Rob Ellyn and I went to Florida to look at boats and got in a swordfish trip with good friends at L and H Sportfishing. We didn’t think we were going to have time but in the end got out to try for Rob’s first swordfish. We met up with Debbi David and their kids James and Laurel at their house and headed down to their dad Jimmy’s boat the Land H. The Davids are the family that caught 8 blues and 6 yellowfins with us in Aug. We ran out for about an hour to the grounds to make our first drift the current was running good and there were no boats out due to a thunder and lightning storm that came through. We got set up and drifted north hoping for our first bite. Jimmy said they had been biting and we were excited to see the set up. We learned a lot seeing how they have developed this fishery. If you can believe we caught one on our first drift! After a 15 minute fight James gaffed the first fish of the night about 80 pounds. Rob’s first swordfish. No shut outs tonight. We made 2 more drifts and on the last minutes of our last drift we caught one a little bigger that bit the bow line on a live blue runner. It got tangled up in the leader and fought like a big one. What a way to finish up the night! We ran in and watched the sunrise for an early breakfast. What a trip. I really can’t say enough about what a nice family operation the David’s have there in Florida. Thanks you so much for Rob’s first and second swords! If you are looking for your first sword look for Jimmy on the L and H at Crandon Marina, Key Biscane. You can reach him at www.landhsportfishing.com or call them at 305 361-9318.
