Venice Tuna-Wahoo-Grouper-Beeliners ~ www.reellouisianaadventures.com
Sharon and Michael Pusin were making arrangements a few months ago to attend a large Opthamologist convention in New Orleans when they happened upon an article in the Baltimore Sun newspaper that I did with LA Times travel writer Hugo Martin.
Michael showed the article to Sharon and said, "I was thinking they might have some good fishing south of New Orleans, and this proves it." They picked up the phone and we discussed what species were available in November. I arranged an adventure that included an inshore trip for reds, specks and flounder as well as an offshore trip to target larger species. Their plush accommodations, including gormet meals, were booked at the historic Woodland Plantation.
On Friday, I met Sharon and Michael at the dock and got them loaded up on Capt. Bill Delabar's 32-foot Twin Vee where I would serve as their deckhand and photographer during the trip. We got them bundled up for the ride south as the river and passes are always cooler than anyone expects this time of year.
Bill and I had already loaded the livewell with magnum mullet, and easily added 3 dozen lively hardtails using FRENZY sabikis on the run out.
The plan was to troll for wahoo first since the flotilla was already headed for the rig and the tuna bite had been late the day before. It proved to be the right decision as a 50-pound wahoo smoked the left long pink Stretch on our second pass.
Sharon was so excited and could not believe that they had landed such a big fish just minutes after deploying the lures. She shared with me that she and Michael have fished all over the world but that the wahoo was their biggest fish ever!
Next stop was to try and tempt some AJ's and other bottom fish, but instead the sharks wanted to get in on the action -- and these were big ones too! After releasing two in the 200-250# class, and boating a few beeliners and grouper, we decided to move on before losing anymore lead to the toothy critters.
The AJ's were a no show at the next rig so it was time to head south to Medusa. As we were arriving several of the boats were starting to head in. We set up a drift with chum and it wasn't long until a yellowfin stripped the line from my hand and streaked into the depths. Michael got to fight the first one and can now appreciate the power of these magnificient fish.
Capt. Bill had the right combination and within a matter of an hour and a half, the customers had boated 5 yellowfin tuna and said "We're done -- take us in."
The seas were slick and the ride in was beautiful with the sun setting across the Gulf. Back at the dock, Capt. Bill and I cleaned and packed their tuna and wahoo for shipment back to Baltimore.
There are some quality fish around right now, so get a group of up to six together and give me a call. If you can pick your days between fronts, you are almost guaranteed a spectacular day of fishing. In addition to tuna and wahoo, their have been an unusual amount of blue marlin hanging around.
Also, don't forget the famed Midnight Lump seasonwhere giant yellowfin up to and over 200-pounds are taken annually, is just around the corner. If you haven't scheduled your date, better get on the books soon or you'll be left at the dock.
REEL LOUISIANA ADVENTURES ~ 504-329-7335 ~ SUSAN GROS
www.reellouisianaadventures.com
FISHING ADVENTURES WITH SOUTH LOUISIANA'S MOST PRODUCTIVE & PROFESSIONAL GUIDES
