Daytime swordfishing is the latest trend in big game sportfishing to hit the Louisiana gulf coast. This technique, originally pioneered off the Florida Keys, involves the use of heavy-duty electric reels and up to 15 pounds of weight to fish baits at depths of 1,600-1,800 feet. Swordfish are powerful, relentless predators that fight to the death and grow to sizes over 1,000 pounds.
Unlike tuna fishing in Venice, Louisiana – charter guides fishing for swordfish during the day aim to catch one to three fish over the course of the day. The average swordfish caught in Louisiana Gulf waters during the daytime ranges from 100 to 200 pounds. However, some daytime swordfishing trips resulted in a few weighing well over 350 pounds.
Captain Hunter Caballero learned daytime swordfishing techniques directly from the talented offshore anglers who pioneered the sport in South Florida. While Marlin live near the Gulf of Mexico’s surface, swordfish will stay further below the surface. Daytime swordfishing charters need to fish deeper near the deep scattered layer (DSL).
Reeling in trophy fish is never a sure thing. However, experienced fishing guides improve your chances of catching the big one. The daytime swordfish bite in Venice, Louisiana is red hot year-round.
If you’re interested in booking a daytime swordfish charter in Venice, Louisiana – call Captain Hunter directly or fill out the contact form below.
Casting topwater lures to pelagic fish that are aggressively feeding on the surface is an unparalleled thrill in the world of sportfishing. Predatory fish that actively feed on surface baits are ferociously powerful and often attracted to the “injured” motion a lure can present when skipping across the surface. This fishing style requires long-distance casting and rapid retrieval of large lures – making use of heavy-duty spinning tackle which can withstand immense pressure. Many pelagic species caught at the surface can be extremely acrobatic once hooked. Watching a “fired up” fish charge a surface lure is an incredible experience that should not be missed.
The traditional style of creating a “chum line” of chunk baits is commonly used around oil rigs, pumping stations, and drillships to attract a variety of pelagic species. Essentially, this is essentially “handlining” for deep water species, which requires the angler to pull 3 to 4-foot segments of line off the reel at a time, allowing the rigged bait to float with the current. This technique requires some practice but is incredibly effective when fish are feeding in the top level of the water column. Once a fish strikes the bait, the angler must “lock-up” the drag smoothly and swiftly, in order to allow a circle hook to set. With patience and dedication, almost any angler can master this technique.
Tried and true, trolling for pelagic species requires deploying artificial or rigged dead baits and dragging them behind the boat at varying speeds. This can be a highly effective method for enticing large pelagic predators to bite and is usually employed during specific weather conditions or fishing around oil rigs or pumping stations. Occasionally, slow trolling live baits that are specially bridled can produce bites when tunas do not actively feed.
This is the preferred method for catching larger pelagic species. When fishing out of Venice, LA – mullet, pogies, threadfin herring, hardtails, and small tunas are exceptional live baits if properly rigged. There is no more effective technique to entice a large pelagic fish to feed than by presenting a frisky live bait at the surface. Catching live bait, depending on the time of year, can be a “must” before heading offshore. Live bait is typically caught by throwing a cast net or by using a sabiki rig. You will never find yourself in a situation where having live bait isn’t a decisive advantage when targeting pelagic species.
The most physically demanding of all fishing techniques, this requires the use of heavy lead jigs that are specifically designed to sink fast and reach fish several hundred feet down. The angler must rapidly retrieve the jig while creating a “fluttering” motion with the rod – this mimics the behavior of a baitfish fleeing to the surface. Vertical Jigging can be the most effective method for catching fish that are holding tight to structure, deep beneath the waves.
Swordfish are deep water predators caught between 1200’ and 1800’ of water, along ridgelines and drop-offs. Electric reels are recommended.
Swordfishing is a year-round endeavor. The Fall is considered the best time to catch swordfish.
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