Catching Live Bait 101
First let me be specific in this discussion. We are talking about Venice Louisiana, there is muddy river water on our run down river and back up. There are only LIMITED ways to keep bait alive in our marina AND there are no LIVE BAIT BOATS....What i'm saying is you MUST catch your bait daily, use it or loose it:)

Now with that understanding let's keep this discussion to Summer fishing, Venice is very seasonal and the "Live*Bait" discusssion could go on forever. There are several kinds of summer bait we use, Thread-fin Herring, Small Hardtails, Large Hardtails, Bar-Jacks, and ButterFish (that's what I was told they are)....As well sometimes we can catch Scads or Disco Minnows ? ? (don't know what they really are)....

First we start in the mornings by scanning the shallow water near the passes, if you choose Tiger pass, Southwest, South or other similar passes such as Flat-Boat or Baptise make sure you scan the area as you are heading to deeper water. Look for diving birds and busting King Mackerel. Spend some extra time "Tooling" around this area, if you pass the bait you have already limited your chance of success on YellowFin Tuna by one bait species. It is possible to find Threadfin Herring deeper and they do move up and down the coast line.

Second, stop at the close in rigs to pick up some hardtails, I will use two different sabiki's in order to catch different size biat. I use a really small sabiki, like a #4 and on my other bait rod I use a larger sabiki with a much stronger hook, maybe a #8.....Get as close to the rig as you feel comfortable and work as tight to the structure as possilbe. Don't pass up the single rigs, pipes or bouys, often these hold tons of bait and are void of the predators that steal your biat like sharks and barracuda.

Finally, hit the destination structure once you are on the Tuna ground, it is possible the exact bait the Tuna are feeding on can be caught right there where you are fishing. Don't bank on this and pass the bait early, it is likely you could regret this move.

Other areas to look for bait along your way out are grass lines or floating objects. If bait is spotted put a small sabiki on and catch a few more, at this time it is possible you will need to use a smaller weight.

Let's talk about the actual rig for catching bait: I use a spinning reel spooled with power pro of 20lb diameter and start with a 1oz pyramid sinker. If there is no current or if the bait is real shallow I change to a 5/8oz tear drop sinker. Remember to always use two different sabiki's and two different size weights, unless of course you are really catching them on one (1) specific set up.

I feel this worth mentoning, if the Threadfin herring are on top, similar to the way Mullett swim, don't throw a sabiki with a big weight, you will go through the school and fish beneath them. And as far as tips or hints here you go.

Hint: Always use a de-hooker and never touch the biat THE WILL DIE.

Hint: Do NOT allow your anglers to put their hands in the bait well or wash off in the bait well

Hint: If the ThreadFin are on the top use a weighted popping cork where the weight would go. :)

Hint: Try up-current and down current side of the rigs and try different depths

Good Bait Catching to 'ya,


Captain Mike Gray
www.cajunodysea.com

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

Fishing to Hear Rodeo, Venice Louisiana 2009.

First let me start by thanking Darryl and Christina Couvillion for their commitment to raising funds for children who have hearing impairments. I also want to say "CUDOS" to Venice Marina and the gracious owners that were on the docks working hard to make this happen Mike and Bill Butler are wonderful stewards of Plaquemines Parrish and Venice waters. Thanks to all the Captains (20) or more that donate their time, knowledge, boat and tackle to raise the funds for this special event. http://www.fishingtohear.org/

The event starts with a "Block-Party" that includes fun for the entire family. This year there was a great band, wonderful food and fun things for the kids as well as some adult beverages. The weather was great and the raffle was fun, the winners were announced and the fishing day had been set.

The next part of the event, which is leading to the fishing itself, is the registration and Captains Party. This is a special time where the children meet each other and the winner of the donated funds is announced as well as past winners give testimonials of how this one special event changes their ENTIRE lives FOREVER. (wow, that is powerful)....

Sunday morning the boats line up and the fishing day is here. FTH provides drinks, sandwiches, chips and snacks to all the Captains and fishing crews for the day.

SO, it's 6am and were off.

20 Venice Captains competing against each other for a trophy and bragging rights. All I can say is these guys are the best in the business and I'm proud to call them my friends! We fished in one area catching Yellow Fin Tuna like crazy. But what made the day so special was each Captain used the radio to call over other boats, friends and Captains to get in on this action. Although, we were each trying for the "Cock of the Dock" and the FTH trophy, each Captain was a true sport and put everyone they could reach on the exact Latitude and Longitude of these open water busting Yellow Fin Tuna.....

The day concluded with a weigh in and handing out of trophies and YES another successful FTH rodeo was bagged up.

Captain Mike Gray
www.cajunodysea.com

Venice Louisiana Tuna Capital for the Gulf of Mexico. Have you ever wondered where the Mississippi River ends? Thought about HOW the river ends? I mean is it rock jetties, does it just flow into the Gulf Of Mexico and that's it? Does it branch off into streams and tributaries? What does the end of this MIGHTY river look like in your mind? Just how many of you have been there?

Let me try to describe to you in my small mind what it's like. I guess there are other branches leadinig into the Gulf Of Mexico but the best I know of is about 70 miles south of New Orleans where it all begins. There is a part of the river that branches into several different "Passes" if you will. We call it the Jump....(Hey you know?) I don't really know why as I come to think of it. But anyway, one pass rolls to the North East and that is Baptise Collette and one to the South West, that is Tiger which turns into Red Pass and others. So, are you seeing what is happening the river branches off like an artery coming from your heart. Then you continue down the river about 15 miles and it forks again, we call this the "Head of Passes" again don't know why? Guess I should so i'll find out for ya. Ok, now you've got this swampy marsh land it's full of weeds, grass, rocks, small land masses and large marsh ponds. This area is full of year round animals, reptiles and birds as well as many migrating species call this area home at different times of the year. Of course the population of Alligators, Turtles and Snakes is large but the Birds are the most spectacular. The shores, mud flats and trees are full of some of the most beautiful birds in the world.

Fish species this far down the river include fresh water bass, catfish, gar and others but what is so cool is the salt water species inhabit the area with the fresh water fish. Saltwater species include Redfish, Speckeled Trout, Flounder, Striped Bass and many others. The water this far down is called brackish, now when I say this far down, I'm speaking of 70 Miles South of New Orleans and about 20ish miles from the END.

Oh, yea, that was the whole point, THE END....OK, so gettin back to how it all ends (the river) that is.... The main outlet is known as South-West Pass and it is lined with Rock Jetties, this is the channel that is traveled by the incoming and outgoing ships that carry trading goods and yes like all good things there is a point where there is one last rock!!! The jetties just come to an end and the Gulf Of Mexico is lapping over that point and walla there is mother ocean.

Like any good inlet/outlet there is a lighthouse and some channel markers that make gong sounds, the current is strong and the tidal push is consistent.. On calm days this is the most beautiful thing the mightiest river gently flowing into the ocean. Not so much a color change, the river is so powerful that it keeps it's muddy color most of the year and well offshore.

However, when the wind is raging i've seen this very location a mariners nightmare, the water is frothy brown and angry, the rocks are covered with huge swells and smashing waves.. The river brown water is scary and the currents are terrifying. But for the most part the last leg of the Mighty Mississippi is beautiful and demands the respect of all who travel upon her!
Captain Mike
www.Cajunodysea.com