SWORDFISH LOST AT GAFF AFTER 6-HOUR FIGHT DURING EAST CAPE FISHING TRIP

July 6, 2005, Tony Damato, East Cape, Mexico Fishing Trip Report:

I was fishing out of Hotel Punta Colorada, with Capt. Alejandro. I spent 6 hours fighting a swordfish, changed from a cruiser to a panga, to have the deckhand tell me he doesn't have a flying gaff. He gaffed it with a 4-inch aluminum gaff, 3 feet long. The 200-plus kilo fish bent the gaff and pulled the deckhand over the side, so the fish is gone. I would think a hotel could afford a gaff. Now I bring my rods and a gaff.

The sword hit a live Lisa off La Ribera on June 13. We saw it on the surface. The cruiser broke down 4 hours into the fight. I think it was a throttle cable broke.