Where to go?

[cuonawv]

New to the swordfish hunt - Where do I go - from the sounds of it, everyone seems to "stick together" out there. Just head 11-18nm's out SE of PE and look for the lights?? Is the an unwritten distance rule to keep from one another? radio traffic on 69-74?

I've read some previous post as to which gear to works best - for the time being, I will be attempting this with TLD-25's with 40 braided. (This will have to do until next payday). I've got some rigging idea's and captured some good suggestions from previous posts -

Also - Just in case I do get lucky - I know the limit is 47" fm btm jaw to fork and one per boat - What does a 47" fish equate to in weight and is that really a keeper?


After 6 years of dragging dead baits inshore and pulling 2lb groupers off the reef. Can't tell you how excited I am about doing something different - It's my own little fishing revival.. :razz:


Thanks,
"cuonawv"

[cuonawv]

Since you're drifting out in the middle of nowhere for so long - what do you guys do as far as safety measures to ensure you don't get smacked down by one of those big boys? Run nav lights all night? Anyone use radar reflectors? any other suggestions? How busy is it out there?

[Mike]

The best advice I can give you is do what I did and hire one of the pro's to take you out or get one of the guys here to come out with you...

It will save you tons of trail and error!!!

As for where to setup.. between 900 and 1500 ft of water is pretty good right about now...

Your tld 25's spooled with braid will work.. atleast you'll get one on.. depending on your angling skills will see if you land it or not...

Stick to dead bait ie. Squid for your first few times out...

Fish the drags around 12-15lbs...

Check out the rigging section on this site...

Hope this helps

Mike

[RiskTaker]

Cuonawv:

Sounds like you are asking the right questions.

For the spots: you can pick a wide open spot around a group of boats for lack of any better knowledge. In time you may find a few preferences. But I would suggest that you pick up a home Port Chart Map #35 accompanied with a practical GPS and start picking out some areas with structure: peeks or vallies or both (around the 50 long. line). Sometimes boats are just farther east. You will catch a fish. Try to have as much consideration as possible: Don't cut in front of someone's drift by setting up in front of them and try to allow at least a quarter mile (440 yds.) separation. Some anglers may have their far balloon more than 100 yds. back. And you may hear someone on the VHF asking the encroaching boat to check their far balloon baits: that is a perfect time to move away a little bit more before setting out your lines.

Rarely will you have a problem with a ship out there while you are drifting; although, awareness of all ships around you is something you should never dismiss for granted. Your greatest hazard will likely be from fellow swordfishermen that are lightless: No anchor light, no navs., no hydraglow and no lighted balloons. I don't know if it is conservation of battery power or the belief that nobody can spot their "special" location. For those that are working their radar, their position is not secret. But if piloting by dead reckoning on simply a waypoint, that lightless boat is a navigational hazard (worthy of a ticket if you ask me). Nobody wants to crack hulls while out there to have a good time.

(A little pointer I learned from Joe by practical application. Always have extra red and green cyalumes in the box. If your nav. lights should burn out "or not be on", you can always attach a pair to the bow railing with a rubber band as a make shift solution)

You'll catch one eventually. Remember to get your Federal fisheries permit for your vessel and you must report any keeper sized fish you put into the boat. http://www.nmfspermits.com/ and an article about reporting: http://www.swordfishingcentral.com/f...nformation.htm