What is primary role of chum for swordfishing?

RiskTaker · 04-10-2006, 01:50 PM

I am fishing for some knowledge from the experienced swordfishing crowd.

What is the main role of chum for swordfishing?

Does chum act as an agent that will directly bring in the swordfish, by it's scent/particles alone)? (You see that they make a swordfish chum: this in essence is 100 % ground squid.) So is this just a marketing exploitation of squid or does it really draw in the swordfish?

I certainly believe that chum will draw in more baitfish , like Tinkers, when they are around. In turn, with the presence of more concentrated tinkers, any nearby swordfish may swing by for a visit. But this description is an indirect effect.

When using regular (fish-based) chum, will this also bring in more sharks than an unscented sea? I have certainly witnessed Mako shark homing in on a chum bag before. (Which is also a good time to take the bag out of the water unless you have a hook implanted in the bag.

)

I am just curious because I have no definitive answer based upon my own experiences at this point.

CaptKen · 04-10-2006, 03:58 PM

I dont use it because it draws these guys in that have been know to eat a sword. We need an anti-chum to chase the sharks away.

Duke · 04-10-2006, 04:46 PM

Used mainly as an attractant for bait which in turn will attract swordfish. Thought is as the bait goes, so does the swordfish. Many religiously use and many do not. Chum use can increase the chances of sharks, but relatively speaking on the 50 line and out sharks are pretty infrequent. I never really bothered with it unless:
1) I want some tinkers for bait
2) Trying for a mako ( Then try getting out a couple of hours early with some sword remains)

Another Grand · 04-10-2006, 06:21 PM

I always chum everytime for 1 reason......dolphin. I have no idea what the effect of chum actually has on swordfish......but I do know that a couple of nice dolphin can make or break a trip out there and they always seem to find my boat when chumming. I rarely have a problem with sharks.....I catch them from time to time, but not any more so than other times I have fished without chum. My biggest dolphin have all came at night

.

Chasin' Tales · 04-10-2006, 07:08 PM

What do y'all use for chum? Just the frozen blocks of chum in a chumbag?

Next time I do a sword trip up here in the gulf, I plan on bringing some mendhaden to chunk/chum with during the night. Especially a couple hours prior to daybreak in hopes for some tuna.

Captain Ollie · 04-10-2006, 07:39 PM

From my experience it doesn't really do much for attracting swordfish specifically. What it does do is bring in everything else with a good nose. So now you have your own mini bait ball surrounding your boat. It definitely gives you something interesting to look at while waiting for a hit. Whether or not this collection of bait brings in your apex preadator of choice is open for speculation. I always enjoy slaying the dolphin that seem to show up. AND if you get a school you have it all to yourself without having to worry about the "scavenger" boats that seem to come out of nowhere when you hit a school during the day.

One thing I will say is that cleaning your swordfish out there does more to attract Makos than anything else you could do. Sword blood must just smell like candy to them. Of course its always a good idea to load the freezer up with those tinkers that show up in winter for use as a dead bait in summer.

DORADOsteve · 04-11-2006, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Another Grand

My biggest dolphin have all came at night

.

I agree.

Nick C · 04-11-2006, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Another Grand

IMy biggest dolphin have all came at night

.

.... YEP! That was a big Phin! Worked you pretty bad on that 50W with 130

I agree with the fact that it draws in and keeps bait around and the swords will follow, but I haven't noticed and difference with or with out chum... still no fish lol.
I also agree with Johnny that it helps with Dolphin and other smaller fish... on a dead night, it's fun to play around with dolphin triple tail, tinkers, sea snake(yikes!) and other creature that come up in the Hydro Glow

JR.ANGLER 1 · 04-11-2006, 11:22 PM

Up here on the "Northern drift" We do not have as much bait or sharks (for example we NEVER get tinkers)... does anyone here think it would be more advantageous to chum?

J.P Freeman · 04-12-2006, 08:13 AM

I am against chum. I always get the same result whether I chum or not. Just more money to spend on an already expensive addiction.

RiskTaker · 04-12-2006, 08:45 AM

JP:

And what might that be: 3 fish in the boat? To chum or not to chum?

CAPTINMITCH · 04-12-2006, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiskTaker

JP:

And what might that be: 3 fish in the boat? To chum or not to chum?

I prefer not to chum. I've had plenty of dolphin show up with out it and too many sharks with it.

And Johnny is right, most times when dolphin show up at night, they're quality fish.

J.P Freeman · 04-12-2006, 07:24 PM

Whats up RT, I am moving back to Lauderdale the 13th of June. Can't wait to here all you guys out there. Its been too long.

View Poll Results: How does chum work for swordfishing?
It will draw in all fish species, based upon the smell.	0	0%
It will primarily draw in the bait fish, swordfish follow the bait.	5	62.50%
I don't use chum because it also draws sharks.	2	25.00%
I don't use chum because it is excessive expense for swordfishing	1	12.50%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll

04-10-2006, 01:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
RiskTaker Grander Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pompano Beach, Florida, USA Best Catch: Had one once, then she took the boat away Posts: 1,978	What is primary role of chum for swordfishing? I am fishing for some knowledge from the experienced swordfishing crowd. What is the main role of chum for swordfishing? Does chum act as an agent that will directly bring in the swordfish, by it's scent/particles alone)? (You see that they make a swordfish chum: this in essence is 100 % ground squid.) So is this just a marketing exploitation of squid or does it really draw in the swordfish? I certainly believe that chum will draw in more baitfish , like Tinkers, when they are around. In turn, with the presence of more concentrated tinkers, any nearby swordfish may swing by for a visit. But this description is an indirect effect. When using regular (fish-based) chum, will this also bring in more sharks than an unscented sea? I have certainly witnessed Mako shark homing in on a chum bag before. (Which is also a good time to take the bag out of the water unless you have a hook implanted in the bag. ) I am just curious because I have no definitive answer based upon my own experiences at this point.

04-10-2006, 03:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
CaptKen Hooked Up Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sunrise/Dania Fla. Occupation: Power Plant Control Room Operator Posts: 856	I dont use it because it draws these guys in that have been know to eat a sword. We need an anti-chum to chase the sharks away. __________________ http://home.comcast.net/~CaptKen1

04-10-2006, 07:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Captain Ollie Hooked Up Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Davie Florida Boat: 28 foot Kevlacat Best Catch: Strippers/Barely Legal Cheerleaders Occupation: Commercial tropical fish collector, lobster diver, bouy gear fisherman, 100ton captain Posts: 596	From my experience it doesn't really do much for attracting swordfish specifically. What it does do is bring in everything else with a good nose. So now you have your own mini bait ball surrounding your boat. It definitely gives you something interesting to look at while waiting for a hit. Whether or not this collection of bait brings in your apex preadator of choice is open for speculation. I always enjoy slaying the dolphin that seem to show up. AND if you get a school you have it all to yourself without having to worry about the "scavenger" boats that seem to come out of nowhere when you hit a school during the day. One thing I will say is that cleaning your swordfish out there does more to attract Makos than anything else you could do. Sword blood must just smell like candy to them. Of course its always a good idea to load the freezer up with those tinkers that show up in winter for use as a dead bait in summer. __________________ Remember that house you, or maybe your neighbor couldn't pay for? Well, now your gonna pay for it!!

04-12-2006, 08:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
J.P Freeman Hooked Up Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FLA Boat: 19 ft. Century Best Catch: 400 lbs. club Occupation: USCG Posts: 289	I am against chum. I always get the same result whether I chum or not. Just more money to spend on an already expensive addiction. __________________ If it ain't shartruse, it ain't no use.

04-10-2006, 04:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
Duke Hooked Up Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 271	Used mainly as an attractant for bait which in turn will attract swordfish. Thought is as the bait goes, so does the swordfish. Many religiously use and many do not. Chum use can increase the chances of sharks, but relatively speaking on the 50 line and out sharks are pretty infrequent. I never really bothered with it unless: 1) I want some tinkers for bait 2) Trying for a mako ( Then try getting out a couple of hours early with some sword remains)

04-10-2006, 06:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Another Grand Grander Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,103	I always chum everytime for 1 reason......dolphin. I have no idea what the effect of chum actually has on swordfish......but I do know that a couple of nice dolphin can make or break a trip out there and they always seem to find my boat when chumming. I rarely have a problem with sharks.....I catch them from time to time, but not any more so than other times I have fished without chum. My biggest dolphin have all came at night .

04-10-2006, 07:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chasin' Tales Lines In Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pensacola Posts: 44	What do y'all use for chum? Just the frozen blocks of chum in a chumbag? Next time I do a sword trip up here in the gulf, I plan on bringing some mendhaden to chunk/chum with during the night. Especially a couple hours prior to daybreak in hopes for some tuna.

04-11-2006, 11:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
JR.ANGLER 1 Lines In Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 5 6 ACE Boat: Goin' Raptor Posts: 71	Up here on the "Northern drift" We do not have as much bait or sharks (for example we NEVER get tinkers)... does anyone here think it would be more advantageous to chum?

04-12-2006, 08:45 AM	#11 (permalink)
RiskTaker Grander Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pompano Beach, Florida, USA Best Catch: Had one once, then she took the boat away Posts: 1,978	Your end result is always the same? JP: And what might that be: 3 fish in the boat? To chum or not to chum?

04-12-2006, 07:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
J.P Freeman Hooked Up Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FLA Boat: 19 ft. Century Best Catch: 400 lbs. club Occupation: USCG Posts: 289	Whats up RT, I am moving back to Lauderdale the 13th of June. Can't wait to here all you guys out there. Its been too long. __________________ If it ain't shartruse, it ain't no use.

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