Rolled outta Dewees at 2pm on Tuesday after capt. Corey Hexter postponed our trip by contributing to the Jacksonboro municipality at the tune of $350(79mph in a 50)(“It was 69 in a 60!!”). Anticipating my first swordfishing trip to be a “Chalk this one up as a learning experience,” I kept questioning Corey, “Do you really think we’ll catch one?” He confidently assured us, “100%!”
Cruised at 30 kts with my loyal fishing companions, Chad Plott and Hamp Culler, new co-owner of Lowcountry Pools and Spas(and grills/smokers), and arrived with plenty of time to check out the drift and scout out the area. We then deployed four lines, balloons, glow sticks, hydroglow lights, etc. and watched the sun drop. Pretty surreal experience observing squid, flying fish and sharks lingering in the flourescent halo of green light in pitch black dark and 2000 feet of water. After an hour and half, the first fish hit battling me with the toughest 45 minutes with a 150 lb fish I’ve ever experienced. We wired him alongside and Hamp harpooned my first swordfish of my life! In total disbelief, we celebrated like we won the Powerball! After five more hours, three more swordies(including Chad’s keeper that came less than 6 inches from spearing me in the neck), a 1 1/2 hour battle with a 500 lb bronze whaler shark, and another 200 lb shark, we settled in for a nap.
Slow from midnight until 3, when I jumped out of my sleeping bag onto the deck to the screaming of a clicker going off! Fought a 150-200 pounder for about 45 minutes to within 45 feet of the boat and a shark bit off the weight and cut him off. Hamp and Chad caught two more swordies including another keeper that we gaffed. At 5:00, we decided to reel ‘em up and head to the rip we saw in 300’ on the way out. Fished the rip with two bites over a two hour period then rolled to the ledge. Fished the ledge amongst hundreds of small flyers without even a king or barracuda strike. Pulled 'em up at 10:15 and headed for home.
Rolled 32 knots and hit the dock at noon with
congrats! nice fish. how deep we’re yall while swordfishing? watertemp?
any pics?
sorry, i see now u said 2000ft
Mel, that is awesome… I keep saying I’m going to go try it, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I’m assuming y’all were way south, especially for those of us up here in Murrells Inlet… were you all the way to the Bump? Any help would be appreciated.
Ryan
Worldcat 266SF “Little Miracle”
Garden City Beach
Outstanding report.
Shame about the run-in with Jacksonboro’s finest.
Luke 8:22-25
nice…what was the length?
Awesome job guys. Can’t wait to see some pics.
Don’t forget to report them. We recs need credit on every pound we catch so they don’t turn our quota over to the Longliners.
Phenominal. Congratulations on the fish.
Good deal Mel… that is pretty ■■■■ cool…
This is not a chawade…
We need total concentwation…
man, thats incredible.
Reading that makes me want to get back out and try again. We caught a pup this summer, bud had numerous bites.
Again, great trip, thats a trip of a lifetime.
lookatya
Wow! Fish story of the year! Great job
Capt. Mel,
What an awesome experience! I could not believe how good the bite turned out to be. Nor could I believe THE FIGHTING POWER of the fish that we caught. They make some powerful runs that leave you hanging on…and then they show you their next gear!!! Thanks again for an incredible trip. I can’t wait to try it again sometime(or to try some of our fresh swordie steaks cooked on the ceramic grill).
Hamp
Now all I need is to get Scotty to Get the HONDA out there!
“you’re gonna need a bigger boat”
Thanks for an incredible trip, and please thank Corey again for all of his help and knowledge he shared. Hopefully the local tackle shops will take note, and stock a few swordfish flags. Those rags may not fly for too many trips. I can’t believe you still want to sell such an incredible boat. I left you a message earlier- email or call me with your Med recipe when you get a chance.
Sellsfish- Scott had an invite for this trip. He just didn’t believe in me.
His loss…
I am chomping at the bit to hang another sword!! I want a big chunk of pumpkin sword for the grill!
“you’re gonna need a bigger boat”
Awsome pics and congrats on the trip! Makes me want to go out real bad!
Awesome catch. It’s great to see they are still in the area. We tried in august but no takers, but will have to give it a go as soon as the weather will lay down. (Looking at the crystal ball): what day.
I’d like to exchange some ideals on the leaders, depth, what to look for etc. Congradulation again.
Tight lines.
well i know what im doing this weekend
capt. joshua sigler
Sigler’s fishing adventures
(843)816-3625
2660 sailfish(Split-Tail)
26 angler panga diesel(Screw-Tail)
New to the site ! Awesome report on the Swords! I’m not to familiar with this Area ( Live in VA ) Is this a Charter boat or Private boat you were out on ? Reason I ask is I am very interested in finding a good Charter for Swords in your area ! Any Help would be greatly appreciated:smiley: By the way if anyone is interested , there were 3 confirmed Giant Bluefin Tuna Landed today in Morehead City ( low to mid 80’s in length ) I,m headed down this week , Good water Temp & alot of Bait! Come on down & get you some!!! 