Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) · Alabama lists none of its own
Size63" LJFL minLower-jaw fork length: tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail
BagNo federal bag limit
SeasonYear-roundOpen today
HMS permit required.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Alabama state record
81 lb1974
Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
The sail says it all; lights up neon when hot. More on the sailfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for sailfish in Alabama?
63" LJFL min. Measured as lower-jaw fork length: tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail.
How many sailfish can you keep in Alabama?
No federal bag limit.
When is sailfish season in Alabama?
Year-round.
What is the Alabama record sailfish?
81 lb (1974).
How current is this Alabama sailfish rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
In the appPoint the camera at a sailfish in Alabama and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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