Thailand, Phuket
More than two decades ago, sailfish seemed to be everywhere just off Phuket in southern Thailand. Then commercial netters began to target sails and the fishery declined. Last season, sails made a real comeback, with anglers enjoying up to 10 shots and charters often releasing several sails in a day. Whether it's a seasonal one-off or a return to great days of the past remains to be seen.
Why You Should Go: Generally calm conditions and a long season, from June through December. A mecca for Western tourists, Phuket offers a particularly inviting base of operations for anglers; accommodations run from bargain-basement hotels to fivestar luxury.
But... Don't look for big sails; these Indian Ocean fish range most often from 40 to 70 pounds. Allow at least 20 to 24 hours to get here, and figure your round-trip ticket costing a bit under $2,000.
Contact: Capt. John Pearce at Asia Spirit, www.asiaspirit.net.
