Southern California Swordfish! Possible?

el capo · May-19-2009, 07:42 AM

There is a clip of a sword in that video that is going ballistic after it's head is blown off.Watch that and tell me how dangerous they are.

Rubberhook2 · May-19-2009, 08:11 AM

I have always wanted to stick one of those things. Must be a cool feeling when you connect...

Here is a couple of pics a buddy sent me...

el capo · May-19-2009, 08:15 AM

I really miss those days.

**Fred Archer** · May-19-2009, 08:46 AM

Ah, I see that Paul, Jason, and El Capo know about these critters. Cap, you might have watched the same video, or the other one called "Ain't no Hidin' Place Out Here" that even has a special song written for it??? Both are simply awesome!

The truth is that I have always been really frustrated about the great swordfishery that we have here, especially the frequent nearshore aspect of it, with literally no sportfishermen regulary going for and catching them. Cap, I know that you know at least one of those places and probably more. See the pict below for a familiar piece of geography and one of three swords taken off there and one a lot closer than this one. And Paul, Tim R does know all about the night shift and Elvis. That guy has his stuff together when it comes to big game fishing.

But the bottom line is, to consistently catch swordfish, you have to fish at night. That has been proven over and over again all over the world for many years now. Yes, there is a newish daytime deep drop technique that works well and that would work here too, but that kind of fishing is awfully new to west coast fishermen. And "new" just doesn't seem to go over well here for some reason. But in the final analysis, IMO at least, night fishing is by far the most likely to produce fish.

But night fishing of any kind is in no way popular, or even close to it here. Back in the day, when some of us night chummed for makos, which is a great and wild time to fish for them, the only other fishermen we ever saw out there were a handful of friends (the same tight-lipped ones who swordy fished with us later), and the damned drift gillnetters, who also fish for the swords at night - which should tell you something if you're listening.

I don't know if the night fishing thing for swords will ever take off out here and in fact, I seriously doubt that it will. That's a shame in a lot of ways, including the facts that this could easily become a premier destination for those who want a shot at truly big swordfish and the further one that if they became popular with sport fishermen, perhaps they could team up with the plank boat guys and something could be done about the drift gillnet fishery that has been banned in many countries around the world, including some third world ones, because they are so destructive and indescriminate.

Ah, well, no sense going on a rant about that. Good luck to the handful of Night Hawks after Elvis out there and for cryin' out loud, BE CAREFUL around those things at the end game. Whichever one of you said it was right; "hope that the damned thing dies during the fight." Amen to that!

Last advice for the night shift...if you shoot 'em - and I do - get a flyer in them first that's attached to a big, kill buoy, not the boat if it's not a big one. Then toss the buoy over, gaff the fish (I go for a gill shot) first, before you shoot him because if you don't, you are very likely to shoot the leader off and lose the fish. The kill buoy and gear will finish him off if the shot doesn't...From The Art of Catching Broadbill Swordfish, night version with my compliments.

Over

tunaman69 · May-22-2009, 06:43 PM

nice shorts

AvidAngler76 · May-25-2009, 03:36 PM

Are swords attracted to bright lights? I am in the process of rigging my boat with some very powerful metal halide underwater light fixtures in hopes of attracting some sort of big game.

I had the idea of trying for one on the speargun, and I am aware of how dangerous this is. Catching them on the bask, jumping in and having a shot. I would be equipped with the same gear one would use to spear marlin of similar size.

el capo · May-25-2009, 03:43 PM

Tim and Fred both put up a picture of the avispa.The Photo with Gary Zell and Sean Burke is classic Fred,Sean is still one of my best friends.

marlyn · May-25-2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AvidAngler76

Are swords attracted to bright lights? I am in the process of rigging my boat with some very powerful metal halide underwater light fixtures in hopes of attracting some sort of big game.

I had the idea of trying for one on the speargun, and I am aware of how dangerous this is. Catching them on the bask, jumping in and having a shot. I would be equipped with the same gear one would use to spear marlin of similar size.

sdjfish · May-26-2009, 09:06 AM

Plunk a broadbill with a speargun,,,,hope you have good insurance and a solid will, your wife's going to need it. I've seen one upset, you don’t want to be in the water with them! Bad idea if you ask me.

el capo · May-26-2009, 09:30 AM

I actually talked to Jay Riffe about it around 4 years ago,he thinks it can be done but does not suggest it.I have personally been in the water with one that got wrapped up on our rudder.He had an eye on me the whole time and I tried to stay behind the rudder while getting it unwrapped for a reason,I know of 2 boats that have a bill stuck clean through 2" of fiberglass.

AvidAngler76 · May-27-2009, 03:02 AM

Wow, that is some serious force to pierce 2" of fiberglass. I think I need to do some calculations to see what kind of numbers we are talking about.

Of course I understand the risks involved with this. I have yet to even do any scouting for them aboard my vessel.

On the matter of the lights, do they come around at night. I assume the lights will atleast attract macks and other small critters.

Sounds like I need to get an 80 wide.

BiggestT · May-27-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el capo

I actually talked to Jay Riffe about it around 4 years ago,he thinks it can be done but does not suggest it.I have personally been in the water with one that got wrapped up on our rudder.He had an eye on me the whole time and I tried to stay behind the rudder while getting it unwrapped for a reason,I know of 2 boats that have a bill stuck clean through 2" of fiberglass.

I fished with a guy from North County and he was telling me about a buddy who's got a total of 6 swords on spearfishing gear. Just sayin.