Swordfishing in Key Largo, Florida
Fish with one of the swordfising elite call captain Jim Mulcahy from Fins & Feathers Key Largo fishing charters at 305.453.0088 today!
Jim Mulcahy, has fished as a full time fishing guide in the south Florida and Bahamian waters for over 20 years. He shared his love of fishing with his father. That love and knowledge helped launch his career as a Florida Keys fishing guide at an early age.
Jim is among the swordfishing elite; he is the man to beat. Everyone who fishes offshore in south Florida knows of captain Jim Mulcahy and Fins & Feathers Swordfishing Charters out of Key Largo, either by watching firsthand how he operates with skillful harmony to deploy live baits and land bluewater game fish, or from hearing secondhand reports of outstanding fights with everything from trophy dolphin to slab-sized swordfish.
Florida fishing tournament fishermen know Mulcahy even better, often having to applaud while he and his anglers walk up to receive the lion’s share of awards in many of the major swordfishing events. From south Florida to the Florida Keys, when captain Jim and his crew enter a sworfish tournament, then his boat is the one to watch. He has become one of the most successful Billfish tournament captains the sport has seen.
Jim holds the record for the longest blue marlin battle while working as a mate during the 1998 Bahamas Billfish Championship on the "Abracadabra"...32 hours and 40 minutes.
Jim is the owner and operator of the Fins & Feathers Key Largo fishing charters. He fishes aboard a 2007, 34’ SeaVee named Twice Bitten. Powered by a reliable and powerful inboard diesel engine, she cruises at over 30 knots.
SeaVee’s are known for their soft, dry ride, so you’ll get to and from the fishing grounds quickly and safely. Designed to be built around the way you fish - this 34' SeaVee is a tournament rigged fishing machine. Captain Jim can comfortably accommodate up to 4 anglers. If you'd like to fish with him, call 305.453.0088 to make a reservation.
Mulcahy also runs a live bait business. Florida Keys fishing captains and anglers come to him for frisky live baits such as cigar minnows, ballyhoo and goggle eye - a sailfish favorite. Call 786.493.0324 for more information on captain Jim's live bait.
Swordfish
Swordfish are considered the gladiator of the deep. Available year-round 15 to 20 miles offshore in the gulf-stream. Trips depart in the afternoon and return at 2am.
Swordfish - Xiphias gladius, come from the Family Xiphiidae, SWORDFISHES are colored of back variable, black, grayish blue, brown, metallic purple, or bronze, and it's sides are dusky with a dirty white underbelly dirty white. One of their most distinguishing features is a long, flat, sword-like upper jaw. The bill is flat on the top and extremely sharp on the edges, giving it a sword shape (hence their name). Swordfish are the only billfish species (other than saw sharks which are more of a ray than a fish) that uses their bill to kill its prey. They also lack scales, teeth, and pelvic fins. Swords have a single keel on each side of body in front of their tail, a rigid and short high first dorsal, and large eyes. They do not resemble any other billfishes.
Offshore species, are found in the Florida Keys and world wide. However, they are known to frequent tropic waters, and depths of 400 to 500 fathoms. Occasionally, you'll see them basking at the surface.
Swordfish once averaged 200 pounds but over harvest has reduced size of commercially caught swordfish to average of 48 inches. The current Florida swordfish record is 612 lbs., 12 oz's.
About 7 years ago, the state of Florida outlawed commercial boats from long-lining in the Straits of Florida. This incredibly wise bit of legislation helped the diminished swordfish populations to come back in full force. Every year since then, the swordfishing in Key Largo has been getting better and better. Our proximity to the nutrient rich gulf-stream waters, makes Key Largo a hotspot for swordfish activity. Swordfish are traditionally nocturnal feeders so we prefer to fish for them at night. They feed on squid, mackerel, tuna and pretty much anything else that swims their way.
Large swordfish are all females, males seldom exceeding 200 pounds. Except when spawning, females believed to prefer water cooler than that favored by males.
Swordfishing Technique
Although we have caught swordfish close to shore in only 350’ of water, the best swordfishing in Key Largo is about 15 - 20 miles offshore. The gulf-stream current out that far is moving an average of about 3-4 miles per hour. The gulf-stream acts as a huge conveyor belt, pushing along bait fish and game fish alike as they migrate northward. Swordfish aren’t the only fish you might catch fishing out there. It is not unheard of to catch yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dolphin, certain game sharks, and even the rare marlin while swordfishing off Key Largo. Swordfish however, are generally the targeted species on these trips, especially when fishing at night. Swordfish are occasionally caught during the daytime as well, but many more are caught during the night.
In my many years of fishing Key Largo, I have caught almost every fish species possible out here and swordfish are definitely one of the top fighting fish in our ocean. They are pure muscle and fight till the bitter end. It takes the heaviest of tackle to land a swordfish.
Squid are the preferred baits to use for catching swordfish out of Key Largo, Florida. A carefully rigged dead squid or mackerel seems to work the best for enticing these fish to eat. Live baits can sometimes get the bite when swordfish are shying away from squid. Live blue runners, goggle eyes, rainbow runners, tinker mackerel and live tunas are all good live baits to use. Cylume light sticks and waterproof strobe lights are attached near the baits, to the line when fishing for swordfish. The glow of the cylume and the flashing of the strobe light make the fish aggressive and more apt to bite the bait.
When we fish for swordfish in Key Largo, we stagger the baits at different depths to avoid tangles. On our private boat swordfish charters, we fish about 5 or 6 lines. We use balloons and different sized weights to keep the baits apart and free of tangles. These are also used to position the baits in the different water columns. On our drift boat, we fish 12-15 lines, so we can fish a lot more water columns and cover even more depths. Swordfishing is dynamic and a lot of conditions contribute to your success or failure out there. Moon phases affect swordfishing more than any other species out of south Florida. My favorite moon phases to fish on are a week before and a week after the full moon.
When you do hook into a swordfish, make sure to fight him gently and don’t “horse” him in. Swordfish have soft mouths and the hooks can be pulled easily. It’s better to spend a few extra minutes fighting the fish than to lose him due to being impatient. The captain and mate are right there to coach you through and help you to catch the fish. Swordfish are excellent eating so unless you are strictly catch and release, we like to bring legal size fish in. When the fish comes up to the boat, it is typical to gaff or harpoon them. Using these devices, a swordfish has less of a chance to get off right next to the boat.
Key Largo offers excellent swordfishing opportunities, and the fishing is actually quite good for them out here. It’s never a guarantee, but captain Jim Mulcahy has vast experience swordfishing in the key Largo, Florida area and if anyone can hook you into a big swordfish, it’s him. Feel free to call him at 305.453.0088, if you have any questions or would like to book a trip.
Swordfishing and other Key Largo fishing reports.
Swordfish can be caught any time of the year but season is in full swing from May til' December. Evening swordfishing charters scheduled daily. Call 305.453.0088 to make a reservation.
Key Largo fishing report, August 12th - Summertime fishing in the Florida Keys provides variety and great action.
It's a great time of year to enjoy the calm sea off of south Florida. Nine out of ten mornings I leave the inlet and enter mirror calm seas. The early morning bite has been active with a lot of 10-20 pound Kingfish action.
Sailfish are moving in one week and gone the next. Johnny from Pepsicola reeled in a large 80 inch sailfish for his first billfish catch. Some very large Barracudas have been stalking bait fish and getting caught on our lines. These toothy fish are unpredictable when there is a hook in there mouth, jumping like sailfish, skyrocketing from left to right. Dolphin have been offshore as of last week in the 7-800 feet depths. The schools have been big with a lot of schoolie size fish. The Wahoo bite should turn on this month and also the swordfishing. We have had some of our best bites on the August moon. Lets do some fishing my friend.
To check our availability or book a charter just give captain Jim a call at 305.453.0088.
Key Largo fishing report, July 12th - What a week for fishing!
Its been a great week at sea everyone. Lots of action on our sportfishing trips this week. First off the big kingfish are starting to show up on the reef in really good numbers. We’ve caught a lot of kingfish this week.
The big bonitos are tearing it up out there as well. On most of our trips lately, we’ve had lots of action on the troll with bonitos and nice kingfish. Some small-medium sized mahi-mahi have been venturing in on the reefs as well. On more than one trip this week, we’ve hit a school of dolphins swimming by. Hungry little suckers, they will eat just about anything you throw at them.
The wrecks have been holding a few of these really big golden amberjacks. We usually make a couple drops on some of the shipwrecks off our coast on most of our sportfishing charters. The wrecks this time of year hold the aggressive feeding golden amberjacks, which put up a tremendous fight on the heaviest of tackle. Few fish can pull with the strength of these deep water game fish. Both of these amberjacks were caught on the same fishing trip. Nice catch!
I always tell people, in the summer, the weather is hot… and so is the fishing. The reefs are holding tons and tons and tons of kingfish, bonitos, tunas and other species. All of our sportfishing trips have been coming in with some big game fish as well. Some sharks, sailfish and big golden amberjacks are still being caught out there. Other boats are also bringing in almost as many kingfish and bonitos as the drift fishing boats have been catching. On this sportfishing trip, we caught our usual assortment of bonitos and kings, as well as this huge cobia you see hanging on the rack. Talk about a good eating fish, cobia are one of my favorites. Call 305.453.0088 for reservations.
Key Largo fishing report, June 19th - Schools out and the dolphin is hitting offshore.
Summer is here! Kids are out of school, the sun is shining, the fish are biting, now is a great time for fishing in Key Largo. First off, this is the all around best time of year for mahi-mahi. I mean, they are all over the place out there. Most of them are the schoolies, not more than 5 or 6 pounds, but there are a lot of them. Hit one school offshore, find a weed line to troll along, or spot just one piece of debris floating and you’re in there, dolphin! For this time of year, I do recommend a longer trip, like a 6 hour or all day, because it can take some time to find them out there. Fortunately for us, birds are much better fishermen than ourselves, and we can spot them a lot easier. If you’re looking for some decent dolphin action and a possible freezer filling mission, this is about the best time of year for an all day dolphin charter.
Kingfish action has been very decent as well. Kings, bonitos, mahi-mahi, and even some blackfin tunas have been pretty thick along the deeper reefs and wrecks off south Florida. Best action has been from trolling planers and outrigger baits(rigged strips and ballyhoos). Troll anywhere from 80′-175′ of water and you’ll get plenty of action. Try brighter colored lures and skirts on darker overcast days and darker skirts and lures on bright, shiny days. Seawitches, plain skirts, small mildcraft lures, and drone spoons are the ticket this time of year.
June is my favorite month in the Florida Keys. The weather is gorgeous and the fishing could not be better. If you normally only visit the Keys in the winter time; try a visit here in June or July and find out what our summer fishing is all about. Call 305.453.0088 for reservations.
Key Largo fishing report, April 15th - Dolphin fishing picks up, swordfishing is good and tarpon are here.
The winds of spring have been blowing. Days are getting longer, the waters are warming up and the summer fish are starting to bite. Dolphin (mahi-mahi) are showing up offshore. Bigger dolphin are swimming against the gulf-stream. Birds moving in any other direction will be smaller dolphin or tuna. The dolphin are here in very good numbers and the tuna are hitting.
Swordfish…..my favorite and one of my specialties!! They are here year round but spring and summer offer a great opportunity as the winds are calm and fishing for them gets easier. We are batting 100% this year with at least one fish every time we have gone. Squid rigged with cylume light sticks are the ticket, the brighter the night the deeper the bite as baits need to be set deeper.
Last night I took Mario and three of his friends reef fishing. The reef fishing has been best at night as the water is becoming very clear. The morning bite has been good but by mid day the bite has been slowing down due to the very clear water and bright sun. Snapper fishing at the reef has been outstanding on the deeper ledges with large yellowtail up to 5 pounds being the most consistent. There have been a lot of mangrove snapper showing up and the spawn will start any time now. Night fishing has been the best bite for snapper but daytime catches have been consistent.
Tarpon are showing up around the oceanside side flats. These fish are big, mean and spend more time out of the water than in the water. I've hear that the back country bite for snook and trout has been red hot early in the morning and in the evening near the creek mouths.
Tarpon fishing is just getting underway. We had two hits and two misses on big ones, over 100 pounds, at the channel 5 bridge a couple of nights ago. One boat landed a big one next to us. The bite is not red hot yet but will be improving daily as the water temps rise.
Our summer fishery is underway here in the Key Largo and the Florida Keys, book now and don’t miss out on the action. Key Largo is just over and hour from Miami and minutes from Islamorada. Call 305.453.0088 for reservations.
Key Largo fishing report, March 10th - Sharks, swordfish, and dolphin the best bite.
March here and the fishing off the coast of Key Largo is how it is every March, Awesome! This month we've already started catching some monster game fish out there. In March, sharks are king. The big hammerheads are swimming through and they are hungry. Head out to the drop-off, about a mile offshore. Throw out a tasty, bloody bonito or an oily king mackerel head. You've got a pretty decent chance at getting hooked up to a giant hammerhead shark, thresher shark, or any of those prehistoric predators at the top of the food chain.
Sharks only swim where there is plenty of food, so there are a lot of other species around this time of year as well. Big mahi-mahi are starting to show up. We won't get the big schools of schoolie sized dolphins until summer, but the big ones are here now. We've run into some huge bull dolphin on several of our fishing trips this month and that's just a prelude for what's to come.
Every year during March to May, there is a 2 to 3 week interval when the big mahi-mahi come through in crazy numbers. They come right in on the reef in 100' to 200' of water. Dolphins are traditionally an offshore fish but this is when they come in close. I think it is to mate or to feast on the reefs plethora of bait fish before they mate. Anyway, with these big bull dolphins starting to show up here and there, it can be anytime now when the big dolphin have their spring break feeding frenzy.
Night fishing has been particularly productive lately as well. The big game fish, the swordfish, has been biting with vigor too. My past few night swordfishing trips have been very successful. One of our recent trips landed a 165 pound swordfish that took over 2 hours to get to the boat. Another recent trip caught a double header swordfish, one being around 70 pounds and the other just over 100 pounds. Not every night has been a banner night. A couple trips in the past few months have been slow, but I'm happy to say that almost every trip has come in with some nice fish. The best trips have been on the upside of the full moon and at least a week after the full moon. The full moon fishing itself has been our slowest trip. Good fishing all around, I hope that March will be a great month of fishing.
Fins & Feathers Charters is located in Key Largo, Florida; just a few minutes north of Islamorada, the fishing capital of the world. Call Fins & Feathers Key Largo fishing charters at 305.453.0088 and book a trip today.
Key Largo fishing report, January 25th - Sailfish, grouper, and snapper, all biting well!
Sailfish bite is on with big numbers being reported throughout the Upper Keys. We released 3 on our last day sailfishing missing a fourth. On 20 pound test spinning tackle, it is hard to find a more thrilling fight than a Florida Keys sailfish. We use live bait just outside the reef in 80 to 250 feet of water. Sailfish will strike at the bait with their bill before swallowing the bait so we leave the bails open on the reels with the line held with a small piece of wire. When the fish hits, the line pops off the wire and feeds the sailfish the bait freely. We count 1-1000, 2-1000, 3-1000, 4-1000, 5-1000, then close the bail, reel in the slack and set the hook. The fight is on, we often have to back down quickly to avoid running out of line. Get in on the action while the bite is hot. Check out some photos from our last couple of trips here.
Today we caught a 60lbs. big black grouper at the reef today off Key Largo, Florida. Big black and gag grouper have been migrating from the Gulf of Mexico and more northern Atlantic waters to escape the cold. Our reef lies close to the gulf-stream and water is still 78 degrees there as waters in the gulf-stream are dropping below 70 degrees. Even in the depth of winter, the water temperature at the reef will remain in the low 70’s attracting many species, especially grouper. The big brutes up to and exceeding 50 pounds are tackle busters and anglers must be ready to do battle when they hit your bait. The fight is won or lost in the first few seconds when the grouper tries to get back to the safety of the coral. If the angler doesn’t stop him, the grouper will be dug in and the line will have to be cut.
Yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper and mutton snapper have all been plentiful and cooperative on the edge of the reef and patches the last few weeks. This is especially fun for the kids as the action is non-stop. Using frozen chum to ball the fish up behind the boat and feeding them shrimp on light tackle has been the secret to success. Large grouper are beginning to show up on the deeper ledges. Large live baits, such as grunts, work well on these brutes. Just be prepared to do battle in order to keep the fish out of the rocks and coral or you’ll lose him.
Key Largo fishing report, December 22nd - Sailfish, tuna, wahoo, amberjack, barracuda, grouper, snapper, mackerel, and sharks best bet this winter
December is a great time to be in the Keys. While the rest of the country is literally freezing, we may get a few nights in the 60s but the days are sunny and can reach 80 degrees. There is plenty to do on the water - offshore, inshore, flats - it doesn’t matter what your preference is.
Offshore fishing will welcome several species including wahoo, tuna, sailfish, king mackerel, sharks, and even a few dolphin (mahi-mahi). There are several areas where this fish congregate. Fishing for them on light tackle is a lot of fun but trolling offshore is a great way to spend a day with friends.
Reef and wreck fishing can also be done from either of these types of boats. Deep wrecks hold a variety of snapper, grouper and amberjack. There can also be very large sharks on these wrecks that put on a great fight on any type of conventional fishing gear.
Just last week I caught yellowtail snapper, barracuda, mackerel, jacks, rainbow runners and grouper off the reef. Take your pick because the action can be thick at times. This is a fun type of trip to take with your children as it will keep them occupied for hours.
Get in on the action this winter, book your trip today. Fins & Feathers Key Largo fishing charters is located just off US1 in Key Largo, minutes north of Islamorada and just over an hour south of the Miami airport. Call 305.453.0088 for reservations.
Key Largo fishing report, November 20th - Sailfishing time is here in Key Largo.
During the month of October we had 7 days when the wind blew at 20 knots or greater. We also had 8 additional days when the wind was 15 knots or greater. That much wind is unusual for this time of year. On the days when the weather cooperated we found the fishing to be pretty good.
Winter fishing this Tuesday in the keys was really turning on. I was having a great yellowtail bite on the reef. Tuna are hungry on the humps with big numbers being racked up. Sailfishing is turning on very nicely with 2+ sails per outing. It appears as this will be a great year for sailfish in the Keys with cooling waters north of us sails will be on the move south right past our doors. Some dolphin are also being caught on many outings. Kingfish and cero macks are here in good numbers. When the winds are in your favor expect good things to happen here in the Florida Keys.
The permit hung around in decent numbers most of the month, as evidenced by my friend Ray Rosher who caught his first permit this month. Fishing has been very good here in the Keys and I expect the fishing to only improve because of normal winter weather patterns. Big blackfins, sailfish and dolphin are slamming live trolled ballyhoo near the reefs edge. Kingfish are here in good fishable numbers. There is plenty of action, call 305.453.0088 to make reservations.
Key Largo fishing report, October 12th - No mahi-mahi yet, the sailfish are on the way to the Florida Keys, and the reef fishing has been spectcular.
The Mahi-Mahi or Dolphin fish have not made their run south as yet. Each year, the larger fish that have traveled to the Carolinas migrate back south in search of warmer water as the ocean cools north of us. We have caught a few but the migration has yet to kick in. It may coincide with the winter sailfish migration this November which would produce tremendous action live baiting just off the reef.
The mahi-mahi or dolphin fish have not made their run south as yet. Each year, the larger fish that have traveled to the Carolinas migrate back south in search of warmer water as the ocean cools north of us. We have caught a few but the migration has yet to kick in. It may coincide with the winter sailfish migration this November which would produce tremendous action live baiting just off the reef. The fall dolphin are the biggest of the year with few fish less than twenty pounds. We landed a 54 pound dolphin last year during Thanksgiving week.
Sailfish should start their migration in November as the cold fronts start to find their way south. The weather this morning has a cold front stalled over North Florida with temps in the 50’s. This one will not make it to us as the high temps are still in the upper 80’s but it won’t take long before these cold fronts visit the Florida Keys. The sailfish seem to show up every year with the first cold fronts in November and stay with us through April.
Today we stuck to the reef and it continues to produce a consistent bite of yellowtail snapper. Mutton snapper in 100-120 foot of water just outside the reef have also been hitting well. Large grouper are starting to show up at the reef also this fall. Reef fishing provides constant action and great table fare. Kids love to have constant action on the yellowtail snapper with the occasional grouper or large barracuda thrown in.
The busy season is just around the corner here in the Florida Keys as the snow starts to fall up north. Key Largo rarely drops below 70 degrees for a high, even in January and February. Come down, enjoy the sunshine and have some fantastic fishing action here in paradise. Book early to ensure your day fishing in the Keys. Call 305.453.0088 to make reservations.
Evening swordfishing charters scheduled daily call 305.453.0088 for reservations:
Contact Information:
Captain Jim Mulcahy
Holiday Inn, Key Largo, Florida, Mile Marker 100
Key Largo, FL 33037
Phone Number: 305.453.0088
Email: jimmulcahy@ymail.com and put swordfishing in the subject line.
Remember, if your looking for Key Largo fishing charters then make Fins & Feathers your choice! Your captain Jim Mulcahy will provide everything you'll need to make your next Florida Keys fishing charter a success!
Our Key Largo fishing charter boat always includes ice, fuel, a fishing license, tackle and bait. High quality rods and reels are always spooled with fresh line. No old or worn out gear that will jeopardize the catch of a lifetime. Just bring food, drinks and sunscreen. Call captain Jim Mulcahy from Fins & Feathers Key Largo fishing charters at 305.453.0088 to make your reservation.