Swordfish

The Swordfish, Xiphias gladius

A chunky and powerfully built fish with a high, crescent-shaped dorsal fin and broadly forked tail. The pectoral fins are also large and lunate. The distinguishing feature, however, is the huge bill or sword—much longer and wider than the bills of Marlins and Sailfish. Eye is also very large. Color is mostly dark brown to purple, whitish undersides.

SIZE

Historically, from 100 to more than 1,000 pounds; however, relentless and virtually unregulated commercial longline fishing has lowered the average to well under 50 pounds. World record 1,182 pounds; Florida record 612 pounds, 4 ounces.

FOOD VALUE

Among the very best, which is helping skid the species toward oblivion.

GAME QUALITIES

Not as wild or acrobatic as the Blue Marlin, but an equally powerful and rugged fighter that can get off some spectacular jumps on occasion.

TACKLE AND BAITS

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Although big fish are now rare, Swordfish are hooked so seldom that anyone who fishes for them is advised to use at least 50-pound line, matched to good ocean tackle. The best Swordfish bait always has been a large, rigged natural squid, but rigged baitfishes can work. During the 1970s, many Swordfish topping 400 pounds were caught by sportsmen, who fished by choice on calm nights, mostly during the summer, but also during good weather in fall and winter, and generally deployed two or more baits at different depths. The majority of strikes came at 100 feet or deeper.

FISHING SYSTEMS

Drifting.

OTHER NAMES

Broadbill Swordfish Pez Espada 

RANGE

All deep ocean waters of Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

HABITAT

The deep sea.