Sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus
How to tell it
The sail says it all; lights up neon when hot.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AlabamaFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 63" LJFL min | No federal bag limit | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · checked | Open |
| ConnecticutFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 63" LJFL min | No federal bag limit | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · checked | Open |
| DelawareFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 63" LJFL min | No federal bag limit | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 63 in lower jaw fork length min | 1 per person | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 63 in lower jaw fork length min | 1 per person | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Georgia | 63" LJFL min | No federal bag limit | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · GA DNR CRD 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| Louisiana | 63 in lower jaw fork length | No bag limit | Open year-roundLDWF 2026 · checked | Open |
| MaineFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 63" LJFL min | No federal bag limit | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · checked | Open |
| MarylandFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 63" LJFL min | No federal bag limit | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · checked | Open |
| MassachusettsFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 63" LJFL min | No federal bag limit | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | 63 in lower jaw fork length minimum | No bag limit | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| New HampshireFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 63" LJFL min | No federal bag limit | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · checked | Open |
| New JerseyFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 63" LJFL min | No federal bag limit | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · checked | Open |
| New YorkFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 63" LJFL min | No federal bag limit | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · checked | Open |
| North Carolina | 63" LJFL min | 1 per person per day | Year-roundNC DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Rhode IslandFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 63" LJFL min | No federal bag limit | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | 63 in lower-jaw fork length | No bag limit | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Texas | 84 in total length | No bag limit | Open year-roundTPWD 2026 · checked | Open |
| VirginiaFederal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) | 63" LJFL min | No federal bag limit | Year-roundNOAA HMS 2026 · checked | Open |
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 81 lb | 1974 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 126 lb | 2009 · Big Pine Key | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Georgia | 65 lb | 1981 | GA DNR CRD Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23 · GA keeps men's/women's records; heavier taken as overall |
| Louisiana | 96 lb | 1953 | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 62 lb | 1963 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| New Jersey | 43 lb 4 oz | 2006 · Linden Kohl Canyon | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| North Carolina | 100 lb | 1987 · Off Ocean Isle | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| South Carolina | 75 lb | 1968 · Georgetown | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 95 lb | 1972 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Virginia | 68 lb 8 oz | 1977 · Off Virginia Beach | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
On the table
Rarely eaten — dark, dry meat. Nearly every sailfish is released at the boat.
In the app
Point the camera at a sailfish and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about sailfish
What is the size limit for sailfish?
It depends on the state. Alabama: 63" LJFL min; Connecticut: 63" LJFL min; Delaware: 63" LJFL min; Florida (Atlantic): 63 in lower jaw fork length min; Florida (Gulf): 63 in lower jaw fork length min; Georgia: 63" LJFL min; Louisiana: 63 in lower jaw fork length; Maine: 63" LJFL min; and more in the table above.
How many sailfish can you keep?
Alabama: No federal bag limit; Connecticut: No federal bag limit; Delaware: No federal bag limit; Florida (Atlantic): 1 per person; Florida (Gulf): 1 per person; Georgia: No federal bag limit; Maine: No federal bag limit; Maryland: No federal bag limit; and more in the table above.
What is the record sailfish?
126 lb in Florida (2009), Big Pine Key. Other states’ records are in the table.