Venice Louisiana Open Water Tuna Bite:

Change is in the air; Yes, I know it is hard to feel right now but if you wait for the Robbins, Spring will be gone.

The Gulf of Mexico especially in Venice Louisiana is feeling the change as I type. Open water schools of Tuna migrating in the Gulf of Mexico are now making their presence. I have witnessed two Whale Sharks in as many weekends and each of these massive fish were loaded with Yellow Fin Tuna Fish. To be honest I'm not sure why these species migrate together but for what I'ts worth this is my conclusion. Whale Sharks feed on plankton which in turn hosts itself in nutrient rich waters. These waters are green in color and have an abundance of life. For instance, recently I noticed a TON of Jelly Fish migrating in this color water and where they are the Tuna are. Why do you think? Do you think Jelly Fish feed on plankton as well? OK, so let's say that is so, then it makes sense where I see this form of life the food chain is begining>>>> When I see this type of life I also witness an increase in flying fish and porpises.

What does this mean to you the fisherman? What I'm saying is I have witnessed two Whale Sharks and sevearl open water schools of Tuna. So what? Big Deal! Well, if you know how to fish them and you are ready for them, this could be the opportunity you have been looking for. But HOW do you capatalize on this situation.

Above I told you what to look for, right? Now let's assume you are heading out for the day and you know this situation is a possibility. 1st catch bait in shallow before heading offshore. (That is a whole other subject and I'll cover soon).....But let's assume you have read this, you are leaving port and headed offshore, you have caught your bait, small hardtails, big hardtails and some Threadfin. You are on a course and the water is dingy, you cross over into cleaner water and you see some birds in the distance....Do you deviate off course to check 'em out? YES, this time of the year you head to 'em. On the way you witness small fish jumping, do you slow down for a re-up on drinks and a Pi** break? YES. Now you are becoming aware of your surroundings while maintaining your integrity to your final destination. OK> So the birds are working small open water mackerel, now you leave get back on your heading and a few minutes you see some porpoises and a ton of bait....WO, let's look around for a few minutes. Look into the water is there about 20 to 40 foot visibility? Jelly fish? Clean Green? Are you marking anything on the sounder? Do you see anything around?

Are you getting the picture here? I'm not talking about sitting dead in the water for any length of time but what I'm trying to get you to do is familiarize yourself with what "Could be"....

Alright, now you are back on plane, you are cruising and you see the fish busting, what to do?

Well, let's talk about this. 1st and foremost you are in these fish by yourself no one is miles around so we are going to approach and fish these "Open-Water" fish different than if we are SHARING a rig with other fishermen. As you are cruising to these fish get your anglers to make ready, and get an angler to hook two DIFFERENT size and/or kind of live bait....Get them ready while you are cruising, keep them in the live well ALIVE and try to keep them tangle free. Here we go, as you are approaching the fish try and determine which way they are moving/feeding and run right into the middle or a little ahead of them, pull the throttles back and have your anglers deploy the lives as you are coming off plane, don't drag them off the hooks and don't kill them. BAM ! BAM ! Walla- you're hooked up.

Maybe you did not get hooked up, reel 'em in and watch for the school, if you can determine which way they are going, get in front of them and this time deploy the bait slower and a little more tactful, maybe this approach will work.

At any rate when the Tuna are busting around the rigs and you are fishing amongst other anglers DO NOT PUT AN ANGLER ON THE FRONT OF THE BOAT AND CHASE THE TUNA THROWING POPPERS! Not only will you NOT catch a fish neither will anyone else....



Good luck fishing FALL Yellow Fin Tuna in Venice Louisiana

Captain Mike Gray
www.Cajunodysea.com