When and Where Boats Run for Swordfish Out of Stuart
Boats fish swordfish out of Stuart year-round, according to one Stuart charter, running 20 to 25 miles out of St. Lucie Inlet to 1,300 to 1,500 ft of water. This section covers the season, the run and the depth bands. How swordfish move through the water column is a bigger subject than one port, so the focus here stays local.
Season
A Stuart charter fishes swordfish year-round. That is one operator’s account, so treat it as a starting point rather than a guarantee for any given day.
The Run From St. Lucie Inlet
Boats run 20 to 25 miles out of St. Lucie Inlet to reach swordfish water. A private boat should treat that as the planning number and base its fuel on the round trip, plus the time spent drifting and running back to reset.
NOAA tide station 8722207 is the St. Lucie tide station, and it is useful for timing the inlet transit. It is a tide station, not a buoy, so it gives no offshore wind or sea state. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Depths by Trip
The two methods fish different parts of the water column, and they are easy to confuse.
| Trip | Where the baits sit |
|---|---|
| Daytime | On the bottom in 1,300 to 1,500 ft, with day trips working out to 2,000 ft |
| Night | Hung from 100 to 300 ft or more |
To find the 1,300 to 1,500 ft band, use the Chart Contours layer. It is planning information, not a navigation chart.
Grounds and Structure Off St. Lucie Inlet
Pushbutton Hill is the only named ground off St. Lucie Inlet in swordfish depths. The named reefs and wrecks on the way out sit in 80 to 200 ft. The wider Treasure Coast and Atlantic Southeast (see also the wider Atlantic Southeast guide) picture is covered in the regional briefing.
Pushbutton Hill
Pushbutton Hill, known locally as "the Hill," sits offshore of St. Lucie Inlet and is the one named piece of structure in the swordfish zone. Look at it on your chart before you go and plan your drifts around it.
Reefs and Wrecks on the Way Out
These are landmarks passed on the run, not swordfish water, and they work well as waypoints while underway.
| Spot | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Pushbutton Hill (the Hill) | Offshore of St. Lucie Inlet | |
| Sandpile reef | Nearshore reef | |
| Six Mile reef | 80 ft | Named for six miles |
| Eight Mile reef | 80 ft | Named for eight miles |
| Loran Tower (Hobe Sound) | 80 ft | Off the Loran tower in Hobe Sound |
| The Rankin (USS Rankin wreck) | ||
| Boo McCulley Reef (Borocho) | 180 ft | 9 miles offshore of St. Lucie Inlet |
| Brause Girls Reef (Penobscot tug) | 200 ft | 9 to 10 miles offshore, reached from Stuart |
The 20 to 25 mile run carries a boat well past all of these spots and into 1,300 to 1,500 ft.
How Swordfish Are Fished Out of Stuart
Boats here fish swordfish two ways: a daytime deep drop on the bottom and a lighted night set higher in the water column. For a boat that already runs dolphin and sailfish trips, swordfish is the next billfish on the list.
Daytime Deep Drop
The daytime method uses electric reels and deep drop rigs. Baits go to the bottom in 1,300 to 1,500 ft, and day trips work out to 2,000 ft. Most private boats start here, since it needs no lights and no overnight run.
Night Set
The night method uses lights and multiple rods at staggered depths, with baits hanging from 100 to 300 ft or more. Staggering the rods covers several depths at once while the boat drifts.
Line and Bait
Local boats keep the setup simple:
- Line: 65 or 80 lb braid.
- Bait: squid or dolphin bellies.
Who Fishes for Swordfish Here
Three Stuart charters list swordfish, and they are the local operators to look at before committing your own boat. Contact each directly for trip details.
- Hate 2 Lose Fishing Charters: lists swordfish trips.
- Stuart Big Game Fishing: Captain VJ Bell runs the 61-foot custom sportfisher Unbelievable.
- Stuart Sport Fishing: lists swordfish trips.
FAQ About Swordfish Fishing Out of Stuart
How far is the run for swordfish fishing out of Stuart?
The run is 20 to 25 miles out of St. Lucie Inlet. That puts a boat in 1,300 to 1,500 ft of water, where the daytime deep drop is fished.
What depth do boats fish?
Depth depends on the trip.
- Daytime: bottom in 1,300 to 1,500 ft, out to 2,000 ft.
- Night: baits at 100 to 300 ft or more.
Is it fished by day or at night?
Both. Daytime trips use electric reels, deep drop rigs and squid or dolphin bellies. Night trips use lights and multiple rods at staggered depths.
What line do local boats use?
Local boats use 65 or 80 lb braid.
Where do I get St. Lucie tides?
NOAA tide station 8722207 is the St. Lucie tide station. Use it to plan your inlet transit.
