Gratitude is one thing, but attitude is another. Capt. Jordan Ellis and his offshore charter displayed both on their trip this weekend. The group, fishing from the F/V ShockWave, a 40-ft Freeman Boatworks catamaran, went out of Venice, and quickly landed six yellowfin tuna.

Content and thankful for that haul, they went looking for dolphin, and caught a couple mahi. But, the mahi weren’t plentiful, and the day was young.

Ellis made a recommendation, when he turned to his group of six and said, “how bout we get us some daytime swordfish?”

Swordfish feed and are caught mostly at night. It’s a unique style of fishing, but swords are a fun catch, and great table fare.

Daytime swords, though, are a different story. It’s a rare treat to catch a swordfish in the daylight. Rarer still to hook two of them, and rarest of all to be witness to an acrobatics show. But, … that’s just what this group got when they said they were game if Capt. Jordan was game.

Here’s how it went down. Fishing from the ShockWave, and already plush with yellowfin and a couple of dolphin, the team stopped in about 1,500 ft of water.

Ellis and 1st mate Lane Hensarling dropped a squid down to those depths. Almost instantly, they hooked a fish, and fought it some before losing it. They dropped another bait in the same general area, and landed a feisty swordfish.

This one was brought into the boat after a fun fight that featured an aerial show for all on board. Soon after, the 89 lb. sword joined six nice sized tuna and some dolphin in the chest, and the ShockWave was headed back to the dock — smiles and beers all ’round.

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