Deep droppin, swordage, all SFC cast, and ALIENS IN THE GOM...

[Captain Michael Buffington]

Daytime rig...80 tiagra with electramate add on to 300lb hc to a 3 way and the bottom went to 8' of 60lb to a paint can of quickcrete about 10 to 12lbs. The other branch went to 50' of 250lb to a 400lb swivel to 18' of 300lb to a 16/0 circle with a flossed like a mfer 12" squid...

1st drop...hit the bottom in 1200' and bumpbumpbumpbumpbump nothin. Wait 20 minutes for the "sword" to return and a slight jerk on the rod and slack line. We are all stoked and waiting to see one get airborne as we try to come tight only to reel up the hc with a slightly frayed last inch or soShake my head and rerig...

2nd drop...hit the bottom in the same area and come up 30' or so and bumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbump nothin. Wait 10 or so and reel up a well flossed empty hook. Thats alright, I got something for his ass in a big hardtail with 5' of floss all through him.

3rd drop...hit the bottom and bumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbump nothin. Wait 10 and reel up a 16/0 with ragged floss all over it Rerig...

4th drop...hit the bottom and bumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbump nothin. Waiting ten and at five a slight jerk and slack line and reel up nothing

WTF OVER?

By then it was dark and we set out the night spread and landed a swordy the first drift at 200'.

The night was uneventful after that, with a small hammerhead and thats all. I got bored and set my 50 to a light drag and let it creep to the bottom. When I reached a bimini splice at 400 yards I knew I was close and then it went slack with a pound of drag. Reeled up my spectra and thats it...

WTF OVER?

Next day was deep dropping fpr stud aj's, grouper, bearded brotulla, and a silk snapper.

It was fun fishing with Jay, Steve, and MikeCan't wait for next time and we will get this figured out sooner or later...

ANYBODY GOT A CLUE AS TO WTF IS GOING ON?

Mike

[ffoley]

Dude, that last pic had me rollin!

WTF are those eels doin trin your perty rig into an eel ball?

[shoefish]

Were there any in the area? If so, maybe this is what happened?

[gman]

Were there any in the area? If so, maybe this is what happened?

Nice mixed bag bro, some good eats for sure but I concur with Shoe its either spongebob or .....

MR Crab with a knife

[floridadeckie]

squid possibly. the bumpbumpbumpbump was them attacking the bait and tearing it apart, leaving with with a perfectly stitched 16/0

[offshore]

Interesting report and nice boat!!! Mark

[Sea Draggin]

I wouldn't mind checking this one off the short list......bearded brotulla

[Joey Herring]

I wouldn't mind checking this one off the short list......bearded brotulla

I"ve seen and even caught several bearded clams but never heard of a "bearded brotulla"...
Interesting fishing trip...been contemplating try for some swords out of Hatteras...

[Captain Michael Buffington]

Jimmy, I think its either squid or small sharks but wth is up with the 300lb spectra getting cut? We figured it's either a cuban drug submarine that got us in its props or glory hole canyon is made of diamonds

Sponge bob and the scissor wielding crab might have done it too

Bearded brotullas are ugly but they sure do taste great

Jay definitely has a hell of a boat and is a very good fisherman

Mike

[Captain Fred Archer]

Michael,

Might be squid, might be smaller sharks, don't know. But in the past when we were faced with a lot of squid cannibalism and crap fish destruction, we rigged up a Moldcraft molded squid with a sinker just a bit bigger than the internal hole in the squid above it. Then stuff the squid with chopped up squid meat. Then pull the hook and sinker into the head to lock the goodies in. One or two stiches to secure the hook and sinker in place.

Those Moldcraft's are very tough and stand up to the squid and crap fish bites a lot longer than the real ones, them chawing at it attracts swords, they come in, the squid split, and the sword eats what's left. Yes, the squids will eventually chew off the tentacles and fins, but as long as there's some left, the sword will gobble it. They truly are ocean going garbage trucks.

Compliments of The Art of Catching Broadbill Swordfish books.

It works.

Go get 'em!