Wonder where the sailfish go in spring? If the recent bite is any indication, Key West is the place.

A Key Colony Beach-based charterboat fishing 50 miles from home port chalked up an amazing 36 releases Tuesday, May 10. That’s the highest single-day tally recorded by Florida Sportsman since 1978, and quite likely a Keys record.

Captain Marty Lewis and Jamie Platt said the fish were tailing on the color change off Key West—perfect conditions for sight-fishing. Fish spotted from the tower of the 42-foot Main Attraction were tossed live pilchards. “We saw 70, hooked 40 and landed 36,” Lewis said. “My anglers were worn out at the end of the day.”

A representative from the National Marine Fisheries Service was on board, and planted satellite tracking tags in two of the fish.

FS