What Is the Best Light Color for Swordfish?
There is no single color that is proven best for every swordfish fishery. Green is widely used, while blue, white and other colors are also deployed. The correct choice depends on water clarity, fishing depth, background light, target behavior and local experience.
A peer-reviewed study on light attractor color in pelagic longline fisheries compared three colors and examined both target catch and bycatch. Its importance for buyers is straightforward: color should be evaluated as an operational variable, not a universal marketing claim.
How Water Changes Light
Light wavelengths do not travel through seawater equally. Suspended material, plankton and dissolved matter further change visibility. A color that appears very bright beside the boat may behave differently at fishing depth.
Green
Green is a common commercial choice and can provide strong visual contrast in many conditions. It is a practical starting point for controlled tests, especially where crews already have historical results for green lightsticks.
Blue
Blue light can remain visible in clear ocean water, but catch response depends on the full fishing environment. It should be compared with green under similar set conditions.
White
White provides broad-spectrum visibility. It may be useful where maximum apparent brightness is preferred, although power use and unwanted attraction should also be considered.
Other colors
Red, multicolor and alternative outputs may suit specialized markets or trials. Avoid claiming superior catch without comparable records.
How to Run a Meaningful Color Test
Alternate colors across repeated sections of the same longline. Keep bait, hook type, placement and soak time consistent. Record catch by hook and include non-target catch. Repeat the test over enough sets to reduce the effect of weather and location.
The XC188 detailed page can serve as the conversion destination for customers comparing disposable LED options. Buyers needing other formats can also view the complete underwater fishing light range and deep drop fishing lights.
Color and Responsible Fishing
Light may influence non-target species as well as swordfish. NOAA’s pelagic longline gear guidance notes that lightsticks may attract sea turtles toward baited hooks. Always evaluate color together with local bycatch rules and mitigation requirements. Also lighting mode is a factor for fishing, more details, you can learn more from Sikes News: Flashing vs Steady Underwater Fishing Lights and swordfish light placement
Ask Sikes about available XC188 configurations on the XC188 product page.
[…] alone does not determine fishing performance. Color, depth, placement, bait, battery life, water clarity and local fish behavior also matter. Run […]