The run from Hillsboro Inlet to 600–800 ft
Swordfish trips out of Pompano Beach leave from Hillsboro Inlet, cross Sailfish Alley and the Edge (the shelf drop-off), and run past mahi water until the bottom reaches 600–800 ft.
Inlet, ramp and conditions detail is on our Pompano Beach port page. The Gulf Stream picture for the wider coast is in our Atlantic Southeast swordfish guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
Past the Edge and mahi water
Lisa B, based in Lighthouse Point near Hillsboro Inlet, runs past mahi water to swordfish grounds in 600–800 ft. The route has three reference points:
- Hillsboro Inlet, the departure
- Sailfish Alley and the Edge, the shelf drop-off you cross on the way out
- Mahi water, the zone you pass through before the swordfish grounds
The 600–800 ft band
The target is the 600–800 ft band beyond mahi water. The Chart Contours layer shows where the bottom passes 600 to 800 ft, though chart layers are not for navigation. Mark that band as your target before you leave the dock.
Landmarks on the way out
The reefs and wrecks along the route are landmarks, not swordfish ground. Use them to orient yourself between the inlet and the Edge.
Shipwreck Park: Lady Luck and Okinawa
- Lady Luck sits in 126 ft, about 1 mile SE of Hillsboro Inlet, at map grid K-7.
- Okinawa sits in 70 ft, at map grid K-7.
Pompano Drop Off, grid K-8
Pompano Drop Off is at map grid K-8 on the Pompano Beach visitor dive map.
Reefs and ledges
Named reef and ledge sites listed as Pompano Beach dive sites:
- Hillsboro Ledge, Lighthouse Ledge, Horseshoe Reef
- Pompano Trench, Lost Ledge, Suzzane’s Ledge, Pompano 3rd Reef Ridge
- Steve’s Twin Ledges, Shark Reef, Touchdown Reef, Grouper Bend, Nursery
Wrecks
Named wrecks near Pompano Beach:
- Sucre, Miller Lite, Mariner II Tug, Union Express, Mary St. Philip
- Rodeo 25, Quallman Tugs, RSB-1, RBJ, Chris Corey
- Renegade, Lowrance, Captain Dan, Guy Harvey, SS Copenhagen, Caicos Express
How swordfish are fished here
Local boats set up around three things: bait height, one specific rig and a strong current. General deep-drop technique is in our swordfish guide.
Bait 100 ft off the bottom
Local boats keep the bait about 100 ft off the bottom.
The bonito taco
The preferred bait is the bonito taco: a folded bait with a squid skirt and a 10/0 stainless hook.
Working a 4-knot current
A 4-knot Gulf Stream current makes it hard to hold a bait 100 ft off the bottom.
| Element | Local standard |
|---|---|
| Bait height | About 100 ft off the bottom |
| Bait | Bonito taco |
| Hook | 10/0 stainless |
| Current | 4 knots, Gulf Stream |
Who fishes swordfish from this port
These operators list swordfish or run to the swordfish grounds. The Hillsboro Inlet Fishing Center listing is the source for the Crowd Pleaser details below.
| Operator | Boat | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Lisa B Sportfishing | Lisa B, custom 44 ft sportfisher | Lighthouse Point, near Hillsboro Inlet. Runs past mahi water to 600–800 ft. Also fishes marlin. |
| Hillsboro Inlet Fishing Center | Crowd Pleaser, 45 ft Hatteras | Capt. Rob Archibald. Lists swordfish. |
| RingMaster Charters | RingMaster, 53 ft Hatteras | Three fighting chairs. Lists swordfish. |
| Killin’ Time | Swordfish trips | Offers swordfish trips. |
Lisa B and the charter fleet also fish marlin and sailfish. See our billfish guides.
FAQ: swordfish fishing out of Pompano Beach
How deep do Pompano Beach boats fish for swordfish?
600–800 ft, beyond mahi water. The run goes from Hillsboro Inlet, past Sailfish Alley and the Edge, until the bottom reaches that band.
How far off the bottom is the bait fished?
About 100 ft off the bottom. The 4-knot Gulf Stream current makes holding that height hard work.
What is a bonito taco?
A folded bait with a squid skirt and a 10/0 stainless hook. It is the preferred local bait for swordfish out of Pompano Beach.
How does the Gulf Stream current affect the fishing?
The current runs 4 knots. At that speed, holding a bait 100 ft off the bottom is hard work, so plan your drift and bait handling around that figure.
Who runs swordfish trips from this port?
Lisa B (Lighthouse Point), Hillsboro Inlet Fishing Center (Crowd Pleaser), RingMaster and Killin’ Time. Lisa B runs past mahi water to 600–800 ft.
