This Under-The-Radar U.S. Town Is Known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World”

Sailfish Capital
© patrimonio, Bali Studio, and GabrielPevide from Getty Images Signature/ via Canva.com

Written by Patrick MacFarland

Published: December 28, 2023

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This Under-The-Radar U.S. Town Is Known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World”

We’ve all heard them. There is a fishing capital of the world, a surfing capital of the world, and many more. Cities pride themselves on something that makes them more authentic. It makes total and complete sense! It makes us love where we live more and makes us proud of where we reside.

Stuart, FL is an under-the-radar US town known as the “sailfish capital of the world.” People from across the country and world come to Stuart to catch this beloved fish. Let’s take a look at this under-the-radar US town and learn about it and why it’s called the “sailfish capital of the world.”

What is a Sailfish?

Sailfish

A whopping 19 hurricanes have passed through Stuart from 1871 to 2005, most recently Hurricane Jeanne in 2004 and Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

©A Cotton Photo/Shutterstock.com

A sailfish (Istiophorus) is a species of fish that belongs to the family of marlin types of fish. They are usually gray or blue and have a dorsal fin on top like a sail, hence the name. According to scientists, the sailfish are the fastest fish in the ocean. They grow up to 10 feet and usually weigh under 200 pounds. The sailfish is usually found in warm to temperate areas of the ocean.

Where Is Stuart, FL?

Aerial view of Stuart, small city in Southern Florida

Some notable people who are from or live in Stuart, FL include actor Judge Reinhold, tennis player Kathy Rinaldi, and American football player Corey McIntyre.

©Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock.com

Stuart is located in Martin County, FL, and borders the Atlantic Ocean. It has a population of about 17,000 and is part of the Port St. Lucie metropolitan area. Stuart is a picturesque town that has been popular with tourists, especially because of its proximity to several bodies of water like the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie River.

The Sailfish Capital of the World Story

Stuart Florida Sunset

There are some famous landmarks or buildings in Stuart such as the Lyric Theatre, the Stuart Heritage Museum, the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, and the Tropical Ranch Botanical Garden.

©Grayson O’Hara/Shutterstock.com

Stuart sits next to the Atlantic Ocean, which means that there’s an entire sea to go out and explore. But the special thing about Stuart is that it is located right smack in the middle of Sailfish Alley on the Treasure Coast — from Port St. Lucie to Jupiter. The sailfish is quite an attractive fish that fishermen around the world love. Winters are the best time to catch the fish, but when it comes to Stuart, fishermen can go at any time. The sailfish are all along the coast throughout the hotter months, too. This is what makes Stuart a great destination for sailfish sport fishing.

Conclusion

And there you have it, Stuart, FL is the under-the-radar US town known as the “sailfish capital of the world.” Nestled next to the Atlantic Ocean, the town has earned a reputation for being a tourist attraction because of its proximity to other bodies of water. This makes it perfect for people to do leisurely activities like going to the beach, fishing, and other aquatic sports. Many have touted Stuart as a great small town to visit, and its local officials have capitalized on that. After all, Stuart is the “sailfish capital of the world.”


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About the Author

Patrick Macfarland is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering travel, geography, and history. Patrick has been writing for more than 10 years. In the past, he has been a teacher and a political candidate. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from SDSU and a Master's Degree in European Union Studies from CIFE. From San Diego, California, Patrick loves to travel and try new recipes to cook.

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