[gman]

I wish I could give a better report but my jigging portion of the trip was fruitless. I arrived in Miami to spend some time with the wife and get in a day of fishing. The plan was to leave around 3pm and spend the first 2 hours jigging for AJ's and then go offshore for swordfish.

Jigging

We arrived to the first wreck in 250' of water the first drop I got nailed on the way down but failed to get a solid hookset so I dropped back again as we were marking a tremedous amount of fish but I could get any intrest.

Changed out the jigs over the next 2 hours on 3 wrecks, marked fish thick but couldnt manage anything other than a amsall alamo jack and a mystery knockdown that almost tore the rod from my hands. Jigging with Wei World 48XXH was a joy, the lightest rod I have ever used. Very upsetting as I ahave never been shut out while jigging but i guess shit happens

Swording

Headed offshore and set up on the 50 line for swords, set out 5 rods at various depths with both live bait and squid. At 6:30pm a lonely mahi ventured around the boat so I threw him a lively and just as they were gaffing him I saw the jug and glow stick racing across the surface. Dropped the Mahi rod and reeled tight on the 80w and I was on. The tip rod also went off so we had 2 on. The tip rod fish was probably a shark as it severed the line quickly. I battled my fish for about 20 minutes as it was the long rod before he got to the boat, once he said hello he took a long dep run but shortly afterwards he had a gaff stuck in his head. Fought him with about 20lbs of drag the whole time

He taped out at 69" to the bottom bill, estimating in the 150 range. I called it at 9:30pm so I could get back to town early and enjoy our last night out before we left today

The guy I go out with is regarded as one of the best sword captains nationwide. He is one of the first to execute the daytime sword bite in Florida, he is killing huge swords during the day in the last 3 weeks he has landed 4 over 350, a 490, a 560 and a 590 all in 2,000 feet of water.

I am going down over easter break and Anthony and I are going out with him for 3 days for daytime swording. Enjoy the pictures

 

[MrBill]

Very nice. How's the sword fishing during Jan and Feb in Miami? If you don't want to post the Capt's name, please PM me with the info. I should have some free time around then and would love to go out with him.

 

[Guest]

great report and photo's. thanks for taking the time to post. as mrbill stated if you don't mind post up the captians contact information so others on this site might book him....rick

 

[ksong]

Swordfishing is very good out of Miami or Keys year round.
I also plan to go down to Miami for swordfishing in winter as I don't expect giant bluefin tuna fishing out of NC is good this year.
One boat out of Virginia had 12 swordfish at Norfolk Canyon last week.

 

[jaredchasteen]

Gman,
congrats bro thats a nice fish. who did you go with.

Mr. Bill i will be in south fla the second half of feb and would be down to split a charter.



I was going to try and catch a ride with someone on sfc, but i have made some comments about fishing electrics for swords. They dont like that. Many think it is ok because they dont want to crank that much line in. The major difference down there is they constantly have a 3-4 knot current to contend with.

 

[bpitcher]

Awesome report! Someday I'll get a swordy...

 

[rhale]

Great report GMAN. To bad you couldnt any action on the jigs but I would be happy with that Sword any day..

 

[gman]

In all honesty, Kilsong wil attest to this. I stick to certain captains and dont waiver. I have fished with him 4 times this past year and he is amazing. He is one of the only guys who is fishing during the day as well dropping 2,000 feet and connecting with massive fish over 500 lbs or the night time adventure is something not to be missed.

His name is Dean Panos, he is a great captain & contributing editor that writes for all the florida sportsman magazine. I would highly suggest anyone who wants a sword to call him. His track record speaks for itself. He runs a brand new 34' Sea Vee, uses all high end Alutecnos 80W's on brand new custom biscayne rods

Swording is a year round business down there, they stopped long lining so teh fish are there. He is also amazing at sailfishing as well. during a 3 day sailfish trip we went 20 for 25 and smoked everyone in the tourney

***tell him your a friend of Glenn Kross, he is very affordable as well here is his web site and contact info

Double D South Florida Fishing Charters - Miami, FL

 

[gman]

Thanks guys, much appreciated. There is a huge debate about daytime swording with electrics. I personally can make an arguement either way. People dont like change and are always first in line to bash new techniques.

Lets face it, technology is everywhere so I say dont be so quick to condem people for using electrics unless your not using any of these items ...new boats, newer engines, fish finders, gps, the new 2 speed reels, rods. No many people hand lining swords now adays. To each there own, you still need to manage the electric reels drag, and the wiring and subduing s the same. Reeling up a 15lb lead from 2,000 feet with an empty bait gets tired reel quick. Personally I would like to do battle with a regular rod and reel but Im not passing judgement. The charter business is about putting meat on the deck and creating a great experience for your clients.

nighttime is regular style, daytime Dean has both techniques manual or electric. the fish are definatel much bigger during the day no doubt about it

 

[jaredchasteen]

Glen,

It is fair to pass judgement on people using electrics....I give you permission. The electronic gps argument is a lame one...no offense to you. The Swordfish is the top of the food chain is is not meant to be taken on electric. Why dont we use electrics to catch marlin at the reef, or tuna at the lump. Because it isnt sporting. The guys in venenzuela have been hand crankin em for years. I have never cranked in 2000 feet of line but i know it isnt fun. Thats what makes it a feat to catch one anytime putting in the effort to kill it.

I agree charters are about meat most of the time, but bringing in a 550# fish on an lp is not sporting at all. Maybe the real pioneers of this fishery in the keys kept it secret for a reason. Once every asshole with $$$ goes and buys a set of electrics the 550 pounders are ther no more. A 550 pound swordie should make you work untill you beg you friends to take over. Also the reason the big un are there is they are spawning. But for some reason the fish taken during the day are bigger.

Dont mean to hijack this thread, as i said congrats you caught this sword the reel way. Dont take my comment personally please. I feel very strongly about fishing electrics for pelagics.

 

[CaptEddie]

Im with Jared. No electrics for swords. If your going to get a sword on my boat you are going to earn it. Definitly will use the electrics for deep dropping for groupers though

 

[gman]

Glen,

It is fair to pass judgement on people using electrics....I give you permission. The electronic gps argument is a lame one...no offense to you. The Swordfish is the top of the food chain is is not meant to be taken on electric. Why dont we use electrics to catch marlin at the reef, or tuna at the lump. Because it isnt sporting. The guys in venenzuela have been hand crankin em for years. I have never cranked in 2000 feet of line but i know it isnt fun. Thats what makes it a feat to catch one anytime putting in the effort to kill it.

I agree charters are about meat most of the time, but bringing in a 550# fish on an lp is not sporting at all. Maybe the real pioneers of this fishery in the keys kept it secret for a reason. Once every asshole with $$$ goes and buys a set of electrics the 550 pounders are ther no more. A 550 pound swordie should make you work untill you beg you friends to take over. Also the reason the big un are there is they are spawning. But for some reason the fish taken during the day are bigger.

Dont mean to hijack this thread, as i said congrats you caught this sword the reel way. Dont take my comment personally please. I feel very strongly about fishing electrics for pelagics.

Jared,

Its Ok, consider my thread officially hijacked ha ha LOL To each there own my friend, like I said previously, and I really dont care if you think my anology is a lame one about gps and electronics...no offense to you. I wouldnt go around calling everyone assholes that buy an electric. Just not cool, nor is it to throw stones although everyone has the right to an opinion. This captain is a good friend of mine and one of the best period. Like I said "you can do the night time gig, or the daytime either manual or electric" I was just posting my personal opinion that I dont have issue with what others are doing becuase there are many ways to fish

My son intends on breaking the JWR swordfish during the day this year but manual and it will be broken on his boat becuase I believe in him and his abilities to do it

 

[SpecialK]

Agreed, though you would never see me using and electric, that doest mean that nobody can...

 

[jaredchasteen]

Glen,

I didnt call everyone that owns electrics assholes, but anyone with the ching can now go catch em.... at least land them. I know people with electrics and they arent assholes. Using them on tilefish ajs snapper whatever just not on PELAGICS.
Like i said dont take it personally, as i know you and your son are hardcore. Good luck to him i am sure he can make it happen. No offense to your friend either but i do question his techniques. If he doesnt offer the trips someone else will.