Swordfishing the Northern Canyons

[SteveK]

I've been thinking about the best locations for catching swords here in the NE canyons, and I've tried to glean some tips and information from our buddies that successfully fish the swords day or night just off of Florida near the Stream. The one constant seems to be the depth, and the depth that they continually refer to is 1500 feet. We've caught some nice swords in 3000 feet - off the edge - but I'm wondering if we went too far. Any feedback from those of you that have targeted the swords up here?

[twofinbluna]

I've been thinking about the best locations for catching swords here in the NE canyons, and I've tried to glean some tips and information from our buddies that successfully fish the swords day or night just off of Florida near the Stream. The one constant seems to be the depth, and the depth that they continually refer to is 1500 feet. We've caught some nice swords in 3000 feet - off the edge - but I'm wondering if we went too far. Any feedback from those of you that have targeted the swords up here?

We are by no means experts when it comes to swordfish, but those that we have seen this year were in 650-700 feet of water. Granted those were on the surface but they were clearly feeding in that area and there was no water any deeper than 900/1000 feet for about a hundred or more miles. Water temperature (warm/pretty) is critical as is being in an area they might be in, which is often based on food. That said, I know that a lot of the guys down south fish for them in very, very deep water and so not sure whether what we had this summer is an anomaly or not. My guess is that 650/700 feet is not the depth to target, but at the same time I doubt that you need 3000, either. If I were you I would be trying to find the squid....

[twofinbluna]

Also, wanted to mention that we were near a wicked temperature and water color break. It was also near a pretty good edge. Not quite as good as some of those edges in the Canyons, but good nonetheless. And again, we were in an area with a good charge of the food they like.

[backman]

were these the mythical Gulf of Maine swordfish?

[Tunacious-45]

Steve, Not that I'm an expert but I've caught a few up here. I try to find some good bottom structure, a temp break and bait. All three together are obviously the best, but I rarely get that to happen.

This year has been SLOW...at least for me. In five nights, we've only had 1 sword bite. Albeit...everytime I've gone out the weather at night has sucked a$$.

You really need a good calm night to keep the drift slow.

[twofinbluna]

were these the mythical Gulf of Maine swordfish?

Indeed, although not quite as mythical this summer...

[SteveK]

Wasn't that 500lb sword that was stuck about two years ago by the MV family stick boat? I seem to remember that it was well up on Georges in nice cold water, not the warm core eddy. Twofin, do you find its only the largest that can stand the colder edges like up on Georges? We've had our success too in the deeper water, but I have to agree that they probably like the structure of 1500ft line or more shallow. The one constant is that we've always gotton bit when the squid are thickest.

[twofinbluna]

Wasn't that 500lb sword that was stuck about two years ago by the MV family stick boat? I seem to remember that it was well up on Georges in nice cold water, not the warm core eddy. Twofin, do you find its only the largest that can stand the colder edges like up on Georges? We've had our success too in the deeper water, but I have to agree that they probably like the structure of 1500ft line or more shallow. The one constant is that we've always gotton bit when the squid are thickest.

All the fish seen were about this size (see below), and one was bigger. We got this one in 65 degree water (pretty, too) but one we saw was in 60.5-61 degree water. Given that it was all big ones seen up this way this year, I would say that it may be that bigger ones dont mind shallow-er water, or cooler water. This was also the first year that we have ever seen sperm whales so my guess is that it was not a coincidence since they supposedly like the same kinds of food and water.

[twofinbluna]

Keep in mind too that despite the fact that there has not been all that many seen inshore in recent years, the swordfish stock is supposedly rebuilt. Maybe that means that we will see more of these fish showing up, although it all depends on how much food is around and that in turn depends on how the midwater trawl fleet operates. But hopefully what we saw this year was the beginning of something good and not just a fluke.

[backman]

That is awesome, awesome, awesome. GOM Swords. Maybe time to reread my Bigelow.

You made my week with that post!