Palm Beach Sailfish

With winter cold fronts already starting to influence South Florida waters anglers will encounter increasing numbers of sailfish. If the action is anything like last year tournament crews will be in store for another banner season. When ideal conditions exist tailing sailfish excite anglers along the coast. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Kite fishing is the preferred method in South Florida and is an extremely effective technique for presenting frisky live baits on the surface. Requiring specialized tackle and a dedicated crew, there's no better tactic to entice finicky sailfish. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

While center consoles provide speed and 360-degree fishability, larger game boats offer captains an elevated perch to spot approaching fish. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Dredge fishing has taken South Florida by storm and is practiced by crews on boats of all sizes. Dredge teasers are no longer just a way to entice fish to your trolling spread. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Sailfish often cruise in a preferred depth depending on the prevalent conditions. Once concentrations of baitfish and predators have been found anglers can zero in on the action. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Thanks to widespread conservation efforts sailfish are readily available and eager to please. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Sailfish tackle remains relatively straightforward. Live bait kite rigs generally consist of 12-feet of fluorocarbon leader snelled to a 6/0 or 7/0 tournament approved circle-hook. When the bite is on there's no time to waste tying rigs so prepared teams have multiple leaders rigged and ready to go. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Presented on fluorocarbon leaders and bridled to circle-hooks, live goggle eye (pictured), threadfin herring and sardines are the ultimate sailfish offerings in South Florida. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Tournament success relies in the ability to manage double and triple headers. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com