>Casting a live Mack to a swordfish and having it bite is my
>ultimate "big bait" goal :)
>
>Marlin fishing is not always trolling Rob. Bait and switch is
>usefull and casting live bait at surface feeders is really
>cool too. It actually takes some skill to heave a 12-16" bait
>at a Marlin.
>
>The other fish I would like to catch is the the Golden Dorado.
>Now that looks really fun!


I've thrown big mackerel on a few sunning swordies but have never found one that wanted to go. Even landed a mac right on top of one but still no interest. I've been told by local veteran anglers that in our local waters (socal/ North Baja) the ratio of sunning swordies that end up bitting is about 1 in 100. I've also been told that swordies have a much harder time resisting an offering of giant squid.

Marlin on the other hand are far more eager. Throw a mac on a marlin and chances are it will be instant. They seem to take the bait just about everytime. Even saw a guy hook one on a surface iron once. Luckly the it broke before it started jumping. It could have easily thrown that jig back at the guy at high velocity.

One time when I was on a long range trip and we had some smaller (2-3lbs) pelagic squid float under the lights one night. We put some in on of the tanks and the next day we used them catch yellowfin. The yellowfin were 75 lbs at best but they would still take down a 2lbs squid. You couldn't cast the squid it was just too heavy. We were pinning them on 9/0 hook and dropping over the side. Once your squid drifted about 50 yards from the boat it would get picked up and you really had to let the tuna eat it. Those were the biggest baits I have ever fished. Not a lure but still a lot of fun none the less.

Jerryg