Sworfish Floats

[yellowtale]

In the past i have used gatorade bottles as floats for my swordfish spread and they dont do the best job. I want to try balloons but I am not sure how you attach them to the line. Any suggestions? Any other methods?

Thanks

[e55]

Rubber bands

[rarebreed]

I just knot off the balloon like you normally would and then tie an overhand knot real tight around your line when you are at the depth you want.

[y2jeffr]

check these floats out. i use them for sharking and have never had a problem with them. my local tackle store carries them.

the 6" and 9" white and red floats

http://shop.seastriker.com/sharkrigs.html

[Nestor]

2 liter soda bottle with a dowel for the chemlight

[Captain Fred Archer]

All good stuff for floats and for sure on the chem lights, but I run my balloons off about three foot leaders that are attached to the main line with a rubber band. The reason is that sharks, blue sharks in particular, sometimes go after your balloon and clip the running line if it is attached to it. That costs you line, your swordy rig, and rigging and fishing time. Rig balloons this way and you won't lose anything but the balloon. My son Casey came up with this one and it's in Secrets of Catching Broadbill Swordfish - the night fishing version - along with a lot of other tips and techniques.

Hope this saves some of you from those infernal balloon and line eaters!

[Dick_Formula233]

One Pool Noodle and a piece of PVCmade several of these, dirt cheap. I plan to try them out as soon as I can, and I'll have balloons with me for backup.

An Academy lightstick screws right into the threaded adapter. With a 16 oz weight on it about 2/3 of the pool noodle is submerged, and the lightstick is 8 or 9 inches out of the water.

[Jack Hexter]

Use a rubber band to secure the balloon to the line. The line should be served for about 3"-4" with dental floss at the proper depth so the rubber band does not slip on the line. A light stick should be taped on the top of the balloon, opposite the blow-up hole. The weight on the line holds the balloon upright with the light stick on top. When a fish eats, it lifts the weight and the weight of the light stick causes the balloon to tip over.

[yellowtale]

That sounds like a great tactic. I can't tell you how many times i have had swords on the surface with my bait before i even knew what was going on. This method will let me know when something is toying with my bait.

Thanks!

[Wahzoo]

I find balloons and bands work the best as well. I don't like jugs, bottles or any other type of float, only because it's more crap I don't need to clutter up my boat. If your going to use a float, use a shark float, the others aren't big enough.

Capt. Archer, as usual has great advise, although I have yet to be cut off Swordfishing, I have had balloons eaten lots of times while sharkin...

[Wahzoo]

Oh,

Go onto Swordfishing Central and read until your eyes bleed