Sailfish: How to Catch & Cook the Fastest Fish in the World

This photo of Sushi Time Sport Fishing is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Say the word “sailfish” to a group of fishermen and even the most-experienced anglers will say it’s quite a “challenge.”

It is a fact that the sailfish is the fastest-swimming fish in the ocean, which makes its highly-migratory nature not so surprising. It moves at approximately 68 miles per hour. The warm regions of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans are its home, approximately to temperatures close to 79 degrees. While they have since been assigned different scientific names (Istiophorus albicans in the Pacific and Istiophorus platypterus in the Atlantic), some are now convinced that there is actually just one species - the only notable difference being their size besides location.

The sailfish is an aquatic predator. It feeds on flying fish, jacks, mackerels and tunas, among other species that get to the sea surface. Because of their diet, it is not surprising to know that sailfishes are fast-growing, averaging 6 to 8 feet in length. What’s interesting to note, however, is that a hatchling can grow up to 6 feet in one year’s time, and that the world’s largest-recorded creature is a 141-pounder that measured greater than 10 feet. Wow.

How to Catch Sailfish

Nobody said catching sailfish is a piece of cake. Prospects should have the right equipment at hand, and EatMyTackle.com provides a good selection of them. To begin with, anglers have to keep in mind that these swimmers thrive in warm waters - at least 75 degrees F for a figure. An ideal time to troll would be between 2AM and 4AM, with a handy rod rigged and ready with a live bait.

In addition to temperature observations, avian behavior is also helpful to target sailfish. Frigates are believed to be the most that reveal pelagic swimmers. Spotting these waterfowls diving could mean sailfishes are lurking.

Anglers are encouraged to keep their hook-sets low. This assures position for another bite should there be a miss. Meanwhile, lifting the rod higher than 180 degrees is said to be wasteful and could only cause fishers back pain.

The bait, for the record, must be of good quality. Remember that we are dealing with all-star predators, so it is important to keep something that catches definite attention. Fishers can opt to change as often as possible, but the key to catching sailfish is intelligent trickery complemented by a strategic battle.

How to Cook Sailfish

There could be many ways to cook sailfish, but the most popular ones are through frying and baking, as with most fish. Sailfish is packed with vitamins such as A and B, so it is vital to be aware about not stripping off nutrients (do not overcook, that is).

To get rid of any unpleasant odor, lemon can be used for sailfish. Fillets about to be fried can be soaked in milk for about half an hour. Butter, lemon juice, garlic, pepper and red onions are mixed in a frying pan. Fillets are added and can be cooked for as long as how soft the meat is desired. Additional condiments can be added, and this can be served with rice or pasta.

Sailfish may be a difficult catch, but it sure is not impossible.