How to Catch Swordfish in the Southeast Atlantic
The short answer
Swordfish in the Southeast Atlantic hold on bluewater. They peak May–Sep. Start with squid: A rigged whole squid with a skirt and light-stick, dropped to the bottom third of the water column on 8–10 lb of lead. Daytime deep-drop on the bottom third; classic drifts run at night.
When Swordfish bite in the Southeast Atlantic
Year-round in the deep — summer is the daytime deep-drop window
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
around | around | around | around | peak | peak | peak | peak | peak | around | around | around |
What to throw for Swordfish
Best first. The retrieve matters more than the lure, so each one says how to work it.
- Squid — A rigged whole squid with a skirt and light-stick, dropped to the bottom third of the water column on 8–10 lb of lead.
- Whole fish — Rigged dolphin belly or bonito strip sewn tough — swords slash the bait; wait out the tap-tap-slack.
- Chunk bait — Night drift: staggered baits at 100/200/300 ft under jugs with light-sticks.
Where to find them
Look for bluewater.
Daytime swording is a bottom game — hold the bait in the strike zone as the boat drifts. The bite is subtle for a fish that big; when the rod loads up, crank, don't swing. 47" minimum and an HMS permit if you keep one.
Tide and timing
Tide isn't the driver for swordfish — daytime deep-drop on the bottom third; classic drifts run at night.
Tackle
50–80 lb bent-butt or electric-assist · 200–300 lb wind-on leader · 9/0–11/0 J-hooks
Check the regulations
Size and bag limits change by state and by season, and they change more often than any article gets updated. Check your state agency before you keep anything.
Sounder links the right state agency for wherever you drop a pin, and flags a fish that’s out of slot as you log it.