Swordfish

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) are large, highly migratory. Swordfish are elongated, round-bodied, and lose all teeth and scales by adulthood. They reach a maximum size of 177 in. (455 cm) and 1,400 lb (650kg).

 

IGFA All tackle world record for a swordfish was a 1,182 lb (536.15 kg) specimen taken caught in Chile 1953.

The swordfish is named after its sharp bill, resembling a sword (Latin gladius), which together with its streamlined physique allows it to cut through the water with great ease and agility.

Contrary to belief the “sword” is not used to spear, but instead may be used to slash at its prey in order to injure the prey animal, to make for an easier catch.

Mainly the swordfish relies on its great speed and agility in the water to catch its prey.

Females grow larger than males, with males over 300 lb (135 kg) being rare. Females mature at 4-5 years of age in northwest Pacific while males mature first at about 3 to 4 years. In the North Pacific, batch spawning occurs in water warmer than 24 °C from March to July and year round in the equatorial Pacific.

Swordfish commonly eat Tuna, Dolphin (mahimahi), Squid, Tinker Mackerals, Flyingfish. Swordfish are thought to have few predators as adults although juveniles are vulnerable to predation by large pelagic fish.Swordfish feed daily, most often at night when they rise to surface and near-surface waters in search of smaller fish. They have been observed moving through schools of fish, thrashing their swords to kill or stun their prey and then quickly turning to consume their catch. In the western North Atlantic, squid is the most popular food item consumed.

While swordfish are cold blooded animals, they have special organs next to their eyes to heat their eyes & also their brain. 

wordfish are not schooling fish. They swim alone or in very loose aggregations, separated by as much as 10 meters from a neighboring swordfish. They are frequently found basking at the surface, airing their first dorsal fin. Boaters report this to be a beautiful sight, as is the powerful jumping for which the species is known. 

Recreational swordfishing throughout the world, and especially in South Florida, has gained tremendous popularity. With the ban on longlining along parts of the eastern seashore, swordfish populations are showing signs of recovery. The recovery is far from complete and is not a fraction of what it was in the 70’s when recreational swordfish was discovered off the coast of South Florida.

To catch a swordfish off Florida, most anglers drift live or dead baits in the Gulfstream. Boats drift beam to sea, which is why center consoles are so popular for this type of fishing. From Miami’s Government Cut, Haulover Inlet or Port Everglades, the run to the swordfish grounds is less than 20 miles. Given the speed of the Gulfstream though, and fishing the majority of the night, you may end up as far as 40 to 50 miles from your homeport. From talking to longliners who used to fish in our waters, swordfish can be found in various parts of the Gulfstream, but the majority of recreational anglers fish a corridor of water that is 3 to 4 miles wide, but starts in the upper Keys and ends in Palm Beach. The reason that this area is so popular is due to the bottom terrain. In this lane there are a series of rises and falls in the depth contour which provides upwelling and seems to hold bait better than open expanses of flat bottom. Swordfishing can also be done during the day.

Snook season

 Snook season opens again at 12:01 a.m. Monday following the summer spawning closure.

Reminder: saltwater fishing license with a snook endorsement is needed to land a fish.

Bag limit is one per person per day statewide.

Slot limits are 28-32 inches in the Atlantic and 28-33 inches in the Gulf, Everglades and Florida Keys.

Now Snook are measured by total length with the tail pinched.

Bluefin Tuna charter North Carolina

The Tuna Duck looks like it has potential for our Bluefin Tuna Charter next year. Will give them a call next week and see how hard it is to get a booking during the bluefin run.

Giant bluefin tunas in their feeding frenzy, chasing bait fish, cause the desperate fish to gather into a tightly packed school in a futile attempt to save themselves. This phenomenon is known as”balling bait”.

Bluefin tuna are the ultimate catch and release heavy tackle test providing a spectacular show when striking baits. Since 1995 the TUNA DUCK has caught and released well over 500 bluefin tunas, tagging many of them to aid in research to find out more about  these spectacular giants.

WHEN: We begin fishing for bluefins in November and continue through early to mid March. We are often asked about the “best” time to come bluefin fishing. Once the fleet locates the fish early in the season, any time is a good time! We invite you to call us for further information on this truly exciting fishery! In addition to bluefins, at this time of year there are yellowfin tunas to be caught as well as king mackerel. 
Owner, Jerry Shepherd 772-219-9592
Captain Dan Rooks 252-995-3076 

HOW: Because bluefins act differently every season, the techniques vary. The most standard procedure is trolling 2 to 4 lines with 80 lb. tackle until the school of fish is located. Often it is possible after a fish is hooked to stop the boat and chunk menheden to keep the school around the boat. Although this method produced tremendous numbers of fish in the middle to late 90’s , over the last few seasons the majority of the fish caught have been caught trolling. We provide 130 lb. outfits because many of the fish are over the size limit that can be kept and we feel that heavier tackle gives them a better opportunity of survival after release. However, many of our customers prefer to bring their own lighter tackle. 

SIZE: Bluefin tunas range in size from 90 to 700+ lbs.
LIMIT /SPECIAL REGULATIONS : Regulations allow us to retain 1 bluefin per boat per day if it is over 46 inches and under 73 inches. We do not emphasize this or “advertise” retaining a bluefin for two reasons. First, these regulations can change at the “drop of a hat” and second, we often do not see fish under 73 inches…often they are too large! 
( The fish in the photo above was caught a few years ago for commercial sale. When a charter is on board, a fish this large cannot be boated.)

Flip Pallot

What’s Flip Pallot up to these days? Miss his show Walker’s Cay Chronicles.Flip’s show may have been a little drawn out but they always captured me. I have a lot of respect for flip, he’s not with Hell’s Bay Boatworks any longer. It would rock if they brought back Walker Cay’s Chronicles!

 

I just found a Flip Pallot and Greg Poland video on youtube,

I need to go fishing bad and soon.

Bluefin Tuna

Thinking about Bluefin Tuna fishing in North Carolina. They are big and impressive, I posted on The Hull Truth Looking for guides. The information I can find on the migration says winter fishing is the best out of North Carolina. If we got blown out there are inshore options for large bluefish, strippers, flounder, mako sharks and a host of other fish species. Mako shark is very high on my list. I have just the right spot for a replica mount in the pool room. So far I only have 2 fish mounts, a small Largemouth bass and a sailfish I caught years ago in Miami. Depending on the price I would like to get some others done.

Fish Mercury Warning

While researching our upcoming Everglades trip I saw this.

Mercury Warning!

High level of mercury have been found in Everglades Largemouth bass and in some fish species from northern Florida Bay. Do not eat bass caught north of the Main Park Road. Do not eat bass caught south of the Main Park Road more than once a week. Children and pregnant women should not eat any bass. The following salt water species caught in northern Florida Bay should not be consumed more than once ber week by adults or once per month by women of child-bearing age and children: spotted seatrout, gafftopsail, catfish, bluefish, crevalle jack, or ladyfish.

Swordfishing South Florida

So after spending awhile on a swordfishing forum, I think I’m hooked.

Most of the reports I have read lead me to believe that odds are good I can knock a swordfish off the list. The only billfish I have ever caught was a sailfish from Miami, Florida.

I posted a forum question asking for recommendations. Hopefully I will get back some good information.

Currently hunting the net for more information on the Broadbill Swordfish.

So far I’m guessing south florida will be the best place to charter.

Mercury in Marine Fish

Mercury in Marine Fish and Health Advisories

Mercury is a heavy metal that occurs naturally throughout the environment. Unlike other metals, it is a liquid at normal temperatures and is easily transformed into a gas. Many natural processes, such as volcanic activity, and human activities, such as incineration and industrial manufacturing, result in worldwide distribution of mercury.   In large enough doses, mercury is toxic to mammals, birds, and fish. Mercury can cause severe nerve and brain damage, sight and hearing loss, and birth defects. Levels that cause serious illness have only occurred in rare situations of gross pollution or accidental poisonings. Among the dietary routes for low-level human exposure to mercury, consumption of fish is the most common. The complex relationships between mercury, the atmosphere and marine organisms indicate that mercury contamination of certain marine fish probably predates human uses. Even if all human-related sources were removed, the problem would continue to exist for several generations. Florida’s marine fish are generally considered safe to eat.  However, certain fish can be potentially unhealthy to eat because those fish can take up contaminants from the water they live in and from the food they eat.  Fish may contain different levels of contaminants based on their location, size, age, length of life, and feeding habits.  Although pesticides, algal toxins, and other man made compounds are of interest to health officials, mercury is currently the contaminant of greatest concern in Florida’s fish. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors commercial seafood for mercury. In 2004, the FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recommended that women might wish to modify the amount and type of fish they consume if they are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant, nursing, or feeding a young child. They suggest that these women should not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury. The EPA and FDA has determined that five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish. Another commonly eaten fish, albacore (“white”) tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna. Since 1989, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Florida Department of Health (DOH) have been actively investigating the occurrence of mercury in Florida’s marine environments.  This multi-agency effort has focused on surveying important marine and freshwater bodies and species of fish throughout the state. The State of Florida has collected data on mercury levels in several species of marine fish from around Florida. Accurate species identification and location information is critical. The majority of collections have been made by the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute during regular surveys and fishing tournaments. Fish consumption advisories for specific water bodies are issued when contaminants found in fish are at levels that may pose a risk to human health.  DOH, in cooperation with DEP and FWC, issues fish consumption advisories.  FWC biologists collect species of concern; DEP scientists analyze fish tissue for mercury, and DOH officials conduct risk assessments and issue fish consumption advisories.  Advisories for mercury in Florida waters have been issued since 1989. The advisories are not intended to discourage anglers from eating fish but should be used to choose fish lower in mercury while limiting consumption of some species of fish from certain waters. Many Florida waters have been tested for mercury levels in fish.  For these, the DOH Web site offers regularly updated consumption advisories containing specific advice about eating fish from Florida’s fresh and marine waters. Visit the DOH online at the link below to view the advisories. The DOH can also be contacted through regular mail or by telephone: Florida Department of Health Bureau of Community Environmental Health 4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin# A08 Tallahassee, FL, 32399-1712 (850) 245-4299 Consumption advice about commercially caught fish sold in supermarkets and restaurants can be found at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website via the links below. Certain species have high contaminant levels and should be avoided, while authorities advise limited consumption of other species. Mercury testing of fish from marine and estuarine waters of Florida has included over 100 species, representing all major groups from primary consumers to apex predators.  Apex predators are fish at the top of the food chain.  These species include many popular sportfish collected from state waters.  The majority of marine and estuarine fishes examined contained low levels of mercury, but levels in individual fish varied greatly within and among species.  Examples of species with low levels include striped mullet, Florida pompano, sheepshead, common dolphin, gray snapper, gulf flounder, and southern flounder.  Many other species also contain low mercury levels.  The current fish consumption advisory provides specific advice regarding Florida marine fishes. FWC conducts sampling and research programs to further understand the significance of mercury in Florida’s aquatic environments and to determine the range and extent of contamination in fish. These results will be used to update fish consumption advisories.  Please refer to the DOH website for periodic updates of information about new and existing water bodies.

Fish Handling Guidelines

Contrary to some reports, there are no new saltwater fish handling regulations in Florida.  However, the FWC has recently been reminding anglers about existing rules that are meant to protect fish when they can’t be taken. Fish must be immediately released for several reasons.  For example, there is no allowable harvest of goliath grouper and Nassau grouper in Florida. Tarpon may only be taken if a special tag is clipped to the fish’s lower jaw.  Several species, such as snook, redfish and spotted seatrout, can be kept only at certain times and size. When a fish isn’t allowed to be harvested, it must immediately be returned to the water free, alive, and unharmed.  However, if a fish is allowed to be taken at a certain size limit, it’s okay to temporarily possess it to measure it, as long as it is measured immediately after removing it from the water, and the fish is then immediately returned to the water free, alive, and unharmed if it is not a legal-size fish. Anglers should also use common sense when releasing fish.  Sometimes it’s better to safely handle a fish to carefully remove the hook so it can be released, and other times it’s best to cut the line as close to the hook as possible while the fish is in the water – especially if it’s large. It is okay to take a picture of a fish that is not allowed to be harvested while it’s in the process of being released, but it still must be let go immediately and should not be held in lengthy poses just for the purpose of taking the picture.  And it is never legal to hold on to or tow a fish that is not allowed to be harvested to a place to weigh or measure it for a fishing tournament or record. The plain fact is that many of our most popular recreational fisheries are strictly regulated, and because of this, many fish caught must be returned to the water.  Most anglers would agree that anything we can do to minimize the harm to those fish being released will benefit the resource in the long haul. However, we also don’t want to discourage the fun and excitement of catching fish and documenting the catch, whether for records or the personal satisfaction that comes with sharing this experience with friends and family.  That’s why we are attempting to inform the public about safe catch and release techniques, and the harm that can be caused to fish that are handled roughly or held out of the water too long.  That is the approach our law enforcement officers are taking, and only egregious cases of mishandling or unequivocal “possession” of an illegal fish would be pursued. Florida’s anglers should be proud of their conservation efforts.  They have helped to restore or sustain valuable fisheries, including snook, red drum and spotted seatrout.  As the number of anglers continues to grow and our coastal habitats come under increasing stress, it becomes more important than ever to release those fish that cannot be harvested in as good a condition as possible.  The next angler will thank you for it.

Redfish

Red drum have also been called redfish, spot tail, red bass, and channel bass.
The life span of a red drum can exceed 40 years! Many Redfish inhabit inshore and offshore waters along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Key West and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. The majority of the redfish life cycle is spent in nearshore waters and estuaries. Since estuaries are such vital nursery grounds for red drum, we must realize that deterioration of water quality or loss of suitable habitat can have drastic effects on the number of young fish that survive into adulthood. Since redfish are not normally long distance travelers, they don’t stray far from the areas in which they were born.
In Florida waters, redfish can reach lengths up to 55 inches and weigh over 40 pounds.
Redfish begin spawning in the fall when daylight hours decrease and water temperature begins to cool.
Commercial harvesting of redfish is prohibited throughout the gulf coast states with the exception of Mississippi.