Daytime Deep Drop Swordfishing with Hogy Lures

Video Description

Daytime swordfishing does not require a complicated spread. With one appropriate outfit, a handful of baits, a deep-drop weight, and the right terminal gear, you can put a durable artificial presentation into the strike zone. Follow Capt. Mike Hogan and Capt. Corey Burlew as they prepare the rig, position the boat, manage the descent, and turn a subtle deep-water bite into a hookup.

1. Keep the Eel Tracking Straight 0:32

Fish the double-hook eel beneath a stabilizing skirt. The skirt helps keep the long bait centered and tracking correctly as it moves through the water.

2. Rig Lights to Break Away 1:00

Secure each light with a tightly wrapped rubber-band loop. During the retrieve, the bands can break at the rod tip and allow the lights to slide down toward the swivel, clearing the working area for the gaff or harpoon.

3. Start Ahead of the Structure 2:15

Account for current, depth, and descent time before deploying. Begin ahead of the target so the rig reaches the bottom near the pinnacle, canyon edge, or other structure you intend to fish.

4. Control the Descent 2:43

Ease the leader, sinker, and bait into the water, then pause the descent briefly at regular intervals—about every 100 feet during the initial drop. These pauses let the system straighten and reduce spinning, fouling, and tangles.

5. Fish About 100 Feet Off Bottom 4:20

Watch the rod tip for the weight to touch bottom, then retrieve approximately 100 feet of line. Slowly work against the current to keep the bait moving naturally and cover ground at a controlled pace. In the conditions shown, the crew targets roughly 1.4–1.6 knots.

6. Reset the Zone Regularly 5:03

Periodically return the weight to bottom and reset it approximately 100 feet above the seafloor. The check accomplishes three things:

• Confirms depth: Wind, current, and line angle continually change the bait’s true position.
• Adds action: The falling sinker pulls the soft eel down with a natural undulation that can trigger a strike.
• Keeps you engaged: Working the rod helps you recognize small changes in its normal rhythm.

7. Convert the Bite 6:31

Swordfish bites at depth may appear as a light tap, a stalled rod tip, or line that repeatedly goes slack as the fish swims upward.

• After a subtle tap, raise the weight about 10 feet before dropping back to bottom.
• After a pronounced bump, drop immediately to bottom and reset to the working zone.
• Watch for unexpected slack while winding—it may indicate that the fish is moving upward with the bait.
• Once the rod loads and stalls consistently, maintain contact and come tight.

The Key Takeaway

Do not simply soak the bait. Repeatedly confirm bottom, reset the eel into the strike zone, and stay tuned to the rod. Each reset verifies depth, gives the lure a natural rise-and-fall action, and improves your chances of seeing the lightest swordfish bite.