Sword & shark fishing, So. Cal.

[Keith Poe]

Went to Dana Point Saturday night. Foggy no problem night trolling. Ran to the 267, @ 20 knots bioluminescent hunting.
The auto pilot was working great with the remote. The AB 20 is water proof and can run & display all their electronics and is a blue tooth phone.
Radio to. When I install the Morse controls I can operate the transmission & throttle from any where to.
Stopped about 5 NM short from the 267 to put everything in. In gear she idles at 3 knots. With the two 80 on the out riggers back 50 & 75 yards LP lights & 2 pounds of lead on them 12/0 12" squid. Looked great in the new moon. Sent one 80-W accurate down on the auto retrieve 15 lbs. 150' blow back was about 100' depth guess.
The other 80-W accurate on the auto retrieve down rigger had the same set up as the other three rigging & 15 lb. salt slicer only difference was the 4' Hydro Glow florescent 12-volt light attached to the top of the slat slicer with zip ties to the top of the light at the cord connector. The 14/2 marine romex with heat shrink butt splices attached to 80' cord in length. This created a waving back & forth motion with the 4' hydro glow light. Up hill the boat trolled at 1 knot down hill at 1.2 - 2.5 knots.
The hydro glow light glowed about 75-100 yards looking in appearance just like bait balls do. The rolling of the swells & hydro glow light was amazing looking, above the water the rays of light were shooting green rays of light through the fog. I trolled over the bank and 5 past then turned and went 1 NM then back over the bank and back in to the shelf off Dana. No Swordfish yet but I believe if I get with in eyes distance on one I might have a shot at getting it's attention. Took a long time to set everything up and figure out what was what guessing what was the best way to approach this species. I want to and do not want to see the Humboldt's as they will destroy my presentation but will be in my opinion one of the best conditions. If anyone sees the Humboldt's out side any where please forward the 411 ASAP.
Went back out and shark fished all day on top the 267 bank. Did not hunt much just found a spot of bait and put the bucket out and ended up drifting close to the 14.
Picked up 7 blues to what looked like a 10-12' blue on the thirty pound mono with Accurate 870. XL 800 This fish looked like a bear and broke my back for hours.
Picked up 8 Makos mostly babies looked as though momma just dropped them. One was about 70 lb. at best caught on the Accurate 870 jumped 5 times putting on a really great show. Made me smile I love those kids. Little sucker sawed off my deep drop with his teeth screaming by @ 1100' 110 mono on the 80-W Accurate. New 50 buck LP light blue green & white colored light 12/0 hook & 12" squid 4 lb. of lead. Not sure what happened but the auto pilot gave up at first light when I ran it up to 34 knots heading back out.
I have to remove the fighting chair & 1/4" diamond plate aluminum motor cover to see if it was the linear feed back rod on the hydraulic arm my best guess.
Can't seem to get enough sleep & food in my after a three day run with 5 hours sleep working on the boat and fishing.
Last thing I wanted to do was start working on the AP out at sea reading manuals. I get blurred vision when I get tired but have 20 20 from RK & laser surgery.
Bill Depriest (hope I spelled that right) Pacific Coast sportfishing mag was fishing for sharks in the area and was nice talking to him it's been a while.
Said he got a 300 lb class sword day time fishing Florida and has been working the learning curve her as well. Wish more of you guys were to.
I know of another guy who is as well but not at liberty to disclose. Anyone who wants to troll the same area lets hook up and set something up.
In Florida there is so many guys fishing the Gulf stream with Hydro Glows at night it's incredible to see them as far as you can see up & down the stream on Friday & Saturday night.
On the way in to Dana running stealth bioluminescent hunting saw 1/4 mile of strong bioluminescent deep & solid with porpoise all around it 11 NM out between the 14 & Dana 27/41 SST 68. Wanted to stop and fish it for Swords but had to see my family & eat & sleep. Going out to check out the Simrad AP-16 then plan the next trip.
It's hard for me to believe with the commercial success long lines gillnets & harpoon we can not figure this out, we can do this. My guess is this should not be any different than Marlin fishing in So Cal. Hopefully better.
Anyone know the actual breaking strength of 80 lb spider wire?


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sharktagger@roadrunner.com