Fishing for swords

[captkev1]

I had my first sword experince this summer and was able to go 2 for 4 on them. Just wondering what i can do to increase my chances of getting more fish to the back of the boat? Are circles better to use then j hooks? Are smaller squid better to use then bigger? Do they just suck the small ones in, and bat at the larger ones (squid)? What about leader lenght and size? We got ours on rigged squid and mack chunks, Are livies better then dead bait?

[BlueH20Boss]

The key with swords seems to be light drag settings.....Where it may take a lot longer to get them to the boat, you are less likely to pull the hook using heavy gear and heavy drag. Swords have very soft mouths, and hooks are known to rip out on a heavy fight.... I'd say once you are hooked up, take your time with light drag.

Kevin

[HOLWACHAGOT]

If you hooked 4 and landed 2 you are right in the ball-game. Good questions too. I would also be interested in some others opinions.
Holwachagot

[captkev1]

On one of the first ones we hooked he jumped right out of the water at the back of the boat before we even knew he was hooked, Some of the guys i talked to say you gota watch the rod tips, if it moves just a little, crank your butt off, he took the bait and is gona surface. Is this something you guys find happens often?

[Deep C]

The sword to me is one of the absolute most unpredictable frustrating buggers in the sea. I seldom lose one if I get the hook in it. Thats a light drag thing. Getting the steel in can be a bugger.
No two bites are the same. Yes, suddenly one will launch boatside from straight below. All too often my ego gets slapped when I see a light stick just swimming around. Some times its a blistering slam. Others you don't even see the rod twitch.
Tried all kinds of stuff. Smaller baits , bigger baits, seemed to make no difference. I seldom play the baloon game as its another bend you gotta reel out of the game to come tight. With that my baits are not too far from each other. Add a live one in there and Murphys aw comes full swing and that bugger will guaranteed swim around at least one other line down there. Seems that If I hook the bait in the middle they're tearing the heads off . If I hook em in the head they're getting pulled down from the top into a calamari base ball. Some nights we bat 100% other nights its a "O" - For...
Just keep at it a .500 batting average is nothing to sneeze at with the pointed cross between mako and catfish...

[BlueH20Boss]

we also use very heavy leader for swords, at least 200 lbs. crimped onto a swivel, we use both J's and Circles, but when a circle hooks up its always in the corner of the mouth where the swords tissue is at its strongest....I honestly have not caught enough swordfish to give TOO much advice, but i was taught a lot about fishing for them by some pretty seasoned guys. I like the light stick in the balloon trick though, its a nice way to keep your lines organized. I put different color lights in each balloon so i can tell which is which when they are far from the boat.

[Captain Michael Buffington]

I believe in the ballooon/lightstick and yes they are an unpredictable sob. I use blurunners and squidof various sizes. Light drags too. I have 27 in the last 2 and 1/2 years, but i am no expert. They can drive you to grow a 3rd eye in a hurry. I can't wait to try them down here as it is untapped and the queen snapper fisherman are getting them consistently deep during the day.
Michael

[tabasco]

We use the light stick/balloon but have changed it. We put the lightstick on top of the balloon with electric tape. That way you see the stick better, and when/if the fish picks up the squid and comes up the pressure comes off the balloon where you rubber banded it to your line, the lightstick is heavy enuf to cause the balloon to roll over and the lightstick now is in the water. What you see is suddenly the light goes 'out' as the balloon rolls---start crankin and watchin for him to surface. We got one small one sat nite--one balloon started moving a direction different from the other. It does help to watch rod tips if possible, and know that you cannot predict how those crazy bas@#rds will hit or fight. If you went 2 for 4 thats damn good in my book. I don't use the light drag thing, you will pull some hooks but usually early, and i hope it keeps the little ones healthier to release if the fight is shorter.

[captkev1]

Ok thanks for the info so far guys its been a big help but i got a few more questions for you. Light sticks, how far from the bait. I know everyones diffrent but what color? What size hooks? How long of a leader. What about rod setups, I got away with a 50, but everyone says 80s, Is that standard, or can i keep getting away with 50s? Thanks guys, sorry for asking so many questions, it was just a diffrent fishery then im use to up here in old New England.

[Captain Michael Buffington]

I use one red, blu, and green 20' from my bait and one green 5' from my bait. I use j hooks and a 20' 250lb leader.
Michael