Daytime Swordfishing: Your Complete Guide to Deep Dropping for Broadbill Swordfish

Daytime swordfishing has transformed from an elite angler's pursuit into an accessible offshore adventure. With the right tackle, technique, and bottom knowledge, you can target these ocean giants in 1,200 to 1,800 feet of water during daylight hours. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about deep dropping for swordfish, from finding structure to handling heavy currents.

What Is Daytime Swordfishing?

Daytime swordfishing is an advanced bottom fishing technique where anglers drop baits to extreme depths, targeting broadbill swordfish (Xiphias gladius) as they hunt along the ocean floor. Unlike traditional surface methods or commercial longline operations, this approach requires precision deep dropping to specific bottom structures where swordfish feed during daylight hours.

The technique gained mainstream popularity in the early 2000s thanks to modern braided fishing lines and shared technical knowledge. What once seemed nearly impossible is now within reach for everyday offshore anglers willing to invest in proper gear and learn proven tactics.

How Deep Do You Need to Fish for Daytime Swordfish?

Swordfish bait depth typically ranges from 1,200 to 1,800 feet during daytime sessions. You'll be fishing true bottom, which means you need to account for a half-mile or more of line stretch between your boat and the seafloor.

At these depths, detecting bites becomes challenging. The margin for error shrinks considerably. You're essentially doing extreme bottom fishing with stakes that require sharp attention to detail and quality equipment.

Here's what makes these depths particularly demanding:

Line management: With 2,500+ feet of line out, even small boat movements affect your presentation
Bite detection: Subtle takes from swordfish feeding on bottom can be nearly impossible to see without proper technique
Current variations: Surface currents differ from deep currents, complicating your drop trajectory
Hookset challenges: Setting the hook through that much line requires understanding leverage and rod position

Essential Gear for Your Daytime Swordfish Setup

Your daytime swordfish setup needs to handle extreme depths and powerful fish. Here's what you absolutely must have on board:

High-capacity electric reels rated for 80-130 pound braided line
Monofilament or fluorocarbon leader material (200-400 pound test)
Lead weights (3-5 pounds depending on current)
Circle hooks sized appropriately for your bait (10/0 to 12/0)
Multiple rigged baits (squid, mackerel, or bonito)
Extra terminal tackle (leads, crimps, swivels, leader coils)
Flying gaffs with secure lanyards
Buoy lines and markers pre-rigged and ready

The biggest mistake beginners make? Running offshore without backup gear. You will break off. You will lose rigs. I learned this the hard way after burning through my terminal tackle on the first drift and realizing I had nothing left for the rest of the day.

Pack like you're planning to lose three complete rigs. You'll thank yourself later.

Swordfishing Courses

Swordfishing - Daytime Fishing in Florida with RJ Boyle

Swordfishing - Daytime Broadbill Seminar with RJ Boyle

Featured

Big Swordfish caught off of South Florida

Swordfishing - Tactics for Bigger Fish with RJ Boyle

Swordfishing - Rigging Daytime Baits with RJ Boyle

Swordfishing - Techniques for Hand Crank with RJ Boyle

Where to Find Swordfish: Reading Bottom Structure

Swordfish bottom structure is everything in this fishery. These fish are structure-oriented predators that use underwater topography to ambush prey and shelter from currents.

bathymetric visualization of swordfish bottom structure

Target These Bottom Features

Swordfish consistently show up on these geological structures:

Seamounts: Underwater mountains that rise from the seafloor, creating current breaks and baitfish concentrations
Rock piles: Hard bottom areas that attract crustaceans and smaller fish
Drop-offs and break lines: Depth transitions where different temperature layers meet
Divots and depressions: Bottom irregularities that create current eddies
Canyon edges: Sharp depth changes that funnel baitfish

Two Approaches to Finding Productive Bottom

I know successful captains who use completely different methods, and both catch fish consistently.

The Old School Approach: Some guys rely purely on GPS charts and decades of experience. They mark every single bite and hookup, building massive databases of productive coordinates. No fancy electronics, just relentless pattern recognition and logging. Their spot lists read like classified documents.

The High-Tech Approach: Other crews run advanced bottom mapping sonar that paints every rock, ledge, and contour. They know the seafloor like their home driveway and can drop baits on specific targets the size of a pickup truck.

Pick the method that fits your budget and fishing style. Both work. What matters most is that you keep detailed records and drift productive areas multiple times to understand how structure holds fish under different conditions.

How to Drop Baits for Swordfish: Step-by-Step Technique

Deep dropping for swordfish requires more finesse than you might expect. You can't just open the bail and let everything free-fall. Here's how to execute clean drops in various current conditions.

Dropping in Light Current

When conditions are calm, your goal is stretching the rig behind the boat before descent:

Position your boat: Idle forward slowly as you begin lowering your bait
Control the descent: Use light thumb pressure on the spool to prevent tangles
Stretch the leader: Keep moving forward until your lead and leader fully extend behind the boat
Begin the drop: Gradually increase free-spool speed as the rig drops away from the boat
Feel for bottom: Watch your line and depth counter, slowing 50 feet before expected bottom contact

Dropping in Heavy Current

Current creates the real challenge in daytime swordfishing. Surface current often moves differently than deep current, which can cause your rig to swing wildly or pile up on itself.

The key technique involves using your boat to fight the current:

Start with the current: Begin your drop while driving in the same direction as the surface flow
Stretch everything out: Get at least 200 feet of line out with your rig trailing cleanly behind
Turn into the current: Pivot the boat to stem the current, creating tension that keeps everything stretched
Drop with precision: As you stem the current, lower your bait while maintaining forward momentum
Hit your target: This controlled descent lets you place baits exactly where you want them

The concept sounds complicated on paper, but makes perfect sense once you see it in action. If you want deeper detail on current management and drop angles, check out our swordfish fishing videos that include diagrams and real-time demonstrations.

Common Dropping Mistakes to Avoid

Watch out for these issues that plague beginners:

Free-spooling too quickly: Creates tangled leaders and missed bottom contact
Driving over your rig: Happens when you don't account for current push
Putting out too much line: Makes bite detection nearly impossible
Not stretching the leader: Results in twisted terminal tackle and poor presentations

Before You Leave the Dock: Preparation Checklist

Preparation makes the difference between catching swordfish and wasting an expensive offshore run. Here's what you need squared away before your first bait hits the water:

Rig multiple baits the night before: Have at least 5-7 complete rigs ready to fish
Organize terminal tackle: Sort leads, crimps, and hardware into accessible containers
Spool backup line: Carry extra braided line for mid-trip respooling if needed
Pre-rig gaffs and buoys: You won't have time once a fish is hooked
Check drag settings: Test every reel under load before leaving the dock
Mark your proven spots: Load GPS coordinates and study bottom charts
Pack extra leader material: Bring at least 200 yards more than you think you need

I can't stress this enough. You will break off. You will lose gear. The crews that catch fish consistently are the ones who show up over-prepared and stay in the game all day.

Running out of leads or weights after your second drop is a miserable way to end a swordfishing trip.

Learning from Experience: Getting Started with Daytime Swordfish Fishing

The biggest obstacle for most anglers isn't tackle or technique. It's simply getting offshore and making that first drop. Yes, daytime swordfish fishing can feel intimidating. Yes, the gear investment is significant. Yes, you'll struggle initially.

But here's the truth: after you drop that first bait and feel it tick bottom at 1,600 feet, most of your anxiety disappears. The mystery evaporates. Suddenly you're just fishing, using the same fundamental skills you've applied to every other species.

Building Your Confidence

Start by fishing with experienced crews or booking a charter focused on daytime swords. Watch how they manage drops, handle currents, and fight fish. Ask questions. Take notes. Film their techniques on your phone for later study.

Then commit to putting in your own time. Experiment with different drop techniques over the same piece of structure. Notice how current affects your presentation. Pay attention to which bottom features produce bites versus those that stay quiet.

The learning curve is real, but it's not insurmountable. Anglers of all skill levels are catching swordfish because the information is available now. Between detailed instructional fishing videos, shared GPS coordinates on forums, and improved tackle, the barrier to entry has never been lower.

Resources on Swordfish

in the spread swordfish brushed metal decal

Swordfish - Biology of a Deep Water Predator

Swordfish - The Power of Smarter Fishing

Swordfishing - The Fine Art of Deep Dropping

Hooks for Swordfish

swordfish caught during the day in Cozumel

Daytime Swordfishing - Gladiators of the Deep

Big Swordfish Fishing: Tactical Advantages for Landing Giant Fish

Daytime Swordfishing - Advanced Deep Dropping Made Easier

Daytime Swordfish: Deep Drop Tips for Broadbill

Catching Swordfish Starts with Knowledge

How to Catch Swordfish – Start with Knowledge

big swordfish caught in South Florida be Seth Horne

Swordfishing - Understanding an Apex Predator

swordfish cruising just below the surface in search of prey

Swordfish Migration - The Long Journey of an Apex Predator

How much does it cost to get started with daytime swordfishing?

Expect to invest $2,000-$4,000 in specialized tackle including electric reels, heavy rods, braided line, and terminal tackle. Fuel and bait add another $300-$500 per trip depending on your run distance. The costs are higher than most offshore fishing, but the reward of landing a 200-pound broadbill makes it worthwhile.

What's the best bait for daytime swordfish?

Squid remains the most popular and productive bait, though rigged mackerel, bonito, and Spanish mackerel all produce. The key is proper rigging with your hook positioned to maximize hookup rates. Most successful crews carry multiple bait types and experiment based on conditions.

Can you catch swordfish from shore or do you need a boat?

Daytime swordfishing requires offshore boat access to reach the 600-1,800 foot depths where these fish feed. Shore fishing for swordfish isn't feasible given the depth requirements and distance from land.

How long do you soak a bait for swordfish?

Typical soak times range from 20 to 45 minutes per drop. Some crews prefer checking baits every 20 minutes to ensure proper presentation, while others let baits sit longer on proven structure. Experiment to find what works in your area.

What's the difference between daytime and nighttime swordfish fishing?

Nighttime swordfishing targets fish that rise to feed in the water column (150-400 feet), while daytime techniques target bottom-feeding swords at extreme depths. Nighttime fishing uses lighter tackle and drifting techniques, while daytime requires precise bottom drops and heavy gear.

Start Your Daytime Swordfish Journey

Broadbill swordfish tactics have evolved dramatically over the past two decades. What professional captains and commercial operations once guarded as trade secrets is now accessible to dedicated offshore anglers. The combination of modern braided lines, quality electronics, and shared knowledge has opened this incredible fishery to everyday fishermen.

The technical challenges are real. You need specific gear, understanding of bottom structure, and practiced technique for dropping baits through heavy currents. But none of these obstacles are insurmountable.

Get your tackle dialed in, study the bottom in your area, and commit to putting in time on the water. That first swordfish you bring to gaff will make every challenge worth the effort. The sport has never been more accessible than it is right now.

Want to accelerate your learning curve? Watch our complete daytime swordfishing video series featuring detailed rigging tutorials, current management techniques, and big fish tactics from professional captains. We pioneered the educational fishing video market specifically to help anglers master this technique faster.

Get out there and make that first drop. Your confidence will build with every bait you send down, and before long you'll be part of the growing community of anglers consistently catching these incredible gamefish.

Seth Horne In The Spread,
Chief Creator