Fishing for swords

[B Cartlidge]

Right on, Sea Draggin. Just tie a loop around the weight so that it dangles a few inches from your terminal tackle once connected to the snap (you only need 4-5 inches of mono). It is important to have it dangle a little bit so it does not interfere with the leader, the LP sword light, mainline, or snap swivel. Any Sword bite that is noticeable will break the light mono instantly.

[MarkP]

Use window weights. I get them by the barrell load from my scrap guy. You should be able to find them at any place that buys/sells antiques home fixtures...

MarkP

[BlueH20Boss]

We use window sash weights too! We use them for Holding down the ends of our trot-lines for crabbing on the chesapeake, and we also use them on the electric reel fishing 600 feet of water for tile. you can feel bottom in 600 feet like you are flounder fishing with 3 oz in 15 feet of water, awesome!

[captkev1]

Its a long ride to the canyons, do you guys pre rig your squid on the ride out or the night before or just do it when you get there? Also if ou do, what is the best way to keep them fresh on the ride out?

[Deep C]

I some times do em in bulk well in advance. Squidlies are sloppy and stinky... I thaw em just enough to rig then freeze them back up until go time... I keep em as close to froze as I can til fishing time...
If they thaw fully and I don't use them that night I will refreeze but only use those ones as back ups on a hot bite...
Up north I frequently wait til an hour before fishing time to dig out of freezer and rig then.

[BlueH20Boss]

Kev, our 38 rampage is a pretty nice ride on the way out, but i just cant stand trying to rig while under way, i do a much cleaner job while sitting still... Like Deep said, i rig right before we go sometimes, but more often than note, i take the frozen baits im planning on rigging that night, out of the freezer, and just throw them in a 5 gallon bucket in the cockpit, and the run to the deep is usually just enough time to thaw out the vacuum bagged squid so i can rig it, (still nice and chilly) and dump it over the size..... Same thing i do for the butterfish... I have 4 flats on ice in the box, and one laying out in the cockpit so it thaws out. If i didn't have 100 other things to do before we leave the dock every time, i think i would rig them there.... I like to rig leaders, hooks, and swivels while we are moored at the dock, so i am not doing it in the dark, swaying in the swells.... Nothing worse than tying a knot wrong when you cant see, and having one pull loose! ewwwww. For that reason, i have mastered the polymer knot without even looking. By far my favorite knot!!!

[NO INTEREST]

Thanks for all the great information and willingness to share it. I have a question maybe you can help with. In order for us to get out to any structure, canyons or drop offs, we basically have to get out side the 500 fathom curve. I notice on the east coast you guys are fishing in 200 fathoms during the day. Does any one how deep these fish are capable of going? Are all daytime swordfish caught down around 200 fathoms or do people catch them shallower? Check out terrafin for Eureka/ Trinidad and let me know what you think. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[BlueH20Boss]

The swordfish is primarily swims at depths of 650-1970 feet and water temperatures of 64 to 71°F. Although mainly a warm-water species, the swordfish has the widest temperature tolerance of any billfish, and can be found in waters from 41-80°F. The swordfish is commonly observed in surface waters.