FIRST SAILFISH on Seafari

[Fr. Frank]

I miss trolling off Juno/Jupiter

No MFS permit is required if the fish is caught within 3 miles of shore in the Atlantic, or within 9 miles of shore in the Gulf. Anything east of Sombrero in the Keys is considered Atlantic, BTW. (Or at least it used be).

The MFS is only $16 per vessel per year. No angler specific MFS stamps or permits are required in Florida, but state bag limit is one per angler per day or in possession; National bag limit is 3 per vessel per day, and both apply.

FTR, I haven't seen or heard of a billfish being taken within 9 miles of the Gulf coast anywhere between St. George Island/Appalachicola and Crystal River in 5 or 6 years. Saw a very small white Marlin (4 - 5 lbs.) taken and released 2 miles off Homasassa 2 or 3 years ago, but that's it.