Photos of Swordfish - pg 1 of 3

Below, a 484-lb. swordfish caught by sport fishermen near the island of Faial in the Azores - the top big game fishing destination in the Atlantic. Since they are not only beligerant but also have soft mouths, landing one is doubly difficult.  According to Marlin Magazine (1997), "To be among the few who've landed a broadbill on rod and reel is indeed a badge of honor."  For more, see Shanghai Charters website.   (Photo, G. Wouters)

Pictured below is the primary target of the world's commercial longline fleets - large female swordfish - these weighing about 600 lbs.   Industrial-scale commercial fleets take 99.99% of the swordfish caught worldwide.  However, in the judgment of many, swordfish are the world's premiere game fish because of their strength, stamina and ferocity.  If they live long enough, they can grow to at least 2,200 lbs., but the average north Atlantic swordfish landed by commercial vessels now weighs just 88 lbs.  (Photo, M. Alain)

Above, Australian Captain Hatch after landing one of his first Azorean swords.  This one looks to be about 150 lbs. - the size at which females mature.  (Photo, Jan van Gent)

Above, still the world record swordfish (842-lbs.) caught in 1936 by George Garey off Tocopilla, Chile.

Early photo of Zane Grey and one of the first large swordfish caught off Catalina Island, California, where big game fishing in the United States began.

Above, completely filling up the cockpit is a 292-lb. swordfish caught in the Azores by the Chris Craft called "Flamen." (Photo, Andree Angelreisen)

Above, world record holder, George Garey, holding one of his hand-made reels with another massive swordfish he caught off Tocopilla, Chile.

Above, Michael Lerner and a pair of big swords he caught on the same day during his Peru-Chile expedition of 1940.

Above, an acrobatic sword.  Left, Michael Lerner and another large swordfish caught during his South American expedition.

OTHER PAGES ON THIS WEBSITE The Severity of Atlantic Population Losses The Facts - Headed for Extinction Marlin Bluefin Tuna Swordfish Sailfish Sharks Endangered Species Act White Marlin Listing Petition Articles on Big Game Fish and Fishing Overview Hunting Giants Hunting Grander Blue Marlin and Bluefin Those Magnificent Giants Going, Going, Gone Headed for Extinction   Jim Chambers Chambers and Associates Overview List of All Pages on this Website Home

MORE PHOTOS Swordfish - page 2 of 3 New World Record Swordfish Giant Bluefin Tuna - 6 pages Black Marlin - 3 pages Atlantic Blue Marlin - 4 pages Pacific Blue Marlin - 3 pages Bigeye Tuna Yellowfin Tuna White Marlin - 2 pages Spearfish Sailfish Large Sharks

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Daily "Kill-o-Meter"

Longliners fish most heavily during the periods when the moon is brightest. So, this real-time image of the moon phase shows when the kill of swordfish is greatest and least. It also shows when the kill of blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, sharks, tunas, sea turtles, marine mammals and a host of other marine life is also greatest - even though they are not even targeted. For more, see link above.

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