LIVE BAIT SUX - Who is spreading that news!

[RiskTaker]

All,

Adm. Mike made a comment about live bait that caught my attention on the Roll call Nov. 12 post. So I just wonder who else thinks that LIVE BAIT SUX? Is it just an informal joke or is this a real challenge, that it is difficult to get good hook sets when using the live baits?

Well, if I see you wearing a T-shirt that attests to that statement for swordfishing, then I will take it that you are a dead bait Devotee, but answer the question anyway. Thank you.

In the meantime, lets use this forum topic to hash out the challenges, we may become better swordsman. Please provide your point of view to help understand the issue better. I hope that this post is hotly debated and some good things come to light.

It seems initially contrary to general consensus that live bait presentations do not work well. Is it possible the method of rigging a live bait could be improved, specifically focused on swordfishing?

I have been advised from a seasoned billfisher to rig my live bait with the hook pointing in the opposite direction (from a typical billfish setup), hook pointing to the tail. (specific to swordfish only)
I may elaborate again on this later or you can refer back to another post:
http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/f...t=707&start=20

From all the reading on this forum, I have only heard of rigging the live baits in the traditional billfish way, hook-up and tied to the eye socket.

Please make your opinions known and choose the approriate poll question, one per customer please.

Repeat: The POLL is only applicable to Swordfishing. RT :study:

[Mike]

Great thread Risktaker.

While I have caught my biggest sword last year on a live bait, I still live and die by them.

I always try to have one at 100ft on the tip rod, but thats about it...

I hope to get out there this weekend, and give it a go...

Catch em up! hb

Mike

[LETSRIDE]

i think this is very funny considering todya i wore my shirt i bought from rj boyle studios that says live bait sucks and it had 3 rigged squid with snikers m&m's and rolo wrote on them!! i agree live bait sucks

[RiskTaker]

Allrise for LetsRide:

You may join in among the rank and file of the "dead head" club, affectionately named, for those that do not like to use live baits for swordfishing. You're shifting the numbers at the Polls ... Lets keep the Gallup going...

Ok, so if I can read in between the lines from your comments ... it sounds to me like ...

We admit that Bobby Boyle is also a "dead head" devotee if not a guru of sort, by which he also very successfully promotes this pop-cult by making available these "Candy-Coated" T-shirts. Sounds like an ingenious marketing plan to me, by sweetooths for, um sweet-mouths; plus it has an implied PLAN. (Sounds almost worthy of Presidential material. I wonder if Pres. Bush has one of these trendy speak-easies. Don't worry about Kerry, he already has one.) But if you want your very own trendy T-Shirt go see Bobby at R.J. Boyle's Studios "and candy Shoppe" in Deerfield if you would like to be a part of this pop-cult phenomenon.

Does this also imply that swords have a sweet-mouth and would readily snack on the soft and chewy candy-of-the-sea, Calamari's, or any other non-evasive snack, instead of a healthy portion of sashimi-grade live bait.

Man, no wonder these slobs come to the boat: they're hooked on our candy.

[RiskTaker]

Cary: Thanks for that reply. I copied your reply to this thread since it is informative for the context of this topic.

Cary said: "

I don't think placing the hook strategically matters. The problem is the Sword likes to kill his meal before he eats. Meaning he will take a swing, maybe hit the leader, bait tries to swim away, can't because Sword has the leader, therefore baitfish swims in circles wrapping the Sword fish and finally he's hog tied. Many times I have brought a Sword to the boat and he was wrapped 4-6 timess in the leader without the hook in him. Matter of fact last month we caught a Sword exactly like that, he ate a runner, got himself fouled up and when we finally got him to the boat he died from being brought in almost sideways. The hook was never in the fish, the leader was wrapped about 4 times around his head and the hook caught the leader making a tight noose.
_________________
Captain Cary Hanna
Come getcha some
http://www.newlattitude.com "

[LETSRIDE]

risktaker.....just because you dont use live bait doesn't mean you only use squid because i fish 5-6 rods and i only fish 3 squid maybe 4 at the most... but i started out using live bait but have shyed away from it here lately. but lets see bobby boyle does the same method as i do and he has caught 106 swordfish this year so you tell me.... i know he goes alot but thats still alot of motha f/n swordfish..........just the way i feel and my style of fishing....i also only troll artificals for dolphin and every now then a dead squid. but thats my style

[RiskTaker]

Letsride:

I think with all the funny stuff inter-mingled, you have taken me wrong. (I don't have a T-shirt myself). I think that having a live bait is an integral part of a varied spread, that is where I cast my vote on the POLL. And yes having a dead tinker or 2 or 3 hooked head down (or whatever is a available) would be superb to mix in among the staple of squid.

Here is a question on your setup. When you have 6 lines out , how are you arranging these? I have not been able to figure out how to get 6 lines in the water without creating CHAOS. My best thought is to run 3 tips: forward, mid and aft and balloons directly next to each, over head when possible. Are you using large open fish.?

Thanks for your feedback. RT

[LETSRIDE]

i fish 2 differnent boats one is a 38ft cat set up like a sportfish and the other is my 27ft open fish.... in my open fishermen i can run up to 6lines on a night the current is working in my favor. you willl just need to use alot of jugs and stagger their distances and depth. i put shallow deep shallow deep as you walk up the gunnel's of my openfishermen with 2 tip rods one in front one in back. run the jug closest to the back at like 150-200 ft from the boat the 2nd about 50ft third about 100 and fourth about 150-175 ths way it is like a zig zag pattern. now with live blue runners i could not even imagine they would tangle everything. but when i do fish live baits i will put them on a tip rod and if i put them on a jug i will put them farthest away from each other as possible. as far as fishing a sportfish i find it a little harder to get 6 lines but i can put 5 comfortably


also i like live bait i try to have atleast one in the water because i beleive the swordfish hear the sound of him struggling but as far as what i fish more is dead bait i get more and better hook ups from my experience

[ProfessorO]

I like to dangle a big live bait on an outrigger on the "other side" of
the boat and have one other live one around 75' depth or near
surface in the spread. I've caught a number of dolphins this
way and 4 swords on live ballyhoo on the surface. cheers, arthur

[RiskTaker]

Great reply Arthur (Professor O):

But Did you VOTE?

Hey the next time you have a great party, I want to know, more time in advance. (I may be able to spring for a five pack of Barbancourt 8 yr. old: direct from Haiti discount pricing). I saw your postings on the SoFla sportsman forum, but post-event. I spoke with Troy on the phone a few times a while back and thought we would get out fishing sometime. I guess now this is a closed chapter until the next chapter starts. Hopefully things will fare well.

Is Chummin still doing his seminar next Monday in Miami beach?

That idea is great! I would like to try it sometime. Jennifer says Hi, and feeling so good!

Thanks for the good post. Look forward to meeting you someday. I'll bring her cousin. RT

[BillyTine]

Alright cheif listen up. i don't have time to fool around with live bait or dead bait. i ask the guys who've beenfishing whats working and what isn't i'd rather catch fish than have a my standards stick out liek a swore thumb when im the only guy with out fish at the dock

[RiskTaker]

BillyTine:

I am not sure what you just said there. But it is completely understandable that you would be the only guy standing at the dock without a swordfish, especially if you have not the time to fish with live bait or dead bait.

I understand that there is still an opportunity to set a record using a fly with low pound test. There may even still be opportunities to catch a swordie with any pound test using a Rapala lure, or some other artificical.

Good luck man, but I have not heard too much info about catching swords with artificials, the majority of fish talk and catches has been the result of using real baits.

[Mike]