Have been told by some not to post reports about Swordfishing, but this forum has been pretty quiet lately so what the hell.
Finally a break in the weather on the weekend and was ready to get the boat back fishing after a little time in the shop for a new lower end. Plan was to leave a Edisto at noon, troll till dusk and then drift for swords overnight. Good crew of 4- Dad, buddy from Beaufort and his 16 yo son. Even though I m the one with the Captains license, I am always demoted to first mate when Dad us on board, as it should be. Was anxious to try the sailfish bite that had been good by report. Had a number of knockdowns but no hookups. At least three were sails. Headed out to 1500ft and started first drift. Nice ocean. Past swordfish takes have been pretty subtle but not this one. Hammered th far line and the tug of war was on. Friends son strapped into the harness and got him to boatside where he was introduced to the business end of a couple of gaffs and pulled aboard. So cool seing them come up in the green light from the hydro glow with that huge bill. Meat on the deck halfway through the first drift but that was it for the night. First billfish for the young man. That’s what it’s all about. So thankful my 75 yo father can still make these kinds of trips.
Great post! Thanks for sharing. It’s been two years since I went. Can not beat the night sky out there! Very humbling. Love all the critters that come to the light around the boat.
If you have some good Electric Reels a daytime Swordfish trip is not out of the question.
“If Bruce Jenner can keep his wiener and be called a woman, I can keep my firearms and be considered disarmed.”
My light tackle only dad and I drifted the charleston bump from 8 to 6 am 3 weeks ago. After the trip i feel like i got my dad back. We used to travel all over the world fly fishing then life happened… We have landed silvers in Alaska and bones and tarpon in Belize. Whenever I brought up offshore fishing he would say “whats so fun about the boat catching the fish”? There is “no sport in that, son”. Fast forward 25 years and he is almost 78 years old. We have not been together on a boat in 10 years. He tried to weasel out several times. We used squid rigs at varying depths and had one slash a squid at 20 fathoms, but nothing else except for dolphin on the way out. It was great being out there with him because WE WERE forced to connect. He is not a big talker. IMO, that’s whats so great about sword fishing/offshore fishing. Its a great way to re acquaint with the folks we love. I am greatful he is still ticking too. I converted a light line guy to an offshore also guy. GREAT JOB, I cant wait to get one off SC.
J. Simmons
captainclayton@yahoo
239 Key West FS 300
my name is thomas , currently have been working on a boat out of miami for 11 years, and now have the opportunity to come up and fish out of Charleston and was wondering if anyone could give me some guidance on the sword fishing , down here we fish the drop off in 14-2000 feet and fish some structure wether it is holes or hills. would like to come up and daytime for them. does anyone have some info they wouldn’t mind sharing, i am not asking for numbers just need to be in the general area so i can get it figured out.
Yes and no. Yes he is commercial. No, he said he specifically didnt want exact numbahs. I on the other hand have no problem supplying swordfish numbahs to the general public. Here ya go: 25.7617° N, 80.1918° W
I wish my Dad was still here to fish with. I’d do it at every opportunity.
how far out is 1500 ft if I may ask?