Im new, first swordfishing trip may be in the future

[swordfish123]

Ok so we might be going down to Miami and we are experience anglers, but we've never done anything like this before. We will be in Miami for about a week during the boat show. The first question I have is probably stupid, but would it be possible to fight the swordfish caught off Miami on 30 lb tacke if you had like 600 yards of line? Or 50# w/ 450 yards of line? We dont have any 50 or 80 tackle and we're not just going to go buy any so is it even worth a shot?

2nd, where off Miami are the fish biting? We have a 48 ft boat with gps/radar chartplotter and all that but no fish finder. If we knew the coordinates can we get by? And how far out are we talking, 10 miles? 20 miles?

I have researched swordfishing and I understand all the rigs and such, those are just my main two concerns.

Thanks for the info

[CAPTINMITCH]

I use TLD25s with 675 yards of Suffix Hi Vis. It requires good angling and boat handling techniques. As far as where to go, if it's a nice night, just look for all the boats.

[Capt. Q]

Originally Posted by CAPTINMITCH

I use TLD25s with 675 yards of Suffix Hi Vis. It requires good angling and boat handling techniques. As far as where to go, if it's a nice night, just look for all the boats.

TLD 25's. I like the sound of that. The name of the game is how much you spend in order to catch fish. I always love seeing a 34 seavee with all gold reels go out in the summer and come back with 3 schoolie dolphin..

I use TLD 50's with suffix tritanium clear. I am trying to get a trip together for the weekend...

Q

[swordfish123]

Thanks guys. I think we are going to buy some Formula 15 LDs soon, they will hold 600 yards of 30. We can always make a chase haha. Now i read the rigging page 2-3 times, and i've read every article on it, they are all different. Are ya'll using 3 way swivels to go to the line, the weight and then to the leader, or just putting the light and breakaway weight at the top of the ball bearing swivel? I also saw where some people use like 12 ft of leader with a ball bearing swivel at around the 7 foot mark to help with the way swordfish fight, necessary?

Also, when tying knots in the line at the 100, 200 and 300 foot marks, how do you do that? I would greatly appreciate an explanation of the breakaway float and markers on the line.

Thanks again guys, sorry for all the questions. I really want to catch a sword!

[Capt. Q]

Originally Posted by swordfish123

Thanks guys. I think we are going to buy some Formula 15 LDs soon, they will hold 600 yards of 30. We can always make a chase haha. Now i read the rigging page 2-3 times, and i've read every article on it, they are all different. Are ya'll using 3 way swivels to go to the line, the weight and then to the leader, or just putting the light and breakaway weight at the top of the ball bearing swivel? I also saw where some people use like 12 ft of leader with a ball bearing swivel at around the 7 foot mark to help with the way swordfish fight, necessary?

Also, when tying knots in the line at the 100, 200 and 300 foot marks, how do you do that? I would greatly appreciate an explanation of the breakaway float and markers on the line.

Thanks again guys, sorry for all the questions. I really want to catch a sword!

I don't think splitting your leader is necessary although, I'm sure it helps on a dead bait like a squid, but to me that is just one more place a problem can occur.

Just use a normal ball bearing snap swivel of 250lbs.

Once you tie your bimini in your main line, use an offshore knot to attach the snap swivel.

To put the markers at 100, 200, and 300ft, you will need wax line. The knot is tough to explain, but basically, you loop the waxline through itself over the line, and then to 5-8 half stitches on each side of the loop and that will hold. Some people then touch it up with liquid cement.


also, I use 20 feet (300lb) of leader with 9/0 offset hooks..

Remember, it takes alittle getting used to, but once you get the system down you will be untouchable. I have put a dead herring down before and caught a sword, or 1 year old frost bite squid.

Tight LInes

[Tague]

Also bear in mind that you don't need huge reels for the drag you need it for line. I use all tld 50's but even on mine i back up the 50 hi vis with 130 kevlar. You can get a lot of kevlar on a small reel just remember that if you get a screamer you will need to open up the reel and make sure there is no damage. At 15lbs of drag on a tld 25 a 200 pound fish can put a hurting on that reel. But don't be afraid to give it a shot. A unoffical world record was just caught 126llbs on 8lbs test in 20 min. So anything is possible. When i get more on that record i will post

tight lines
Tague

[LETSRIDE]

i too use tld25's.........i see it as 15lb of drag is just that no matter if on a 80wide or tld25.....but Iam ion process of gettin a penn 12/0 and 50wide...hope all goes through to get these....
captmitch-what size line do you use?

[Vinnie]

I have two new penn 10/0's for sale, send me a p.m. with your e-mail and I will send you pictures if you're interested.

[LETSRIDE]

sent vinnie

[BuddyThoug]

I am looking for a better way to mark my lines...This has been an ongoing problem for me...I know their got to be a better way.....

[CJDcatch22]

use the 30s. go 15 mi off.

[snooknreds2]

wax loops is the way to go all day long

like mentioned previously it is hard to explain how to do it. also i am thinking about selling top shots with wax loops and wind-ons so i dont want to divulge the information.....basically i could tell you but i would have to kill you and the other 2000 people on here just kidding man send me a pm and we can talk

oh and if you do end up fishing with out wind-ons be carefull leadening that sword up. This is a whole new ball game and that mofo is out to kill you like some old man and the sea type shizit

I think that is part of the reason why it is so addicting is because every time you hook into one it is a life and death battle between the fish and you....LITERALLY you could easily die out there if the wrong sequence of events went down...so be careful man but have fun and catch them up

Oh and also spend $20 and buy a chart of the sword grounds. It will tell you, when rea properly, the general areas that you want to be in.

[billspilingup]

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