what is the bait for swordfish fishing?

Question

like little fish

Answer 1

Like it’s cousins the marlin and sailfishes, the swordfish feeds extensively on smaller fish, squids and almost anything that it can capture. When taking a single individual food item, the swordfish will simply open it’s mouth and engulf the food. But, when feeding on compact schools of fish, the sword is brought into play slashing and maiming it’s prey which then are picked up one by one at it’s leisure. Such items as dolphins, menhaden., mackerel, bonito, bluefish , herring, whiting, squid and others have been found in swordfish’s stomachs.

The method for baiting a swordfish is the same in all areas where fishing broadbills are popular. Squid, oceanic bonito, and small tuna are preferred baits. A doubly hook-up is used. The forward hook is inserted below the gill and the second hook close to the tail. Large hooks, sizes 14/0 and 16/0, are preferred. The larger hooks are chosen by fishermen that feels the bigger sizes give them better holding power and are less apt to be spit. The larger hook also gives a better bite when the fish is foul hooked. Stainless steel cable is also used to lessen the impact of the slashing sword during a fight. Generally, 30 feet of leader is used as the sword is quite likely to wrap itself in the cable trying to det itself free. Most fishermen choose leader strengths of between 450 and 900 pounds.

When stalking the swordfish, generally two fishermen stand watch as the boat travels faster than trolling speed. Baits are not presented until as fish is spotted. The swordfish is easily spotted at quite a distance as the dorsal fin and tail stick out well above the water surface. The general procedure is to have the rod and reel ready in the rod holder with the hooks baited and the leader attached. When the fish is spotted the angler picks up the rod and jumps into the chair, quickly attaching the harness. The bait is now tossed overboard and about 200 feet of line is released. While trolling the mate holds the line at approximately the 200 foot mark between his thumb and forefinger. The angler then peels off another 75 feet of line which drags in the water forming a loop between the rod tip and the mate’s fingers. At the strike the loop permits a slow and uninterrupted drop-back. The boat should move at a very slow speed and the bait should travel about 2 feet below the surface. The boat is maneuvered so the bait is presented 20 to 25 feet from the fish. Often times the fish will circle away from the bait and when this happens the boat must present the bait all over again, taking care not to allow the bait to surface and create a disturbance on the surface. All -precautions must be taken so that the swordfish does not sound.

Answer 2

They'll eat all sorts of fish (not so little - a swordfish can weigh a few hundred pounds, so a five to ten pound fish is a reasonable sized bait. However, I think they prefer squid.

Answer 3

Word has it they like Squid...

Answer 4

An illegal alien

Answer 5

one that swims about 47mph!!!!