We have been waiting for the Jumboz for almost 30 days and finally the stars aligned. Not only did the Jumboz show up but the weather cooperated and allowed the fleet to get after the fish.
We started the week with Jess Williams and the Wahoo bite was great early in the morning… The seas were rough as we exited out of South Pass so I opted to stop short of my intended location of Elf. We stopped at BP-109 and fished the rig as well as the "cans" for stand by vessels. The water was blue and the sea grass was floating around as were the Jellies, the temperature was 65 degrees and I really felt we would hammer the 'hoos. As we trolled by the cans the reels would scream drag and the normal was doubles and some triples, however , this did not last much over an hour and we had a long day after that in rough seas. Just to tell you how the Wahoo move, when I returned to the dock I told Capt. Kev and Wade where to find the fish at first light being the first boat….They returned and NOT ONE WAHOO BITE ….
As the week progressed we saw the arrival of the long over due JUMBOZ… My days run together but I can tell you it was a real sweet treat to finally catch big fish (see photos @ www.CajunOdysea.com) on the usual haunts. The Midnight Lump produced a 196 LB Jumbo for me as well as a 91 LB Amberjack. Boats were successful each day but the bites were few and far between. Our best day yielded 4 real nice fish.
When fishing for the JUMBOZ top notch equipment is mandatory. Tackle set ups are like elbows and belly buttons, but I will share my favorite set up with you.
1) Shimano 50wide
2) Melton 50-80 class deluxe tuna stand up rod with bent but
3) Jerry Brown hollow core 130lb line. ( Approx 700 yrds.)
4) Loop to loop connection to a BHP wind on
5) Basil's wind on in 80 Lb Blackwater fluorocarbon
6) Finished with Mustad 39950BLN 9/0 Demon Perfect Circle 3x Strong
This rig is perfect for chunking cut bonito, cut blackfin, cut King mackerel and of course pogies. This rig works wonders with live mullet or live hard tails. The reason I use JB HOLLOW is because of less stretch and when you connect by loop to loop you have a very strong connection with NO KNOT, so your weakest point is your flouro and your knot. Blackwater flouro is good/great as is this rig.
*I'm sure everyone has favorites that work and deviations of this rig* My summer rig is different….
Venice Louisiana is kicking as normal and the Venice Marina has everything you need to get on these fish, whether you drag your own rig or you charter, NOW is the time to start planning your days offshore. All the charter captains are willing to render fishing information on the dock in swaps for a cold beer so come on down to south Plaquemine Parrish and enjoy what Venice Louisiana Charter fishing is all about.
Best-
Captain Mike Gray
www.CajunOdysea.com
