Swordfishing Charters in Key West, FL
What We Do
The broadbill swordfish hunts more than fifteen hundred feet down by day and rises toward the surface after dark, making it one of the ocean's most demanding deep-water targets. Florida Straits Sportfishing
runs swordfishing charters off Key West, FL
using daytime deep-drop and nighttime techniques, sending rigged squid and natural baits into the black depths on heavy tackle and electric reels. Our US Coast Guard-licensed captains bring 15+ years chasing broadbill, where a single fight can last well over an hour.
Where We Fish
The Deep Blue Beyond the Drop
Swordfish live in deep water far off Key West, where the bottom lies well beyond fifteen hundred feet and the current sweeps through the black depths. By day we send a single heavily weighted bait straight down to where broadbill rest and feed near the bottom. After dark, the fish rise higher in the water column, so we drift baits at varied depths while they hunt closer to the surface. Finding the right depth, current, and drift over this vast deep water is the heart of the pursuit.
Swordfish Trips We Run
Broadbill can be chased by day or by night, each with its own rhythm and reward. Here are the swordfishing experiences we offer for anglers hunting this deep-water trophy off Key West.
01
Daytime Deep-Drop Swordfish
By day, swords hold near the bottom in extreme depth. We send a single large bait down well past fifteen hundred feet on heavy gear, then watch for the subtle signal that a broadbill has found it far below the boat.
02
Nighttime Swordfishing
After dark, swordfish rise to hunt closer to the surface. We drift baits at staggered depths under lights, a traditional method that can produce electric strikes and long, dramatic fights beneath a dark, starry Key West sky far offshore.
03
Electric-Reel Rigging
Fishing fifteen hundred feet down demands specialized gear. We rig powerful electric reels, heavy line, and pounds of weight to reach the strike zone, and we walk you through how the whole deep-water setup comes together before the drop.
04
Natural Bait Preparation
Presentation is everything at depth. We carefully rig fresh squid and bonito belly to swim naturally on the drop and glow in the darkness, giving a cruising broadbill an offering it simply cannot resist far below the surface.
05
Heavy-Tackle Battles
A hooked sword is raw power. We set you up with stout rods and drags built to withstand long, punishing fights, then coach you through the sounding runs and headshakes until the gladiator finally surfaces beside the boat.
06
Trophy Broadbill Trips
For anglers focused on a bucket-list catch, we dedicate the whole trip to hooking one great fish. Everything centers on maximizing your shot at a true trophy broadbill, the kind of trophy sword you replay in your memory forever.
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Customers Say
What a Swordfish Trip Involves
Chasing broadbill is a commitment unlike any other charter. Here is what to expect when you set out to battle a swordfish in the deep water far off Key West.
01
Extreme Depths
Swordfishing reaches deeper than almost any other fishing. Sending a bait fifteen hundred feet or more into the dark is a feat of gear and patience, and simply reaching that deep strike zone is already part of the accomplishment.
02
Patience and Payoff
Bites can be scarce, so the pursuit rewards persistence. Long stretches of waiting build the tension, and when a sword finally commits, the sudden explosion of action makes every quiet minute beforehand instantly worthwhile for the whole crew.
03
Epic, Lengthy Fights
Broadbill are among the toughest fish to land. A single battle can last well over an hour as the fish dives, surges, and refuses to quit, delivering the kind of physical struggle that defines a true angling achievement.
04
Specialized Equipment
This is not everyday fishing, and the gear reflects that. Electric reels, heavy weights, and purpose-built rods do the deep-water work, and simply using this serious equipment is a memorable experience in itself for almost any curious first-time angler.
05
A Rare Achievement
Relatively few anglers ever land a swordfish. Joining that group is a genuine badge of honor, and the story of your deep-water battle with the ocean's gladiator will proudly headline your best fishing tales for many years to come.
06
Day or Night Adventure
Swordfishing offers two very different experiences. A daytime deep drop under the sun and a nighttime drift beneath the stars each carry their own mood and magic, so you can choose the adventure that calls to you most.
Who We Are
Broadbill Hunters Who Fish the Extremes
Swordfishing pushes tackle, boats, and anglers to their limits, and there is deep satisfaction in mastering a pursuit this demanding. We are a family-owned, locally operated crew that lives for the grind of a deep drop and the payoff of a sword at the boat. Every trip runs on heavy, meticulously prepared gear. Veterans receive a discount as our thanks. When you are ready to test yourself against the ocean's gladiator, visit our contact page to book your Key West swordfish trip.
Why Choose Florida Straits Sportfishing
Built for Unforgettable Fishing Trips
01
Local Key West Expertise
We know the waters surrounding Key West, including its reefs, wrecks, deep-water structures, backcountry flats, and seasonal fishing patterns. Our experienced captains use that knowledge to select the most productive locations and techniques.
02
Personalized Charter Experiences
We tailor every trip to the group’s experience, interests, and fishing goals. Whether we’re hosting a family with children or experienced anglers pursuing trophy fish, we provide attentive, hands-on guidance.
03
Professional Boats and Equipment
We operate tournament-ready boats equipped with premium tackle, radar, GPS, sonar, and essential safety equipment. We provide the gear and preparation needed for productive inshore, reef, wreck, and offshore fishing.
04
Exceptional Variety and Convenience
We offer everything from family fishing and sandbar excursions to shark, sailfish, swordfish, and Dry Tortugas trips. We depart from A&B Marina in Key West, conveniently located near Duval Street.
Battle The Ocean's Gladiator In The Key West Deep
Few fish command the respect of a broadbill swordfish, and fewer anglers ever feel one surge against the rod from fifteen hundred feet down, but the deep water off Key West, FL offers a genuine shot at that dream. At Florida Straits Sportfishing, we bring the heavy tackle, electric reels, and deep-water experience this pursuit demands, whether you want to drop baits by day or drift beneath the stars at night. It is challenging, unforgettable fishing for anglers ready to test themselves against the ocean's toughest gladiator. When you are ready for the battle of a lifetime, reserve your swordfishing trip through our contact page or online quote form.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
How deep do you fish for swordfish in the daytime?
Daytime swordfishing is a deep-drop game, sending a single bait down beyond fifteen hundred feet to where broadbill rest near the bottom in daylight. Reaching that depth takes heavy weights, specialized reels, and a good deal of patience.
What is the difference between daytime and nighttime swordfishing?
By day, swords hold deep near the bottom, so we drop a single bait to extreme depth. At night they rise to hunt nearer the surface, so we instead drift several baits at varied, shallower depths beneath bright lights.
How long does it take to land a swordfish?
There is no set time, but fights are famously long. A strong broadbill can battle for well over an hour, sounding deep and surging repeatedly, so landing one is as much about stamina as it is about skill.
What bait and rigs are used for broadbill?
We rig fresh natural baits such as squid and bonito belly on heavy leaders, often paired with lights and weights to reach depth. The bait is prepared to swim naturally and glow, tempting a sword in the dark water.
When is the best time of year to catch a swordfish?
Swordfish can be caught year round off Key West, so the season matters less than the conditions. Many trips run in calmer weather windows, since manageable seas make the demanding deep-drop and drifting techniques far more comfortable and effective.
Do you use electric reels for daytime swords?
Yes, for daytime deep drops we rely on powerful electric reels. Retrieving heavy weights and baits from fifteen hundred feet by hand would be exhausting, so electric reels handle the deep work and let you focus on the fish.
Do I need experience to catch a swordfish?
No, but stamina helps. Florida Straits Sportfishing handles the complex rigging and deep-drop technique on our Key West, FL swordfish trips, so determined first-timers absolutely land broadbill. Your job is to hang on and fight when the gladiator finally eats.
Can we keep a swordfish, or is it catch-and-release?
Swordfish may be harvested within federal size and bag limits, so a legal keeper can come home with you. Florida Straits Sportfishing follows all Key West, FL regulations and will clean your catch, though many anglers simply cherish the battle itself.
