Make the Trip to Southeast Florida: The odds for tangling with a kayak billfish are higher here than just about anywhere. The warm Gulf Stream pulses right offshore from Palm Bay south to Miami. But beware: the current rages. Bill says it’s common for it to carry a kayak eight or nine miles along the coast.
“We land and then one of us Ubers back to our vehicle while the other waits with our gear. We fish in pairs anyway. It’s the most important safety tip besides carrying a VHF radio and wearing a PFD. You can’t fight the Gulf Stream,” he says.
It’s Got to Be Live Bait: Bill says if you want a sailfish, there’s no alternative. There are a couple ways to do it. “You can spend an hour or two trying to sabiki up goggle eyes or blue runners. It’s stressful and can eat up your prime fishing time. Or you can call up the bait guys,” he says.
Bill prefers the latter. Uniquely, in Southeastern Florida live bait sellers will motor out to meet a kayak or two. He keeps the local bait boat on speed dial.
Fight Right: Once you hook up, it’s critical to keep a sailfish off the nose of the kayak. It’s easier with a Hobie MirageDrive®. “As long as you’re pointed at the fish he can’t get sideways to you and turn back to make a run at you. They’re so fast. That’s your biggest issue until you’re ready to land the fish,” Bill says.
A hot sailfish will run endless circles around a kayak in a turning fight that can last 20 minutes. Watch for the next phase. “When they stop rotating and start making short bursts away from the boat again that’s the time to grab them by the nose. Grab them on the bill just past the mouth,” he says.
Bill Mills is a Hobie Fishing Team Member. He fishes for Kayaks by Bo.