Sailfish across North Carolina
Where sailfish live in North Carolina, with limits.
- 1 a daydaily creel
- 100 lb. 0 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: 出羽雀台, CC BY-SA 4.0
sailfish across the state
North Carolina anglers find Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) in saltwater habitat. Creel and size (NCDMF, coastal fishing waters): 1 a day, 63 in minimum.
The record book shows 100 lb. 0 oz. from Off Ocean Isle, 1987. NCDMF citation: Award for live release of fish of any size.
What NCDMF writes about sailfish
“Sailfish are dark-blue along the upper half of the body fading to brownish-blue on the sides to silver-white on the belly. The upper jaw is elongated, looking like a spear. The first dorsal fin is high and sail-like, blue-black and covered with small black spots. All related billfishes have a high dorsal fin as juveniles, but only the sailfish retains the high fin throughout life. On the sides are 15 to 20 vertical bars consisting of several small blue spots.”
- SizeSailfish grow to 11 feet and 110 pounds.
- HabitatSailfish are found offshore throughout the western Atlantic from the Gulf of Maine to Brazil, including the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Sailfish are generally found nearer to shore than marlins and swordfish in water depths ranging from 120 to 300 feet and temperatures from 77 degrees to 82 de
- DietSailfish feed primarily during daylight hours on fishes and squids. Favorite foods are tunas, mackerels, halfbeaks, jacks, needlefish, herring and other surface-swimming species. Pods of sailfish encircle schools of fish, using their high fins to form a confining wall. One by one, the sailfish dart
- Fishing tipsSport fishermen land sailfish off North Carolina from May through October. They troll artificial and natural baits like mullet, Spanish mackerel, bonito and ballyhoo.
- Also calledSails
- Confused withwhite marlin, juvenile blue marlin
Quoted from the NCDMF species profile, checked October 2026.
North Carolina limits on sailfish
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | Coastal fishing waters | 1 a day | 63 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
Record sailfish from North Carolina
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 100 lb. 0 oz. | Off Ocean Isle | 1987 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Species beside sailfish on the list
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
What is near Sailfish, in pictures
Photo: KimWrenn, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Susan C. Griffin, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Warren LeMay from Cullowhee, NC, United States, CC0 1.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Questions people send about sailfish
How many sailfish can I keep in North Carolina?
1 a day (Coastal fishing waters), size 63 in minimum.
How heavy is the North Carolina record sailfish?
100 lb. 0 oz. from Off Ocean Isle (1987).
Which waters are best for sailfish?
Sailfish are found offshore throughout the western Atlantic from the Gulf of Maine to Brazil, including the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Sailfish are generally found nearer to shore than marlins and swordfish in water depths ranging fr
Do NCWRC hatcheries raise sailfish?
No.
What other names does sailfish go by?
Sailfish grow to 11 feet and 110 pounds.
When are sailfish in season?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
Which license works on sailfish?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Which guides target sailfish?
No guide lists it.
Find sailfish close to home
Pick any lake or stream listed above.