132kg Swordfish

After I landed my first sword on Jonah's boat [in 2022], I set myself the goal to catch a swordfish from the jetski. In my mind, this was the ultimate challenge, knowing I would be fishing 30-50km offshore from the boat ramp, dropping a bait 500 meters+ deep and battling a gladiator for hours. It would be the most extreme and rewarding experience.

On 16 March 2024, my dream came true.

I decided on the location and steamed out 50km to the first mark. After 4 drops without success I decided to relocate to a new spot 12km from the first spot. It didn't take long after my new drop, that the line started slowly stripping away.

I started cranking the reel as hard as possible. I felt a massive weight immediately and I continued putting the pressure on the fish to ensure a solid hook set.

The fish fought deep and then raced to the surface. I couldn’t be more pumped when I saw a sword go airborne, but at the same time I was nervous about losing the fish because I lost a sword the previous season when it went airborne.

This time I was relieved when I felt the pressure come back and a very tough fight followed.

I managed to get a hold of Jonah [Yick] on the radio and sent him the coordinates using my Garmin Inreach messenger. We had agreed beforehand that he and his crew would support with photos and transport the sword back for me.

I couldn't believe what happened and that I succeeded the mission. Jonah and his crew, Tom and Cain, took photos and videos and helped to transfer the sword to Sally 2.0.

After the sword was safely on board Jonah's boat, I spent about 30 minutes processing what happened and entering cloud 9. After an unsuccessful season last year and preparing for months - I did it!

For months before this, catching a sword was all I could think about, and I knew I had to take it to the next level with my preparation.

Everything was thought through a thousand times - from rigs, setting the hook, simulating a fight with my wife Patricia, testing my harness set up, gaffing and thinking through communication lines with Jonah for transportation and safety support.

I even made a last minute replacement of my top guide on my rod days before the catch, because there was a small imperfection. I didn't want to leave anything to chance.

There are a few things that were really important when attempting such a challenge on a jet ski - communication, gear maintenance and safety.

On this mission I carried two PLBs and a Garmin Inreach Messenger which also acts like a PLB. It has an emergency function and the option to text without a cell phone connection.

It's a really useful option, as it includes your GPS coordinates when you message someone. This can then be quickly entered into a boat chart plotter, and meant that Jonah was able to navigate to me very easily.

I also carry two VHF radios and have one of them attached to my PFD. I also carry the PLB and the GPS messenger in the unlikely event I would fall off the ski.

I also have high standards for the maintenance of my ski. These missions require a lot of fishing time to succeed and I can’t afford to not be able to fish because of mechanical issues.