Speed jigging
The most classic technique to fish the saber consists in using jigs with a very thin profile but very long, from 100 to 300 grams, armed with two assist hooks. The phosphorescent colors are the most effective, increasing the chances that our jig will be spotted in the darkness of the deep.
The animation is simple, but can be very physical if you are not used to jigging quickly. As with many other fish, you have to grind quickly to bring the jig up 10 to 30 meters, then take a short break and repeat 2 to 3 times before letting the line go down by hand. Bites can occur even at 60 meters above the bottom, so be ready to strike at any time.
When the fish are very aggressive, the bites come during the fast animation, but on tough days, taking more breaks can make a difference.
Slow jigging
Slow jigging is surely the most accessible technique for anglers less experienced in speed jigging. Less physical effort is required and the results are about the same.
Slow jigging allows you to fish for a longer period of time without getting tired. The jig, with its flat, teardrop-shaped profile, flutters on the way down like a wounded fish. It is often at the end of the animation, when you let the jig go down to the bottom, that the sabers attack violently.
The two double assists placed on the top and bottom of the jig make it easy to hook fish thanks to the fineness of the hooks which can be hooked even with a low tension in the line.
Some practical tips for sword fishing
To find a suitable area for swordfishing, a few factors must be taken into account. Ideally, you will have to find a break between 100 and 300 meters deep, if possible strewn with rocks.
To find active fish, choose an area where the swell, even a small one, is in the direction of the upwelling. The current created by this swell will bring nutrients up from the abyssal depths to our fishing grounds. These nutrients will be eaten by the forage fish, which in turn will serve as a meal for the swordfish. The drift speed must not exceed 0.7 knots or 1.4 km/h, otherwise your line will create a huge banner and you will lose all control of the animation.
For electric motor owners, the Spotlock function will allow you to stay on the spot, without worrying about a strong drift problem.
