Each November the weather starts to cool a bit. At that same time the fishing begins to heat up. Each passing day more and more sailfish migrate into my backyard. People are astounded when they come from up north to see how close the fishing is actually done here. Most days within a mile or two from the inlet is all that is needed. Of course there is always that outside chance that they are on fire say thirty miles either way of us, north or south, but the steadiest action usually is pretty close to our inlet.
Let's examine why that is… An inlet isn't just a place for water to rush in and out. It's also the highway for various kinds of migrating baitfish. Close to the inlets jetties one popular baitfish can be caught but its tough pickings to get enough for a whole day of fish beating. The blue runner though is still a good bait.

For all intents and purposes though the bait of choice used here is the goggle eyed scad, also called goggle eyes or GI's for short. These baits can be purchased at a premium "swimming gold" price from several local bait guys. People cringe when they hear $100 a dozen for them but that is the going rate and the guys work hard for their money. They need to run as far south as Miami and out to 400-feet of water at night to catch them, then race the eighty odd miles back to Palm Beach by sunrise to sell them.

Sailfish rigs are about as simple as can be. A 5/0 or 6/0 octopus or circle style is the preferred hook. 40- to 60-pound mono is attached to them using the uni knot which allows a little play and gives the bait a more natural presentation. The leader can be from 8 to 15 feet depending on your preference and is either attached by swivel to conventional gear or using a uni to uni knot for spinning rods.