Set up first drift in 1800' with lines set between 1000'-300' down. Had a beautiful 1.2 knt drift, but nada! Set up second drift in slightly deeper water and about halfway through drift pick up two of the slobs on sonar and not long after line that was down 700' starts to do the swordfish twitch. Fish on! After a brief but tedious battle sunk the steel into the beast, and it was death from above! Turned out to be a perfect 119 # specimen. Made three more drifts but only managed one more bite on a much larger fish that was released boat side. Sure wish we hadn't already killed the smaller one. Oh well after cleaning and stealing out the fish the swords bill will be cleaned and added to my neighbors " picked fence" of sword bills.
Sounds like a great trip. With a slow drift, I guess wind was not a factor that morning
What kind of set up is used to catch swords? Penn 309's
Tell me about your rods, reels, and line. Don (Hunter) is getting into this type of fishing and may want to know.
Thanks;
5th
Wind was no problem in am but it came up and make getting in a bit sporty but not too bad. Although a 309 would give the swordfish the ultimate advantage it won't hold enough line. We mainly use 50 and 80 class Shimano reels with 80-130 sticks. The reels we run deep, beyond 500' are electric. There is nothing worse than bring in 3000+\-' foot of line just to check a bait. Leaders are usually rigger with Bimini twist to main line so they can be wound onto reel due to their length. Leaders can be up to 400# test and 75-100' long. We use squid rigged to 16/0 circle hooks with deep drop lite about 20' up from bait. Depth is obtained by tying o's up to a 5# lead weight. Recently when they can be found we also use old window sash weights. Everyone has their own way to rig for swords and is very complex to try to describe in type. Best way to learn to rig for them is to make as many trips with professional mates and become a magnet as to what they can teach you.
Sword fight in the keys
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