Swordfish Tagging

Eric Orbesen · 05-16-2007, 10:38 AM

I have already heard from several of you, but for those who did not see the post a few months back (I believe it was under the conservation section) I work with NOAA and we run a cooperative tagging program where we supply tags to anglers free of charge for all billfish, tuna, and swordfish. Some swordfish release cards have been coming in but we would love to have more involvement in swordfish tagging. In 2006 we only had 110 swordfish tagged and so far for 2007 we are at 25 swordfish tagged. I know a lot of you are catching small fish which you are releasing, and it would be a great opportunity to help promote science and increase our knowledge of this fishery. Thanks to all of you who are tagging fish. If you would like a tagging kit drop me a line at:
Eric.Orbesen@noaa.gov

christopherkeene9 · 05-16-2007, 01:52 PM

Already done! Looking to still get a swordy this year to tag but got one short YFin in!

JupiterSailfish · 05-16-2007, 02:36 PM

Got my kit earlier this year, haven't got the chance to use it though. I just need to buy a tag stick now.

Thanks

Uncle Buck · 05-16-2007, 02:59 PM

Eric O... a lot of us have been tagging with TBF tags, rather than NOAA's. Is the data shared between the agencies?

snooknreds2 · 05-16-2007, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JupiterSailfish

Got my kit earlier this year, haven't got the chance to use it though. I just need to buy a tag stick now.

Thanks

no tag stick needed. I have tagged 3 so far and haven't used one yet

sailfish you will want it for though

TOPPDAWG · 05-16-2007, 05:34 PM

Yea--were In We Already Have Tagged A Couple This Year If You Give Me Some Tags I Would Definately Be A Help To You Guys

JupiterSailfish · 05-17-2007, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snooknreds2

no tag stick needed. I have tagged 3 so far and haven't used one yet

sailfish you will want it for though

What do you do? Do you just use the tip and do it by hand? I was thinking about doing that till I can get a stick.

PURPLE FEVER · 05-17-2007, 08:50 AM

JS get a long B-B-QUE FORK bend 1 prong back flatten out the other with a hammer and you will have your new tagstick.I was on a boat in Equador and they engineered one just like this. IT WORKED!

Uncle Buck · 05-17-2007, 09:35 AM

Just be sure there's some sort of stopper to prevent the tag anchor from going too far into the fish. About 1/2-inch is enough.

snooknreds2 · 05-17-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JupiterSailfish

What do you do? Do you just use the tip and do it by hand? I was thinking about doing that till I can get a stick.

when you get the tag kit there is a small pointed (actually pretty damn sharp) stainless steel rod that you are supposed to use to make a tagging stick. well since we bill all the swords anyways as to remove my $7 hook from its mouth, simply slide the plastic insert part of the tag onto the provided tagging "stub" and hold the stainless steel "stub" in your hand with the blunt side against your palm and the pointed side between your thumb and pointer finger. now simply push the tag into the fish...they are soft enough to where it goes RIGHT in. if your not careful you can go to far into the fish. so stick a sword one way or another now!!!!

Eric Orbesen · 05-17-2007, 10:20 AM

Uncle Buck, please do NOT use a stopper when tagging. The tagging tips are made the lenth they are to ensure tag retention. If you only insert the tag 1/2 inch into the fish over time the tag will be pushed out from the body, much like your body will work a splinter out over time. If you tag a fish in the proper area (above the lateral line, there are no organs that you can hit, the area between the lateral line and the dorsal fin is all muscle.
You can purchase a tagging stick from The Billfish Foundation, or a major fishing supply store like Basspro, or Captain Harry's. We also send out instructions on how to make your own tagging stick out of a broom handle (basically you drill a hole in a broom handle for the tagging tip).
The Billfish foundation does send us their tagging data at the end of every year, and any peer review publications that are produced use the combined data set, so if you currently are tagging billfish with the TBF tags, please continue using their tags.

Uncle Buck · 05-17-2007, 12:02 PM

Well, I'm using both the TBF tag stick, and my shorty home-made version... both are set at the same depth of the TBF stick. So that should be good, right? There's about 1/2 to 3/4-inch between the stopper and the back edge of the tag anchor. So the anchor actually sits 3/4 to 1-inch into the fish.

LIGHTINING STRYKER · 05-17-2007, 01:18 PM

eric have you put the last sat. tag into a fish yet and if not is the battery still good?

JR.ANGLER 1 · 05-17-2007, 08:09 PM

I'll continue to use my TBF tags, might as well since i payed for them. Thanks for the information.

Nick C · 05-19-2007, 03:09 PM

I would tag em if people would send me the tags free.... I would be doing the favor after all, right

?

pelagic predator · 05-19-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick C

I would tag em if people would send me the tags free.... I would be doing the favor after all, right

?

Just e-mail Eric O. he gave us ours for free.

Broadbill · 05-21-2007, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick C

I would tag em if people would send me the tags free.... I would be doing the favor after all, right

?

These people are doing you a favor by compling information that will hopefully keep billfish around for a long time. We all need to do our share!

snooknreds2 · 05-21-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broadbill

These people are doing you a favor by compling information that will hopefully keep billfish around for a long time. We all need to do our share!

someone gets the point!!!

catching · 05-25-2007, 10:15 AM

received the tag kits today thanks Eric

BLUELIGHT SPECIAL · 05-25-2007, 10:19 AM

MINES A COMIN GLAD TO HELP

THANKS

05-16-2007, 10:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
Eric Orbesen Lines In Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Miami, FL Occupation: NOAA Fishery Biologist Posts: 16	Swordfish Tagging I have already heard from several of you, but for those who did not see the post a few months back (I believe it was under the conservation section) I work with NOAA and we run a cooperative tagging program where we supply tags to anglers free of charge for all billfish, tuna, and swordfish. Some swordfish release cards have been coming in but we would love to have more involvement in swordfish tagging. In 2006 we only had 110 swordfish tagged and so far for 2007 we are at 25 swordfish tagged. I know a lot of you are catching small fish which you are releasing, and it would be a great opportunity to help promote science and increase our knowledge of this fishery. Thanks to all of you who are tagging fish. If you would like a tagging kit drop me a line at: Eric.Orbesen@noaa.gov

05-16-2007, 01:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
christopherkeene9 Lines In Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oviedo, Fl Boat: 2800 Hydrasports W/A Occupation: Student Posts: 84	Already done! Looking to still get a swordy this year to tag but got one short YFin in! __________________ www.finlocohome.com

05-16-2007, 02:59 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: 1,782	Eric O... a lot of us have been tagging with TBF tags, rather than NOAA's. Is the data shared between the agencies? __________________ 2007 TBF Top Swordfish Tagging Angler, Atlantic Uncle Buck Graphic Arts, LLC Graphic Design Services for the Boating/Fishing Industry Last edited by Uncle Buck : 05-16-2007 at 06:39 PM.

05-17-2007, 09:35 AM	#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: 1,782	Just be sure there's some sort of stopper to prevent the tag anchor from going too far into the fish. About 1/2-inch is enough. __________________ 2007 TBF Top Swordfish Tagging Angler, Atlantic Uncle Buck Graphic Arts, LLC Graphic Design Services for the Boating/Fishing Industry

05-17-2007, 12:02 PM	#12 (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: 1,782	Well, I'm using both the TBF tag stick, and my shorty home-made version... both are set at the same depth of the TBF stick. So that should be good, right? There's about 1/2 to 3/4-inch between the stopper and the back edge of the tag anchor. So the anchor actually sits 3/4 to 1-inch into the fish. __________________ 2007 TBF Top Swordfish Tagging Angler, Atlantic Uncle Buck Graphic Arts, LLC Graphic Design Services for the Boating/Fishing Industry Last edited by Uncle Buck : 05-17-2007 at 12:04 PM.

05-16-2007, 02:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
JupiterSailfish Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jupiter, FL Best Catch: 170lb Swordy - Tag Teamed it Posts: 579	Got my kit earlier this year, haven't got the chance to use it though. I just need to buy a tag stick now. Thanks

05-16-2007, 05:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
TOPPDAWG Lines In Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: THE RAC Boat: DUSKY- ANY Best Catch: 86 POUND HOO ON 60LB MONO LEADER CAT ISLAND 414# SWORDDOG Occupation: WORK IN TACKLE SHOP Posts: 90	Yea--were In We Already Have Tagged A Couple This Year If You Give Me Some Tags I Would Definately Be A Help To You Guys

05-17-2007, 08:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
PURPLE FEVER Hooked Up Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: pompano beach,fla. Posts: 371	JS get a long B-B-QUE FORK bend 1 prong back flatten out the other with a hammer and you will have your new tagstick.I was on a boat in Equador and they engineered one just like this. IT WORKED!

05-17-2007, 10:20 AM	#11 (permalink)
Eric Orbesen Lines In Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Miami, FL Occupation: NOAA Fishery Biologist Posts: 16	Uncle Buck, please do NOT use a stopper when tagging. The tagging tips are made the lenth they are to ensure tag retention. If you only insert the tag 1/2 inch into the fish over time the tag will be pushed out from the body, much like your body will work a splinter out over time. If you tag a fish in the proper area (above the lateral line, there are no organs that you can hit, the area between the lateral line and the dorsal fin is all muscle. You can purchase a tagging stick from The Billfish Foundation, or a major fishing supply store like Basspro, or Captain Harry's. We also send out instructions on how to make your own tagging stick out of a broom handle (basically you drill a hole in a broom handle for the tagging tip). The Billfish foundation does send us their tagging data at the end of every year, and any peer review publications that are produced use the combined data set, so if you currently are tagging billfish with the TBF tags, please continue using their tags.

05-17-2007, 01:18 PM	#13 (permalink)
LIGHTINING STRYKER Hooked Up Join Date: May 2004 Location: HOLLYWOOD Occupation: self employed Posts: 142	eric have you put the last sat. tag into a fish yet and if not is the battery still good? __________________ only armed men can be free

05-17-2007, 08:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
JR.ANGLER 1 Lines In Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 5 6 ACE Boat: Goin' Raptor Posts: 71	I'll continue to use my TBF tags, might as well since i payed for them. Thanks for the information.

05-19-2007, 03:09 PM	#15 (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: 2,110	I would tag em if people would send me the tags free.... I would be doing the favor after all, right ? __________________ "Put your buoys out... we're comin' in HOT!"

05-25-2007, 10:15 AM	#19 (permalink)
catching Grander Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,435	received the tag kits today thanks Eric __________________ Better to be lucky than good

05-25-2007, 10:19 AM	#20 (permalink)
BLUELIGHT SPECIAL Hooked Up Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: DANIA BEACH Boat: 256 DUSKY 2X150 ZUKES Best Catch: 125LB PUERTO RICAN HOTTIE Occupation: FISHING Posts: 264	MINES A COMIN GLAD TO HELP THANKS