Are You Brave Enough – Swordfish Fishing Charters in Florida

Swordfish are part of the billfish family and are often referred to as ‘broadbills.’ Identified by their long flat bills, they slash and stun prey before feeding. Their incredible size and build make them one of the most wanted and unique fish in the Gulf of Mexico.

How to Identify Swordfish in Florida?

Swordfish are easy to spot thanks to the long ‘sword’ extending from their upper jaw. Their lethal weapon is positioned alongside two large eyes at the front of their long and muscular body. 

Swordfish typically have dark brown to purple backs, with a lighter grey belly. They’re equipped with an unusually high and rigid dorsal fin and single keels on either side. Finally, you can always confirm your observations by noticing a lack of pelvic fins, scales and teeth.

How Big Are Swordfish in Florida?

Florida Record for a Swordfish Catch: 612 lb 12 oz

People are often surprised by how big Swordfish are. These brutes often require multiple people to hold. In Florida, Swordfish grow up to 15 feet and 1400 pounds. The world record weighed 1,182 lbs and was caught in Chile.

A 50-150lb catch is realistic, but who knows – think you could catch bigger? Prove it on our Swordfish fishing charters in Florida.

Where to Catch Swordfish in Florida?

Swordfish tend to spend most of their time in the cold depths of the Gulf of Mexico, around 1850 feet. That’s why we need to go miles out offshore for some focused deep sea fishing! 

Here near the Florida Keys, we’re lucky to have Swordfish breeding grounds. You can land a Swordfish catch year-round, although history suggests fall is the best season. The best thing about deep-sea fishing is you’ll bring up a fish bigger than anywhere else.

The Florida Keys is renowned nationally for being a well-known Swordfish hotspot. People flock from near and far to catch this trophy fish!

What is Swordfish Fishing in Florida Like?

Swordfish are known for being bad-tempered. We’ve even heard stories of them fighting back and hitting boats. 

In our opinion, the daytime is the most exciting time to catch Swordfish. Here you can relax under the sun with your friends and our expert captain while we wait for a bite. We’ll see wildlife, birds and other fish on the way too. Maybe even dolphins and manatees!

While we’re deep-sea fishing, we might even get our hands on a shark or pomfret!

Then when it’s action time, you can see the beasts jump and twist out of the water. Seeing their colors and unique body is sensational. It’s a fight unlike any other and we guarantee even the bravest anglers will have their hearts racing!

Swordfish battles can be long and super fun, but you’ll need heaps of endurance and strong arms to reel in a fish from 1000+ ft. But when that Swordfish finally surfaces, we promise you won’t be disappointed.

Swordfish Behavior

• Swordfish can reach up to 60mph. 
• They’ll take your line and dive deep!
• They jump out of the surface in stunning acrobatic leaps to fight free. 
• Fights can last several hours. Who will get tired first? Man or fish?
• They’re intense, violent and require significant manpower to lift.

Florida Swordfish Fishing Regulations

• Year-round fishing
• Minimum Size Limit of 47″ lower jaw/fork length; 25″ cleithrum to keel
• 1 catch per person per day, with a maximum of 6 catches per Charter boat. 
• Hook and line only.

Can You Eat Swordfish?

Yes! While you always have the choice to release your catch, you can also take it home for a delicious meal. Swordfish has a mild taste, with a white-flesh meaty texture.

Swordfish is sold exclusively in steaks. You can take your prized catch to various restaurants and grills in the Florida Keys area and have it prepared for you properly. 

For many people, though, the photo is almost as good as the taste. This will be framed in your home for decades to come.

Releasing Swordfish

Many people prefer to release their Swordfish catch. This more respectful approach helps maintain the swordfish population in the Gulf of Mexico. Interestingly, Swordfish often remain underneath the boat for some time after release due to the boat’s shadow.

Florida Keys Swordfish Fishing Seasons

• Swordfish fishing in the Florida Keys is open all season but varies with each season.
• May to September is the high season.
• January to February is the low season