Best tactics for catching Dolphin while swordfishing

RiskTaker · 04-12-2006, 05:13 PM

I saw a few posts over the past few days about a few people hooking up with dolphin while swordfishing. Some of those responses came from the chumming for swordfish post. It seemed like a few anglers regularly encounter & catch dolphin at night time.

From my experiences, they are rarely encountered. When they are seen, they are generally fast moving and may be gone just about as fast as they appear.

I like to have a pitch bait (squid rigged swordfish style) ready to go. To be even better, it is already pitched. If the boat configuration permits it, that pitch bait is dropped about 70' down and placed midship in the boat. If a dolphin comes into the picture that bait can be cranked up a few times and be right in the zone for a fast hookup. It seems like a small dolphin (7 lbs. +) has no problem inhaling a whole squid rigged on a 9/0 hook.

So what are you guys doing to maximize your chances to catch dolphin?

Any other suggestions for being properly prepared when those marauders come swimming through the view of illuminated water?

Disco Lady · 04-12-2006, 05:35 PM

DO IT THE OLD SCHOOL WAY HAVE BALLYHOO CHUNK'S CUT AND TWO SPINNERS WITH 6 FOOT LEADER AND 5/0 OR 6/0 MUSTAD HOOK,READY TO PITCH AT THEM It HAS WORK FOR ME FOR 28 YEAR'S THEY LOVE SMALL SQUID . CONO!!!!!!!!! :lol:

CaptKen · 04-12-2006, 05:55 PM

CONO!!!!!!!!!! :lol:
Bienvenido America!!!!!!!!! :lol:

Uncle Buck · 04-12-2006, 07:12 PM

We've run into some BIGGUNs several times just before sundown on the 50. It's always a clusterf**k, since they seem to hit the flatlines and strafe across the tip lines, sea anchor, hydroglow, etc. before we realized they're on. Keep a close watch on your flatline!

It's not easy to pick up the spread and chase a big bull, so having a heavy spinner ready with some strong line can make quick work of a spazz mahi. It enables you to control 'em better near the boat, and muscle 'em towards the gaff quicker. ...in my opinion, of course. :lol: Typical ballyhoo or sardine chunks work fine, and so does squid since that's probably what attracted 'em in the first place.

Captain Ollie · 04-12-2006, 08:37 PM

THAT was a good one Ken!

I'm laughing my ass off! :lol:

CONO! :razz:

Disco Lady · 04-12-2006, 08:47 PM

GRACIAS! CONO !!!!!!!!!! I HAVE BEEN IN YOUR AMERICA FOR 42 YEARS AND PROUD OF IT. CONO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

Disco Lady · 04-12-2006, 08:57 PM

TAKE CARE UNCLE THANK'S FOR YOUR OPINION,TIGHT LINES.

Nick C · 04-14-2006, 10:39 AM

I alway fish a flatline with a Capt Mitch sytle rig(small squid slapped on a hook.... perfect for Dolphin, and Flatsfish B has caught a few swords that way too

Uncle Buck · 04-14-2006, 12:00 PM

Alternative method:

Hang a chum bag over the side, and stand ready with the harpoon. :twisted: Qui-Queg-styleeee.

31CAT · 04-14-2006, 07:58 PM

hello all, I may as well jump right in. up north here the mahi (bigger one's seem to be a little shyer the loaner's)seem to love to circle just outside the under water lights (hydro glow) we seem to do well catching them out there with a squid or chunks, but only gear down for them when we see them and know there around. (lots of yellowfin tuna you don't want to be hooking on a mahi rod) if there are lots then (small schools) they tend to come right thru the lights.
we always chunk and chum to bring the bait around (squid to catch l and live line)

Disco Lady · 04-14-2006, 09:59 PM

Harpoon Cono!!!!!!!!! :shock: I like your idea Uncle :lol:

04-12-2006, 05:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
RiskTaker Grander Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pompano Beach, Florida, USA Best Catch: Had one once, then she took the boat away Posts: 1,971	Best tactics for catching Dolphin while swordfishing I saw a few posts over the past few days about a few people hooking up with dolphin while swordfishing. Some of those responses came from the chumming for swordfish post. It seemed like a few anglers regularly encounter & catch dolphin at night time. From my experiences, they are rarely encountered. When they are seen, they are generally fast moving and may be gone just about as fast as they appear. I like to have a pitch bait (squid rigged swordfish style) ready to go. To be even better, it is already pitched. If the boat configuration permits it, that pitch bait is dropped about 70' down and placed midship in the boat. If a dolphin comes into the picture that bait can be cranked up a few times and be right in the zone for a fast hookup. It seems like a small dolphin (7 lbs. +) has no problem inhaling a whole squid rigged on a 9/0 hook. So what are you guys doing to maximize your chances to catch dolphin? Any other suggestions for being properly prepared when those marauders come swimming through the view of illuminated water?

04-12-2006, 05:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
CaptKen Hooked Up Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sunrise/Dania Fla. Occupation: Power Plant Control Room Operator Posts: 852	CONO!!!!!!!!!! :lol: Bienvenido America!!!!!!!!! :lol: __________________ http://home.comcast.net/~CaptKen1

04-12-2006, 07:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Uncle Buck Grander Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boat in Boynton / Home In Boca Boat: Sailfish 218CC Best Catch: 350+ Mako Occupation: Graphic Designer Posts: 1,987	We've run into some BIGGUNs several times just before sundown on the 50. It's always a clusterf*k, since they seem to hit the flatlines and strafe across the tip lines, sea anchor, hydroglow, etc. before we realized they're on. Keep a close watch on your flatline! It's not easy to pick up the spread and chase a big bull, so having a heavy spinner ready with some strong line can make quick work of a spazz mahi. It enables you to control 'em better near the boat, and muscle 'em towards the gaff quicker. ...in my opinion, of course. :lol: Typical ballyhoo or sardine chunks work fine, and so does squid since that's probably what attracted 'em in the first place. __________________ Help Me Promote FishClings! - Get Your Samples Here -->* FishClings-Promo

04-12-2006, 08:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Captain Ollie Hooked Up Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Davie Florida Boat: 28 foot Kevlacat Best Catch: Strippers/Barely Legal Cheerleaders Occupation: Commercial tropical fish collector, lobster diver, bouy gear fisherman, 100ton captain Posts: 596	THAT was a good one Ken! I'm laughing my ass off! :lol: CONO! :razz: __________________ Remember that house you, or maybe your neighbor couldn't pay for? Well, now your gonna pay for it!!

04-14-2006, 10:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
Nick C Grander Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 900-1600' of water Boat: 25' Bluewater(Rough C's) Best Catch: est. 120lb Tarpon on 16lb tippet(fight time was 12 min) Occupation: Squid rigger Posts: 2,211	I alway fish a flatline with a Capt Mitch sytle rig(small squid slapped on a hook.... perfect for Dolphin, and Flatsfish B has caught a few swords that way too __________________ "Put your buoys out... we're comin' in HOT!"

04-12-2006, 05:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Disco Lady Grander Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 3,438	DO IT THE OLD SCHOOL WAY HAVE BALLYHOO CHUNK'S CUT AND TWO SPINNERS WITH 6 FOOT LEADER AND 5/0 OR 6/0 MUSTAD HOOK,READY TO PITCH AT THEM It HAS WORK FOR ME FOR 28 YEAR'S THEY LOVE SMALL SQUID . CONO!!!!!!!!! :lol:

04-12-2006, 08:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
Disco Lady Grander Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 3,438	GRACIAS! CONO !!!!!!!!!! I HAVE BEEN IN YOUR AMERICA FOR 42 YEARS AND PROUD OF IT. CONO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

04-12-2006, 08:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Disco Lady Grander Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 3,438	TAKE CARE UNCLE THANK'S FOR YOUR OPINION,TIGHT LINES.

04-14-2006, 12:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
Uncle Buck Grander Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boat in Boynton / Home In Boca Boat: Sailfish 218CC Best Catch: 350+ Mako Occupation: Graphic Designer Posts: 1,987	Alternative method: Hang a chum bag over the side, and stand ready with the harpoon. :twisted: Qui-Queg-styleeee. __________________ Help Me Promote FishClings! - Get Your Samples Here --> FishClings-Promo

04-14-2006, 07:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
31CAT Grunt Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tuckerton, NJ Posts: 4	hello all, I may as well jump right in. up north here the mahi (bigger one's seem to be a little shyer the loaner's)seem to love to circle just outside the under water lights (hydro glow) we seem to do well catching them out there with a squid or chunks, but only gear down for them when we see them and know there around. (lots of yellowfin tuna you don't want to be hooking on a mahi rod) if there are lots then (small schools) they tend to come right thru the lights. we always chunk and chum to bring the bait around (squid to catch l and live line)

04-14-2006, 09:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
Disco Lady Grander Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 3,438	Harpoon Cono!!!!!!!!! :shock: I like your idea Uncle :lol:

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