Jul 2021
Sailfish
Pez vela
Istiophorus platypterus · Istiophoridae
- Category
- Billfish
- Found in
- Pacific Baja, Sea of Cortez, Pacific Mainland, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable
- Mexico fish counts
- 192 counted, 13 so far in 2026
About Sailfish in Mexico
How to recognize it
Nothing else in Mexican waters carries a dorsal fin like the sailfish's: a tall, cobalt sail that runs most of the length of a slim body and can be raised or folded at will. The bill is long and thin, the flanks show rows of pale spots or bars, and the pelvic fins are extremely long and narrow. Most weigh far less than a marlin, and Pacific fish tend to run larger than those in the Caribbean.
Where and when in Mexico
The Pacific mainland is the heart of Mexican sailfishing, where it is called pez vela. Boats out of Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Zihuatanejo, Acapulco, Puerto Escondido and Huatulco find them inshore for much of the year, with the best months varying by port. In southern Baja they arrive with warm water in summer and fall, and Cabo San Lucas boats log a modest number in Mexico Fish Reports' counts. On the Caribbean side, Isla Mujeres and Cancún are known for winter sailfish feeding on sardine schools offshore.
How it's fished
Pangas and cruisers alike slow-troll live bait or pull small lures, teasers and dead ballyhoo, then drop back a bait when a fish rises. Off Isla Mujeres, crews run the edge of bait balls and pitch live sardines or ballyhoo to sails that are herding the school. Light conventional or spinning tackle and circle hooks are common.
Good to know
Sailfish are reserved for sportfishing and are released on most Mexican charters. Quick releases with circle hooks keep survival high.
Fishing rules in Mexico
- Reserved for sportfishing within 50 nautical miles of the coast
- 1 per angler per day (picudos)
Source: LGPAS Art. 68; NOM-017-PESC-1994 §4.9.1 (2013 mod.). Rules change; confirm current limits, seasons and permits with CONAPESCA before you fish.
Where Sailfish are caught in Mexico
- Cabo San Lucas 192 counted · last Oct 2026
Fish counts by year
| Year | Kept | Released | Trips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (so far) | 1 | 12 | 13 |
| 2025 | 1 | 7 | 6 |
| 2024 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2019 | 0 | 10 | 7 |
| 2018 | 0 | 5 | 4 |
| 2015 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | 0 | 13 | 11 |
| 2012 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| 2011 | 2 | 19 | 14 |
| 2010 | 2 | 15 | 14 |
From fish counts posted by the Mexican landings on Mexico Fish Reports. Years with no posted counts are not shown.
Boats catching Sailfish (2025–2026)
- El Budster Pride Cabo San Lucas 14 counted on 12 trips
- El Budster Cabo San Lucas 7 counted on 7 trips
Sailfish photos from Mexico
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Corutesy of El Budster
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Courtesy of El Budster Sportfishing
Photo: Courtesy of Master Baiter's
Recent Sailfish reports
Fishing on the EL BUDSTER PRIDE. The JAIME MORALES´S party, CAUGHT AND RELEASED ONE 90 LB. SAILFISH. They also caught ONE 40 LB. WAHOO. The fish was caught 14 to…
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Fishing on the EL BUDSTER. The BRIAN ANAST´S party, CAUGHT AND RELEASED ONE 80 LB. SAILFISH. The fish was caught 14 to 16 miles from the coast of Cabo San…
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Fishing on the EL BUDSTER. The NICHOLAS DANE´S party, CAUGHT AND RELEASED ONE 75 LB. SAILFISH. The fish was caught 12 to 14 miles from the coast of Cabo San…
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Fishing on the EL BUDSTER PRIDE. The GREG CINCINNATI´S party, CAUGHT AND RELEASED ONE 70 LB. SAILFISH. They also caught ONE 35 LB. WAHOO.The fish was caught 14 to 16…
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Fishing on the EL BUDSTER PRIDE. The Jeff Carlson´s party from ANAHEIM HILLS, CALIFORNIA, caught and released A 100 LB. SAILFISH. It was caught on the Live Pacific Mackerel. The…
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Keith Kane and his son from New York, NY caught and released a 100 LB. PACIFIC SAILFISH. It was caught on the live Bigeye Caballito. The fighting time was 35…
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