THE ONLY PHOTOGRAPH EVER TAKEN OF LEAPING BROADBILL SWORDFISH
XIPHIAS GLADIUS, THE BROADSWORDED GLADIATOR OF THE SEA
The second one leaped twice before we neared him. And as we made a poor attempt at circling him, he saw the boat and would have none of our offers.
The third one was skimming along just under the surface, difficult to see. After one try at him we lost him.
They were not up on the surface that day, as they are when the best results are obtained. The east wind may have had something to do with that. These fish would average about three hundred pounds each. Captain Dan says the small ones are more wary, or not so hungry, for they do not strike readily.
I got sunburnt and a dizzy headache and almost seasick. Yet the day was pleasant. The first few days are always hard, until I get broken in.
Next morning the water and conditions were ideal. The first two swordfish we saw did not stay on the surface long enough to be worked. The third one stayed up, but turned away from the bait every time we got it near him. So we left him.
About noon I sighted a big splash a mile off shoreward, and we headed that way. Soon I sighted fins. The first time round we got the bait right and I felt the old thrill. He went down. I waited; but in vain.