Catching Swordfish in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is often associated with catching the larger Swordfish !
Atlantic swordfish are one of the fastest predators in the ocean. Their muscular streamlined body allows them to swim at speeds up to 55 mph.
They grow quickly and reach a maximum size of about 1,165 pounds. However, they average between 75 to 200 pounds.
Swordfish live about 9 years.
Females are able to reproduce between 4 and 5 years of age. Depending on their size, females can produce anywhere from 1 million to 29 million eggs.
They spawn multiple times throughout the year in warm tropical and sub-tropical waters such as Puerto Rico.
Swordfish spawn in the upper Caribbean from December to March
Swordfish feed on a variety of fish and invertebrates such as squid often in deeper waters during the day and shallower during the night.
They hunt by slashing their bill back and forth, stunning or injuring prey in the process.
They have developed unique characteristics, such as a special eye muscles and a heat exchange system that allows them to swim in deep, cold water in search of prey.
Swordfish feed at the top of the food chain and are rarely preyed on by other animals except for humans.
Swordfish live in the surface to mid-water but feed throughout the water column.
When and Where To Target Swordfish in Puerto Rico
Sword fishing in Puerto Rico is the best during the winter months. During this time many of the larger swordfish make their way to the southern Caribbean to spawn. This is when we do most of our deep dropping. As the fishery has evolved over the last decade many anglers now pursue these gamefish during daylight hours. This is great for us as we generally like to sleep in our own bed at night :) Squid is the main prey of many Swordfish and as they retreat to deeper waters during the day the Swordfish follow them. This requires the anglers to fish in very deep water, 1700-2100 feet down, on the edge of the continental shelf. That being said, the North Coast off of Aguidilla and Isabela are great places fish. The bottom here is generally mud along the drop, which is a great habitat for Swordfish to feed in. We also explore the many ridges, humps, and valleys off of Rincon, Combate, and Mayaguez.
Swordfish Tactics in Puerto Rico
Sword fishing is our passion! Simply Caught Charters LLC specializes in big game because we like the technical side that is often associated with these larger fish. Nothing fits the bill more than Swordfish. All our Swordfish Charters are done during the daylight hours. There is no need to be there right at first light since since we are fishing the twilight zone anyhow. Our typical Swordfish Charters involve deep dropping 7-8 pound led weights to the bottom and slow trolling squid imitation baits near the bottom. The bites are subtle and we often are unsure we have been bit. Keep in mind there is usually 2600 feet of line out. However, once the fish has swam the lead up, and he hits the warmer water the fight begins. These battles often last 2-4 hours and end up with a harpoon shot. Swordfish are not the only species we catch during this fishing tour. We often bring up Escolar, Big Scaled Promfret, and Thrasher Sharks !
