Squids of the Abyss

**chumtini** · 04-09-2008 12:19 AM

That's right, NE Canyon daytime swordfishing. Squids on the deep drop, below 2000', 8-10# weights and electric reels

Just so happens we have deep water right here, over the edge. If it hasn't been tried, it's only a matter of time. From what I understand, the trick is getting the line straight up-and-down without tangling the bait on the way down to the abyss.

And eat your wheaties

Anyone got an electric reel I can borrow?

**Thin Blue Line** · 04-09-2008 12:41 AM

Thats sounds like a blast! I would love to hook into one...just think of the steaks you would get of of one...my grill is calling me...its saying.. "Tony bring me some swordfish with a lemon butter sauce.....

"

**Seaker** · 04-09-2008 08:18 AM

Chum I have one you can borrow

If we are not going deep and you have a trip lined up it's your's for a try

**shoefish** · 04-09-2008 08:39 AM

I'm sure it could be done Chum. Might be something worth giving a try in Sept/Oct when the daytime troll bite dies down and you're just burning fuel for no reason.

**giggyfish** · 04-09-2008 12:01 PM

sounds like a perfect topic for a new video for Chumtini productions

**Parapapam** · 04-09-2008 01:34 PM

The fish don't disappear because the sun comes up. They go somewhere and will bite even if only because they are annoyed.

I, for one, don't get enough time on the edge to try it since I would rather focus on the traditional troll during the day. I can spend the night looking for the swordies...

But I am sure they are there to be had.... if you had the time to focus on it.

Mike

**jays52** · 04-09-2008 01:38 PM

It's totally do-able up here. Swordies are pretty predictable critters. The fish down deep are still actively feeding while the fish up top tend to be digesting from an epic night. They're like anything else, when they feed, they follow the bait.

1) You need the machine to mark bait concentrations down deep. The fish are going to be anywhere from 10-200 feet off the bottom, depending on bait concentrations. The swordies like to hang on the downcurrent side of structure during the day. In Florida, this meant north.

2) You're gonna need swivels upon swivels upon swivels upon swivels. I can't post the exact rig online, as it was shown to me, but everytime there is a connection or weight, there needs to be a swivel. We would build our rigs with a 200lb wind-on crimped to a power swivel, followed by another 15 feet of 300 lb for chafe protection. In this rig, there was an LP with a 32 oz bank rubber banded to the bottom of it on the way to the calamari. For the breakaway weight, we used a section of PVC filled with quick-crete for a cheap rig. In tournaments, we used window weights. This was rigged to break away once you touched bottom.

3) Once you touch, power-drift bow into the current and try to keep your line angle as close to verticle as possible. The tip will bounce when the swordie is slashing the bait, then arch when you get bit. Back your drag off and let the fish do it's thing for a sec, then take some hard cranks, bury that jobu and game on.

**backman** · 04-09-2008 07:39 PM

leaves only a few slow hours in the middle of the day for experimenting among blue marlin fishing, tile fishing, mahi pot hopping and wahoo jigging as well as deep baiting. Not to mention plain ole mid day meat trolling.

I get 5-7 overnights/year and 3-4 long day trips to the wall and don't see many non charter's get out more than me.

Your milage may vary but I'm not wasting precious NE blue water time on 2000' deep drops. As Lucas said - we get enough swordfish bites in the dark hours that I'll use my daytime hours for other pursuits.