shallow, often turbid shelf that runs far offshoreis productive and very much to the liking of sailfish.
Shots per day (prime season): **1/2
1/2 Four to eight fish is the norm, but look for 25 to 30 onparticularly good days.
Size of fish: **
These Indian Ocean sails average 45 to 55 pounds.
Release: **
Your only argument here would be if you wished to keep a sailfish;release is expected.
Distance to fish: ***
Generally an 18- to 30-mile run.
Length of prime season:**
Sails seem to be around most of the year; weather dictates theJune-October season more than anything else.
Ocean conditions/weather: **
During the main fishing season from June through October, windsblow primarily offshore, from the east. The opposite of manycoastal areas, any breeze and attendant wind chop (no swell thistime of year) often occur in the morning, flattening out byafternoon. High-pressure systems to the south can bring 15- to30-knot winds sweeping in.
Charter boats,availability/quality/crews: ***
Six or so charters range from 28 to 60 feet. Crews are veryexperienced, specifically with sailfish -- and fly fishing forthem.
Charter boats, cost (per day):**
Expect to spend $500-$800 for the day.
Accommodations: **
1/2 Broome ain't Sydney, but it offers a good range ofaccommodations from hostel to five-star swank. Something in betweenthose extremes will set you back $80-$125 per night, with dinnersin the $15-$20 range. It's worth noting a very favorable exchangerate for Yanks, these days.
Other stuff to do: **
Soak up some amazing coastline and beaches. (But watch out forthose hungry saltwater crocs -- residents take them as seriously asthey take the croc warning signs posted on some area beaches.)Also, Broome is jumping-off point for a trip into the moonscapedcoastal wilderness of the continent's northwesternmost corner, TheKimberley, where more good fishing awaits. You can also visit thedinosaur footprints via hovercraft or Willie Creek pearl farming --a huge business here.
Travel costs: ****
Voyaging to the other side of the world isn't cheap: Figure onspending $2,000-$2,500 to get here. |
FLORIDA KEYS, U.S.A.
SCORE: 48
Although thissouthernmost extension of the Florida peninsula offers excellentsailfish action, there's plenty offshore to grab anglers' attention- including dolphin, blackfin (and particularly off Key West)yellowfin tuna, wahoo, cobia and more. With Florida Bay on one sideand Hawk's Channel plus the Atlantic on the other, no place thestate offers more diverse fishing, from flats to blue water.
Shots per day: **
During prime season, four or five shots per day represents arealistic expectation, though 20-shot days are quite possible.
Size of fish: *
Not surprisingly, sails off the Keys are similar in size to thoseoff Miami and farther up to the Palm Beaches - which means nothuge. That said, the occasional big boy shows up: In 1993, thecurrent men's 8-pound line-class Atlantic sail came in off KeyWest, a 105-pound, 14-ounce fish.
Release: **
Distance to fish: **
Much of the action occurs along the reef edge, typically a run ofjust 4 or 5 miles, but again, charters will work north or south asfar as 10 or 15 miles when called for.
Length of prime season:***
Prime months off the Keys are, logically, pretty close to those forMiami, though December can be a red-hot month here.
Ocean conditions/weather:**
Here, too, when wintertime fronts bring brisk north-nor'easters,sailfishing peaks - though the curvature of the keys may provide atleast a small bit of protection from the worst seas. On the otherhand, skippers don't mind the rugged seas. which give them thechance to spot southbound sails "surfing" down wave crests.
Charter boats, availability/quality/crews: *** Plenty to choose from withlots of good skippers and mates. Many troll ballyhoo (often themajor forage of choice for sails off the keys).
Charter boats, cost (per day): **
As always, plenty of variation but $700 to 800 represents a typicalday rate for a good sailfish charter boat.
Accommodations: ***
While you won't find quite as much to choose from as in Miami orsoutheast coast communities, lots of hotels are available atreasonable cost.
Other stuff to do: **
Most non-fishing activities will be water-oriented:diving/snorkeling, windsurfing and the like. Extensive flats ofFlorida Bay offer world-class fishing for bonefish and tarpon aswell.
Travel costs: *
Upper/middle Keys are an easy one- to two-hour drive from Miami.Key West is a bit farther, or you can fly down for a couple hundredbucks. |
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