Fishing trip pics

[Markbo]

Me and 11 friends went to Venice, Louisiana to fish for Tuna. Venice is commonly known as the Redfish capital of the world, but we have Redfish here so Tuna it was. 6 mean each in 2 boats for 2 days. We caught a grand total of 27 Black Fin, 18 yellow Fin, 1 Wahoo (65 lbs!) and 1/2 dozen Dolphin, now PC called Mahi and I also caught a shark though they would not allow me to boat it for pics. They actually shot it with a stainless handi rifle in 20ga. They hate sharks. Never seen anything like it. Hate may not be strong enough a word. Here are just a few pics:

Sunrise headed out of port



Black Fin


Just some of the Yellow Fin:


One of my buddies with his Yellow Fin:



I have caught a few big fish in my life, but these tuna pulled harder than anything else I have ever hooked up to. The Black Fin were 25-35lbs and the Yellow Fin 40-65lb range. We didn't get into 100+ pounder, BUT I had something break a line. The poles stayed in holders until something bit and then were picked up. As soon as I put my hands on one there was 1 second of screaming reel and ... nothing. "Spit the hook!" everyone proclaimed loudly.

Once I reeled in the line it was clear whatever it was broke the line. 50lb test with 100lb leader. Whatever it was, was big! But it was a fun trip. Lots of good fishing, great weather and wonderful fellowship. Oh... and the food! Oh my the food. I would be 300 lbs if I lived there!

[magnumwheelman]

That is awesome... I would love to do that someday... love fresh tuna steaks on the grill...

[bulasteve]

Crap, red X's..

[dougader]

Great trip, thanks for posting the pics!

[Snyd]

Warm weather fishin! Fantastic! It's in the 20's here. I"m thinkin I need to fly south for the winter!

[warhawk]

Outstanding! I love fishing just about as much as guns and shooting. I'm just one state north of all that good fishing in LA, and have yet to go.

[bushog]

Great story!

I guess I never really thought of fishing them in the Gulf.

I grew up a NC Gulf Stream fisher for the big stuff.

What was the daily price for the boat?

[magnumwheelman]

yes... if you can, please share the rough cost... would be great to get a couple buddies together & go...

also, do you know if there is a "season" that they are there, or are they in the area year round??? would hate to book a trip, if they migrate & wouldn't be there when I booked...

though you said it was known for Red Fish there... I'd rather fish the Tuna

[Markbo]

$1200 +/- for boat (included fileting the fish), room & board and meals. Now that was split between 12 guys on 2 boats. Boats are $2400 each. Captain, crew & fuel is $5600 each. Plus cash tip. Lodging $139/day. As you can see having a minimum of 6 people sure helps with the cost.

I expected "fishing camp" rooms. They were nice actually. Like a 3 bed/2 bath fully furnished apartment. I did my own laundry daily. Out of state fishing license for 3 days with a local guide is only $10. Smart move instead of paying for full year out of state for $60 or something like that. Cooks came in, cooked local cuisine that was SO GOOD morning and night and made sammiches for onboard during the day.

Had to supply all our own water, drinks, snacks, etc but that was all available at the docks. There are lots of Charterers, but the 2 we did business with are Paradise Outfitters and Home Run Charters. My buddies have been using them for 6 or 7 years now. As far as when is the best time of year - I have no idea. I would rely 100% on local knowledge and recommendation but weather is absolutely key. Cold and wet sucks. Hard. Rougher seas too. 100°+ and 100% humidity in Summer is absolutely debilitating.

They have been in February and got weathered out one day of two day trip several times. Meaning one rough, tough offshore day and another too rough spent inshore fishing for Redfish, which we have here. It is not worth MY money to spend that much for Reds!

[squawberryman]

Who was the Captain sir? Been to that cleaning table MANY times. May I post a pic or two? Folks Venice was 10 miles from the epicenter of Katrina. Buras was ground zero, just a bit to the North.

[bushog]

I'm easily confused and can't figure out from what you posted how much it costs to charter a boat(with a captain and crew and fuel) per day?

How many will the boat accommodate?

Thanks!

[Markbo]

Bush - $3500 +/- per day for boat and Captain I "think". There was one guy of our 12 who was ramrodding the whole thing and took care of all payments for boat, captain, crew, rooms, tips, etc. My total for everything for 2 days was $1250, including tips. Our boats took 6 each, but I think you could take up to 8. Entirely up to the charter of course.

squawberryman - Capt's Hunter and Scott. And absolutely post some pics!!!!
Post Katrina, there was no Venice. The only thing left was debris. No docks, no buildings, no nothing. Just piles of debris. Everything is relatively new now. The places we stayed at were pretty nice.

[medicdave]

Used to work oil rigs out of Venice, Leeville, Fouchin and such and the fishing from the rigs was phenomenal. Big, grouper, tuna, and when the bull reds ran to spawn a 4' redfish was small.

Markbo, your right there was nothing south of golden meadows after the storm, it even took the bridges and causeways out. A few rigs were torn free from their moorings and drifted a couple hundred miles before they were found as well.

[Markbo]

Heh heh heh... we caught a lot of our live bait at some rigs. Throw out a light rig with 6 hook/shiner Sabiki rig and pull in 2, 3 or 6 at a time. The crew just thought of it as work. I thought it was a hoot!

[contender]

Mmmm,,, fresh dolphin,,, I love it! Tuna is ok,,, but I prefer the dolphin. (To heck with the PC folks!)