The hard part is done. Now lets go fishing… Run on offshore until you hit at least 1100-1300 feet of water… Me I prefer 1500. Figure out what influence current and wind will have on the drift by doing a test drift and reading you gps. Re set to angle and get the most good ground coverage you can.

Structure is not the end all but there does seem to be some value to it especially where it causes upwelling and forces bait higher in the column.

I set out a bait about 40 feet before attaching a weight. The firs one to go in will be set with 16 oz of lead and about 1/4-1/3 of a 50w spool. Use good tackle.
I often will break out the Tiagras for this as they are tough and wont give up the ghost on the very tough swordies…

I set that one out first then set it in the out rigger clip which has been laid out on the up wind side of the boat.

The next one that gets done is the 24oz which goes the same distance out but the weight carries it deeper. I run that on a bent butt off the corner to keep it seperate. The 12 oz bait gets set out about 200 feet from the boat and I set that rod up in the down wind rigger .
A fourth flat line will be set out with no weight maybe 50-60 feet from the boat…

Once the spread is set (about 20 minutes before sunset) down here at least be ready for action. I have felt baits doinked on the way down while setting on a regular enough basis to almost expect it.
Swords have the funkiest bite of any big fish I know of. Some times they just tap the bait like a toy. Sometimes they will grab one and move around so slow you don't know they have picked it up. Other times yet that may just mash the crap out of it and set the reels to smoking. Since most bites though are subtle I set the reels with clicker on and just enough drag to keep them from free rolling out.
Watching the tip is a help. Sometimes even that soft bite will cause a slow bend or the tapper may telegraph the signal back up to let you know one is there. Some times they drop the bait. I frequently will reel a bait up and let it back out almost as a slow jig.
I can't tell you how many times they have snuck up on me. I'll be looking out into the night and see the glow of a lightstick just swimming around out there… It kills me with embarrassment but this is swording and all is fair if you get one.
When they do take it I give maybe be a couple seconds of no pressure then push the drag up to 12-14lbs of strike. Wind until I come up to that drag level and swat them three good strokes. The stretch in that much line usually is pretty forgiving and wont tear the hooks out. I do not recommend more than say 18 max pounds on swords as they g=have soft mouths. Their runs can drop your jaw with the speed and strength they can develop and more than 18 has pulled just too many hooks for my liking.
Fights can vary. I have had them swim easily to the boat then hit the after burners. I have had them hit the afterburners for 3/4 spool four or five times on one fish. I have had them dog and just stale mate for hours. Even a 50 lb sword can convince you you just stung a 200 lb bluefin.
In this shot you see our angler using a bent butt from a chair. As comfortable and easy as this is, it can be a problem. Swords do a lot of straight up and down and standing up really gives you more room to stay off the edge of the boat.

I highly recommend that the angler get into a pace rather than burn himself out. If you try to "Beat" a sword you will lose… Period end, they are stronger than you or I. Not one to lock ego with because they will win.

Steady is the game… Steady pressure from the rods glass and your ass will take advantage of the fish's mistakes. Eventually that glow stick comes back into sight and its time to get ready. Flyers or darts are a must have on the bigger badder ones but for those to 125-pound class they get a 5-inch Aftco straight to the head. One shot, lift and GET THAT BILL IN HAND. Do not let it go. Keep the motion fluid and take him to the deck one shot. I do a knee drop around their gills and press that bill of death flat to the deck. A hand or towel over the eye will help keep them a bit calm. The knee drop turns to a sit on for several minutes. I discount their intelligence quite often with a good old fashioned skull slittin with my d-cell Brinkman flashlight.