The color of the sailfish livery depends on the level of excitement of the fish but is generally dark blue on the back, blue brown on both flanks and silvery white below the belly. It has a single lateral line on the flanks, along the entire body, which is very evident and is situated above the pectoral fins and extends to the base of the tail. On the body flanks it has a series of vertical blue-grey lines with some spots. It has a rigid crescent-shaped tail and a very powerful caudal peduncle that allows it to swim fast.

Its upper jaw is elongated beak-shaped and circular in appearance, has two dorsal and two anal fins. The first dorsal fin is large and elongated sail-shaped, retractable and the size is twice as wide as that of the animal's body. This dorsal fin, slate or cobalt blue, consists of 37 to 40 vertical stripes with black spots on the Atlantic sailfish, while on Indo Pacific specimens, the number of stripes appears to be somewhat less.
>br> The second dorsal fin is very small with 6-8 stripes. The pectoral fins fold along the body. Pelvic fins are very thin but very long. It is the fastest fish in the sea and can reach speeds of up to 109 km/h, thanks to its hemodynamic and muscular body. It can measure up to three meters and usually feeds on octopuses, squids and small fish (sardines, anchovies, small tunas ...). It looks for food in intermediate waters or near the surface.
>br> Sailfish can be found in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the oceans and in the vicinity of continental masses. Normally found at depths of more than ten metres, it travels alone or in small groups of three or four. In the first year of life it can weigh up to 30 kilos and its average life span is ten years. The eggs of the female are covered by two or three males and the laying of eggs occurs throughout the year, but especially in the summer period.

The fishing methods are trolling with artificial bait, with natural dead bait (ballyhoo) or with live bait. Often a combination of octopus or artificial squid with strips of tuna belly or ballyhoo is used.

THE 5 OUTSTANDING INDO-PACIFIC HOT SPOTS:

• Guatemala. Central American country of 108.889 km2 and a population of 8.5000.000 inhabitants, The coastal population par excellence is Iztapa, near the border with El Salvador and very close to the port of San Jose, which is the main commercial port of the Pacific coast. Sailfish are caught all year round but there are two extraordinary seasons: November/December and April/May. In this area it is not uncommon to fish from 15 to 20 specimens per day and with weights that can reach 150 pounds.


• Phuket Island (Thailand) . Sailfish are fished on this island all year round, but the best time is from June to October during the monsoon season in the southwest. In Phuket fishing trips are organized for one day or several days on board. On day trips, the best places for sailfish are the islands of Koh Racha Yai, located 26 km from Phuket, and Koh Racha Noi, 42 km south of Chalong Bay, in the southeast of Phuket and where most of the island's charters are located. These islands are extraordinary for sailfish and up to 15-20 fish can be caught in one day. The second place to go in one day is called La Sina or Drop-off, located 25 miles west of Phuket, an underwater mountain with lots of sailfish. As for multi-day fishing trips, there are four very good destinations for sailfish fishing:
  • Koh Roh Islands (Noi, Yai), 55 miles southeast of Phuket.
  • Similan Islands, 55 miles north of Phuket, a hot spot for sailfish.
  Andaman Islands and Nicobra, located 505 miles northwest of Phuket.
  • Surin Islands, archipelago of five islands in the Andaman Sea.
  
  
• Isla de Nosy Be. In the northwest of Madagascar, with good fishing all year round, except from January to March. The best months are June, July and August. The specimens can reach 100 pounds.


• Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. Coastal town of the Mexican Pacific in the state of Guerrero. The best season is from November to May, although you can fish all year round, with specimens that can reach 50-60 pounds.