Venice Weekend Action-Croal Group
Michael Croal from Charlotte, NC got a group together from across the south including Alberto Alvarez and EJ Croal- Gulfport, MS, Ed Frayer, Atlanta GA and Lewis Endris, Biloxi, MS.
They met Capt. Chris Wilson at the dock a little before six a.m. The group hadn't even left the dock yet, and they were already impressed as their captain eased the sleek 36-foot triple engine Contender to the dock.
After loading up food drink and gear, Capt. Chris quickly got them to a rig to catch some hardtails for bait. The bait was uncooperative so they turned their efforts to a school of herring--not much luck there either.
Michael admitted the group was feeling a little antsy with only 4 baits in the well and it was 8:00. Capt. Chris headed further out to a buoy and the group found plenty of hardtails and loaded up the baitwell before heading south to the tuna grounds.
Michael and the crew settled into the brand new E-SeaRider bean bags for the 27 mile haul, which the triple engine Contender made quick work of in the slick calm seas.
Michael Croal picks up the story from here:
"We arrived at the rig at 9 am and us rookies were surprised that it really was blue water," he said.
"Then after a few minutes EJ hooked up on our first tuna, which gave him a pretty good fight. We caught a few more yellowfin tuna then the dolphin starting hitting."
"Now these are a beautiful fish that jump, but overall a measly fighter and not what we were after, so Chris moved out a little further and we remained patient while several other boats were leaving. It was in the heat of the day and the wind dies, so there was not a breeze stirring...it was just plain hot!!" said Croal.
The next action really caught Croal and his crew by surprise,
"In a show of camaraderie and hospitality only found in the south, the other boats would bring us their unused baits before they went in."
With some prime sized bait and only 3 or 4 boats left, the tuna came up and the action was on. We finished up the day at 4 p.m. with our 7th yellowfin tuna and headed back to the dock-- but not before giving away our remaining bait!!
Capt. Chris and two of his buddies made quick work of cleaning the catch and we were back at the room before dark, grilling tuna and mahi-mahi and sipping fine tequila.
You couldn't ask for better day!!!"
What a way to spend a day -- Get a group together and give me a call to make some memories of your own. Sea conditions are usually 0-2 feet this time of year, so get out and enjoy them while they last.
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REEL LOUISIANA ADVENTURES ~ 504-329-7335 ~ SUSAN GROS
"FISHING ADVENTURES WITH SOUTH LOUISIANA'S MOST PRODUCTIVE & PROFESSIONAL GUIDES"
