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Swordfish
Xiphias gladius · Sea
Long-billed deep-water giant that feeds at night near the surface.
Photo: Naturalis Biodiversity Center, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Facts
| Best months | JFMAMJJASOND Jun–Oct. Northern hemisphere; shift by six months south of the equator. |
|---|---|
| Feeds | At night |
| Water temp | 18–26 °C |
| Typical size | 150–220 cm · record about 450 cm |
| Diet | Squid, fish |
| Regions | EuropeNorth AmericaCentral AmericaSouth AmericaAfricaAsiaOceania |
How conditions affect it
Moon
Sensitive to the moon: favour the major solunar periods.
Tide
Tide matters little for this species.
Pressure
Sensitive to pressure: fish a steady or slowly falling barometer.
Catching tip. Deep drop at night with squid baits; heavy tackle and regulation.
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