On June 9, (left to right) Ryan Crosby, Bennett Bratton, Eli Crosby, Dawson Doucet, and Robert Starks left out of the Venice Marina at 6 a.m. on a 24-foot bay boat and it wasn’t long before they caught this 114-pound swordfish.
“My name is Bennett Bratton and I and from Biloxi, Miss., but live in New Orleans. I have been fishing in Venice my entire life. On June 9, 2024, me and four of my friends left out of the Venice Marina at 6 a.m. on a 24’ Skeeter. It was a beautiful day and the water was slick calm. We ran out of south pass and headed towards the sword grounds. After we found our spot, it took roughly 10 minutes to get our bait set and ready for a bite. As we waited, we talk about all the amazing possibilities that were available in the Gulf. Twenty minutes goes by and our line was tight. Game on! We fought this fish for 30 minutes before he made the surface. By that time we had won. Gaff was stuck and a 114-pound sword was lying on the deck of a 24’ Skeeter. All of us had to jump on top and fight it until it was dead. I have fished in Venice my whole life and this is by far the coolest moment!”