sword fishing

[craigwill201]

I am looking to do my first sword trip to the Balt/poormans/wilmington canyon next week. I need some suggestions on hook type, bait, light color that works the best. Also should I run my generator or stay silent ? Water temp that I should look for?
Craig

[JonnyD]

I like a 7762 offset j hook, 10/0. LP Pink 300 lb leader about 6 ft to the swivel, and then a 24 ft wind on of it. Put a small strobe or light stick at the top of this leader and then about 30 feet from that floss a hanger loop for your lead. You dont want too much light too close to the bait, it blinds the sword and makes it harder for them to get the bait. They are pretty clumsy when you watch them eat in the light. We use under water lights in the boat and or the green swordlight. Depending on the moon phase and depth at which you are marking the thermocline should dictate where to concentrate. The brighter the moon, the deeper to place your baits in my opinion. Also check on the time of moon rise and moon transit. Seems like they bite best within an hour of moon rise or moon dead overhead. At night I like to fish 3 baits on balloons, jugs, or dobs. Put a light stick on the "bobber" so you can see it move. Put the same amoun of lead on each line, set your farthest jug at 100ft. next closest at 200 or thermocline and the next at 300. Then I fish a couple tip rods. One very deep and one that we "work" up and down from like 60 ft down to 300. lighter lead on this one. Keep your bait simple, it doenst need to be the biggest squid on earth. Just clean and fresh looking. And or a fresh mackerel, bonito strip etc. I fish my jug rods locked up at like 16-18lbs. Just let them hook themselves. Dumping it doesnt seem to help witht the lead and jug out there. Fish the tip rods lighter. I would check your drift and if you are drifting in start in 300 fathoms, and if drifting out right in 80-90 fathoms. I would try and find out where the squid boats are fishing, because thats where the swords will be. Last week they were in the mid 300's above the baltimore. Good luck, be safe! Catch a big one, they are awesome. I hope this helped a lil bit. Jon


Oh and if I had to pick a light it would be blue or green. LP makes some good lights but they are pricey. I love their little strobes. Bait is gonna stack up on any temp break and thermocline, so if you find any break close to the 100fathom line try it. All the water here is in their range this time of year, and besides the water on the bottom is always cold, and they dont care in the least.

[craigwill201]

John
Thanks for the good info. Now all I need is a good weather window. Will let y'all know how I make out. Did my 1st fishing trip of the last 4 years out at the Balt a week and a half ago and limited out on yellow fin by 06:45.
Craig "Carolina Babe"