Swordfishing

Alex · January 25, 2007, 12:18:22 CET

Wow! What a wonderful dolphinfish!

I checked my book on Big Game Fishing and there the author also suggests to try night fishing with lights and day slow trolling with squid.

The book that I use is this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Game-Fishing-Handbook-Len-Cacutt/dp/0811726738/sr=1-1/qid=1169723793/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3766001-2794209?ie=UTF8&s=books

Alex

twoutes · January 25, 2007, 12:29:27 CET

Have to go now, l have a five hour drive ahead of me to Portland Victoria. Hope to get onto some good sized Yellow Tailed King Fish, Snapper, King George Whitting, and some Sharks. Will let you know how l went when l get back in four days. Cheers to all, and TIGHT LINES!!!

Alex · January 25, 2007, 12:32:27 CET

good luck and take photos!

Alex

Alex · January 25, 2007, 12:44:08 CET

Here is a photo of a "dream" saw fish that i would want to catch one day!

busumark · January 25, 2007, 13:28:18 CET

no skip its different from black marlin it doesnt grow that much. according to rio sammut book fishes of malta max weight is 50kg. i caught 3 about 4kg while trolling for lampuki

Alex · January 25, 2007, 13:46:10 CET

I understand that the difference is not only in size, but also is backfin and upperjaw. Sailfish's backfin should be much bigger than that of a swordfish + the "nose" or upperjaw should be flattened rather than round like marlin's or sailfishe's. That's from the book...

Busumark, did you fish at night or during a daytime?

Alex

P.S. When I was in Almeria, Mediterranean Spain, on their local fishmarket I saw swordfish. The nose was flat (hammered, if I can use this word). I'll attach some photos. Does it look like the one that you've caught?

Alex · January 25, 2007, 13:47:03 CET

one more photo

Alex · January 25, 2007, 14:05:54 CET

Spaniors called that fish "aguja fresca". I checked dictionary and "fresca" is "fresh", but "aguja" is "needle"

This is what I found on swordfish:
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/Swordfish/Swordfish.html

"Distinctive Features of Swordfish: The swordfish, as the only member of the family Xiphiidae, can be distinguished from other billfishes (Family Istiophoridae) by the shape of its prolonged "bill", which appears as a flattened oval in cross section. The bill is long relative to other billfishes and adults lack teeth in the jaws. While the young have scales, these are lost by the time the fish attain a body length of about 3 feet (1 m). Adults lack scales and teeth. The body is generally cylindrical. Two dorsal fins are present, although the second is quite small, separated from the first, and set far back on the body. The first dorsal fin is high and rigid. Likewise, there are two anal fins, although again the second is considerably smaller than the first. Pelvic fins are absent..."

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Sailfish
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/Sailfish/Sailfish.html

"Distinctive Features: The upper jaw is modified into a long bill which is circular in cross section. This upper jaw is approximately twice the length of the lower jaw. Two dorsal and anal fins are present. The first dorsal fin is large, much taller than the width of the body. This large fin runs most of the length of the body, with the longest ray being the 20th. The first anal fin is set far back on the body. Second dorsal and anal fins approximately mirror one another in size and shape. Both are short and concave. The pectoral and pelvic fins are long with the pelvic fins almost twice as long and nearly reaching the origin of the first anal fin. The pelvic fins have one spine and multiple soft rays fused together. A pair of grooves run along the ventral side of the body, into which the pelvic fins can be depressed. The caudal peduncle has double keels and caudal notchs on the upper and lower surfaces. The lateral line is readily visible."

Alex · January 25, 2007, 14:08:57 CET

Here are two photos of swordfish from that Museum's website: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/Swordfish/Swordfish.html

Busumark, do those fishes look like the ones you've catched?

Alex

busumark · January 25, 2007, 14:22:41 CET

you go fishing for dolphin fish(lampuki) during the day. from the dorsal fin you can most tell the difference. but in italian spearfish is called agulia imperiale and spanish and italian have some same words. this is a swordfish

Alex · January 25, 2007, 16:16:37 CET

Wow! Wonderful fish! lucky you!

I just bought my flight to Malta and will be there from 6th till 10th of April. Why don't we organise some Easter group fishing and share costs? Would anyone be interested or can I join anyone on a fishing trips on those days?

I planning to stay either in Gzira in University campus or in Sliema with a view on Valetta. Aren't those places far from the places from where you usually go fishing?

Alex

Alex · January 26, 2007, 14:54:28 CET

Photos of the fish that can be caught in UK (south of London).

http://www.kentcharterfishing.com/gallery.html

http://www.seakingboat.co.uk/Gallery.html

Alex · January 26, 2007, 16:22:57 CET

What a fishing!

http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page1-5.html

Alex · January 26, 2007, 16:43:59 CET

Cool computer fishing game :-)

http://www.pigdogtoad.com/sawfish_lagoon/sawfish_lagoon.html

twoutes · January 28, 2007, 08:02:23 CET

Just got back from my trip to Portland. Had a great time with my brothers and friends, but did not manage to catch any King Fish, nor did any of the other 100 trailer boats that were there. The cooler currents moved in, and the Kingfish ended up in Port Fairy by the time we arrived. Caught plenty of snapper though up to 2kg, nothing worth taking photos of. Looking forward to my nex trip in 2 weaks to Bateman's Bay N.S.W where e will be targeting Striped Marlin. Hope we have better luck on that trip.