Offshore Charter References and Qualifications

Things to Check out When You Book a Tuna Fish Charter

Too many times choosing your Offshore Charter Service is like going to an employment interview, you ask a few questions, make small talk and basically try to "Size" up the Captain. If you like him and he is pleasant BOOM you are sold and he has a trip. Not long into your marriage you find out there were a TON of questions you should have known the answer to BEFORE you took the plunge.

So; to help maximize your day offshore I'm going to recommend some really intuitive ideas and peel the layers back so you can expose the Captain and/or the Charter Service.

Most Charters booked are quality and professional operations. When booking through the internet it is wise to ask some TOUGH Questions. Although there may be some references or testimonials on his site still ask the Captain to provide you with the last 3 client's name and contact information. This will give you a good idea of the last times your Captain has been on the water.

Check the Captain and his Charter service at places he would not expect

For instance, call the Marina he fishes out of and inquire about him there. Get a decision maker on the phone; ask for the owner or manager maybe the dock/harbor master. Ask them the same questions you have already asked the Captain when you spoke with him: Does he fish regularly? When was the last time they saw him out? Did the speaker see his catch? What's the word around the dock about his Charter operation?

Another place to call is lodging facilities if your Captain recommends lodging you can bet they know him and his service. They too see his customers and they know if he caught fish or not, they know if the customers are worn out and happy!!!!

And one final place you could check is local tackle shops, you can ask them what kind of gear your chosen Captain brings in for repair or if he has purchased his tackle there what kind did he buy. Generally speaking, ask if his tackle is top notch or sub par.

These are just ideas and will spark honesty from one source or another.

Look for a *Guarantee* and ask your Captain what is the policy for un-happy customers, ask him to provide his guarantee in writing before your trip.

Ask your Captain what's his typical day during the specific time of year you plan to book your trip and ask him what specie of fish he will target. Make sure he understands your wishes and desires. Ex. If you are a young gun and all you want to do is kill a TUNA make sure your captain is an expert at killing TUNA you don't want a Red Snapper minded Captain. On the other hand, if you only want to target reef specie fish like Amberjack, Red Snapper and Grouper, make certain your captain understands and doesn't haul you to the TUNA grounds, regardless.

Let's discuss some misconceptions, shall we?

Flashy and fast boats are only impressive to their owners. This DOES NOT mean that a Captain with a nice sled isn't a "natural born fish killer," I'm only saying web site photos of the boat need to be considered with a grain of salt.

Sponsorships DO NOT make your Captain a PRO by any means. Remember, these are all good, fine and dandy but what you really want is a Captain that will give you a pleasurable day offshore catching fish to make memories for a lifetime.

If there is a bad or poor report on a blog or website this does not dis-credit your chosen Captain. Quite often poor reports are simply a matter of miss-communication between the guests. There is always one person who arranges the trip and everyone else just pony's up their share. Sometimes they (the friends) don't know what they are signing up for.

AND FINALLY:

Make sure the Captain and operation you are considering are insured and be sure the Captain is properly licensed. Make sure your Captain is USCG licensed (Coast Guard) I highly recommend checking references and credentials.

To your day offshore-
Captain Mike Gray

Venice Wahoo bite is definitely world class.

There are many species of fish to catch in the fertile waters just offshore in Venice. In an effort to help each reader become a better fisherman, I'm going to be specific and target ONE species of fish.

*****WAHOO*****

Here we go!! Reels and equipment: I typically use Shimano 50 wides, YES smaller reels will work but NOTHING less than a 30 wide or I promise disappointment is coming your way. I like the larger equipment because I typically target Jumbo Yellow Fin Tuna and the occasional Mako on the same day. BUT for this blog we are speaking only of Wahoo. I spool my 50 wide Shimano with a Jerry Brown backing, then top shot with Yozuri HD Pink fluorocarbon of 80lb up to 130lb. By doing this you have plenty of backing and a line that will last many, many seasons. Also, once you learn to work with the Jerry Brown hollow core line, you can repair it, add to it and put loops as needed all at 100% line strength. I don't use snap swivels, personally I think they are too large. IF I USE a snap swivel, I will put it on the 130LB simply because of the knot size when tied to the steel leader.

Speaking of leader, I use 90lb or 110lb single strand piano wire (if you will).... I DO NOT USE the 7strand or multi strand. YES it is easier to work with initially but it cost you bites. HOW, the strands open and water goes through when trolling causing bubbles and a "Misty" look running through your leader. I use small barrel swivels, connected with a haywire then connected to the bait with a haywire twist.

Baits commonly used in Venice Louisiana are Mann's stretch 30's in Pink, Braid Maruder's in Mackerl and Blue's and Bomber CD 30's as well as Rapala Magnum X-Rap in Bonito pattern.

For the fisher person that is just starting make sure to get several kinds of diving baits in different colors and make sure you change the hooks and split rings immediately, DO NOT FISH the hooks and split rings that come factory on the bait. YES, you can pull Wahoo bombs or you can use downriggers, but for simple wahoo fishing I've explained bait choices, colors, rigging and tackle.

NOW let's talk where and when: Typical water depths in the 200ft range around rigs and don't forget to look on your sounder and pull contour lines. Fish will be in deeper water and a little shallower. Concentrate on the rigs, buoys and rip lines that are present close offshore during the winter. You should be NO FARTHER than 30ish miles from the pass but you will most likely have to go at least 12 to 18 depending on which pass you leave from..... So, if you bring your boat over from out of state and you are afraid to run 15 miles out of the pass before you begin fishing, you best pick another specie of fish, like trout or redfish...

As always I like to peel the layers of the onion back for you and expose the hidden and forbidden.

1. Murky water will be ok. Green is fine and Blue in not necessary.
2. Pull a ton of structure until you find the fish, don't be scared to hit 20 rigs in an attempt to locate them.
3. Change baits and speed until you key in on the fish, once you have their number work 'em over.
4. Set your reels with ALOT of drag, a hoo hits a bait and holds on to it then spits it if you don't have enough drag. You want the hoo to hit the bait and have a huge fu$kn surprise :)
5. Finally, check out the pictures on this blog and check out my site for videos of hoo rigs and Venice hoo lures.

Best Fishes-
Captain Mike Gray

When the reports first come that the Yellow-Fin Tuna have moved in behind the shrimp boats, run don't walk to Venice Louisiana...

Shrimp boat Tuna feed in a pecking order and swim in like size schools. I never leave fish to look for fish, what I'm saying is if you find the right boat with the JUMBOZ then you are set I've never caught a popcorn size Yellow behind a shrimp boat.

So, how do you do this, how do you find these magic boats with fish holding ability. OK, let's start with season, reason and then how to, shall we?

1^st season: If you read the blog you will see I spoke about fall fishing and the signs of migrating tuna just about 1 month ago. Fall is a time for Game Fish to fatten up for the winter. Shorter days and cooler water temperature spur the Yellow Fin into feeding mode.

2^nd reason: Shrimp boats offer easy meals and tons of food. By-Catch is discarded and HUGE Yellow Fin Tuna along with Black Fin, Bonito's and of course Sharks lurk in the prop wash waiting for this easy meal. Also, for some reason the larger shrimp boats move offshore in pursuit of their catch. I don't know anything about shrimping and I have no idea why these boats move offshore in the Fall, I have no idea why they are not out in this area all year, what I do know for certain is they are not in this area but once they move into this deeper water here come the TUNA.

3^rd How to: I'm going to be very specific, this is the behind the scenes, "Only known information by the Charter Captains". Are you familiar with Venice Louisiana? Do you fish Venice Louisiana? I'm sure this method works farter West into Texas and most likely towards the East through Mississippi and on into Florida, but for our conversation I'm talking **SPEFICIALLY** about Venice Louisiana.

Look for the boats in the 200ft. range of water depths you can concentrate in areas of blue or blue green water color. Once you spot a boat on the horizon continue to the boat and get you a bucket of chum ready. We use Porgies, Bonitos and any other chum we can get off the cleaning table. Cut this up into bite size pieces and pull right up behind the shrimper. Tip: put about 1/4 of a 5 gallon bucket full and throw this into the prop wash of the shrimper, you should see bonitos and possibly some black fin show up, this is a good sign and the beginning of the food chain, once they are there chum harder and faster working the fish into a frenzy, don't stop or you will loose them back to the shrimper and there you will be floating by yourself... Let's assume the black fin are there, increase the size of your chunks, earlier I told you to cut them small OK now throw larger bait and start catching some black fin, keep this going and keep a look out for the HUGE Yellows.

Let's talk about tackle for these fish. I like to use NOTHING less than a 50 Wide Shimano on a 50-80 Melton Tuna stick spooled with 130lb Hollow Core Jerry Brown and top shotted with 80lb Momoi and finally finished off with 100lb YoZuri HD Flourocarbon tied to a Mustad Demon of 9/0 or larger hook. I know that sounds technical and I mentioned some brand names. (Hello Sponsor?) DO NOT TAKE Shitty equipment or faulty knots into this situation. Don't cut corners on tackle and don't use old line or drags that have not been checked. If you are reading this and my other posts don't waste your time and go half cocked, you WILL be disappointed.

Last week I caught a 193lber check out the photo posted with this blog.

Good luck, Great fishing and Tight lines.

Captain Mike Gray

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

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