Swordin' on Betty B Sunday night

Chris V · 09-07-2010, 10:09 AM

Had my dad in town so I wanted to introduce him to swordfishing with Philip, Alan and myself on board. The original plan was to leave about 4-4:30PM and get out for an hour or two of deep dropping and then at sundown motor to where we needed to be for some swordfishing but after the circus at the marina Sunday afternoon we didn't get fueled and iced in time and left around 5:30. It was a little choppy about 25 miles out from some passing storms but other than that it was pretty calm. Got to our deep drop spots right at dark and only caught one barrelfish on the first drop and nothing on the second so went ahead and went to our sword spot. Put out 5 lines and 45 minutes into the drift, one of the baits at 200' got nailed and started to smoke some line. The fish came straight to the surface and with the LED light on the surface we watched him do a big wide circle at 25+knots and then charge straight at us. Alan reeled like hell to keep tight and didn't get there until the fish was 30ft from the boat. After that it was a stalemate within 50-60ft from the boat for another 20 minutes with the fish doing a bunch of short runs and Alan unable to really gain anything. On top of that the fish tangled with another line that I was unable to clear in time but by keeping our heads about us we used the other rod as if it was hooked to the fish too and managed to play him up and get a gaff in the 120-130lb sword. It ended up being our only bite that night and after seas picked up around 4:00AM we decided to head in.

We did 2 drifts and on the first drift we marked squid deep and had many in the lights and on the second drift we saw none.

Philip has pics so I can't post them yet

Chris

MSYellowfin · 09-07-2010, 10:18 AM

Very nice Chris, I would have been chunkin the poon at him during that stand off as that's always good for a few laughs! Nice, report, now go find those pics!!!

Robert

Bub · 09-07-2010, 11:46 AM

Nice job!!

PURPLE HAZE · 09-07-2010, 11:58 AM

Very nice on the post. A swordfish will make the night for sure.Glad you were able to show you dad the sword. What a great memory that night will make. Gene

Sunshine17 · 09-07-2010, 12:40 PM

Great report. I imagine it was a beautiful fish. Congrats

Chris V · 09-07-2010, 01:13 PM

I'll try to get some pics up later. He was missing the last third or so of his bill which he must of broken off earlier in his life. That thing was stubbed and curved

MSYellowfin · 09-07-2010, 02:33 PM

Oh...you caught a "mentally challenged" sword!

team_A_II · 09-07-2010, 02:48 PM

Nice going Betty B, we were out there Saturday night and went 0 for 2....

Fiver · 09-07-2010, 03:11 PM

sounds like a quality fish, Chris. Thanks for the report!

sail7seas · 09-08-2010, 10:31 PM

congrats on the sword chris. i bet one of those makes the whole night worth it.

09-07-2010, 10:09 AM	#1
Chris V Squid technician Blue Marlin Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: foley, Al Posts: 4,189	Swordin' on Betty B Sunday night Had my dad in town so I wanted to introduce him to swordfishing with Philip, Alan and myself on board. The original plan was to leave about 4-4:30PM and get out for an hour or two of deep dropping and then at sundown motor to where we needed to be for some swordfishing but after the circus at the marina Sunday afternoon we didn't get fueled and iced in time and left around 5:30. It was a little choppy about 25 miles out from some passing storms but other than that it was pretty calm. Got to our deep drop spots right at dark and only caught one barrelfish on the first drop and nothing on the second so went ahead and went to our sword spot. Put out 5 lines and 45 minutes into the drift, one of the baits at 200' got nailed and started to smoke some line. The fish came straight to the surface and with the LED light on the surface we watched him do a big wide circle at 25+knots and then charge straight at us. Alan reeled like hell to keep tight and didn't get there until the fish was 30ft from the boat. After that it was a stalemate within 50-60ft from the boat for another 20 minutes with the fish doing a bunch of short runs and Alan unable to really gain anything. On top of that the fish tangled with another line that I was unable to clear in time but by keeping our heads about us we used the other rod as if it was hooked to the fish too and managed to play him up and get a gaff in the 120-130lb sword. It ended up being our only bite that night and after seas picked up around 4:00AM we decided to head in. We did 2 drifts and on the first drift we marked squid deep and had many in the lights and on the second drift we saw none. Philip has pics so I can't post them yet Chris Last edited by Chris V; 09-07-2010 at 03:13 PM.

09-07-2010, 10:18 AM	#2
MSYellowfin Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Jackson, MS & Orange Beach, AL Posts: 659	Very nice Chris, I would have been chunkin the poon at him during that stand off as that's always good for a few laughs! Nice, report, now go find those pics!!! Robert __________________ MSyellowfin 2008 54C Viking "Jacquelyn" 2010 36 Yellowfin "Forgiven" 2010 24 Hurricane Deck Boat 2001 Contender 25 (sold)

09-07-2010, 11:58 AM	#4
PURPLE HAZE Senior Member Snapper Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pensacola Posts: 532	Very nice on the post. A swordfish will make the night for sure.Glad you were able to show you dad the sword. What a great memory that night will make. Gene __________________ TEAM RECESS

09-07-2010, 02:33 PM	#7
MSYellowfin Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Jackson, MS & Orange Beach, AL Posts: 659	Oh...you caught a "mentally challenged" sword! __________________ MSyellowfin 2008 54C Viking "Jacquelyn" 2010 36 Yellowfin "Forgiven" 2010 24 Hurricane Deck Boat 2001 Contender 25 (sold)

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09-07-2010, 11:46 AM	#3
Bub Senior Member Mingo Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 144	Nice job!!

09-07-2010, 12:40 PM	#5
Sunshine17 Senior Member Snapper Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NAS Pensacola Posts: 497	Great report. I imagine it was a beautiful fish. Congrats

09-07-2010, 01:13 PM	#6
Chris V Squid technician Blue Marlin Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: foley, Al Posts: 4,189	I'll try to get some pics up later. He was missing the last third or so of his bill which he must of broken off earlier in his life. That thing was stubbed and curved

09-07-2010, 02:48 PM	#8
team_A_II Member Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Destin - Florida Posts: 59	Nice going Betty B, we were out there Saturday night and went 0 for 2....

09-07-2010, 03:11 PM	#9
Fiver Senior Member Snapper Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 484	sounds like a quality fish, Chris. Thanks for the report!

09-08-2010, 10:31 PM	#10
sail7seas Senior Member Trigger Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orange Beach, AL Posts: 295	congrats on the sword chris. i bet one of those makes the whole night worth it.

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