Swordfish

A flattened sword-like bill and absence of pelvic fins distinguish adults from marlins and sailfishes.

Robust rounded body, dark above and lighter brown below.

Most are around 9.8 ft (300 cm).

Up to about 15 ft (455 cm) long (fork length) and 1,433 lb (650 kg). Source: FishBase

The swordfish feeds mainly on fish such as mackerel, herring and lanternfish, plus crustaceans and squid. It hunts from the surface to the bottom and uses its sword to kill prey.

It is an open-ocean fish that sometimes comes into coastal waters. It moves toward cooler waters in summer and back to warm waters in fall.

Found in Puerto Rico. Start around offshore current edges, weed lines, temperature/color changes, bait schools and legal FAD areas; then adjust to where bait and birds show active feeding. Habitat reference:

Offshore and oceanic waters.

From the surface down to 9,442 ft (2878 m), usually in the top 1,804 ft (550 m).

Day–night vertical movement is documented, but this review does not establish a numerical fishing depth.

Offshore and oceanic waters. This is species-level habitat context, not proof for every linked area.

Fish when local reports show bait and pelagic activity; in Puerto Rico these fisheries can be productive in multiple seasons rather than one universal peak.

Dawn through mid-morning and late afternoon are common starting windows, but active bait and current can produce throughout the day.

Offshore current edges, rips and convergences usually matter more than the tide table alone; fish the side holding bait.

Choose sea state, wind and visibility that let you hold position and handle the fish safely. Avoid treating rough weather as a feeding advantage.

Common starting baits are ballyhoo, sardines, flying fish, squid strips or other locally abundant forage matched to size.

Trolling heads, feathers, plugs, spoons and metal jigs are common; match lure size and color to local forage.

Advanced setup: heavy deep-drop rod/reel, 50–80+ lb main line, 150–300 lb leader, large circle hook and a legal deep-drop weight/light system.

Strong large circle-style hooks, commonly around 8/0–12/0 in specialized bait rigs; confirm current HMS rules.

50–80+ lb class main line is a common specialized starting point, with substantial line capacity for deep drops.

Heavy abrasion-resistant leader, often 150–300 lb class in specialized swordfish systems.

FAO documents trolling, longlines, harpoons. These include historical commercial or incidental catches; they are not ranked as best or assumed legal locally.

Do not bring a large struggling billfish aboard for a photograph. Arrange experienced, in-water dehooking or leader cutting, keeping clear of the bill.

Swordfish has documented food use in the BigJoe catalog/source set. Freshness matters — keep it on ice, and watch for any toxin or mercury advisory.

A top table fish: thick, meaty steaks with a firm, mild, slightly sweet flavor. Grill or sear them like a steak and do not overcook. Larger fish can carry more mercury, so go easy on how often you eat it.

Keep legal catches on ice.

General idea: bake a portion and use a thermometer to check 63°C / 145°F. This is not a species-specific recipe.

POTENTIALLY FATAL PUNCTURE RISK — keep clear of the sword/rostrum. Fatal penetrating human injury has been documented. FOOD ADVISORY — FDA/EPA lists this fish type among the highest-mercury choices to avoid for people who are or may become pregnant, breastfeeding, and young children.

Rules: Current NOAA Atlantic HMS recreational rule: open; minimum 47 in lower-jaw fork length or 25 in cleithrum-to-caudal-keel. HMS Angling private-vessel bag is 1 per person up to 4 per vessel/trip; other permit types have different vessel limits.

Avoid damaging habitat and follow the local rules below. If it's protected, enjoy the sighting and let it be.