Sail Fish off Florida Pier

**midwestexile** · 10-03-2016, 11:02 PM

King rod and some fishfighting common sense. I admit to seeing one off Okaloosa pier that looked as big as a sub but that was "buck fever" talking. I'd like to pop mine off away from pier and shark city.

**CarlF** · 10-04-2016, 08:14 AM

No state size or bag limits listed:
http://www.outdooralabama.com/sites/...16%20B%26W.pdf

Federal size limit is 63" fork limit, no bag limit:
http://gulfcouncil.org/fishing_regul...s_09-06-16.pdf

Keep or release?
That's an individual decision.
Sailfish are abundant, not commercially fished and are said to be as good or better than swordfish.
I'd be good with someone going either way, as long as it gets eaten.

**witler** · 10-05-2016, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by tyjordann

best gulf pier fishing.

Looks like there has been quite a few around..

Good size Rattle Snake, can only imagine that guy wanting to share your 'surf board' with you as you wait for a wave..

**eym_sirius** · 10-05-2016, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by CarlF

Keep or release?
That's an individual decision.
Sailfish are abundant, not commercially fished and are said to be as good or better than swordfish.
I'd be good with someone going either way, as long as it gets eaten.

That's my position, too, Carl! As long as it's legal, it's none of my business if another fisherman keeps his prize catch! And if I catch a sailfish next year (unlikely) I'll make the decision then. I'm leaning toward keeping it and letting some of my friends from the pier be a part of the unique experience by sharing with them/you.

**fishheadspin** · 10-05-2016, 03:01 PM

pretty common that they are caught off navarre and others. many are smaller but there have been some giants too. almost all on a king rod!

**Pier#r** · 10-05-2016, 03:12 PM

I was ready to slay one...

BTW, hooked it on 20# mono, Penn 706Z and a J&M pier rod.
I'll take that setup to make war with em any day!
And it was a big fish (about 7 feet long) probably weighed 45# or more.

**oldfisherman** · 10-05-2016, 06:59 PM

I caught a ten foot nine inch one off Mazatlan Mexico. During the fight he got line gill wrapped and died during fight. I donated him to an orphanage there. I have a nice picture for memories.