Daytime Swords

[Captain Michael Buffington]

I was wondering if any of you guys have tried deep dropping for swords during the day? I am planning on giving it a try soon. I have 2 2 speed 50's full to the brim with 150# power pro and my usual night time set-up with alot mor weight rigged to break away at the bite. Any insights and/or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Cpt. Michael

[Captain Michael Buffington]

I see I got 0 responses to my query. I was wondering why not? You guys never tried or don't want to share? I'm just curious.
Cpt. Michael

[floridadeckie]

dunno where you fish out of, but a few charters in islamorada have been trying the daytime swordie gig. from what I've gathered, the setup and baits are the same, but you drop WAAAAAAY deeper than you would at night.

[Captain Michael Buffington]

I'm out of Venice, thats what I understand, deeeep. 1500' or so, I've been reading up on it and just wondered if anyone on here ever tried it. I think I have plenty of line on the 50's and a mate that just won't quit to reel it up. I'm more asking about bait. I would hate for squid to eat my sqid and never know it so I am leaning towards hard tails. I just never dropped one that deep and wonder if he would make it? I think I have to catch one on conventional before the owner will buy one of those god awful expensive Crystals or something similar. I wouldn't even attempt it on a charter boat but this private boat they want something special and don't mind waiting.
Cpt. Michael

[jwalker]

Are doing very, very well with daytime sword fishing.

Dean Panos and other's are catching BIG swordies dropping down 1,800-2,000+' Most guys are using Electric reels for this as it's a ***** bringing up a horse swordie down 2K.

Live baits as well as fresh dead finfish and squids lighted on BIG circles on J-Hook's are what they are using. Most times they barely get the bait down before it's swallowed, few over 500lb's and I believe a high 500LB fish just caught this week by him.

Just sold a few electric reels and rods set-ups this week to some So. Florida guys who are getting into this deal..

[Captain Michael Buffington]

Excellent info Mr. Walker, thankyou very much.

[whitey]

Captain Michael, You may want to post this is the Swordfishing Forum. You might get more responses thier. You can aslo call our Florida store at 1-800-251-8263 and ask to talk to Lee Green. He is the owner of Stalker Outfitters and fishes for swords a few times a week durring the day. He will be able to give you all the info you need and hook you up with any tackle you don't have for daytime Swordfishing.

[Captain Michael Buffington]

I will do that, thankyou guys very much. Now all I have to do is find a weekend the owner can fish and get some decent weather. I'll post once I try it out with the results. Thanks again fellas.
Cpt. Michael

[reel fishy]

Forget the live bait at that depth. We use squid and have used squid in years past fishing daytime swords in Venesuela and South Florida. We use the bigger squids during the day sometimes died red. Think smell, the cold water and lack of light really would affect your live bait's action. It's freezing down there and runners were not made to adjust to those extreme temps and pressure changes. Now a dead butterflied giant Louisiana rig runner might be a tempting treat. If your mate wants to crank a 200-400lb sword from 1500+' he is more man than I. I don't know how much 150lb braid you get on a 50W but you need some line left over for the first run. About 2 drops and your mate will be lying on the floor with a back ache and sore arm. I like to practice hand crank for deep drop fishing to control catch quota but swords can pull like a mack truck down deep. Please don't use plastic bags as break away weights. We mix up concrete and pour our weights in custom molds, 2 liter bottles, then cut away the plastic and recycle. Good luck!

[Captain Michael Buffington]

O.K....I had not let the temp. drop play into my plan with the runners. They are l.r.s. tld's so I have 1300 yards on each. The people reeleing will be owner and friends and I want them to be hurting so they will buy the electric sheet. I have a really hard time finding large squid around here, hence the blue runners which I have found to work really well in the gulf(my best is 218# and it had 6 runners in it's stomach)but I have never swordfished deeper than 500'. I will try the butterflyed runners and small bonito to start. Oh yeah and the weights will be rip rap(rocks). Thankyou for the valuable information Captain. You guys are great.
Cpt. Michael