Broadbill Swordfish
Broadbill swordfish have been part of New Zealand's big-game scene since Zane Grey landed the country's first rod-and-reel specimen at the Bay of Islands in 1926.
New Zealand waters — particularly the upper North Island — produce some of the largest swordfish caught anywhere, with fish regularly exceeding 200 kg and occasional specimens pushing toward the IGFA world record.
Both daytime deep-drop and night-surface methods are well established here, giving serious game anglers two distinct ways to target them.
Scientific Name: Xiphias gladius
Also known as Broadbill, swordfish
- Unmistakable flat, sword-like bill (broader and more depressed than a marlin's round spear); no pelvic fins and no visible scales or teeth on adults.
- Deep purplish-bronze back fading to a pale underside; large, crescent-shaped tail built for sustained speed.
- New Zealand fish commonly run 100–280 kg; fish over 400 kg (gutted weight) have been recorded commercially in NZ waters.
- Often confused with marlin at distance, but the flattened bill, scaleless body, and single large keel on each side of the tail base distinguish them.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- A wide-ranging migratory species found in all temperate and tropical oceans; in New Zealand it is a naturally occurring pelagic visitor, not introduced.
- Concentrates around the upper North Island — Bay of Islands, Bay of Plenty, East Cape, Kawhia — and out to the Three Kings Islands.
- Found over deep-water shelves, submarine trenches, and seamounts, typically in 300–900 m during daylight hours.
- Tolerates a wider temperature range than any other billfish — recorded in water from 5°C to 27°C — which helps explain their broad distribution around New Zealand.
Key Locations
- Bay of Islands — New Zealand's original swordfish ground; site of the first rod-and-reel capture in 1926 and still actively fished by charter operators out of Russell and Paihia.
- Bay of Plenty and East Cape — consistently productive for both daytime deep-drop and night fishing, with deep water accessible within reasonable range of shore.
- Three Kings Islands — remote but known for large fish; accessed on multi-day charter trips from the upper North Island.
- Kawhia and the broader upper North Island shelf — part of the productive zone that Pelagic Charters and others work for deep-water swordfish.
Specific Spots
- During the day, fish hold deep along shelf edges, canyon walls, and seamount flanks — structure that concentrates the squid and baitfish they follow down.
- At night they rise toward the surface (top 100 m), following prey that migrate upward after dark; this is when drifted baits and lighted rigs produce.
- Submarine trenches and drop-offs in the 300–900 m range are the primary daytime deep-drop zones off the upper North Island.
Broadbill Swordfish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Broadbill Swordfish?
Whole squid, fresh or thawed, is the primary bait for both methods; rigged to swim naturally on the drop or drift. For night fishing, lighted squid/lure combinations on downriggers (popularised in New Zealand from 2001) are effective; chemical light sticks rigged above the bait attract fish from distance in the dark...
When is the best time to fish for Broadbill Swordfish?
Present year-round in New Zealand waters, with the peak season running from December through August (summer through mid-winter). Summer and autumn (December–April) see the most consistent surface and near-surface activity as water temperatures rise across the upper North Island.
How do you catch Broadbill Swordfish?
Most New Zealand swordfish are taken from specialist charter vessels fishing well offshore, typically 6 miles or more. Daytime trips focus on deep-dropping baits to 300–900 m over shelf edges and seamounts; overnight trips drift or troll lighted squid rigs in the top 100 m.
What do Broadbill Swordfish eat?
Squid is the dominant food source and the reason squid baits, whole or rigged, are the go-to for both deep-drop and night-surface fishing in New Zealand.
Where do Broadbill Swordfish live?
A wide-ranging migratory species found in all temperate and tropical oceans; in New Zealand it is a naturally occurring pelagic visitor, not introduced. Concentrates around the upper North Island, Bay of Islands, Bay of Plenty, East Cape, Kawhia, and out to the Three Kings Islands.
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