Flashing Squid

[Square Grouper]

This game will make you crazy. And I love it.

[Beerman]

And for my next trick, I am gonna shove a stick of Dynamite up a squids ass and wait for a bite

[Certifiable]

Thats what I'm talkin about
Push the envelope....try something new...got nothin to loose and beer to drink

[CAPTINMITCH]

Originally Posted by Certifiable

Why don't we just run around barefoot and naked and live in mud huts.... that has been working for the last 5,000 years ?

Not trying to offend anyone, "if it aint broke, dont fix it" is acceptable for most people. As for me, I am always looking for a way to do something better, why settle for good when you can try for best ?
That is how this great country was founded and became the greatest power in the world.

I want to have the technology to go to the moon, and drive fast cars, and....be more consistent in catching more and larger fish !!

Don't get me wrong, I'm all about tweaking the spread. Only point I'm making is when it gets right down to it, there's only one thing you HAVE to do to catch a swordfish - put a bait in front of a hungry fish.

[cappy]

Right On Mitch!

[RiskTaker]

Originally Posted by Uncle Buck

Just remember... for many many years before the Electrolume was developed, longliners only used green cyalume sticks, and just jammed a hook into a squid. That's about as simple as it gets.

Yeah, but these days our society of swordfish are much more sophisticated than their Neanderthal cousins that nearly got all caught up by the PLL fleets of yesteryear.

Nowadays, there is a generally higher IQ in the (swordfish) gene pool, and we have to entice them with our advanced technology stuff: sometimes just plain does it, but hydroglows, electrolumes, flashers, mighty lights, sounders and a little bit of techno/rave music on the U/W soundsystem, are the ticket! At least that is what our boat dealers and tackle suppliers would like us to believe; sure why not. (Island style reggae works too.) But there are always a few of those that have a serious case of the munchies and will eat just about anything presented, save the bare hook presentation. So if they can see it, they will eat it. My, what big eyes they have. I wonder if they can see in the dark and I wonder if overly bright lights bother them? Hmmmm.

I have found that their gourmet tastes are not really that specialized though. It is not necessary to resort high priced bait items like salamis, sopressatas, sirloins and such: although, in a pinch an inexpensive hot dog may suffice, if the bait supply has dwindled. But you could always try to expand your horizons with flavored squids....

Some LP green dyed - squid, marinated in a little brine of 3 parts salt/ 1 part sodium bicarbonate then coated in a slick of some green olive or (Menhaden oil if you want them to smell fishy); this should satisfy the most discriminating swordfish pallete, if you must kick it up a notch. (I may have to try some garlic/rosemary infused Olive oil to see if that makes it any better but I am fearful that the crew may then eat all of the baits before they hit the salami and other snacks on board. That is why I hide the limes in my bag, right next to the rum and don't leave any in sight or in the cooler.)

I have certainly placed chemical light sticks into squid before as a bait variation, flashers attached to the snap swivel (but haven't tried inside the squid yet - but I like the idea), Disco LPs are cool too; however, I generally place all of my EL lights at least 20 feet from the baits. That style works for me primarily because you can remove the EL light before the fish is so close to the boat that the gaff/harpoon step is imminent. But it would not really matter much because the EL could continue to slide down the line with a bit of cranking pressure on it.

Those white flashing Mighty lights are pretty cool too, but I don't have very much experience with using them to have any fair amount of experience to share. But try them: your local tackle shop monger with be happy that you try using them.

Now here is my big question that perhaps somebody can answer: Does an illuminated fishing line add or detract to a baits presentation for swordfish?

Sometimes, I will tape a chemical light stick in-line with the leader, quite a bit closer to the bait, again as a bait variation and not a primary and simple presentation. Now this light will light up a Flourocarbon or regular Nylon monofilament line in a dark sea. So if the swordfish are really not line shy, I guess it may not matter. But I have been toying with the idea to make my short 7 foot leaders with Black monofilament as an attempt to conceal that "light-brite" illuminescence effect on the line, at least up close near the bait. Anyone got feedback on this question? I conducted a Poll on this forum a good year or two ago and there was not any significant usage of Black monofilament from what I recall. Poll - Monofilament Leader Color Preferences ? Oh, there it is. Would anyone care to contribute to this poll now that we have a much larger membership base in 2007?

Hint: There is some really good stuff tucked away on this forum, you just have to search and find the stuff going back beyond what lies on the front page and current news on this forum.

P.S. - I don't really put Olive oil on my squids but I believe that it would not hurt either. Just trying to keep pace with Capt. Mitch's wit, but he is a tough act to follow

[Uncle Buck]

There's nothing wrong with trying new tricks.

[bigned]

well put

[Sopla2o]

Originally Posted by RiskTaker

My, what big eyes they have. I wonder if they can see in the dark and I wonder if overly bright lights bother them? Hmmmm.

Disco LPs are cool too ....

Thats not a bad idea..... Let's send down a squid with a pair of Ray Ban's so they can shade the bright lights we send down with the squid......

All kidding aside, you are correct.... The vendors love for us to try new technology with our fishing.... It's a numbers game... If they come up with a "dancing/lighting/bouncing/singing/vodka-dipped/disco-lighting-self-depth-adjusting-squid" someone will buy one..... (Hey, there may be some potential here....)
Or maybe the fish will just eat when they are hungry ..... oh and by the way... putting the bait in front of them will also work.....

Hey what do I know.... I have yet to land one.......

[Disco Lady]

Coño!!!!!!!!

[snooknreds2]

Originally Posted by RiskTaker

Yeah, but these days our society of swordfish are much more sophisticated than their Neanderthal cousins that nearly got all caught up by the PLL fleets of yesteryear.

Nowadays, there is a generally higher IQ in the (swordfish) gene pool, and we have to entice them with our advanced technology stuff: sometimes just plain does it, but hydroglows, electrolumes, flashers, mighty lights, sounders and a little bit of techno/rave music on the U/W soundsystem, are the ticket! At least that is what our boat dealers and tackle suppliers would like us to believe; sure why not. (Island style reggae works too.) But there are always a few of those that have a serious case of the munchies and will eat just about anything presented, save the bare hook presentation. So if they can see it, they will eat it. My, what big eyes they have. I wonder if they can see in the dark and I wonder if overly bright lights bother them? Hmmmm.

I have found that their gourmet tastes are not really that specialized though. It is not necessary to resort high priced bait items like salamis, sopressatas, sirloins and such: although, in a pinch an inexpensive hot dog may suffice, if the bait supply has dwindled. But you could always try to expand your horizons with flavored squids....

Some LP green dyed - squid, marinated in a little brine of 3 parts salt/ 1 part sodium bicarbonate then coated in a slick of some green olive or (Menhaden oil if you want them to smell fishy); this should satisfy the most discriminating swordfish pallete, if you must kick it up a notch. (I may have to try some garlic/rosemary infused Olive oil to see if that makes it any better but I am fearful that the crew may then eat all of the baits before they hit the salami and other snacks on board. That is why I hide the limes in my bag, right next to the rum and don't leave any in sight or in the cooler.)

I have certainly placed chemical light sticks into squid before as a bait variation, flashers attached to the snap swivel (but haven't tried inside the squid yet - but I like the idea), Disco LPs are cool too; however, I generally place all of my EL lights at least 20 feet from the baits. That style works for me primarily because you can remove the EL light before the fish is so close to the boat that the gaff/harpoon step is imminent. But it would not really matter much because the EL could continue to slide down the line with a bit of cranking pressure on it.

Those white flashing Mighty lights are pretty cool too, but I don't have very much experience with using them to have any fair amount of experience to share. But try them: your local tackle shop monger with be happy that you try using them.

Now here is my big question that perhaps somebody can answer: Does an illuminated fishing line add or detract to a baits presentation for swordfish?

Sometimes, I will tape a chemical light stick in-line with the leader, quite a bit closer to the bait, again as a bait variation and not a primary and simple presentation. Now this light will light up a Flourocarbon or regular Nylon monofilament line in a dark sea. So if the swordfish are really not line shy, I guess it may not matter. But I have been toying with the idea to make my short 7 foot leaders with Black monofilament as an attempt to conceal that "light-brite" illuminescence effect on the line, at least up close near the bait. Anyone got feedback on this question? I conducted a Poll on this forum a good year or two ago and there was not any significant usage of Black monofilament from what I recall. Poll - Monofilament Leader Color Preferences ? Oh, there it is. Would anyone care to contribute to this poll now that we have a much larger membership base in 2007?

Hint: There is some really good stuff tucked away on this forum, you just have to search and find the stuff going back beyond what lies on the front page and current news on this forum.

P.S. - I don't really put Olive oil on my squids but I believe that it would not hurt either. Just trying to keep pace with Capt. Mitch's wit, but he is a tough act to follow

RT good post

and to answer your question....from my experience the black leader makes no difference. When I first started swording some one told me to try it and so i did. Well with out an official log being kept and just my intuitive guessing I remember back then making the decision that I caught just as many fish on the black vs clear leader. I agree that one would think the light got broadcasted down the clear leader but my experience tells me that they dont mind it if that is what is happening. You gotta think and remember that swords see blurs and blurry images not detailed drawings so maybe the light being sent down the line will help attract them more This is one reason why I love swordfishing.....you ask a question about their habits/patterns/behaviors and the only right answer is "THE WORLD MAY NEVER KNOW"

[Bonnie&Clyde]

Originally Posted by snooknreds2

RT good post

This is one reason why I love swordfishing.....you ask a question about their habits/patterns/behaviors and the only right answer is "THE WORLD MAY NEVER KNOW"

Thats I why I love it also!!!! We will never fully know their patterns!!!!

[tunaman81]

Originally Posted by RiskTaker

But I have been toying with the idea to make my short 7 foot leaders with Black monofilament as an attempt to conceal that "light-brite" illuminescence effect on the line, at least up close near the bait.

Light will still show the silhouette of the leader. Luckily, swords don't really seem to care.

SnooknReds:

Swordfish, like other pelagics (ie. tunas) have very good eyesight. They don't just see "blurs and blurry images." Their eyes are also highly functional at depth due to the fact that they are "heated" physiologically.

[Reef-i]

why even bother with light at all??? I've caught just as many fish with nothing on my leader and no swordlight/hydro than with all the bells and whistles...
I always fish at least one bait in the spread with absoloutely nothing on it but a hook, leader and bait...
these fish do not need our lights for feeding...

[LIGHTS OUT]

Originally Posted by Reef-i

why even bother with light at all??? I've caught just as many fish with nothing on my leader and no swordlight/hydro than with all the bells and whistles...
I always fish at least one bait in the spread with absoloutely nothing on it but a hook, leader and bait...
these fish do not need our lights for feeding...

Well stated Reef-i. These fish have been eating for much longer that we have been fishing (with or without glowsticks or LP's). These fish have great eyesight but lucky for us are agressive eaters and not too discriminatory in thier choice of food.
I also have caught most of my fish without having an artificial light source in the water. Hence the name LIGHTS OUT.

[Capt'n Shane]

I too have had my best nights without a light in the water.