Florida Sport Fishing - Making the most of moonlit swordfish nights.

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Making the most of moonlit swordfish nights.

Written by Capt. RJ Bobby Boyle

AS SEEN IN THE 2004 SUMMER ISSUE

Second only to local weather conditions, the effect of moonlight represents the most significant influence in the capture of swordfish. Anglers who are successful at targeting these billfish control key variables and take advantage of specific characteristics. The overall concept that swordfish concentrate their feeding activity around specific periods requires that you take advantage of the effects moonlight has out on the swordfish grounds.

As with all types of fishing, constant improvements in tackle and accessories along with years of experimentation continually improve results. Though, every time an angler heads out to the swordfish grounds, he or she could only wish that each squid is set at an accurate depth and with the correct color glow-light. For years we’ve been taught to stagger our baits at different levels in the water column and to fish various color lights, all in an attempt to maximize our odds of capturing the attention of a gladiator while out on a nightly hunt. Experienced swordfish anglers would agree, during a majority of the outings as the night progresses a pattern usually emerges.

Closely studying past catch statistics reveals trips where three strikes may have occurred and all on baits set below 200’ and only with green lights. These same statistics indicate patterns where for days at a time strikes only occurred on bait set very close to the surface and with everything other than a white light. As a trip progresses, adjusting depth of baits, light color and placement according to varying sea conditions and to any activity that may have occurred is always a good idea, but what if there was a better answer. Right now, it’s difficult to determine a conclusion. Do we fish our baits at 50 ft. or at 400 ft.? Light or no light? White, blue or green? There obviously is no one perfect set or pattern that’s works like magic as conditions constantly change. Although understanding the effects of moonlight in relation to a hot swordfish bite may help us fine tune our presentations.

First, you must appreciate a bit about the moon. The moon moves around the Earth at an average distance of 240,000 miles and at an average speed of 2,300 mph. The moon completes one revolution around earth in about 27 days. Although the moon appears bright to the naked eye, it reflects only 7% of the light that falls on it. That’s about the equivalent of coal dust.

At any one time, we can only see 50% of the moon’s entire surface. However, an additional 9% can be seen from time to time due to libration. We all know the moon shows different phases as it orbits around earth. The phases of the moon are determined by how much of the sunlit half can be seen at any one time.

What swordfish anglers identify as a new moon, is not a new moon at all but rather when the face is completely in shadow. A new moon is in line between the sun and the earth, showing us its dark side and therefore barely visible. About a week later, the moon is in its first quarter, resembling half of a circle. Another week goes by and the full moon reveals its fully lit surface and is extremely bright. A full moon is looked upon as the most sensational period of the month, and is believed to have power over weather conditions and the tides. Approximately seven days later, the moon is in its last quarter and again appears as half of a circle. The entire cycle is repeated each lunar month.

In determining successful swordfish strategies and calculating where in the water column to place your baits, the amount of moonlight figures profoundly. Swordfish are pelagic, predatory species that are drawn to concentrations of bait. Squid and mackerel, both primary food sources are diurnal by nature, meaning they stay deep during bright daylight hours and rise to shallower waters as light levels diminish. Moonlight penetrates the oceans surface and plays a role in where the bait will concentrate. Moonlight reflecting through the ocean’s surface creates a barrier of sorts which bait will not rise through. The best captains and crews adjust their hook baits over the course of a fishing trip to try and pinpoint this exact level in the water column where most of the bait is holding.

Common sense would dictate the brighter the moon, the deeper in the water column hook baits should be fished. Weather and sea conditions may also influence the location of bait. The best indication if your rigged squid is at the proper depth other than of course a solid strike is if it’s chewed up or torn apart. That’s a encouraging sign and provides strong indication that your baited hooks are at a level where prey is holding
With brilliant pupils the size of a baseball, it’s no wonder swordfish are extremely sensitive light gatherers. Their gazing retinas are packed with specialized rods that are extremely sensitive to low light vision. Swordfish can pick up even faint glimpses of light from great distances. The ability to artificially magnify local bait concentrations in a tighter area may be an effective means of attracting attention. The activity around and through your spread from all of your baits being in a smaller area may significantly increases the probability of encounter and capture. It goes without saying that you’re better off fishing horizontal layers in the water column where bait is present. That theory applies to all pelagic species. Considering the amount of moonlight present will stacks the odds in your favor when guessing the appropriate depth. Again, common sense would tell you the brighter the moonlight, the deeper in the water column the bait will be holding.

The use of different color light-sticks plays an important role in the puzzle we call swordfishing. Color selection and placement on the line should be adjusted according to differential light levels associated with each phase of the moon. There is no question that a light source, chemical or battery powered, significantly increases the attractiveness of swordfish baits. During full moon periods, due to the increased amount of moonlight penetrating the water column, the effectiveness of light-sticks at shallower depths may be diminished. This is probably when two or three light-sticks may be required to produce the same invitation.

Each light color has its own unique spectral qualities such as burn duration, initial brightness and water penetration. Though fish have been captured on every color light known to man, green and blue shine above the rest. I’m often asked what’s the correct distance from the hook for the light to be attached. I believe it’s a distance which leaves your hook bait oddly drifting just outside the brightest sphere of light or what we call, in the light’s shadow.

Successful recreational swordfishing comes from a basic understanding of the interaction of many different variables. The importance of all these factors does vary, but without question moonlight has a strong influence on the location and abundance of food sources out in the Gulf Stream. Because the species that swordfish prey on are creatures of a mysterious world called the edge, I believe it is possible to improve the placement of hook baits and light-stick placement within a fishing area to maximize your odds.

With limitations on how many baits we can realistically fish, swordfishing does demand constant refinement and experimentation. Documenting fish behavior by studying particular fishing locations and different set parameters allows fine tuning over the course of time. However, it’s important to remember that a lack of initial success with any new strategy does not mean it doesn’t work. No matter what, it’s always a good idea to incorporate some degree of experimentation into every set made. Consistency and persistency are often required to see things through.
Logically looking at the effects moonlight has on the swordfish grounds will undoubtedly improve any boat’s catch history.

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