honest answer please for newbie

[tropicmaster]

I am traveling to Miami this week to fish the govt cut for tarpon at night and offshore for sails in the day. I have tons and tons of experience inshore and near offshore fishing. I have run miles and miles at night in the keys. I am very interested in fishing for swords on this trip but after reading some of these posts I am re-thinking it. My boat is only an 18' hydra-sport CC. I frequently fish 12-18 miles out in the keys but it is always in the daytime. I fish the reef a lot at night down there, but again that is only 5 miles out. I have the gear and I think I have enough skill to find and catch a couple of the swords. I am just having real second thoughts on taking my boat out as far as ya'll are all talking about on here. There have been a lot of big fish come over my gunnels ( tuna,tarpon,sails,wahoo, and dolphin; but I think I might better sit this one out. What are ya'lls thoughts? Is there enough of a fishery nearshore to give it a try? I am talking like 10 miles or less out?...forgot to mention that I am very familiar with the area. I have been on this same 4 day trip to Miami 6 or 7 times.........Adam

[jerry]

tropic, just pick the righ weather window and ensure your boat and equipment are in good condition and I dont see a problem. There is no real difference between 12 and 18 miles out. 18ft is small but that is very relative to the weather conditions. Motor must be in tip top condition and ofcourse safety gear and communications in good order.

[Nightfighter]

If the seas are calm, no problem. There will be plenty of other boats out there if it's calm, you wont feel lonely, plenty of help if you might need it.
Err on the side of caution, don't do it if it is looking sporty. Make sure you have a handheld VHF back-up. and flares.
The seas out there can be quite different on the 50, than near the coast. Turn around if it starts to get bad as you get further out.

[KQ]

In my experience you can't always trust the weather forecasts. Last friday night it said 2 ft. or less with a 10-15 kt. east wind. The wind was a solid 15 kt wind and the seas were 3-5 ft i would say. I'm sure you already know this...but dont even bother if the forecast is predicting any wind out of the North...even if it says only 2-4 because its usually rougher out on the 50 line.

[Uncle Buck]

I'm kinda in the same boat (pun)... I've got a 21-footer, so I also have to pay very close attention to the weather before running 13-14 miles out. Besides looking for a calm forecast, also check to see if the winds or seas are expected to kick up within 12 hours of when you plan to head in. Sometimes the weather changes move in quicker than predicted. Getting caught in building seas sucks.

[RiskTaker]

Tropicmaster:

If you are in the area with your own boat, you should do it. It sounds like you have plenty of boating experience and in all that time I would imagine that you know what is safe or not, plus keeping your boat in safe condition. Moderate winds from the NE to S and you should be fine.

I am not sure how your boat compares to a 20' Gradywhite (w/ twins) but I have taken mine to Bimini without anxiety. Obviously, it can get nasty out there offshore especially when the North winds are blowing and bucking against the Gulfstream. But in all the years I have been offshore I have never been in seas that I would be afraid of with that 20' Grady White. (Understand that I am not out there in 8'-10' seas). I have been troll fishing in 4'-6' and perhaps seen a few 8's too. Most decent fishing boats, 18'+, go over this stuff and may take a couple over the bow from time to time. It just drains out the scupper holes. If your vessel handles well and dumps water without filing up, you will be fine on most nights that people typically go swordfishing.

Usually the seas may even lay down a bit when you are offshore compared to the near shore chop. But don't go offshore without a sea anchor. Most of the time you can fish with stern to the waves or quartered. But if you cannot keep the bow to the waves when you need to, then you may be in a completely different situation. That can make all the difference if you experience some breakdown.

Good luck Adam, with putting one in the boat. That should be quite an experience for you. I would suggest that you fish in the popular zones, 79:50 plus or minus 1 and you may get a keeper for your memories. That is a pretty good number from 25:50 to 26:08, the further south and the numbers may be different. There are a few places well inside of that but you must know them well to take advantage of fishing any closer in.

P.S. - don't forget to get your HMS permit if you don't already have one. They are only $22 and you can purchase on-line in 20 minutes. Greg, from HMS will be awaiting your call for that fish.

[Captain Joe McGivern]

Good Luck out there! The bite should remain decent for the whole week. I just had my sat night cancle on me, so if you end up not wanting to go on your boat, i am available! If you do end up going, have no fear your safety gear seems to be in order and there are plenty of good people out there who wont think twice of pulling in all their gear and coming to the rescue.