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Miami - Haulover to Fowey Light
Capt. Dean Panos
March 18, 2003
Miami - Saltwater Fishing Report
03/17/03
I usually post reports once a week, but every once in a while you get a trip that you want to post.
Last Friday, I got a call from a potential client looking for a swordfish trip on a Friday night or Saturday night. He had already caught 2 swordfish, but they were small (40 – 60 pounds) and he was hoping to catch a bigger one. I informed him that I had Saturday open and then my next Friday or Saturday evening was in 2 – 3 weeks. He said he would ask his brother and call back the next day.
I knew there had been some big swordfish caught last week (150 –270 pounds), so when the client called the next day and due to his work schedule, he would have to book the trip for the next opening (2 weeks). I had told him that the swordfishing had been good and the fish were bigger. Five minutes later he changed his work schedule around and we were fishing that night.
We set out Saturday night with a livewell full of bait and some dead squid that I rigged. We got to our fishing grounds, and soon after we set out our lines, the thunderstorms and rain came. After two hours, the rain stopped. At about 9:15, the squid bait got slammed. We got one of the anglers in the harness and this fish dumped almost 400 yards of 80 pound off the reel. The swordfish rose and we chased him down, after about 40 minutes, the swordie ran straight under the boat. I got a quick look at him, and estimated the weight at around 150 pounds. I was way wrong. This was just the beginning of a battle. The swordfish would dump 100 yards of line straight down, and then would surface. We would use the boat and chase him down, only to have him dump another 100 yards of line. This must of happened at least 20 – 25 times. After an hour and a half, the angler was tired, and instead of making a mistake, passed off the rod to his brother. We were not after any records, and since they wanted to see and if possible keep the fish, rather than make a mistake fighting the fish, I think he made the right decision.
His brother got on the rod and decided this was not for him, so they called me to the rod. I have fought swordfish before, but I am usually guiding and coaxing the angler. Either way, the fish kept running so even after I tried to convince both of them to continue, they wanted me to give it a go. I got strapped into the harness, and after just seconds, I realized that this was a big fish. After 10 minutes I knew that if we continued fighting this fish with 12 – 14 pounds of drag, were may still be fighting her. Since the swordfish ate a squid, the squid is usually swallowed and you get a good hook set. I increase the drag up to almost 80% of full. I just measure that setting with a scale, and it measured 26 pounds of drag. Even with that much drag, the swordfish did whatever it wanted to. After 2 hours and 30 minutes this great animal finally started to tire. She took her last run of 100 yards straight down, but instead of coming up, this time she stayed down. I got her to within 30 feet of the boat, and then she wouldn’t move. After 15 more minutes we got her close enough and the rest is history.
Next to the boat now, this fish was definitely bigger than my first estimate. I guessed 300 pounds and I was not that far off. Weight was 305 pounds. Just getting her through the transom door was a challenge, but in she came.
All I can say is that I was privileged to have fought a fish so challenging and so strong. My hats off to my anglers who really stuck with it until they were physically drained, but had enough mental savvy to stay level headed. This was without a doubt an epic battle of man versus big fish. Through all the swordfish trips, I have earned a tremendous amount of respect for this gladiator of the sea. I can’t wait for the next swordfish trip, and who knows maybe there is a 400 or 500 pounder out there looking to do battle. Are you ready?
Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Capt. Dean Panos
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