West Atlantis Swordfish Bite

[SaltyDog]

We had another tight window. Leave 9am from Falmouth and home by 3am. Big NE blow coming in and October is not the time to meet it head on. Had Reel Pursuit and Naughty Girl on board with the hopes of hitting the fall swordfish migration. Headed out in FAC conditions and rigged up all the squids early. As we were approaching the shipping lanes got a report from JSeas the sword bite was HOT!. They boated 3 and JellyBean got 4 the night before! We were fired up and eagerly awaiting sundown. First we had the afternoon troll. Set out the 10 rod spread and worked the West Wall of West Atlantis per some friendly reports. Diablo was working the flats and tip and had a whitey on for a bit. Mahi at every pot got the skunk out of the boat right away. After a bit I saw some whale spouts to the south mid canyon and we headed for them. As we approached I was struck by how large the backs were and then a huge sperm whale head appeared in some type of feeding mode. Porpoises appeared and then the rods went off. YFT, 60lb class in the boat. I have never seen a sperm whale before, yet alone 2, so it was pretty amazing. Sperm whales feed on squid and the sword bite was epic, I wonder any correlation?

The bite slowed and we settled in at dusk for the sword bite. I knew we had time for only one really good drift as we pulling the plug by 11p. Set up on the west flats and the drift was fast, .5mph, across the canyon from 800ft to 1500ft then up to the east edge. We had a nice sword tap tap then runoff on our deep bait, played with it and couldnt get tight. 4th sword bite this year I missed. I am really doubting myself and pissed at this point. I had changed the circle hooks back over to the offset longline hookks

1030p comes and we decide lines to come in slowly. I get the first bait to the boat, remove the 3 deep drop strobes off the floss, and lean over to grab the LP light when BAM, the rod goes off. Almost pulled it out of my hands into the water. Good hooks set? and we are off. Belt Andy into the harness and we boat our first sword of the night! Hook was in the bill so he chased the squid in, slashed it, and got hooked. With a circle hook we dont catch this fish....

We are taking a few pics of it on the deck when suddenly one of the remaining 2 rods in the water goes, TAP, TAP, ZZZZZZZ! No way! Good hook set again! Short time later we boat another sword, albeit smaller then the first. I stare at the last rod in the water and realize our time is up. Dont be stupid. 2 for 3 on swords and a NE blow coming in. Lets get out of here! Mahi, YFT, and 2 swords....thats all you can ever ask for and why we fish the canyons!

[Agitated88]

2 for 3...I'd take those stats any day...congrats on a successful trip!

[Parapapam]

What??? Pete didn't catch a wahoo??? Very disappointing.

Only kidding. Great trip in a small window!!!! Very nice job, gentlemen!

Mike

[backman]

nicely done on the plan execution and just in time escape!

last time I was in sperm whales we caught a marlin of indeterminate origin right off its dive bubble and then followed up with a 4 or 5 banger of small yellows. I too believe they say "fish here!".

FWIW - we were 3 for 3 with standard J hooks, 1 in the gut, 1 in the lower bill and the 3rd, not sure as we pulled it boatside. Last trip 1 for 1 - J hooks again.

[SaltyDog]

I will make a mental note for the future with sperm whales sightings to swordfish the area hard. Wonder if they follow the food together?

[JSeas]

Nice job! That swordie bite was awesome! Weather window was tight and now not looking good for quite awhile!

JSeas