AS SEEN IN THE 2004 WINTER ISSUE

Beating South Florida swordfish on stand-up tackle requires proper gear, a clear understanding of how to use the equipment and a bit of finesse.

Soaking four baits over a familiar depression just a hair south of the 50/50 line, I’m hoping one of my squid or runners has a close encounter with yet another brilliant broadbill. The previous night’s success not only supplied the night’s squid bait but also serves to heighten my anticipation of yet another pleasurable engagement. Strapped to an International 50TW, I feel ready – ready for a brutal one-on-one battle with South Florida’s mightiest gladiator of the deep.

I have no way of telling when it’s going to happen, but if it does, I know I’m in for one heck of a fight! Suddenly, my rod dips in an unusual sequence. My line goes completely slack. Hoping for a solid run-off, I stand motionless as a bead of sweat trails down the side of my face. I can’t wait to pull the trigger on what I hope is a solid fish. Seconds turn into minutes and nothing happens. Finally, out in the distance, I see a faint blue light race across the surface; evidence that far below an elusive swordfish engulfed my bait and was now racing straight toward the horizon. I lock up, reel like mad and come tight. I’m in!

Pushing my tackle to its very limits, I win this bout, releasing the estimated 120-pound black eyed warrior in less than 20 minutes flat. Don’t let me deceive you though, only the ‘Fish Gods’ know how many of these battles I’ve lost before. Ask any who are addicted to the Dark Side and they’ll tell you staying connected to one of these soft mouthed monsters is a feat all itself. I, like many have pulled the hook on more plugs than I care to remember. I do take partial blame though, as I’ve always been a firm believer in the sock- ’em or pop- ‘em theory.

Considering their size, swordfish have very tender mouth tissue. Couple that with the fact that large percentages are foul hooked, and you can begin to understand why so many are lost. Most agree if the hook is going to pull, backing off on the drag and prolonging the fight into a multi-hour brawl isn’t by any means a fail safe. Chances are, you’re still going to lose the fish. I say fight ‘em and fight ‘em hard, which is precisely how I managed to land this particular brute in only minutes.

Blue water anglers from as far away as the other side of the country will tell you there’s no better way to land a powerful fish than by fighting it one-on-one, stand-up style! Big gamers’have been taking advantage of innovations in stand-up gear since the late 1960’s when long-range fishermen out of San Diego developed this style of angling so they could land huge yellowfin tuna from stationary vessels. Properly executed, stand-up fishing allows anglers the ability to consistently maintain maximum pressure on a fish, making it possible to land even the biggest fish quickly and with very little exertion on the angler.

In its primitive years, equipment designed for the task consisted of heavy leather harnesses, large Penn Senators and broomstick style rods. Half the battle was just dealing with the awkward gear. The more drag pressure you applied against your opponent, the more the bulky outfit would hunch you over. Excruciating back pain came with the territory and the longer the duration of the battle, the more exhausted the angler became. During extended skirmishes with 200, 300 or 400 pound marlin, tuna and sharks, now regarded as just average size fish, even the biggest anglers would be forced to their knees.

Today, big game stand-up fishing has evolved into a sophisticated technique requiring specialized tackle and more finesse then just brute strength. Despite countless success stories of giant bluefin tuna and grander billfish landed by anglers standing on their feet rather then planted in fighting chairs, misconceptions about stand-up fishing still prevail. Among them are assumptions that recreational swordfishermen can’t apply the same amount of pressure when standing up as they could if they were battling the fish from a chair or directly out of a rod holder, a common tactic that is seldom spoken. Another misconception is that stand-up duels are absolute torture on the angler. Neither of these facts is remotely true. Fighting a wicked broadbill with the proper stand-up gear offers anglers the advantage of mobility and is every bit as effective and even more efficient then fighting

that same fish from a fighting chair. This is especially true when fish decide to rocket under the boat and quick maneuvers are necessary to prevent getting fouled up or even worse, busted off.
Modern ergonomically designed harnesses coupled with custom stand-up outfits integrate with the correct fighting posture to allow swordfish enthusiasts the ability to keep steady and prolonged pressure on a rivaling foe of any size. Though it’s an effective technique for quickly landing powerful fish, standing up and fighting a sword that may weigh twice your own body weight isn’t exactly as easy as it sounds. There is no question you’ll need to be well versed and properly equipped if you intend on emerging victorious. Step one for anglers new to stand-up fishing is to familiarize yourself with the kidney harness/fighting belt combinations that have been developed specifically for this application. You need to comprehend why and how, when utilized properly, these harness/belt combos work so effectively. Understand that rod belts incorporate simple physics to maximize leverage and minimize angler fatigue by placing the fulcrum point at the mid to upper section of the angler’s thighs, not on the foregrip of the rod. This key factor alone makes all the difference. However, not all harnesses and belts are created equal.

Kidney harnesses should be durable and able to quickly adjust to comfortably fit your body. The kidney harness is used in combination with the rod belt to provide back support, take the strain off the anglers’ arms and legs, and allow for greater overall leverage and balance during a stand-up brawl. Along with the kidney harness select a fighting belt that’s easy to get in and out of and one with a large plate that spreads the load evenly across both thighs. A plate that is too small will likely ride on the inside half of your thighs or even worse, directly in the middle. The plate should completely extend over both upper thighs to achieve maximum efficiency. I would recommend purchasing a kidney harness and fighting belt from the same manufacturer. Game Face Gear, Braid and Aftco are just a few of the leading brands.

Equally important as a quality harness/belt combo, is a properly designed stand up rod. A stout stand-up stick acts as the lever that applies direct pressure against the swordfish and not against the angler. These fish are notorious for sounding and steady pressure is often required to haul them out of the depths. This is where the advantages of 2-speed reels come into play. All of my Star stand-up sticks are outfitted with Penn International 2-speed 50’s. I wouldn’t trade these winches for the world. The benefits of 2-speed reels are multiple, especially when hooked up to a slob on his home turf. I use the faster gear to gain line quickly when a swordfish shoots toward the boat. When the fish decides to sound, shifting into low gear allows me the extra torque needed to raise even stubborn fish from the depths. When stand-up fishing, it’s crucial to take back line whenever possible, even if it’s only a half a crank at a time. Low-gear enables me to gain on a fish that I simply wouldn’t be able to budge on a one-speed reel.

Correct stand-up techniques apply constant pressure from the gimbal where the rod actually sits in the fighting belt. Stress on the anglers’ back is avoided by wearing a kidney harness which wraps around and supports the lower back. Proper posture during a fight will result in the anglers upper legs taking the brunt of the weight. Pressure on the fish is applied through bending and straightening of the body. Those well versed in stand-up tactics all agree that proper posture and properly executed technique are both paramount for beating even the most determined fish quickly.

Ideally, once in the battle field the designated rod man should already be wearing the full armament of kidney harness, fighting belt and a pair of non-slip gloves. When adrenaline is running high as an angry sword is dumping your spool is not the time to fumble with gear. Well before lines-in take a few minutes to prepare the designated rod man with a pre-fish fitting. Configure the fighting belt so it’s situated across the front thighs with the kidney harness fit snugly across the lower back. Adjust to fit comfortably and use small pieces of black electrical tape to secure any unnecessary hanging straps.

Now that a fish has been hooked, it’s time for the rod man, assuming that’s you, to begin working him back to the boat. Secure the rod in the gimbal of your rod belt. Be sure the rod butt is inserted in the pin of the cup, this way all your efforts can be focused on managing the fish and not on dealing with a twisting rod. Once the stick is in position, clip the reel straps from the harness to the strap rings on the reel. The length of these straps should have been adjusted during the pre-fish fitting. Worthy of mention: now that you’re strapped to the rod and the rod is connected to a ticked off sword swimming somewhere well below, a precautionary measure MUST be taken. A safety line needs to be secured from the boat to the angler. Actually, the safety line should be connected from the boat to the rod, though

any safety line is better than none. After the fish has completed its initial run, it’s time for you to begin gaining line. Start with knees slightly bent and a relatively straight back. When the fish is pulling drag, don’t reel. Simply lean back and apply even, steady pressure. The moment the fish stops running, push up the drag a hair and start a pattern of short pumps, gaining a turn or two every time you lean forward. By repeating this process in a smooth, rhythmic fashion, the rod remains ‘loaded’ at all times, making it possible for you to work fish of unbelievable proportions and strengths to the boat in no time at all. The trick is to conserve your strength, take back line whenever possible, and maintain constant pressure, assuming that is you have 100% confidence in all of your connections.

Throughout the battle your right hand should be wrapped around the reel handle and your left hand should be on the top of the reel, helping you with balance and allowing you to guide the line evenly back onto the spool. As the fight nears an end, you can also use your left hand to pull back on the rod and apply even more pressure.

As the battle ensues, when the fish runs, you can take both hands off the reel and lean back to relax for a moment. But remember, to win the battle quickly, which will also facilitate in the healthy release of any undersized fish, line must always be moving. If the fish isn’t pulling drag, you should be short pumping and gaining line. Stand-up fishing is a game of inches. The rod tip only needs to move 6 to 12 inches with each lift, just keep the fish coming in your direction. Keep this thought in the back of your mind: when you rest, the swordfish rests and these phenomenal nocturnal creatures of the deep seem to have the remarkable ability to regain their strength and stamina much quicker than we do.

As in most angling situations, slack line is your worst enemy when fighting a sword stand-up style. Allowing even a hint of slack will reduce pressure on the fish, permitting your opponent an opportunity to re-oxygenate and possibly shake the hook free. All stand-up experts agree you must keep your rod bent at all times, denying the swordfish any chance for even the slightest breather. Constant steady pressure will benefit you in the long run, as the constant strain put on the fish will allow you to gain back line more efficiently. There should never be an idle moment during any stand-up battle. If you take time to pause to admire your work, you’ll lose precious ground. Whenever a swordfish isn’t pulling line off the spool, you need to be pumping and cranking.

Stand-up swordfishing takes a little time and practice to develop but as you get accusstumed you will be hooked!

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