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SUBJECT: # 39089: Swordfish at orange beach
Submitted by Bird (68.191.132.39) from ALABAMA on 4/11/04 8:10:00 PM
I noticed that there is a Swordfish Tournament out of Orange Beach, AL. this year. Has anyone heard of any swordfish being caught of the Alabama coast?
- 4/12/04 10:26:00 AM
Submitted by
brian (24.53.103.105) from GEORGIA says Gulf coast
about 50 miles south of orange beach(which is right next to pensacola) is desoto canyon which quickly reaches depths of 6000+ feet of water. The upper edge of the canyon is known as the nipple which is 600 to 1000 feet and can be found about 35 or 40 miles out. I do not have a vessel large enough to go 50 miles out in the dark so I have never personally caught a sword but I have heard some of the big guns in Destin( which is where I usually fish) talk about runs to the canyon (which is another few miles and southwest instead of south from destin) and landing wahoo,tuna, and bills by day and swords by night. If you need another for that tourney let me know as I have accurate coordinates and charts to the entire area as well as a strong desire to both tournament fish and catch a swordfish.
- 4/12/04 12:44:00 PM
Submitted by
klevin (65.81.230.45) from ALABAMA says swordfish
What size boat would you recommend to fish 50miles offshore at night?
- 4/12/04 7:00:00 PM
Submitted by
Carl (65.138.111.248) from ALABAMA says A big one.
I would say nothing less than 30' with twins, lots of fuel, radar, good radio, lighted cockpit, cabin with bunks and a lot of anchor line just in case.Most guys I know of who go overnight charter a boat.
- 4/13/04 11:52:00 PM
Submitted by
brian (24.53.103.247) from GEORGIA says big ones
30 to 35 ft is definately minimum I would venture that far offshore in and agree with the lots of fuel, cockpit lights, spreader lights, radio, and radar but what good is an anchor going to do you in 100 fathoms of water?
- 4/14/04 7:08:00 PM
Submitted by
Carl (65.138.110.96) from ALABAMA says Good point, I guess once you get past 600', anchor aint much good!
A sea anchor, though, would let you control your drift once the engines died.
- 4/19/04 10:27:00 AM
Submitted by
Snapper Slapper (66.0.237.178) from ALABAMA says Newer Improved Technology
Many smaller boats now are capable of making the run to fish bluewater safely. Size is not as much a concern as is equipment and fuel. If the boat has radar and radio (with good antennae) and the fuel capacity to make it out there and back, and have some fuel as a safety margin, size has little to do with it (within reason). Twin engines are definitely a plus. There are MANY boats in the mid 20' range that meet that criteria. We fish up to 100 miles out in boats less than 30' regular, as do quite a few others.As for swordfish, they are out there. Our biggest ever is 156#s to date, but we're still looking to break the Alabama record of only 225#.
- 4/20/04 3:06:00 PM
Submitted by
whoorig (208.61.188.202) from ALABAMA says Hey Snapper Slapper
Hey Snapper Slapper, what water depth do you fish in when you catch swordfish?
- 4/22/04 9:14:00 PM
Submitted by
jack (68.11.102.215) from LOUISIANA says swordfish Tactics
i'm fishing green canyon. 3,000+ ft of water...i want to try to catch a swordfish...i've heard of occasional swordfish catches...however, i don't think anyone targets them over here. i need help with technique...what bait, what tackle, how & when to fish....We've got the tuna, dolphin, wahoo, aj figured out...now want to target swordfish.
- 4/23/04 8:50:00 AM
Submitted by
brian (24.53.103.247) from GEORGIA says swordfish tactics
Hey Jack refer to dec. 2003 Fla. Sportsmen and their is a great article on swordfish tactics. The author of the article uses a combination of whole squid and live bait, then sets up his drift with a sea anchor. He places 5 lines out strategically ranging from 100 to 300 feet deep and keeps track of the lines using glow sticks in gallon milk jugs. Make sure you have an HMS(highly migratory species) permit which you can obtain by going to www.nmfspermits.com (national marine fisheries service).the author says to look for rapid contour changes(a few hundred feet in less than one mile) anywhere from 1000 to 2000 feet.
- 5/11/04 11:19:00 AM
Submitted by
Snapper Slapper (66.0.237.178) from ALABAMA says 2800-6000' of Water
We'll usually put the baits down 100'-300'.
