Swordin 101!

[Hannaman]

Sorry but it is what it is...Swordfishing is so popular down here that now everyones a Swordboat Captain and they take people out for almost half of what is the usual from the experienced guys just so they can get out and fish. I'm not going to sit here and type my way of doing it to step all over Deeps post...I'm not a glory seeker.

[SeaBiscuit]

I'm not going to sit here and type my way of doing it to step all over Deeps post

Please start your own instructional post then. We would really appreciate it.
Thank you,
Biscuit

[Hannaman]

Well I appologize then Wahoo...I probably am having a bad week since I just lost my starbord lower unit as I made it out to the Sword grounds a few nights ago and 2 weeks before that I lost the other one. Let me clarify that I did not say everyone is a Swordboat Captain just the ones who are charging 1/2 price. Didn't put any claims on them Swordfish either. And all I said was that his rig was novice, thats not a bashing word. Novice means: New, beginner. I'm pretty much a straight foward guy, you won't learn any other way unless someone tells you right. I can sit back and just let it be and let you all catch the small fish but I had to step in... I like this site and it has worked well for me.
Deeps squid rigging is great, takes alot of time but works. We use a simple quick rig which keeps a tag end of about 2 inches above the crimp on a 11/ 0 hook. You insert hook through mantle once then twice (reinsert barb hook gap distance) and pull entire rig through past the tag end. Your squid can now hang off the tag end and you reinsert hook where she lays naturally. Some guys like to have a 2nd loose crimp to put over the tag end once the squid is hanging but not neccessary. That rig takes all of 45 seconds including sewing the head on to the mantle.

I use 30 foot leaders. Mainline to swivel then 30-35 leader (300lb momoi) crimped to hook. Electralume attached to swivel and sometimes a light stick 15-20 feet away from bait on bright nights. Blue is my best color deep and green on the shallow rods.
2 pound leads attached 30-40 feet back from swivel. Thin phone wire on the lead attaches to #32 rubber bands on the line marked from 75 feet to 350 feet.
Strike drags are set at 20-25 pounds at strike drag. You don't always have to push it to strike but its there when you need it and then full strike is available at 40 plus pounds in case you need IT. Thats what it takes to stop a freight train. Most pulled hooks are from fouled fish which most times you lose anyways unless you fight them on 5 lbs or so??? You wont pull hooks on anything if its in the corner of jaw or upper jaw or down the hatch. The only soft or weak part is the lower jaw and most hooks don't end up there.
The smaller fish are more curious and will eat a bait thats all lit up, that's why most small fish are caught under the Swordlights. Other than that you have to fish the edge of the shelf.

This is what its all about....

[Deep C]

Boys boys... Don't worry about ol Hannaman. I guess he failed to read a few things. Like that this is a 101 very basic description. I make it clear in the first part that this is how "I" do it, not how the chest beating purists do it. If 80% hook up ratio is once in a great while I'll take it. And if 90% of my trips scoring with a keeper is once in a great while , I'll live with it.
My pricing is none of his god damn business. I have an efficient small diesel boat with no crew. I don't price low to be a whore, I price it so regular guys can get out where they cant reach on other boats.
Yes there are guys that take it to a different level and even I do but this was a way basic how to. Like my marlin 101 just the foundations. I cant possibly put 30 years of experience into a post size writing. I don't knock his expertise as he probably does it more than me but swords are for me an add on to my marlin trips. My game is more marlin focused than his. If he would get off his dead ass and post up some improvements to my spread I would be the first to welcome it. Its got absolutely nothing to do with glory crap. Its about sharing some basic knowledge I guess he also failed to see what site this was... SFC... The friendly non bashing place...

[Deep C]

Now I see he did post up... well done... I explained before that I use cyalumes. At 50 cents each they serve the job well. I use short leaders for a reason I have outlined several times. Its safer. If you want to debate about long leaders maybe you might want to ask Billy V or Chris Bowie's widows...

It would sound like the rig he talks about is quick but seems to involve a lot of meat penetration and covering more hook than I like. Still I would love to see some photos of it and would readily switch to it.

Its different strokes.... I don't say that its better or worse... I don't know why he adds wire to the weight and the rubber band when just the band will do. It would seem that he runs the weight about the same distance as I do so no diffeerences there.

I have had a higher percentage of fish get to the boat by using the 50 gear with lighter drag than the 80's... Thats why "I" do it that way. Not implying right or wrong...

[R'nR Bob]

Can you add your thoughts as to why you are experiancing no deep or gut hooked fish? Thankx.

[Capt-D]

Now I see he did post up... well done... I explained before that I use cyalumes. At 50 cents each they serve the job well. I use short leaders for a reason I have outlined several times. Its safer. If you want to debate about long leaders maybe you might want to ask Billy V or Chris Bowie's widows...

It would sound like the rig he talks about is quick but seems to involve a lot of meat penetration and covering more hook than I like. Still I would love to see some photos of it and would readily switch to it.

Its different strokes.... I don't say that its better or worse... I don't know why he adds wire to the weight and the rubber band when just the band will do. It would seem that he runs the weight about the same distance as I do so no diffeerences there.

I have had a higher percentage of fish get to the boat by using the 50 gear with lighter drag than the 80's... Thats why "I" do it that way. Not implying right or wrong...

Deep very diplomatic response to the crap trown your way, I applaude you here. I took more of a beating asking bout a little o'l sticker!

-D

[Deep C]

R+R
I can only venture a guess... Probably because drop back is minimal or non existant using the weights and depths we do.
Hannaman mentions that most his fish are hooked in the upper jaw. Mine get pretty even split between upper, lower, and in the corner. Perhaps because I do use the lighter drag allowing the lower hooked ones to stay stuck... Maybe this "novice" is on to something...

[Bite Me]

You are as fine a gentleman as you are a fisherman and I am sure that there only 3500 of us or so that pretty much think the same way. I don't give a crap if you give your charters away. What I do know is that the few times that I have asked you for suggestions you took the time to share a lifetime's worth of knowlege with people that for the most part you have never even met. In my mind that defines the Sportsman!
Thank again.

[Proheat]

Thanks Deep, for the info. Sorry that i missed this thread last night, but was unavoidably logged off. I will make a file and save this info. Thanks again Paul.

As for Hannahman- Dude!, I hope you don't bash anymore on this site- It is uncalled for!

Everyone has a bad day or 4, so maybe you could post on your ways of rigging.
I for one am just learning, and appreciate any information that anyone wants to share, whether it works for me or not, atleast they were nice enough to share thier own ways.

Thanks,
Barry,

Proud member of SFC- the non-bashing site!