Swordfish fishing out of Islamorada means a 25 to 45 mile run into the Gulf Stream and baits worked in 1,500 to 2,000 ft of water. Channels, ramps and fuel are in the Islamorada port guide. Below: the season window, the run and depth, the structure you pass on the way out, how local boats fish, and which charters list swordfish from this port.
When swordfish are around Islamorada
May through November has been the most consistent stretch in recent years, and the fleet catches swordfish year-round. No closed window limits planning, so the open question is how consistent the fishing is.
For the wider timing picture along the coast, see the Atlantic Southeast swordfish guide (see also the wider Atlantic Southeast guide). Before you run, check wind, wave height and period in the official NWS marine forecast.
| Window | What the fleet reports |
|---|---|
| May through November | Most consistent stretch |
| December through April | Fleet catches continue |
The run offshore and the grounds
The run comes first, then the depth, then the structure you pass along the way.
Distance
Boats run 25 to 45 miles offshore, into the Gulf Stream. At that distance, fuel and range shape the plan for your boat before anything else does.
Depth
Swordfish are worked in 1,500 to 2,000 ft of water, and local depth is about 1,500 ft. On Chart Contours, the 1,500 ft line is the one to watch. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Structure on the way out
The named structure is a set of landmarks on the run, not swordfish ground. The Islamorada Hump is a seamount in 200 ft of water about 15 miles out, well short of sword depth. Alligator Reef, Alligator Lighthouse, Cheeca Rocks and the San Pedro preserve are shallow nearshore landmarks. Molasses Reef and the Eagle, Bibb and Duane wrecks are named locally.
| Name | Type | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Islamorada Hump | Seamount | 200 ft |
| Alligator Reef | Reef | |
| Molasses Reef | Reef | |
| Eagle Wreck | Wreck | |
| Bibb Wreck | Wreck | |
| Duane Wreck | Wreck | |
| San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve | Spanish galleon | 18 ft |
| Alligator Lighthouse and Cheeca Rocks | Shallow reefs | 6 ft |
How swordfish are fished from Islamorada
Rigging, biology and general technique are in the swordfish species guide. What follows is specific to this port.
Reels
Local boats fish both conventional and electric-assist reels for deep-drop work at around 1,500 ft.
Fight time
Fights run from about 15 minutes to 7 hours. On a small boat, that can mean most of a day on one fish, so plan crew rotation and time on the water around the long end of that range.
Night fishing
Night swordfishing is also done here.
Who fishes swordfish out of Islamorada
These local charters list swordfish.
Bud n’ Mary’s
- Bud n’ Mary’s Islamorada Fishing Marina: Thats Right, 50, Capt. John Oughton
Robbie’s Marina
- Go Time Sportfishing ChartersCapt. Galon, 26 ft World Cat 266 SF, private charters out of Robbie’s Marina
- Robbie’s of Islamorada chartersCapt. Michael (partyboat) and Four Aces
If you are comparing billfish targets, the billfish fishing guides cover the rest.
FAQ: swordfish out of Islamorada
When is swordfish fishing out of Islamorada most consistent?
May through November has been the most consistent. The fleet catches swordfish year-round.
How far offshore do boats run for swordfish?
25 to 45 miles, into the Gulf Stream.
What depth are swordfish fished in off Islamorada?
1,500 to 2,000 ft of water, with local depth around 1,500 ft.
Is the Islamorada Hump a swordfish spot?
The Hump is in 200 ft of water about 15 miles out. It is a landmark on the run, and swordfish are worked in 1,500 to 2,000 ft.
How long does a swordfish fight last?
From about 15 minutes to 7 hours. Local boats fish conventional and electric-assist reels.
Which charters fish swordfish out of Islamorada?
Bud n’ Mary’s (Thats Right), Go Time Sportfishing Charters out of Robbie’s Marina, and Robbie’s of Islamorada (Four Aces).
