How-To: Selecting the Best Lures for Swordfish Deep Dropping

The popularity of daytime deep dropping for swordfish has exploded over the past 5 years. The development of advanced electric reels, rods and techniques now allow a wide variety of anglers the opportunity to target these deepwater fish during the daylight hours some 1600 feet below the surface. A relatively new, yet proven technique for deep dropping swordfish with soft baits is rapidly reaching new fisheries around the world. A few years ago, commercial swordfish Captain Corey Burlew reached out to us and shared his ‘secret’ daytime technique deep dropping the Hogy 18" HDUV Original Series which he would hand stitch to his swordfish bait rigs. These custom Eel Lures proved to not only work, but often out produce natural baits.

Update December 19, 2019: Since Hogy no longer carries the 18" HDUV Original series, we've worked with Captain Corey to design the perfect pre-rigged daytime Hogy Deep Drop Swordfish Eel, which are the same length as the HDUV series but these rigged baits feature the same premium hooks, leader and terminal tackle used for commercial fishing. Simply put, these rigged eels are ready to be put to work. 

PRESENTING DAYTIME DEEP DROP SOFT BAITS: (For fishing along the gulf stream) Current flows to the north, face north and begin dropping. Every 100 ft stop for a moment to allow slack to catch up to drop. At 600′ turn the boat around to face south and drop quickly. Once you hit bottom, pick up the bait 100′ – 150′. Some days they are very tight to the bottom 30′ -50′ down. Other days they are up 150′ – 200′. The video below highlights the deep drop technique.

DEPENDABILITY: Presenting baits a near the bottom in 1600 feet of water takes time. Dropping and retrieving a bait may take up to 30 minutes alone. After a bite and missed hookup with natural bait, it’s hard to know if you still have your bait presenting properly. One major advantage to deep dropping oversized soft baits is the increased durability and secure rigging. Capt. Corey reports an average of 2-3 fish per softbait before they are damaged and need repair. This confidence of a proper presentation without having to check a bait after each bite significantly increases your time in the strike zone.

DEEPWATER FORAGE: There is an unimaginable variety of forage available in the abyss. One common feature found in the stomach contents of many swordfish feature long, slender, darkly colored fish and eels. Some of the most common species found are snake mackerel, gulper eels, angler fish and squid. Our deep drop eel tail used in the swordfish drop rig have an uncanny resemblance to these baits.