Techniques for Raising Big Fish

wino · 09-15-2005, 01:40 PM

Does anyone have any techniques (boat handling, line angle, etc) for getting a big fish (300+ lbs) up? We hooked a slob on Tuesday night that we fought for 3.5 hours that ended up pulling the hooks. We typically fish 20-24 lbs drag (checked the 80W after fight and drag at strike was 24lbs). We got this fish close to the surface after an hour (fish was darting all of the place about 30 yds behind boat) and then he went down about 150 feet and we couldn't move him out of his comfort zone for the next 2+ hours. Work 15 minutes to get 30 feet and then he goes back down. We were in low gear for the last 2 hours. We were in a sporty, so we were fighting out of the chair with an experienced angler on the rod.

I realize big fish take time, but was curious if anyone had any other thoughts. Point him into current (bow pointing south), line scope, etc.

OJKB · 09-15-2005, 02:48 PM

SWORD FISH HAVE BEEN KNOW TO FEED WHILE HOOKED UP. 2 FRIDAYS AGO WE HAD A LARGE FISH ON TOP OF THE WATER SWIMMING 75 YARDS BACK AND FORTH WHILE CHASING FLYING FISH.AFTER 71/2 HOURS LOST NEXT TO BOAT THAT WAS ABOUT 12 FEET IN LENTH. :sad: :cry:

Shark Tagger · 09-15-2005, 04:26 PM

Wow I wasn't aware of that. If a swordfish is stil tryign to eat while on the hook, give him some more heat...

bullfighter · 09-15-2005, 05:57 PM

I have found that if you keep the boat to the south of the fish, he will come up easier. Usually, the big fish will sit down just like you described and the boat will want to stay to the north because it is drifting in the stream. The fish uses this to his advantage and can stay down there all night. You have to fight the fish against the stream, not easy. If you move to the south of the fish, then this will take that advantage away from him, and from my experience he will come to the surface. (caution he may be very green at this point)

This is where the harpoon come in as an advantage because if you get south of him quickly the fish will not be tired. He may get confused and charge the boat. Then you hit him with the harpoon and its game over.

All that said, I fish a cc and this techniuque is difficult, especially when the wind is out of the south and you have to motor into the waves while fighting a fish, and do it quicker then the fish swims. Usually, as soon as you stop motoring to the south, then the boat drifts back north and you lose your advantage. It would be even more difficult in a sport fish, where you have to back down on him, into the waves, while not running over the line.

I learned this after fighting a 215lb fish for over five hours. He would sit down 200 feet and every time we moved him he would go right back to his comfort zone. After playing with the boat manuvering, we realized that he came up every time we got south of him. I have learned a lot since this fish, and it should not take over five hours to catch a 215 (although we did get him so it was worth it).

I think your drag setting was just right.

J.P Freeman · 09-16-2005, 08:23 AM

i fish 15 lbs drags, opposed to your 20-24 lbs. it took me 5 1/2 hours for my 405lber. he stayed right at 300 feet for about 3 hours. when they are ready to come up they will. its a waiting game. stay patient, thats all. i never go in low gear, and hardly ever fish my tld fifties on strike.

FinalPoint · 09-16-2005, 01:14 PM

405 lbs? that is a baby. just kidding, it takes some skill to handle a fish like that for sure =D> ...i can't wait for my second chance at one like that

Ron.38 Special · 09-16-2005, 04:33 PM

Every fish is different but many time a big sword will hole up at the depth he was originally feeding and stay there. Time, patience, and pressure is the only way to move them.

We have boated 407 in 3 1/2 hours, and fought a 322 for 9 1/2 hours. Both fish fought at the depth marker for the float for the last hour on the 407 and 5 hours at 150' for the 322.

BTW, we also fish a tight drag and sometimes crank it up above 30 or 35#''s. If he's hooked good, and your gear holds the fish can take it. For instance Tim's 625 on handgear was pulling 80#'s plus for a good part of the fight.

Shark Tagger · 09-16-2005, 05:02 PM

Good words Ron. We miss your post around here Done any fishing lately?

wino · 09-16-2005, 06:02 PM

Thanks for the replies. I guess time and patience is the answer. I may try keeping the boat to the south of the fish next time...making him face into the current. We have landed several 200-250lbers in less than a hour. Our longest prior fight was 2.5 hours on lighter drag with a foul-hooked 100lber. Sounds like some slobs are out there now. See you all out there!!!

09-15-2005, 01:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
wino Lines In Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 22	Techniques for Raising Big Fish Does anyone have any techniques (boat handling, line angle, etc) for getting a big fish (300+ lbs) up? We hooked a slob on Tuesday night that we fought for 3.5 hours that ended up pulling the hooks. We typically fish 20-24 lbs drag (checked the 80W after fight and drag at strike was 24lbs). We got this fish close to the surface after an hour (fish was darting all of the place about 30 yds behind boat) and then he went down about 150 feet and we couldn't move him out of his comfort zone for the next 2+ hours. Work 15 minutes to get 30 feet and then he goes back down. We were in low gear for the last 2 hours. We were in a sporty, so we were fighting out of the chair with an experienced angler on the rod. I realize big fish take time, but was curious if anyone had any other thoughts. Point him into current (bow pointing south), line scope, etc.

09-16-2005, 08:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
J.P Freeman Hooked Up Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FLA Boat: 19 ft. Century Best Catch: 400 lbs. club Occupation: USCG Posts: 289	i fish 15 lbs drags, opposed to your 20-24 lbs. it took me 5 1/2 hours for my 405lber. he stayed right at 300 feet for about 3 hours. when they are ready to come up they will. its a waiting game. stay patient, thats all. i never go in low gear, and hardly ever fish my tld fifties on strike. __________________ If it ain't shartruse, it ain't no use.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Rhode Island Sharking Techniques	samuil	Northeast	0	09-22-2005 12:30 PM
Rhode Island Scup Fishing Techniques	samuil	Northeast	0	09-22-2005 12:21 PM
MBGFC Raising Money for Hurricane Relief -Local Anglers Enc	Reporter	General Fishing Chat	0	09-07-2005 05:00 PM
MBGFC Raising Money for Hurricane Relief	Reporter	General Fishing Chat	0	09-03-2005 04:41 PM
Questions on a few techniques	Brandon	Swordfishing	2	07-19-2004 11:44 AM

09-15-2005, 02:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
OJKB Grunt Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: STUART, FL Occupation: SELF Posts: 9	SWORD FISH HAVE BEEN KNOW TO FEED WHILE HOOKED UP. 2 FRIDAYS AGO WE HAD A LARGE FISH ON TOP OF THE WATER SWIMMING 75 YARDS BACK AND FORTH WHILE CHASING FLYING FISH.AFTER 71/2 HOURS LOST NEXT TO BOAT THAT WAS ABOUT 12 FEET IN LENTH. :sad: :cry:

09-15-2005, 04:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Shark Tagger Hooked Up Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sunny Isles Best Catch: 475lb Mako Occupation: Engineering Posts: 932	Wow I wasn't aware of that. If a swordfish is stil tryign to eat while on the hook, give him some more heat...

09-15-2005, 05:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
bullfighter Hooked Up Join Date: May 2004 Location: Deerfield Beach Posts: 341	I have found that if you keep the boat to the south of the fish, he will come up easier. Usually, the big fish will sit down just like you described and the boat will want to stay to the north because it is drifting in the stream. The fish uses this to his advantage and can stay down there all night. You have to fight the fish against the stream, not easy. If you move to the south of the fish, then this will take that advantage away from him, and from my experience he will come to the surface. (caution he may be very green at this point) This is where the harpoon come in as an advantage because if you get south of him quickly the fish will not be tired. He may get confused and charge the boat. Then you hit him with the harpoon and its game over. All that said, I fish a cc and this techniuque is difficult, especially when the wind is out of the south and you have to motor into the waves while fighting a fish, and do it quicker then the fish swims. Usually, as soon as you stop motoring to the south, then the boat drifts back north and you lose your advantage. It would be even more difficult in a sport fish, where you have to back down on him, into the waves, while not running over the line. I learned this after fighting a 215lb fish for over five hours. He would sit down 200 feet and every time we moved him he would go right back to his comfort zone. After playing with the boat manuvering, we realized that he came up every time we got south of him. I have learned a lot since this fish, and it should not take over five hours to catch a 215 (although we did get him so it was worth it). I think your drag setting was just right.

09-16-2005, 01:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
FinalPoint Grander Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lighthouse Pt., FL; Greenwich, CT Boat: Contender 36 Fisharound Best Catch: 1183 lb. Swordfish Occupation: Real Estate Investment Posts: 1,054	405 lbs? that is a baby. just kidding, it takes some skill to handle a fish like that for sure =D> ...i can't wait for my second chance at one like that

09-16-2005, 04:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ron.38 Special Hooked Up Join Date: May 2004 Location: Deerfield Beach Boat: 32 Luhrs Best Catch: 407 Sword Rod and Reel! Occupation: Ocean Engineer/Contractor Posts: 323	Every fish is different but many time a big sword will hole up at the depth he was originally feeding and stay there. Time, patience, and pressure is the only way to move them. We have boated 407 in 3 1/2 hours, and fought a 322 for 9 1/2 hours. Both fish fought at the depth marker for the float for the last hour on the 407 and 5 hours at 150' for the 322. BTW, we also fish a tight drag and sometimes crank it up above 30 or 35#''s. If he's hooked good, and your gear holds the fish can take it. For instance Tim's 625 on handgear was pulling 80#'s plus for a good part of the fight.

09-16-2005, 05:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
Shark Tagger Hooked Up Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sunny Isles Best Catch: 475lb Mako Occupation: Engineering Posts: 932	Good words Ron. We miss your post around here Done any fishing lately?

09-16-2005, 06:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
wino Lines In Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 22	Thanks for the replies. I guess time and patience is the answer. I may try keeping the boat to the south of the fish next time...making him face into the current. We have landed several 200-250lbers in less than a hour. Our longest prior fight was 2.5 hours on lighter drag with a foul-hooked 100lber. Sounds like some slobs are out there now. See you all out there!!!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)