Charter Fishing in the Gulf for Yellowfin Tuna
If you haven’t yet had your summer vacation it is not too late – you can always book a charter and go traveling to Venice, Louisiana for Yellowfin Tuna.
This area, and in fact the whole of the Gulf of Mexico, is the world’s leading destination for deep sea fishing. It has been named as the best fishing spot for deep sea fishing in the United States and continues to attract tourists year after year.
Venice is a great choice because it can easily be accessed from New Orleans and there are plenty of charter companies that you can get a boat from. It is not just Yellowfin tuna that you will find here – the waters are also teeming with red snapper, mangrove snappers, grouper, amber jack, cobia, king mackerel, shark and many other different types of fish.
Charter Fishing Boats
The kind and size of boat that you hire is entirely up to you. Most fishing captains have boats in different sizes; if you want to go out on the waters alone you can hire a small boat but if you are bringing along a group, such as friends and family or even colleagues you can rent a bigger boat. Unlike many other fishing spots in the United States that are seasonal, Yellowfin tuna is available throughout the year. This fish tends to grow very big – fish that weigh up to 300 pounds are not unheard of, but on a normal day fishing in Louisiana you can expect to catch Yellowfin that weighs an average of 60 pounds. When you are chartering a boat make sure to let the company know if you have any special requests – most are happy to cater. If, for example, you will be bringing children on the boat you can ask them to provide appropriate gear for them.
Catching Yellowfin
The reason why so many people come to Venice with the hope of catching Yellowfin is because they are a challenging fish – other than being big they are also very strong and it takes quite a bit to reel one in. They are usually found in large numbers feeding close to the surface and the further you go into the water the bigger the fish you can expect to catch. If you want to catch really big ones you should go in the winter and fall months – feeding conditions at this time allow fish to become bigger than usual.
The best time to go out on the water for Yellowfin is in the evening just as the sun is going down. Fish are most active between this time and midnight, and you will find them in large numbers near oil rigs and buoy.
They like these spots because they are attracted by the light. The process of fishing itself is easy and whether you are an experienced angler or are new to fishing you can expect to have a rewarding time. You will need to bring your own fishing rod, but if you don’t have one you can hire from the charter company.
You will also need bait – many companies will recommend live fish as bait, but you can also use chunks of fish. It is recommended that you bring along at least 50 pieces. Once you are at the right spot you will bait your hook, put it in the water and then wait. If you are in an area with lots of Yellowfin you can expect one to bite within the hour. Be prepared – these fish are strong and you can expect a bit of a struggle when reeling in your tuna.
Your catch is yours to do with as you please – you can store it on ice and take it back home for a barbeque, or you can have it cooked for you in a Venice restaurant. If you catch a really big one you can sell it – restaurant owners pay well for large tuna fish. Of course don’t forget to take a picture with your Yellowfin tuna before you get rid of it.
There are several different ways that you can fish for Yellowfin
Top water fishing and according to http://www.venicefishing.com/tuna-fishing-charters-venice-la, “In top water fishing, two kinds of lures may be used. The most common lure are the floating lures, which stay on the surface. The other option is the less buoyant bait, which does not float but rather the user must keep the lure at the surface by reeling and a series of jerks. In top water fishing, the fish are mostly lured in by the noise of the surface bait.”
You can also go chunking, trolling, live baiting, vertical jigging, live lining or chumming All this may sound very complicated to the novice but many charter companies are happy to give you a crew to help you along.
When choosing an offshore fishing company you should be careful – although there are many in the area not all of them offer excellent services. For starters, you want a company that has well maintained boats – the last thing you want is to be stranded out on the water because your boat broke down. Do not be afraid to ask when your boat was last serviced – the company has an obligation to tell you. The same goes for all gear – if, for example, you notice that their vests and other floatation devices are worn it is an indicator that the company doesn’t take very good care of gear.
Paying For Your Fishing Charter
You should find out how the company takes payment – many take both cash and credit cards but there are some, especially the smaller ones, that only accept cash. You should also look at reviews – the best companies ensure that their clients give them reviews and they display these on their website. Also, find out what kind of refund policy they have – there are some charter companies that are happy to give you a full refund if for any reason you cannot make your trip. It is always best to hire a charter boat from a company that is happy to arrange your accommodations as well – it will save you the trouble of booking a hotel, and many such deals also come with discounts. There are some charter companies that have cabins in alcoves and these are great because you can go out fishing and then return to your accommodation right at the waterfront. Some people prefer to make arrangements with companies such as AirBnB but if you choose to go this way keep in mind that you are in charge of all the catering and you don’t have assured security. It is however, ideal if you have small children with you on your trip.
Lastly, find out what happens in case you have an emergency out on the water – the best companies make sure that you are moved to another boat right away, and they have measures in place in case any of their clients should require medical attention.