Sailfish
Pelagic / OffshoreIndo-Pacific sailfish — the headline gamefish of Exmouth and the WA tropical north. The continental shelf runs unusually close to the coast at Tantabiddi, putting sailfish, marlin and other billfish within reach of small boats. Catch and release is the standard.
Sailfish are the gamefishing showpiece of the WA tropical coast. Exmouth's geography — the continental shelf within easy reach of Tantabiddi boat ramp — has built one of Australia's most accessible billfish fisheries, with sailfish raised on bait schools in 50–200m of water often within sight of the coast. The Exmouth Game Fishing Club runs an active tag-and-release programme and most boats are tagging multiple fish per trip in season. Sailfish are caught from Tantabiddi north through the Pilbara and into Kimberley waters, but Exmouth is the reliable starting point.
Rigged garfish, swimming pilchards, live yakkas or slimy mackerel — typically pitched to a raised fish
Skirted trolling lures (small to medium), Halco Laser Pro 190, switch-baiting with hookless teasers and a pitched live bait
Light gamefishing tackle — 15–24kg overhead or heavy spin, 80–130lb fluorocarbon or mono leader, 8/0–9/0 circle hook for bait (mandatory for tagging programmes). Teasers to raise the fish, then pitch a circle-hook bait or stickbait as the fish lights up.
Troll skirted lures or rigged baits at 6–8 knots along the shelf edge and current lines, watching for tailing fish and frigate birds. When a sailfish lights up behind the spread, drop a bait back or pitch a live bait — the strike is visual and dramatic. Set with a slow lift on circle hooks; let the fish turn before locking up. Release boat-side without lifting the fish out of the water — billfish handling rules apply.
September through January is the peak Exmouth window, with November and December the most consistent. Sailfish are caught at Tantabiddi outside this window too — there are usually some fish around year-round. Run-out tides over the shelf concentrate bait. Mornings tend to outproduce afternoons.
Up to 60kg, commonly 20–40kg
Sep–Jan (Exmouth peak)
Sailfish are not considered eating fish in WA — flesh quality is poor and the conservation ethic is strong. Tag and release is the universal practice.
Catch and release is the recreational and tournament standard for billfish in WA. Bag limit: 1 (within the large pelagic mixed daily limit) if retained, but retention is strongly discouraged. Tag-and-release programmes operate through the Exmouth Game Fishing Club. Always check current DPIRD rules — regulations may change.
Tantabiddi boat ramp puts you within thirty minutes of billfish water — exceptional access for any gamefishing destination. Most charters out of Exmouth offer dedicated billfish trips Sep–Jan. Use circle hooks, fish single-strand fluorocarbon leader, and don't lift the fish out of the water for photos — keep it in or beside the boat for release.