A member recently contaced me with a bunch of questions similar to what I have been getting recently. I figured I'd post the convo. I'm no expert, but I hope it helps some of you guys connect with Elvis.
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Hey Ali,
Been watching a lot of your swordfish videos, on top of reading articles. Wondering if you can school me on a couple of things and maybe critique my current tackle?
Penn International 50 Baker/Toplesss 2 speed filled with 65 lb j braid
75' 200lb mono windon leader with wax loop right above the 300 lb diamond barrel swivel
3 promar lights
5lbs lead to 5' 200 lb mono and hand line clip 5"/swivel
6' 300 lb mono bite leader with 9/0 Mustad 7691dt
Connections done with crimps
Questions:
I fish my little whaler montauk that has rod holders at 45 degrees and I'll attach a leash. Is a bent butt a must?
I have a 6'6" calstar grafighter rated 60-100lb, would this work without a roller tip?
I plan on scouting the 14 MB, Avalon Bank, and maybe right outside the outter rigs by the shipping lanes where it drops off quickly. When I find the DSL, how far below and/or above do you fish it?
How many pounds of drag at strike?
Any info would be greatly appreciated,
Nick
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Your setup looks good.
I use 80# braid and a 60' leader but what you have should be fine. Since we aren't fishing as deep as the florida guys, We want a little heavier line just in case and you don't spend as much spooling up the reel.
I use a Lindgren Pitman disco light clipped to the sinker lead and put 2 diamond lights above the swivel for the bait leader about 6' apart.
I think your weight is light. We are using 8-12# based on drift and how many rods we run (2-3). If you do go to 2 setups put a lighter weight on your bobber rod so you get better spread between the lines.
We use 11/0 7691s on the tip rod because we will tease the fish. If you're getting whacked, wind it away from them (like 30-50 cranks). This gets them fired up. If they whack it again, lower it slowly to simulate a dead bait sinking out. More times than not they will swing around and eat it without whacking it again.
On the bobber rod, I run circle hooks. I can't tease that bait so I'm hoping they hook themselves.
I'd almost say a bent butt is a must. Once bit you're most likely going to fight it from the rod holder and you want a lower angle to the rod. Not that a straight butt won't work, but I wouldn't use one.
The rod also might be a bit light. you want about 18-24" of soft tip and then a heavy backbone. Rail rod blanks are perfect for this. You want the tip to be able to absorb the shock of the heavyweight gradually and also be able to see the bites. Again, your setup will work but might not have the tip or backbone I'd want. These bastards usually pull hard and for a long time. Like nothing you've seen before. Too light of a rod and you're gonna be there for a long time. Every passing minute hooked up lowers the probability of getting a fish in the boat.
The locations you list are all known sword spots. I look at structure first, then comb it hard looking for the thickest DSL and sometimes fish marks. Commercial guys also catch them off heavy temp/Chloro breaks, but I haven't had the confidence to do that.
Focus your baits at 800-1100' feet. Tagging science has shown us that this is where they spend the vast majority of their time. We have gotten bites deeper and shallower but I won't mess with any depth outside that range anymore.
I fish heavier drag than most. If I'm gonna pull a hook, let's get it over with right away. I like 18-20 at strike and about 26 at sunset. If you get them in the corner of the mouth, you can pull as hard as you like. It's like a leather glove. The problem is they are clumsy eaters and get snagged in the head and fins a lot. Like I said, if I'm going to pull a hook, let's get it over with ASAP and not boat side 2 hours later.
The biggest tip I can give you is to put in your time. Beyond solid rigging and gear, details aren't super important. They are big, stupid catfish. They aren't finicky eaters and don't care what pound leader you are using. Put time in fishing in known spots with good dsl and you will get a fish. You can stack the deck by fishing hard on the days leading up to a full moon. You will miss fish and pull hooks. Just part of the game. Grind and you will be rewarded.
Best of luck amigo.
=======
Hey Ali,
Been watching a lot of your swordfish videos, on top of reading articles. Wondering if you can school me on a couple of things and maybe critique my current tackle?
Penn International 50 Baker/Toplesss 2 speed filled with 65 lb j braid
75' 200lb mono windon leader with wax loop right above the 300 lb diamond barrel swivel
3 promar lights
5lbs lead to 5' 200 lb mono and hand line clip 5"/swivel
6' 300 lb mono bite leader with 9/0 Mustad 7691dt
Connections done with crimps
Questions:
I fish my little whaler montauk that has rod holders at 45 degrees and I'll attach a leash. Is a bent butt a must?
I have a 6'6" calstar grafighter rated 60-100lb, would this work without a roller tip?
I plan on scouting the 14 MB, Avalon Bank, and maybe right outside the outter rigs by the shipping lanes where it drops off quickly. When I find the DSL, how far below and/or above do you fish it?
How many pounds of drag at strike?
Any info would be greatly appreciated,
Nick
===========
Your setup looks good.
I use 80# braid and a 60' leader but what you have should be fine. Since we aren't fishing as deep as the florida guys, We want a little heavier line just in case and you don't spend as much spooling up the reel.
I use a Lindgren Pitman disco light clipped to the sinker lead and put 2 diamond lights above the swivel for the bait leader about 6' apart.
I think your weight is light. We are using 8-12# based on drift and how many rods we run (2-3). If you do go to 2 setups put a lighter weight on your bobber rod so you get better spread between the lines.
We use 11/0 7691s on the tip rod because we will tease the fish. If you're getting whacked, wind it away from them (like 30-50 cranks). This gets them fired up. If they whack it again, lower it slowly to simulate a dead bait sinking out. More times than not they will swing around and eat it without whacking it again.
On the bobber rod, I run circle hooks. I can't tease that bait so I'm hoping they hook themselves.
I'd almost say a bent butt is a must. Once bit you're most likely going to fight it from the rod holder and you want a lower angle to the rod. Not that a straight butt won't work, but I wouldn't use one.
The rod also might be a bit light. you want about 18-24" of soft tip and then a heavy backbone. Rail rod blanks are perfect for this. You want the tip to be able to absorb the shock of the heavyweight gradually and also be able to see the bites. Again, your setup will work but might not have the tip or backbone I'd want. These bastards usually pull hard and for a long time. Like nothing you've seen before. Too light of a rod and you're gonna be there for a long time. Every passing minute hooked up lowers the probability of getting a fish in the boat.
The locations you list are all known sword spots. I look at structure first, then comb it hard looking for the thickest DSL and sometimes fish marks. Commercial guys also catch them off heavy temp/Chloro breaks, but I haven't had the confidence to do that.
Focus your baits at 800-1100' feet. Tagging science has shown us that this is where they spend the vast majority of their time. We have gotten bites deeper and shallower but I won't mess with any depth outside that range anymore.
I fish heavier drag than most. If I'm gonna pull a hook, let's get it over with right away. I like 18-20 at strike and about 26 at sunset. If you get them in the corner of the mouth, you can pull as hard as you like. It's like a leather glove. The problem is they are clumsy eaters and get snagged in the head and fins a lot. Like I said, if I'm going to pull a hook, let's get it over with ASAP and not boat side 2 hours later.
The biggest tip I can give you is to put in your time. Beyond solid rigging and gear, details aren't super important. They are big, stupid catfish. They aren't finicky eaters and don't care what pound leader you are using. Put time in fishing in known spots with good dsl and you will get a fish. You can stack the deck by fishing hard on the days leading up to a full moon. You will miss fish and pull hooks. Just part of the game. Grind and you will be rewarded.
Best of luck amigo.
