DAYTIME SWORDS RULE VENEZUELA

[Swordfisher]

I caught my first Sword in Venezuela back in 1998 when they were always fished for at night. I even remember bringing back a small wood plaque made by a local artisian that said "Swords in the Night" the year was 2002.....I recently fished Venezuela in late January this year, and I noticed the boats don't fish much at night anymore.....I reckon they figured out where the Swords are and now target them during the daytime.....My thought is if So. Florida will eventually lean in that direction as I read more and more about daytime catches in So. FL and the fishery recovers along with the Swords becomming bigger and more abundant..........I sure hope not and I'm sure there are plenty of wifes that would be disappointed to find the husbands hanging around the house mending tackle and drinking beer waiting for the sun to come up..... All opinions are welcome...... .
SF

[Nick C]

Fish are deep. Current is too strong. I guess it could be down though out here.

According to what ProfessorO told me at SF 103(FS forum), the fish are out in 2000-2500 ft. and move in as it gets darker. 2000' is deep.

[Swordfisher]

I know Arthur him and Kenny are having a big bash at O's currently. The fish are much deeper in Venezuela not as much current.

[Nick C]

Do you get shots at tailing(sunning) fish down there?

[PMBardunias]

At 1:00pm on the friday before last I hooked into what I estimate was a 200+ lb Swordfish on a live porgy I set down deep in 400' of water in preparation to drift for grouper over a deep wreck off Sunrise beach (FL). I could not boat him, but I had him up alongside the boat for some time so I am certain it was a sword and not another billfish. Watching him jump was spectacular.

So it can be done here. I have no idea how common such catches can be.

Paul

[Swordfisher]

Originally Posted by Nick C

Do you get shots at tailing(sunning) fish down there?

Nick, I'm sure they do but I would imagine they get a few as we do in Florida, however for some reason it seems more common to see them sunning in Mazatlan and in Cabo san Lucas.
SF

[Verado06]

If you can get the baits down deep enough you will have a good shot at them.

i would like to try the same off south fl, but the current is just too strong and I would need a 10 pound weight to get the bait down.

[Swordfisher]

Originally Posted by Verado06

If you can get the baits down deep enough you will have a good shot at them.

i would like to try the same off south fl, but the current is just too strong and I would need a 10 pound weight to get the bait down.

In Venezuela they drop a big bag of rocks down along with a Squid, Octopus and sometimes a dead bait...the bag of rocks weighs up to 20 lbs and is tied with a 10lb piece of mono that is made to snap away from the bait once it gets down to the bottom which is usually over 2000 ft......works for us in Venezuela....the main difference is that the Gulf Stream has more current......but the fish are in So Fl. year round and I bet they eat as most fish do....anytime they can catch something....
My prediction is that someone will start fishing for them in the daytime hours with success........I still like the Dolphin on the way out and the ambience of the Night Time Swords with the lights and all the rest.
SF