The length anglers will go to when preparing offshore baits are incredible. Ballyhoo is salted and rigged. Ribbonfish receive affection, consideration, and a triple-hook ceiling. Steel wool is used to scrub fishes until they are completely white. And frequently, all of that effort is fruitful. What about catfish bait, though?
This ignored alligator makes a great fish dish.
The standard response is to take the largest squid you may, sew the body’s tentacles to the mantle using a terrible hook. Squid are on the gentle aspect, and swords frequently beat their prey with their bill many times before attempting to eat it, so all that stitching is necessary. You’ll typically clip back half a fish after missing the attack if you drop it down without connecting the system parts.
Some anglers swear by salmon or mahi stomach strips because they are much tougher and also appear to receive a lot of hits. Some people prefer to cover an eel with a plastic bird because it is nearly impossible to cut it apart without an extremely sharp knife. Some people also choose to use tough cheap Hogies over more healthy baits.
The bottom line is that a famished sword did strike just about anything you present properly, but it had better endure the first attack or you won’t catch the fish. I started trying them all after years of sticking with squid, and after one specific day when we had 11 bites and boated seven swordfish while using the complete assortment of baits. It. May. Remain. ragged. extremely tough. When that costs wacks at repeatedly, it must maintain shape and the hook must remain in place. And if it does, and you respond appropriately when little, you’ll find your connection and engage in a once-in-a-lifetime battle.
