How to Go Fishing for Swordfish: The Complete Guide  for 2024

Jan 22, 2025 | 9 minute read
Reading Time: 9 minutes

Your childhood may have been full of make-believe sword fights, but did you ever imagine locking blades thousands of feet undersea? It won’t be exactly like that but, in a manner of speaking, that’s what Swordfish fishing is. 

A group of three anglers standing and sitting on a charter fishing boat and posing with a big Swordfish caught while fishing offshore
Photo courtesy of Reel Thrills Coastal Adventures

These are some of the biggest, fastest predators in the ocean. And they come equipped for a true sparring match. But Swordfish have a reputation for being elusive, which makes catching them seem like fiction. Thanks to modern methods, anglers around the world are turning that fantasy into reality.

So… On guard! Let your deep sea duel commence!

How to Identify Swordfish

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) – also called Broadbill Swordfish or simply “Broadbill” for short – are one of a kind. They’re the only living species in the Xiphiidae family and there’s only one kind of Swordfish, no matter where you catch them. 

Two men sit on the deck of a fishing charter while holding a large Swordfish on a clear day
Photo courtesy of Hook Me Up LLC

Capable of migrating thousands of miles, Swords live in tropical and temperate waters all around the globe. In the western Atlantic, they swim along the Gulf Stream, into the Gulf of Mexico, and past the Caribbean. In the eastern Atlantic, you’ll find them along the coasts of Africa and Europe, including the Mediterranean Sea. Swordfish also inhabit much of the Pacific, with separate stocks roaming the eastern Pacific compared to the western and central north Pacific. 

In addition to swimming many miles, Swordfish also inhabit a wide portion of the water column. During the day, they live more than a thousand feet under the surface, sometimes as deep as 2,000 feet. But they come alive at night, feeding up the water column at just a few hundred feet. This makes them such an elusive fish.

Their swimming skills aren’t just limited to deep diving, though. Swords are among the fastest fish in the sea, capable of cruising at 50 miles per hour. They’re also one of the largest predatory fish. Atlantic Swordfish can reach 14 feet and 1,200 pounds, while Pacific Swords are known to weigh even more. A typical catch for recreational anglers is somewhere between 50–200 pounds (maybe 400–600 pounds, if you’re really lucky). 

And then, of course, there are the bills they have for noses. While many people imagine these blades are used for self defense, they’re actually a means of slashing and stunning prey. 

Swordfish vs. Marlin and Sailfish

A group of anglers crouching on a dock in Saint Lucia while holding a Marlin upright on a clear day with the water behind them
Photo courtesy of Exodus Boat Charters – Exodus

As we said, Swordfish are one of a kind. But there are a few other fish in the sea that look like them. – namely, Marlin and Sailfish. While these technically belong to a separate family (Istiophoridae), you’ll often hear them referred to as Billfish, a general category that includes Swordfish too.

As the name suggests, all Billfish sport a similar long, spear-like nose – the “bill”. They’re all slender and muscular fish that often have a peak at the front of their dorsal fin (aside from Sailfish, which have a sail). But there are key differences between all Billfish. When it comes to Swordfish, here’s what you should know:

  • Swordfish have longer bills than Marlin and Sailfish. 
  • Whereas Marlin have long dorsal fins trailing down their backs, Swordfish have just one, tall peak at the front. 
  • Sailfish and Marlin species are often more than one color and they may have stripes. Swordfish are generally gray, which might appear darker along their backs than their sides and underbellies.
  • Swordfish have large, black eyes which help them to see thousands of feet underwater.
  • Swords are stronger than any other Billfish. Their fixed dorsal fin and tail strength make them exceptional fighters. So, even if you’re a seasoned Billfish angler, come prepared for a battle like no other!

Best Swordfishing Spots

With Swordfish swimming the world over, there are many places to catch them. We’ve set out in search of the best, with top picks from every corner of the globe:

Florida

An aerial view of Key West, with a cruise ship docked in the foreground of the image, the town on the right, and numerous islands dotted in the crystal clear waters all the way to the horizon

Topping our list is the “Sportfishing Capital of the World.” With Swordfish cruising the Gulf Stream to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the west, and the Straits of Florida to the south, the Sunshine State is literally surrounded by them! Before you let your head spin, allow us to point you in one direction… The Florida Keys.

It all comes down (deep down) to underwater topography. The Keys have some of the quickest access to deep waters out of any place in the country. Anglers in Islamorada can land Swordfish just 25–50 miles from shore. Meanwhile, Key West is perched right along the Florida Straits, a literal breeding ground for Atlantic Broadbill.

You can catch Swordfish in Florida year-round, but locals recommend the months between early summer and fall, when the sea is calmest. Florida allows anglers to keep one Swordfish per person or up to six fish per charter vessel. There’s a minimum size limit of 47 inches lower jaw/fork length and 25 inches (cleithrum to keel). 

Southern California 

An aerial photo of San Diego's shores, with waves crashing against the city's rocky cliffs.

While swordfishing has long been established in Florida, it’s a relatively recent phenomenon on the West Coast. Here, we’re specifically talking about daytime deep dropping out of Southern California. This will see you dropping lines for Swords anywhere along the California Bight, which covers over 400 miles of water from Point Conception down to Baja California. 

The winding underwater canyons in this region plummet thousands of feet below – and some of them snake their way surprisingly close to shore. Anglers fishing from Newport Beach, Dana Point, and San Diego can reach deep waters just minutes from the dock, which is enough to rival the legendary swordfishing in the Florida Keys. 

Peak Swordfish season in SoCal runs from September to early January. Anglers fishing in California state waters can keep up to two Swordfish per day. 

Hawaii

An aerial view of Kailua Kona in Hawaii surrounded by greenery, with blue water surrounding it

Farther afield lie the waters of Hawaii, home to some of the largest Swordfish you can catch. The Mekajiki – as the locals call them – landed here typically range from 100–300 pounds, though some reach up to 600 pounds. Hailed for the exceptional quality of their meat, these fish have made Hawaii one of the country’s top sources of domestic Swordfish. Why wait to have it flown in when you can catch it yourself and enjoy it fresh?!

Hawaii’s Swordfish season runs from January through May. Charters boats based on Kaua’i and the Kailua-Kona coast of the Big Island see some of the best Billfish action. There are no federal regulations for recreational Swordfishing in Hawaii, but local rules may apply.

The Mediterranean

A view from a hill looking towards a harbor on the island of Mallorca, with crystal clear waters visible in the bay and an inlet leading to the open waters of the Mediterranean beyond it

Swordfish are a top target for deep sea anglers in the Mediterranean, particularly around the Balearic Islands. This makes Mallorca one of the most popular places to hire a charter boat. But don’t overlook Italy and Croatia to the east, which have their own bragging rights to some of the best swordfishing on the planet. 

Depending on exactly where you hire a local captain, you may have the chance to use some unique methods. Anglers don’t just troll or drift for Broadbill around here – some even cast flies for them! Peak Swordfishing season in the Mediterranean runs between May and November.

Size and bag limits will vary depending on the country. Due to overfishing in the Mediterranean, recreational anglers who catch Swordfish are encouraged to tag and release these fish. However, general rules within the EU allow you to keep Swordfish, unless stated otherwise by the country you’re fishing in. 

Tasmania

A view out from a beach in Tasmania to the sun setting in the distance, creating an orange hue over calm waters

With such superb deep sea fishing on all sides of the globe, it’s no surprise you can catch mammoth Broadbill all around Australia. But it wasn’t a popular pursuit here until anglers started landing monster Swords off the coast of Tasmania. That’s why we have to tip our hat to this island state down under. 

Tasmanian Broadbill average 250–300 pounds, with trophies reaching as much as 700 pounds. The secret lies in the Bass Strait dividing Tasmania from the mainland, where the Bass Canyon stretches over 100 miles long and more than 11,000 feet deep – one of the largest marine canyons in the world!

You can catch Swordfish from Tasmania year-round, but the best time to do so is between April and June, depending on what part of the island you fish out of. There’s a bag limit of one Swordfish per person and no minimum size limit.

How to Fish for Swordfish 

For a long time, anglers believed you could only catch Swordfish at night, when they swim closer to the surface. Thanks to recent advances in fishing gear and technology, we now know how to catch them by day, too.

A closeup of a heavy-duty fishing rod and reel being used offshore, with a foot visible, showing the person struggling with a large fish on the end of the line

Exactly how you should plan to catch a Broadbill will depend on whether you’re fishing under the sun or the moon. But no matter when you go, it’s important to target these fish in the deep scattering layer (DSL). This is the ocean layer where squid, plankton, and bait fish feed in masses. Naturally, their predators (like Swordfish) follow. 

During the day, that layer might be suspended as low as 1,000–1,500 feet. At night, it rises within several hundred feet of the surface. This is when it’s common to target Swordfish by drift fishing. Your bait (typically squid) will be suspended 100–800 feet below with a battery-powered light source attached. Exactly what rig you use will vary depending on the area. If you have the chance to fish in various parts of the world, you’ll see anglers getting very creative with baits, lures, and techniques.

Daytime Swordfishing methods vary considerably. When the sun is high in the sky, you’ll be dropping lines anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 feet below. Deep dropping is the most popular method for daytime Swordfishing but you can also try bump trolling, fishing with breakaway sinkers, or using a two-weight rig.

Two men standing on a dock in Puerto Rico after a successful fishing trip, holding a large Swordfish by the bill, with the water visible behind them on a clear day
Photo courtesy of Curate Fishing Charters

Still not sure whether to fish “sun-up” or “sun-down”? Well, night fishing is often cheaper and easier, since you don’t have to fish as deep or use specialized equipment. But daytime deep dropping is a unique experience that has gained a lot of momentum in American and Australian fisheries lately.

No matter when you fish for Swords, come prepared for a true sparring match. You might hear the reel sing from the start or you may not think you hooked a fish because your line will go slack as it races toward the surface. Soon enough, it will leap from the water, fast and ferocious. By then, there will be no doubt what you’re up against! These “sword fights” can last anywhere from 15 minutes to hours on end.

Swordfishing Gear & Bait

A photo of an electric deep dropping fishing reel with red fishing line

What gear you need to catch Swordfish will depend on whether you’re fishing by day or night, as this dictates your technique. But a few general rules of thumb always apply:

  • Plan on using heavy tackle. You’ll need 80–100 lb test braid for your main line and 200–300 lb leader material. 
  • You can use circle hooks or 9/0–11/0 J hooks – many anglers prefer the latter. Swordfish have soft flesh, so choose a hook width that won’t slip easily. 
  • For night fishing, 2–3 lb weights are enough to keep your bait where you want it. Deep dropping may call for a 7–9 lb stick sinker, depending on the conditions. 
  • Whether fishing during the day or at night, you should add a light source to your rig, such as an electralume disco strobe or water-activated LED. If you’re fishing under a full moon, place your light within 20–30 feet of your bait. On darker nights, place your light source further from the bait (60 feet or so). Green is the optimal color since it radiates the furthest.
  • Deep dropping calls for specially made bent-butt rods. These are commonly paired with electric reels to save you the hassle of manually reeling your bait (and catch) up thousands of feet. However, you can use a standard, manual reel if you prefer. 
  • Squid is the number-one bait for Swordfish. Some anglers add a vinyl skirt over the squid, both to attract attention from Swordfish and to prevent other fish from biting. Other popular bait choices are fish bellies or whole fish, typically ballyhoo, bonito, mackerel, or mahi mahi.

When to Fish for Swordfish

Three men holding a large Swordfish aboard a deep sea fishing charter at night
Photo courtesy of SirReel Sportfishing Charters

The best time to catch Swordfish depends on what part of the world you’re in. These fish span much of the globe and, in some areas, they’re present year-round. But there’s usually a peak season that locals recommend. 

If you’re passionate about catching Swordfish non-stop, you could theoretically do so by chasing them around the United States! In Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, you can expect peak Swordfish action during summer and fall. Southern California‘s Broadbill season follows directly from this, beginning around September and lasting into the new year. Next up is Hawaii, where the best time to fish for Swords lasts between January and May. 

Swordfish: A Unique Adversary

Three men standing on the deck of a fishing boat in the Atlantic Ocean out of Florida, holding a Swordfish on a cloudy day
Photo courtesy of Reel Contender Fishing Charter

Few anglers can claim bragging rights to Billfish, and fewer still can say that they landed the deepest of them. Pursuing a Swordfish is like braving the darkest dungeon, whether that means deep dropping by day or drift fishing by night. You may not catch one on your first try, but you will experience the sea like never before. And that alone is a worthy quest!

Have you entered into battle with a Sword before? How long did it take you to reel it in? Let us know all your Swordfish fishing stories in the comments below!

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Jacqueline grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, always with an eye on the horizon to try and spot a shark fin. As a member of the FishingBooker team, she got to know the charter fishing industry by helping hundreds of captains market their trips online. She has also spent countless hours answering the internet’s most pressing questions about fish, such as: how do you tell all the different Salmon species apart? With 7 years of content marketing experience behind her, she eventually returned to her roots to focus on raising a family (and write about fish some more).

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