Swordfish fishing

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) are probably the most sought after sport fish in the world. They live in the sub-tropical and tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Meditarranean Sea and Indian Ocean. Swordfish can grow over 3 meters in length and weigh more than 600 kg (1350lb).

Swordfish are vigorous, powerful fighters; once they're hooked up deep down below, they can all of a sudden jump out of the water and immediately go back to the abbyss.

By their big eyes you can tell these billfish like to live and hunt deep below the surface. They use to stay near deep canyons, near ridges, craters or areas with pinnacles. Swordfish come to the surface at night and prefer deeper waters during daytime.

Swordfish fishing

Top Swordfish Fishing destinations

Swordfish can be caught in the sub-tropical and tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Meditarranean Sea and Indian Ocean. Here, they can be found at dropoffs, near deep canyons, ridges, craters, wrecks, or areas with pinnacles.

Famous places for swordfish fishing are the Messina Straits in Southern Italy, Mallorca in Spain, Croatia, in the US from Massachusetts through Texas, down into the Caribbean, California, Mexico etc.

How to fish for Swordfish

Swordfish are traditionally a bycatch while chunking for tuna at night. Swords can also be caught trolling, but the best technique to target them is dropping baits deep beneath the boat.

The challenge is getting baits down 500 meters (1640 ft) in 3 knots of current. Huge weights (5kg // 15lb) and strong braided line are used to keep the bait near the bottom. On the leader, a squid or fish is mounted on a single hook (sometimes with an octopus skirt stitched to the bait).

Other Fish Species similar to Swordfish

Best Swordfish Fishing Charters

Pursuit 2570 Offshore

Pursuit 2570 Offshore

Siniscola Nuoro, Sardinia

26,25 ft 26,25 ft 4
From €950 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
Nika

Nika

Kraljevica, Croatia

21,98 ft 21,98 ft 4
From €400 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
Huntress

Huntress

Nungwi, Zanzibar

40,00 ft 40,00 ft 8
From €951 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
Restless Lady

Restless Lady

Ocean City, Md, Maryland

46,00 ft 46,00 ft 6
From €1167 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
Moorea Evasion - Kokopu Nui

Moorea Evasion - Kokopu Nui

Tiahura, Moorea

29,53 ft 29,53 ft 12
From €671 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
Experience

Experience

Dénia, Denia

26,25 ft 26,25 ft 6
From €790 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
Mahi Sportfishing Puglia

Mahi Sportfishing Puglia

Ostuni, Italy

23,40 ft 23,40 ft 6
From €900 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
Crni Tic

Crni Tic

Šibenik, Croatia

26,25 ft 26,25 ft 3
From €650 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
Bakul

Bakul

Vodice, Croatia

36,09 ft 36,09 ft 5
From €1200 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
Nicole C

Nicole C

Samara, Costa Rica

24,00 ft 24,00 ft 4
From €475 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
Teaser

Teaser

Oranjestad, Aruba

32,81 ft 32,81 ft 4
From €345 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
Tekila

Tekila

Lajes, Azores

32,00 ft 32,00 ft 6
From €1600 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
OffRods Charter

OffRods Charter

Nouméa,

47,57 ft 47,57 ft 8
From €1650 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
Emotional

Emotional

Dénia, Denia

26,25 ft 26,25 ft 4
From €750 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
Renatalia

Renatalia

San José Del Cabo, San José del Cabo

37,89 ft 37,89 ft 5
From €324 EUR
Deposit non-refundable
Caliope

Caliope

Cala Figuera, Mallorca

37,24 ft 37,24 ft 6
From €850 EUR
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
Papeete II

Papeete II

Beaulieu-Sur-Mer, Nice

42,65 ft 42,65 ft 7
From €1800 EUR
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
Tora Tora - BlackRiver Charters

Tora Tora - BlackRiver Charters

Riviere Noire, Mauritius

50,00 ft 50,00 ft 12
From €608 EUR
Deposit non-refundable