
Since the dawn of offshore fishing in Florida, no fish has established a place for itself as a symbol representing the sport better than the sailfish. Between the fabled Sailfish Alley of the Palm Beaches and the Sailfish Capital of the World in Stuart, you won’t find another fish that has grown the sport (and promoted tourism) more than the spindlebeak.
Sailfish have been celebrated for decades as a trophy catch for anglers of all kinds, from weekend hobbyists to tournament competitors. From December through March, there are a string of high-stakes catch-and-release competitions held in the area, with prize money reaching the six-figure mark. Winnings are based on the total number of released fish (with zero fish brought back to the dock). The emphasis on releasing billfish has been the norm for many years, however the changing landscape in this fishery has necessitated some extra measures to ensure a sailfish’s survival after release.

One of the most harmful factors affecting the survival rate of released sailfish has been the explosion in the shark population throughout local waters. Shark predation may soon prove to be one of the leading threats to many species of gamefish. The stress that overhandling imposes on a caught sailfish—such as removing it from the water to take photos—can be the difference between the creature’s ability to elude a shark or not after release.
Few people are even aware that it’s illegal to boat a sailfish that you don’t intend to harvest. A study by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science shows just how harmful air exposure combined with removal from a zero-gravity environment can be to billfish:
a mortality rate of nearly 30 percent was observed in fish removed from the water for just a couple of minutes.

While it may be tempting to lift a sailfish into the boat, especially when it’s someone’s first big catch, the additional oxygen that seemingly simple action exposes it to can damage the fish’s internal organs and cause stress. Even if a fish swims away seemingly fine upon release, it will often die a day later.

If you must take a photo of your catch, take precautions to ensure the survival of the fish. Have your camera ready before the fish is boatside so you can get some action shots, and decide how you want to compose the picture in advance to save valuable time before the release. Always leave the fish in the water, and instruct the angler where and how to stand to lean into the shot (or to hold part of the fish while it swims alongside).
Finally, before cutting the leader, make sure the fish is healthy enough to swim off. If it needs a little help, drag it by the bill in the water to assist in its recovery. A bit of preplanning goes a long way when it comes to a fish’s chances of survival.
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