SAILFISH (Atlantic & Pacific) / Istiophorus platypterus (Shaw & Nodder, 1791); ISTIOPHORIDAE FAMILY; also called spindlebeack,bayonetfish
Occurs in tropical and subtropical waters near land masses, usually in depths over 6 fathoms, but occasionally caught in lesser depths and from ocean piers. Pelagic and seasonally migratory, sailfish usually travel alone or in small groups. They appear to feed mostly in midwater along the edges of reefs or current eddies.
The outstanding feature of the sailfish is its long, high first dorsal fin (37
49 total elements). The second dorsal fm is very small with 6 8 rays. The lateral
line along the median line of the flanks is single and prominent. The bill is
longer than that of the spearfish, usually a little more than twice the length
of the elongated lower jaw. The vent is just forward of the first anal fin.
The sides of the fish often have pale, bluish gray vertical bars or rows of
spots. The sail like first dorsal fin is slate or cobalt blue with a scattering
of black spots.
The greatest fishing action is found where sailfish are located on or near the
surface. Diet includes squid, octopus, mackerels, tunas, jacks, herring, ballyhoo,
needlefish, flying fish, mullet and other small pelagic fishes.
Its fighting ability and spectacular aerial acrobatics endear the sailfish to
the saltwater angler, but it tires quickly and is considered a light tackle
species. Fishing methods include trolling with strip baits, whole mullet or
ballyhoo, plastic lures, feathers or spoons, as well as, live bait fishing and
kite fishing from boats using jacks, mullet and other small live baits. Recent
acoustical tagging and tracking experiments suggest that this species is quite
hardy and that survival of released specimens is good.
Although present taxonomy suggests that the Atlantic and Pacific sailfish are
the same species, some experts are not yet convinced. It has long been believed
that Indo Pacific specimens of sailfish attain a much greater size than their
Atlantic counterparts, but a recent study of size data from the Japanese longline
fishery by Dr. Grant L. Beardsley of the National Marine Fisheries Service,
Miami Laboratory, provides evidence that eastern Atlantic specimens can reach
much larger sizes than previously recorded.