Species profile
Sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus
At a glance
Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) is an IUCN Vulnerable bony-fish species regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Bag limits are uniform at 1 per angler across the 2 regulating jurisdictions.
Across 3 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 70.0 in (≈ 5 ft 10 in).
Confirmed by 25 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, North Carolina, and Texas the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Widely regarded as one of the fastest ocean fish, with speed bursts documented above 35 mph.
- The enormous dorsal fin folds into a body groove to reduce drag at high speed.
- Can grow over 10 feet long and weigh up to 200 pounds.
- Uses its long, pointed bill to slash and stun schools of baitfish before feeding.
- Found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide, typically hunting near the surface.
Where Sailfish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Sailfish
Background
The Indo-Pacific sailfish is a sailfish native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is naturalized in the Atlantic where it has entered the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal as a Lessepsian migrant. It is dark blue on top, brown-blue laterally, silvery white underbelly; upper jaw elongated in the form of a spear; first dorsal fin greatly enlarged in the form of a sail, with many black cones,…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Sailfish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.