swording the Key Largo

[lopezmj10]

I have been acquiring and preparing my gear for Swordfishing (so far 2 Penn int'l 50 wides & 1 int'l 30 wide 2 speed). Having a been a member for a little while of this forum has also helped me pick up a lot of pointers & so forth in my preparation. My boat is located in upper Key Largo & that is where I do all my fishing. I would like some advice as to what areas I should begin my search in the upper keys & would also be willing to invite helpful individuals along on my initial swordfishing trip. I am hoping to make my first trip in early to mid march.

THanks in advance.

[Capt'n Shane]

I got my best two swords down there. There is some good contour and ridges straight out. Buy the swordfish chart #35 (I believe) and study the bottom. Take a good look at rochers ridge. You will figure it out real quick. I am up for a trip anytime. Never sworded on anyone else boat.

[miamiangler1]

Originally Posted by Capt'n Shane

I got my best two swords down there. There is some good contour and ridges straight out. Buy the swordfish chart #35 (I believe) and study the bottom. Take a good look at rochers ridge. You will figure it out real quick. I am up for a trip anytime. Never sworded on anyone else boat.

Rochers ridge is a good place to start , but it is about 14 miles north& 14miles east of Key largo ..strait out of black point ... I`m not sure where you are in key largo but I would start my drift at the south tip ...25-17-652...79-57-419...thats in 2300ft of water at the west wall ... thats 11nm from the whistle bouy red#4... set up there and drift north ... you should be able to run in to some humps .. you can then go in shallow1100-1500ft as you drift north and hit rochers ridge... but I would also recomend getting a sword chart for your area #35 is for the miami area north .. look at chart #38 and see which one would work best for you ...Willi

[B767]

Miami 1 Pardon my ignorance. Im a newbie when it comes to swords. When you guys mention sword charts, where can you get those. BTW Can you get those charts on a chip in order to use them in our GPS or is it a strictly paper NOA charts? Thx in advan ced.

[miamiangler1]

Originally Posted by B767

Miami 1 Pardon my ignorance. Im a newbie when it comes to swords. When you guys mention sword charts, where can you get those. BTW Can you get those charts on a chip in order to use them in our GPS or is it a strictly paper NOA charts? Thx in advan ced.

They are the Home port charts .they are waterproof ... charts helped me with deep dropping and swording .... you can get them at capt Harry`s .. or dusky marine in dania ... probably would have them at the boat show if you are going there ..

[B767]

Thanks a lot. I ll give it a shot Monday at the MBS....

[christopherkeene9]

Just out of curiosity do they make these sword charts for Marathon/Key West?

[Disco Lady]

BLUEMARLINCHRONICLES.COM Sells Them.

[lopezmj10]

Thanks for the info Miami 1. You have definitely given me a great place to start. I have been looking at some charts but I have not seen that chart #38. I have only seen charts for the Miami Area.

Let me ask another question, do you guys use a drift sock to slow down your drift?

Thanks again.

[lopezmj10]

Capt shane we should discuss the possibility of goig out further. Disco Lady might want to go also.

Thanks.

[snooknreds2]

Originally Posted by lopezmj10

Thanks for the info Miami 1. You have definitely given me a great place to start. I have been looking at some charts but I have not seen that chart #38. I have only seen charts for the Miami Area.

Let me ask another question, do you guys use a drift sock to slow down your drift?

Thanks again.

yea use the sock to slow your self own. also you can use it to get your boat to drift sides ways or a better spread by placing it on the bow or stern cleat depending on your boa and the dift

[JupiterSailfish]

Originally Posted by snooknreds2

yea use the sock to slow your self own. also you can use it to get your boat to drift sides ways or a better spread by placing it on the bow or stern cleat depending on your boa and the dift

It helps, but if you can use you turn your engines until you drift sideways, it will be a lot easier if you hook up on a fish. Then you don't have to worry about a drift sock in the water.

Good Luck, looking forward to the pictures of the slob Swordies your going to start catching.

[snooknreds2]

Originally Posted by JupiterSailfish

It helps, but if you can use you turn your engines until you drift sideways, it will be a lot easier if you hook up on a fish. Then you don't have to worry about a drift sock in the water.

Good Luck, looking forward to the pictures of the slob Swordies your going to start catching.

Jupiter..... use the sock and your motors. when you get a fish on tight the first thing to come up is the sock. grab it by the trip line and it comes in no problem

[Disco Lady]

CONO!!!!!!!! Nice groupers,mike

[miamiangler1]

Originally Posted by lopezmj10

Thanks for the info Miami 1. You have definitely given me a great place to start. I have been looking at some charts but I have not seen that chart #38. I have only seen charts for the Miami Area.

Let me ask another question, do you guys use a drift sock to slow down your drift?

Thanks again.

Your welcome .. lopezmj10... Captn Shane is a great guy .. he got me my firs t sword .. it turned out to be a fun trip !as for the chart ..you can get it in capt harry`s ... I have seen it .. my interest was mainly for deepdropping on the humps in the keys ... only thing they are much shallower there ...400-700ft ... I think your best drift would be north ...to rosher`s ridge ..only thing it would be a long run home for you ...but hopfully youll get a sword ! I have drift sock in my boat but rarely use it .. I just use my engines to turn the boat ....Willi

[lopezmj10]

I think I will try without the drift sock. I use my engines to fine tune my placement when bottom fishing & maybe I can do the same for drifting. I Have my boat rigged with rod holders specifically for drifting the full length.

I priced out drift socks at the show for my boat at $250. Too many other things to buy right now.

[Ivan11]

my parachute anchor was 450, fiorintino, 9ft parachute for a 21ft boat. worth every penny it costs.

[snooknreds2]

Originally Posted by Ivan11

my parachute anchor was 450, fiorintino, 9ft parachute for a 21ft boat. worth every penny it costs.

ivan your sea anchor was $450 or $45???

[snooknreds2]

Originally Posted by lopezmj10

I think I will try without the drift sock. I use my engines to fine tune my placement when bottom fishing & maybe I can do the same for drifting. I Have my boat rigged with rod holders specifically for drifting the full length.

I priced out drift socks at the show for my boat at $250. Too many other things to buy right now.

lopez you dont want to have to use the power of your motors to position your self. all you do is turn the motors all the way in a particular direction and the water flowing over them as you drift still causes enough drag to turn the boat a little bit. so if the bow needs to go to the starboard side turn the motors the direction that you would turn them if you were running full speed and wanted to turn to the right. you dont want to have your motors running the wwhole time your out there so to even further turn the boat people use the sock. you can get a cheap azz one from Bass Pro for like $50 i think. It will be a little bit smaller than the one that is $250 but its better than nothing

[Ivan11]

$450.00 bucks total with the tripline and anchor