Daytime Swordfishing

Swordfishing in Islamorada is considered by many to be the best in the world! The past 13 years our swordfishery has exploded.
We target broadbill swordfish both in the daytime and nighttime

Pioneering Daytime Swordfishing

The Stanczyk’s of Bud n’ Mary’s marina pioneered daytime swordfishing in the United States starting back in January 2003. Many of our offshore boats fish for swordfish now and have been successful.

Guy Harvey with 1 of 4 swordfish caught and released aboard the Catch 22 on June 11, 2014

The Catch 22 and Bn’M fished countless days figuring out the most productive spots and most effective techniques.

They once had a streak from 2006 -2007 where they produced 1 or more swordfish on 53 consecutive trips. Two different trips yielded 7 swordfish.

Please visit our Daytime Swordfishing website for more detailed information.

Bud N’ Mary’s swordfishing fleet.

Our fleet catches swordfish all year long but calmer weather makes it much easier and more enjoyable to fish as we drift in the Gulfstream. May through November have been our most consistent months the last few years.

The swordfish charters fish anywhere from 25 – 45 miles off of Islamorada, in 1500’ – 2000’ of water.

We use both standard conventional reel as well as electric assist reels.

Swordfishing takes patience and you may wait all day for a bite. Some trips yield no bites where other trips you can get a bite every drop! In reality you are fishing for a fish or two. Sure we have days where we catch more, but you always have to start with the first one before you can move onto the second one!

Daytime Swordfishing

In the daytime we typically fish 1 rod, dropped down within 200’ of the bottom in 1500’ – 1800’ of water. There are a number of different techniques and equipment options from conventional IGFA legal gear to more modern electric reels.

If you choose to hand crank it is a lot of work but well worth it in the end. Most of the swordfish hooked in the daytime swim to the surface at first and the angler usually winds in slack line. Most anglers think there’s no fish on because the fish is racing towards the surface and with 1500′ of line out you can’t feel them.

If the fish is of any size they usually get close to the boat, and then go down to the bottom again. Some fights last only 15 minutes while other battles have lasted 7 hours.

Broadbill swordfish average 50 – 150 lbs in the daytime, although we catch a fair amount over 200 lbs every year. The biggest one caught at the marina was a 468 pounds and was caught in 2015 by Capt. Nick Stanczyk. Occasionally the broadbill will jump and it’s a spectacular sight so bring your cameras.

389 lb swordfish with captain Nick Stanczyk

There’s no guarantee you will catch a swordfish but your chances are very good while fishing on our swordfish trips.

If you are up for a different type of fishing and want to try to catch the fish of a lifetime you should give swordfishing a try!

Fishing Reports

5 star ratingThis review is for Bud and Mary's 'Miss Islamorada' 'headboat' party fishing charter. My son and I were out in the Keys for a few days of
fishing looking to do some deep sea fishing. Bud and Mary's was recommended by several people. Called up - folks were super friendly
on the phone and booked my son and I for $70 each including licenses, tackle, and bait (great price!). Went out with them and about 20 others on the Miss Islamorada the following day and had a great day fishing. We rolled out of the harbor around 9:30 and got back in around 3:30. Stopped at around 8 spots throughout that time. Everyone on board caught fish and had a great time. Hats off to the Captain (Don't know his
name ) and especially deckhands Jude and Tyler - who ran around the entire 6 hours chumming, taking fish off hooks, baiting peoples lines, untangling lines...you name it. If you go out - tip these guys well after
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Ken S. Avatar
Ken S.
10/24/2018
5 star ratingI used Bud N Marry's marina to get on the Miss Islamorada Charter to do some reef fishing recently. It was a rainy day when we got there. I was excited we were still going to departure and be all day out. The rain shortly stopped. The ocean was calm and the fish were rambunctious. Captain Ben was true gentleman, so courteous, so nice and extremely caring. He was making sure that everyone hooked at least one good sized fish for dinner. Even though he is the captain he worked his tail off, even making bait ball for those of us in the back of the boat catching snappers.He took us to a great spot, even encountered some bull sharks.

Bring your own drinks and snack, none of it its provided for you. You will have great fun and you will go home with a bucket or cooler of fish. They provided an array of bait and they will help you every step of the way. The bait doesn't promise that you will catch fish but at least they will die trying for you. Great experience, gorgeous day to be out, turquoise waters and alligator reef beautiful as always. Nice boat, stable and smooth ride to the reef and back.
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Hilda H. Avatar
Hilda H.
7/24/2015
5 star rating5 stars to employees of Galley Girls cafe. Sweet ladies in the cafe. Good size breakfast plate.

5 stars to the employees in the office who listened to our needs and set us up with a smaller boat for just the two of us. He didn't try to upsell us to a bigger boat we didn't need.

50 gold stars to Jim Hendrix on the Dauntless!! Great captain, patient with me who is a complete novice. He knows his stuff: boat, fish, the ocean. Wouldn't hesitate going back.
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Janet S. Avatar
Janet S.
3/16/2018