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 all tackle world record swordfish (1,182-lbs.) caught in 1953 by Lou Marron off Iquique, Chile. This coast once produced unbelievable numbers of anchovies (which were preyed on by tunas that were themselves the prey of monster sized swordfish and marlin) until the anchovies were overfished into oblivion. The anchovies were there to feed on floating plants such as diatoms collectively called phytoplankton that were produced as a result of massive upwellings of nutrient-rich water associated with the Humbolt Current. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MORE PHOTOS
Swordfish - page 2 of
3 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chambers and Associates 9814 Kensington Parkway Kensington Maryland 20895-3425 (T) 301-949-7778��� (Fax) 301-949-3003 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||