SFC Fishing Forums - Swordfishing

SFC Fishing Forums - Swordfishing http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/ Discussion of Swordfish Fishing. World Record: 1182 lbs - Chile - Report Your Catch! en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:59:57 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/images/sfc/misc/rss.jpg SFC Fishing Forums - Swordfishing http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/ 11-20 Anyone going out to the darkside? http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16870-11-20-anyone-going-out-darkside.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:55:11 GMT who will be on the 50 yard line tonight? who will be on the 50 yard line tonight? ]]> Swordfishing DonK http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16870-11-20-anyone-going-out-darkside.html Swordfishing Guam http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16869-swordfishing-guam.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:35:33 GMT Id like to try the depths at night in Guam for swordfish, despite having almost zero expertise in the area. I did some drift fishing at night in... Id like to try the depths at night in Guam for swordfish, despite having almost zero expertise in the area. I did some drift fishing at night in panama with handlines, whole squid and cyalumes down 120-300', no luck.

My fishing in Guam is generally daytime trolling and jigging, with some bottomfishing, similar to the deep drop technique. 4-6 Circle Hooks with bait and a 4lb lead. It works well for snapper and grouper.

There are swordfish here, for they are almost never fished for by the locals. Almost zero pressure. Occasionally someone will bring one in, but there is a large commercial fishery for them far, far offshore.

This time of year Im looking at air temps 76-96 degrees night/day, with a surface water temp of 82-85. I dont know much about whats under the surface. The charts we have here are terrible, scale of 1:100,000 or larger, with depth soundings sometimes miles apart. There are a few shallow reefs to the south, coming up to 30' from 6000 or more. Pinnacles really. To the north however is a large bank, 15 miles across with depths to 1000' rising from 4000'. Not too many trenches or canyons unless you count the Marianas Trench and Nero Deep just 60 miles offshore to 36,000'. Guam is unique in the fact you can fish in water 1000' deep a half mile from shore and we have blue marlin and YFT swimming in our harbors. The northern bank is where I'd probably go, because Id be fishing there during the daytime.

Trade winds 15-25kts from the east, currents variable, but that area isnt known as the 'washing machine' for nothing, you get a 6-8' swell with 4-6' wind waves as a nice chop on top, even higher with currents. Id have to take a sea sock, even so Id probably by doing 1-2 kts.

Lots of bait. Skipjacks mostly, they are easy to catch during the day. I heard there is good squid fishing at night too. In addition to swords, Id probably have a hard time keeping the sharks off the bait, so a wire leader would be necessary. Nobody fishes here with live bait for pelagics because of the sharks. Large dogtooth and other tuna with a possible marlin as bycatch. I have two 50lb class outfits and an 80, all spooled with lots of 80lb braid.

Rig would be 8' 300lb test mono leader, with a 1' wire trace and a circle hook I can hang a dead skipjack or squid on. I got plenty of cyalumes. I have a large floodlight on the boat but I cant run it all night, just enough to get the gear set up and attract some squid. I also have a fairly competant depthsounder, color garmin 200/50 with 1500kw output to 1500 feet.

Im interested in testing it out, gotta do something at night lol. Ill be heading out on the 18th. Id welcome any advice. ]]> Swordfishing the codfather http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16869-swordfishing-guam.html ICCAT 2009 Results http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16841-iccat-2009-results.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:07:23 GMT NOAA Issues Statement on ICCAT Annual Meeting November 16, 2009 NOAA issued the following statement about the outcome of the annual meeting of... NOAA Issues Statement on ICCAT Annual Meeting
November 16, 2009

NOAA issued the following statement about the outcome of the annual meeting of the international Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The ICCAT meeting concluded last night in Brazil.

STATEMENT
“As a member of ICCAT, the United States entered this meeting seeking the strongest possible agreement for the conservation of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna,” said Dr. Jane Lubchenco, under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

The ICCAT agreement on eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna is a marked improvement over the current rules, but it is insufficient to guarantee the long-term viability of either the fish or the fishery. While we are disappointed that the total allowable catch is not lower, we strongly support the commitment to set future catch levels in line with scientific advice, shorten the fishing season, reduce capacity, and close the fishery if the stocks continue to decline. We remain committed to pursuing every legitimate avenue to recover Atlantic bluefin tuna and ensure their long-term survival.

Dr. Rebecca Lent, director of the Office of international Affairs at NOAA’s Fisheries Service and the head of the U.S. delegation at ICCAT said, “Negotiations were extremely challenging this year at ICCAT. The United States sought a package of measures for eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna that would halt overfishing and provide for rebuilding by 2023 with a high probability of success. The science indicates that a total quota level of 8,000 metric tons or lower would have achieved that. While I am pleased with the commitments for significantly lower quotas next year, I am disappointed that parties did not take immediate measures to significantly reduce the quota for the 2010 season.”

Importantly though, under U.S. leadership in the Compliance Committee, ICCAT made unprecedented progress and held countries accountable for compliance infractions through formal identifications. These identifications can be the basis for future sanctions and are intended to, among other things, help reduce illegal fishing and improve submission of fishing data, which is crucial for scientific projections. In addition, ICCAT adopted a U.S-sponsored framework for presentation of future scientific advice that will facilitate the use of a precautionary management approach.

Background:
This year, as in years past, U.S. negotiators sought a suite of management measures that would end overfishing and help rebuild stocks of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Over the past decade, countries that fished in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean did so at two to three times the sustainable level, causing a significant and rapid decline in the stock.

At its annual meeting, which ended late Sunday November 15, ICCAT adopted the following agreements:

ICCAT has agreed to a total allowable catch limit of 13,500 metric tons for eastern Atlantic Mediterranean bluefin tuna, down from the 2009 limit of 22,000 metric tons. Importantly, this measure also commits to a science-based catch level for 2011 to 2013 with a 60 percent probability of rebuilding the stock to healthy levels by 2023, lengthens the existing purse seine fishing closure for 30 days during the critical spawning period, freezes all joint fishing operations to enhance compliance, and commits to reducing fishing capacity.

ICCAT adopted a science-based rebuilding program for northern albacore tuna intended to rebuild the stock within 10 years and strong conservation and management measures for Bigeye tuna that reduces harvest levels in line with scientific advice.

ICCAT adopted a binding measure to prohibit retention of bigeye thresher sharks which are considered highly vulnerable by scientists.

ICCAT lowered the quota for North Atlantic swordfish to 13,700 metric tons to comply with scientific advice and extended the allocation arrangement that was previously in place. As part of this measure, the United States and Canada committed to develop a joint scientific program to examine ways to reduce sea-turtle bycatch in the swordfish fishery. Results will be presented at the 2010 ICCAT meeting.

ICCAT adopted a new process for providing scientific advice that will give managers clear information on the levels of risk and the timeframes involved in meeting fisheries management goals. This is a key step towards better incorporating precautionary and science-based management approaches.

Above is the NOAA press release on ICCAT results.
My opinion, good news on Swordfish, we have the scientific recommended reduction in overall quota spread across th board with US quota intact.

On Bluefin, another story, doesn't seem to be enough to stop a move towards a CITES listing but we'll leave that fight to the boys up in the Northeast. ]]> Swordfishing Ron.38 Special http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16841-iccat-2009-results.html Tonight 11/17? http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16834-tonight-11-17-a.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:44:45 GMT I know it won't be a lake out there, but I'm considering giving it a go. Anyone else thinking about it? (Weather experts, please tell me if this is unwise thinking.) ]]> Swordfishing FinalPoint http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16834-tonight-11-17-a.html 50-Line Forecast: Winter Swordfest Make-Up Date http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16829-50-line-forecast-winter-swordfest-make-up-date.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:03:10 GMT *50-line forecast for the Hollywood to Boca area.* As of Friday, November 20th, 9:45am The forecast is looking GREAT for the postponed... 50-line forecast for the Hollywood to Boca area.

As of Friday, November 20th, 9:45am
The forecast is looking GREAT for the postponed tournament! A 3.1ft/8sec wave won't be more than a swell. The 8kt East to ESE wind shift shouldn't cause much of a problem either.

The new date is Saturday, November 21, 8am-4pm. You can still register today by calling Drew at 954-588-0508.

This graph was derived from http://www.BuoyWeather.com

Disclaimer: I AM NOT A WEATHERMAN! I can only make predictions based on forecast data.
Use your own judgement, and check several weather sources. Be safe out there! ]]> Swordfishing Uncle Buck http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16829-50-line-forecast-winter-swordfest-make-up-date.html Atempting to find Swordfish http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16817-atempting-find-swordfish.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:07:48 GMT Gday all Me and a couple of the boys have decided to have a crack at catching a swordfish here in Australia. Down here in Victoria no one catches... Gday all

Me and a couple of the boys have decided to have a crack at catching a swordfish here in Australia. Down here in Victoria no one catches or trys but there have been a few seen or caught in nets over the years so they are there.

Anyway with the weather coming into summer now and we have been out 3 or 4 times now over night and could really do with some pointers from the experts. From reading on here we have been trying between 400m to 600m depths along the shelf but have been drifting. By what i have been reading trolling seems to be a better option. Can you guys give me a idea what the best speeds is for trolling and best way to set up the baits depths and weights either breakaway sinkers or downriggers.

Also we have found what we belive to be a good area holding large schools of slimey mackeral some squid " little early for squid here " and saury's and a few more bait fish is this the sort of area we should be trying in ?

Any help you guys can give us would be much appreciated as we are very keen to give it the best shot we can.

Thanks

Andrew ]]> Swordfishing Pizzaman http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16817-atempting-find-swordfish.html Anyone? http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16805-anyone.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:14:42 GMT Anyone fishing the darkside this weekend? forecast is 10-15 knots in the gulf stream and i have guys bailin' out. chanel 72 tomorrow night! ]]> Swordfishing kilgrin http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16805-anyone.html Thanks Skip and Bouncer! http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16790-thanks-skip-bouncer.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:04:14 GMT The Sword Club Meeting last night was one of the better ones in recent memory. Lots of sharing of information (if not numbers) by Bobbie , Capt... The Sword Club Meeting last night was one of the better ones in recent memory. Lots of sharing of information (if not numbers) by Bobbie , Capt Allie and others. Great and fun talk by Bouncer. And a good time shooting the shite with many club members. Saw my buddy Don walk away with a great rod and reel set at the raffle. Got to meet some of the forum regulars for the first time which was cool too! Thanks to Skip and everybody else involved for all your efforts to make this club the best fishing club in South Florida. Those that arent going are really missing out on a good thing. ]]> Swordfishing bajakian http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16790-thanks-skip-bouncer.html 50-Line Forecast: Winter Swordfest Tournament http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/forum/swordfishing/16771-50-line-forecast-winter-swordfest-tournament.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:50:37 GMT *50-line forecast for the Hollywood to Boca area.* As of Wednesday, November 13th, 2:21pm After much debate, Drew has decided to postpone the... 50-line forecast for the Hollywood to Boca area.

As of Wednesday, November 13th, 2:21pm
After much debate, Drew has decided to postpone the tournament to the 21st, the next Saturday. It might be fishable on the 14th, but it wouldn't take much to kick the seas up beyond a safe level. A decision had to be made by Tuesday to allow for the kick-off party reservation and boat ramp/weigh-in location permit changes.