Venice LA 1-6/04

SpanishMack · Jan-07-2004, 12:54 PM

Fished with Paradise Outfitters First Day fished with Sonny and Bill. Great guys, headed down the Mississippi around 27 miles then hit a floating rig named Medusa for baits. These baits are called hardtails or Tuna Crack. We later found out why. We loaded up with Crack and about 500ft off of the rig HOOK UP I look back and see a 80-100lb tuna crush the bait and take off running. They fish a little different out there. They use circle hooks and when the fish bites you never take the rod out of the holder you just reel like hell. When the fish takes the first run you put it in the belt and the fight is on. These fish are tough... The first fish was Rich's fish he grabs the rod feeds out some line sets the hook and away to the races. These fish peel 60-100yards off on the first run. They seemed to like 60lb test which was a blast and an ass kicker. About 15-20min in Rich hands it off to me as his ass was kicked and I finish off that monkey and we get on the troll again. Second fish was less than 2 min later so Rich Grabs the rod and starts again. These fish had shoulders and since we were fishing a 26ft Glacier Bay Catamaran there was no leaning on the rail. Rich pounded out that fish in about 20 min on 60lb test. The bite shut down so we hit an area called the Lump. The Lump is a salt bottom that goes from almost 1000 to 200ft. I got one more larger tuna on 80lb in about 5 min. It is tons easier on 80lb test but you take an ass kicking. We also got a few blackfin tuna which look exactly like albacore with short fins. The meat is exactly the same as Yellow Fin Tuna. That was it for that day. I'll post one scanned pic and Rich can post more later. I'll post the second day later.
Max<--- still in traction
Note to self: Loose 50lbs before attempting that again.

SpanishMack · Jan-07-2004, 01:02 PM

Look at the Retarded Happy look on my face. This place is like Disneyland...

**FULL TILT** · Jan-07-2004, 01:39 PM

that sounds like one hell of a one day trip!! man, i gotta get out there. can you chum and keep them around the boat normally?? glad you guys had good luck.