Broadbill Swordfish
Swordfish patrol the deep Atlantic off Brazil's entire coastline, making them the country's premier offshore deep-drop target.
Brazilian longline fleets have worked these waters since the 1990s, and sport anglers increasingly pursue them by dropping baits to canyon edges and seamounts in the South Atlantic.
Few fish in Brazilian offshore fishing demand this level of specialized gear and commitment.
Scientific Name: Xiphias gladius
Also known as Espadarte, Peixe-espada
- Unmistakable flat, elongated bill — much broader and flatter than a marlin's round spear — extends roughly one-third of total body length.
- Body is dark brown to black on top, fading to a lighter, sometimes bronze-tinged belly; skin is scaleless in adults.
- Large, crescent-shaped tail and a tall, sickle-shaped first dorsal fin; second dorsal is tiny by comparison.
- Most fish landed by sport anglers run 50–200 lbs; the species can exceed 1,100 lbs, making every large fish a potential record.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the Atlantic Ocean; found along the full length of Brazil's coastline in the South Atlantic, from the equatorial north to the subtropical south.
- A highly migratory, open-ocean species that spends daylight hours at depths beyond 600 m, rising toward the surface at night to feed.
- Spawning occurs in warm upper-water layers (surface to 75 m) at temperatures around 23°C; equatorial Brazilian waters support spawning year-round.
- Brazilian longline fleets have tracked swordfish across a wide area of the South Atlantic from 1994 onward, confirming consistent presence offshore.
Key Locations
- South Atlantic offshore waters along the entire Brazilian coast — the Brazilian longline fleet has operated here since 1994, indicating consistent swordfish presence.
- Deep canyon systems off the southeastern coast, where the continental shelf drops sharply, concentrate fish during daylight hours.
- Equatorial offshore waters in the north, where warm temperatures support year-round spawning aggregations.
Specific Spots
- Canyon edges and steep drop-offs where the seafloor plunges past 400–600 m concentrate swordfish during daylight deep-drop sessions.
- Seamounts and underwater ridges in the South Atlantic create upwellings that push baitfish and squid up, drawing swordfish to feed.
- At night, fish move into the upper water column — 50 to 200 m — and can be targeted with baits suspended under light sticks near the surface.
Broadbill Swordfish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Broadbill Swordfish?
Whole squid, rigged on a large circle hook with a chemical light stick above the bait, is the go-to for both daytime deep-drops and nighttime shallow sets. Whole mackerel or bonito rigged on a bridled hook work well as an alternative bait, especially when large squid aren't available.
When is the best time to fish for Broadbill Swordfish?
Equatorial northern waters: swordfish present year-round due to consistently warm temperatures supporting spawning and feeding. Southeastern Brazil: fishing tends to peak in the warmer months (October through March) when surface temperatures rise and fish are more active in the upper water column at night.
How do you catch Broadbill Swordfish?
Brazilian sport anglers primarily target swordfish by deep-dropping whole squid or fish baits to canyon edges and drop-offs during the day, or by setting baits at shallower depths under light sticks at night.
What do Broadbill Swordfish eat?
Squid make up the bulk of the diet; rigging whole squid on a deep-drop rig or a large circle hook is the single most reliable bait choice. Also eat a variety of deep-water fish, mackerel, small tuna, and lanternfish, so large whole fish baits and skirted lures that mimic baitfish work when squid isn't available.
Where do Broadbill Swordfish live?
Native to the Atlantic Ocean; found along the full length of Brazil's coastline in the South Atlantic, from the equatorial north to the subtropical south. A highly migratory, open-ocean species that spends daylight hours at depths beyond 600 m, rising toward the surface at night to feed.
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