Pensacola Fishing Forum / Blue Water Fishing / Blue Water Fishing - General Q & A

Pensacola to Venice, LA

sel1005 — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:58:04 GMT

I've crossed the Eastern Gulf many times, from Apalachicola to Clearwater and on to the Keys, Bahamas, Tortugas, etc many times, but never the western Gulf.

Looking for advice, experiences on crossing from Pensacola to Venice and fishing out of LA for a bit, then head back. Would like to make this a regular event, but want to learn, what have you seen, whats the good, bad, ugly about this crossing or fishing from Venice??

Happy to share on the other side too, what I've seen on the eastern gulf, where to avoid, where to be sure to go / stay, etc.

Thanks!

Post #193192

If money wasnt a problem...

The Blue Hoo — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:10:27 GMT

Self-explanatory. If money wasn't a problem, and you bought a bigass 60 something battle wagon, would you pick open bridge or closed, and why?

Personally, closed bridges are sooooooooo nice, and add a few extra to the sleeping arrangement. But one thing I have noticed is that the sound from the salon really carries up into the bridge, which is less than desirable if you value your quiet while running and the guests below are watching a movie or have Buffet cranked up way too loud. Also, while handling a good fish, captain will often have to walk to the back of the bridge or up the tower to control the boat. And then of course the privacy is nice too. But ultimately, I think I would rather have the open bridge so you're a lot more "in-tune" with the action.

Rigging live bait

Kevdog540 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:43:07 GMT

How do you guys rig your live hard tails and such when fishing for tuna at the rigs? What type of hook, leader, any weight? This past weekend we were using a single circle hook, just behind the head with no weight and the back half of the bait kept getting eatin off. What am I doning wrong? Thanks

11/5/08.......Anyone else going???

Downtime2 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:49:00 GMT

Gonna try for a late season bill......

November and December at the Rigs

Bill Me — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:22:05 GMT

Are the tuna still on the Rigs in any numbers in Nov and Dec? Is that too late for Wahoo and Bills?

merc 350's

SUNDAY-FUNDAY — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:12:56 GMT

has anyone tried em yet? contemplating getting a hull from a friend of mine who's an adjuster just north of galveston. says the market is about to be flooded with boats that got water in the engines, and sustained little or no damage. (before i get a lecture on buying storm damaged boats: he's a childhood friend who wouldnt screw me) would love to hear some feedback other that the dealers. obviously they say the engine is the shit. thanx in advance

Billfish: Cirlcles or J's

tunapopper — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:46:11 GMT

I still like to use J's when I'm fun fishing but a few of my buddies always use circles. Which do you use and why?

Rigs Friday Night/Saturday

ajfishn — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:08:18 GMT

Is anyone heading out to the rigs this weekend. This will be my first trip in my own boat, can't wait.

Jake

26 World Cat, Twin 150 Yamaha 4 Strokes

deep dropping

spinealigner — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 21:16:25 GMT

After a lot of success deep dropping down in the keys I am getting the itch to do it at home. We found our spots in the keys in 6-700 feet of water over hard and muddy bottom. I was wondering if anyone has had any success with tiles, snowy's and such. I don't even know if these species are in the northern gulf. I can't see why not seeing water temp at those depths is the same. I fish out of Destin and am wondering where to start looking. Seeing these fish really don't like big structure to live on the bottom I really don't know where to start looking. Any suggestion?

Going out

Jarhead — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:47:43 GMT

I'm hearing a lot about taking extra fuel. What do you guys recommend using to take the fuel. I've seen these strap down fuel bladders. Is that what you use? What's the best way to load on some extra fuel without dropping another thousand for a fancy bag? Or, if that's the only option, what brand and size do you recommend for the money? I have a 21 foot Cape Horn and I've been planning to venture further out once I get more comfortable with the boat. I've been out several times in the past few weeks with no problems so I'm thinking about going for it soon.. I started at about 10 miles and have been gradually increasing the distance. The furthest I've gone was about 40 miles and I still had about a half tank when I got back.

I've been 75 miles in a 21' Contender and it got rough as hell on the ride back but we made it with no problems. A few years ago a buddy bought the boat and neither of us had a clue of the potential dangers. Now, I've learned how dumb that was but I did learn a lot from the trip and have experienced long distances and rough seas in a boat the same size as mine and feel pretty comfortable that it can be done with no problems as long as the boat is seaworthy. So, I've been field testing my boat to insure it's reliable enough to do what I want it to do and I feel like it is. The worst malfunction has been a battery cable snapped but I fixed that in 2 mins and fished the rest of the day. Before I go, I would like to be able to load on more gas just incase.

What do you recommend?

anyone seen a MBGFC report?

onoahi — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:48:19 GMT

:usaflag

Hook sharpening method or tool help

timl74 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:09:41 GMT

Anyone have a sugestion on a good method or a good hook sharpening tool to sharpen hooks?

Thanks,

Tim

Bye Bye Venice!

GAHUNTER — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:30:38 GMT

I sure did have some good times there. This time, I'm not sure those good folks will have the resources (or the will) left to rebuild.

Maybe I'm wrong, and Gustov will not be as bad there as I think it will (you know, that "left turn" the forcasters keep talking about), but as of now, it looks like Cypress Cove and Venice Marina are going to be in the peak surge area on the right side of the eye wall.

Lures for trolling TGT Mahi in the Sea of Japan.

FishOn101 — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:44:42 GMT

I would like suggestions for what Mahi prefer in trolling Lures. I am on ship in the Sea of Japan, and still very much warm and calm here. Trolling at between 4-6kts. Line, size and type would also be appreciated and of course type/style of Lures to be used. Rod/reel is not necessary already have the set up I want. All/any info will be greatly appreciated... Pics to follow when I catch some. Thanks Ya'll....

Rick

FishON!!!!!

:usaflag:usaflag:usaflag:usaflag:usaflag

Your advice is invaluable

jjam — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:11:57 GMT

Hey blue water anglers, I appreciate your professional opinions/advice and I call on those very well respected knowlege folks to chime in.

I've read some great post from the floating condos with envy, but looking to hear from some of the smaller prior/present vessel owners obtaining the same results. Am I dreaming (and I do dream when it comes to fishing) if I can get on some of this action via 22 WA Wellcraft with dependable 200 Optimax. Fuel cap 99 gal getting a solid 2+ mpg and has proven her sea worthiness over the five years I owned her. I've travel to the edge up to 45 mi and participated in Bud Light King tourney a couple years ago. In the tourney, I top off the tank in Ft Morgan and returned to P-cola Bay thru Gulf with just less than a half of tank remaining (approx 45 gal) out of 99 gal.

I appreciate any response, positive or negative from all you Blue Water anglers.

Thanks Much!

Jimmy

Fishing Tomorrow??

DISANTO — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:27:24 GMT

Anyone going? We are headed out tonight around 10pm. Should have the sword baits out at the spur around midnight. Give us a holler!

what knot?

Polebender — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:40:18 GMT

Ok I'm tying a 250 lb swivel to a 200 lb mono wind on leader. What knot (besides the slip knot) should I use to do this? Tuna knot?

MBGFC Labor Day tournament

tunapopper — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:24:39 GMT

I know they were supposed to make a decision on it today or yesterday but i was curious if anyone had any other intel.

swordfish video

BlackFlag — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:06:00 GMT

check out this swordie, i think this is the one that got his bill caught in the explorer

http://www.florida-offshore.com/modules.php?name=Video_Stream&page=watch&id=35&d=1">Video - Swordfish

Lloyd's Ridge

Chris Hood — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:31:37 GMT

Does anyone have the numbers for Lloyd's Ridge? How many miles from Perdido Pass? Thanks!

Offshore Weather Forecast

ajfishn — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:12:39 GMT

What is a good website to look at the offshore weather forecast?

tuna hunting?

pelagicone — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:13:45 GMT

My fishing buddy an I are leaving 1:00am sunday morn looking for the tuna bite .

We are in a 31" baby blue cape horny horn. Any suggestions?:hungry

Pensacola Junior Angler Tournament

Matt09 — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:04:06 GMT

Does anyone know any information about this tournament?

Anyone seen Snapper Slapper???

$EA $ICKNE$$ — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:20:51 GMT

hmmm.....

Need a crewmate

bellafishing — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:16:58 GMT

Need one for Fri/Sat. See "Need a Crew, Need a Ride" Section.

Bob

Where do you get squid for swording?

M L — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:51:18 GMT

Where can I find whole squid for swordfishing around Mobile/Orange Beach?

oil rigs

MissKristy — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:15:39 GMT

Can you tie your boat to the 255 rig during the night and jig for blackfin? I no you cant hook to the petronius but didnt no about this rig.

Lloyds ridge ?

Top Shelf — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:57:12 GMT

Does anyone hav ehte numbers to Lloyds ridge

Eating skipjack tuna

GAHUNTER — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:01:41 GMT

I've always given them away in the past, but I see where some folks like them as much as yft.

Do you keep yours? If you do, do you prepare them any differently from your yellowfin steaks?

Opinions please.

HMS permit

MissKristy — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:29:32 GMT

Where do you get an HMS permit to catch tuna and how much are they.

Hook, Line and Sinker Seminar Series(Offshore Trolling) Aug. 4

ericholstman — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:52:06 GMT

Thought this would be the appropriate spot for this announcement.

Just wanted to let everyone know that Capt. Pat Dineen, Chevy Florida Fishing Report, Capt. Miles Colley and Anthony Arnold will be our Offshore Trolling guest speakers at the HLS Seminar Series next Monday night(7pm) at Flounders.

The HLS Seminars are free. Free food, 2-1 drinks, free raffles and giveaways and excellent free information. Free buffet starts at 630pm and the seminar starts at 700pm. Get there early because they have been packed!

Hope to see everyone next Monday.

Catching Hardtails

Reel Rowdy — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:34:30 GMT

What is the best way/technique to get a few hardtails on the way out to the rigs? Thanks in advance for the info!

What is the water like at the rigs?

JMS — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:49:47 GMT

Does anyone know what it is like since the storm moved through? I'm going this weekend

What exactly is chunking?

JMS — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:15:03 GMT

I have seen this term used about catching yft but I am not familiar with the technique. Can someone describe it to me? I have several whole frozen bonita, can they be used? Weather permiting, I am heading to the rigs this weekend with Tuna in my eyes! I'd love to try something new

Tuna Chunking

Mr. Mike — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:30:08 GMT

When you run out of the prefered chunking baits, chunked black fin tuna, mackeral etc. If you chunk with a buffet of various kinds of chunks (whater is on hand) will it still draw the YFT and will they hit?

How's the action off Gulf Shores, AL???

MakeMyDay — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:03:48 GMT

Hello, fellow Sportsmen -

I will be visting (actually contemplating a permanent move with the family) Gulf Shore, Alabama, and am wondering about the offshore action in this neck of the woods. I am a SE Florida resident and fish solely offshore in the Florida and Bahamian waters for dolphin, sailfish, wahoo, tuna and the like. I also do some deep dropping and love to dive and snorkel for lobster and hog snapper.

Anyone have experience in the waters off Gulf Shores? What are the target species in this area? Are there oil rigs this far north in the Gulf? I made a trip to Venice, LA, last month and the fishing around the oil rigs was fantastic. I lived on Florida's Gulf Coast back in the 90s and recall that the rule of thumb was a mile for every foot of depth to reach serious fishing water. How far out do you need to go in the northern Gulf for serious offshore angling opportunity?

Boating, fishing and all the stuff that goes along with it are what make my family's quality of life what it is. I need to make sure we have and will enjoy the same opportunity just outside of the Panhandle. Any information or feedback would be appreciated.

Tight lines!

More advice for the beginner please!!

ericholstman — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:41:25 GMT

Hello Bluewater friends,

I've got the itch to do some offshore trolling very soon, possibly Sunday or early next week. My sincere thanks to all of you who offered the incredible information on bait choices and the techniques for wahoo and dolphin on my last post. It will give me a headstart and at least get me going with the proper trolling techniques. I'm anxious to learn as much as possible!!

I was wondering if the water between the Nipple and Spur has improved as far as water quality and weed formation? Would the rigs be more productive? Or just any advice that you think will be helpful.

Oceans of thanks again.

Livebaiting tuna northern GOM

hmsmithjr — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:20:35 GMT

Normally I am a troller but I have been thinking a lot about more live baiting for tuna around the rigs south of Dauphin Island. I have done it once or twice but with no luck so far except for a miss or two. So far when i do this I am connecting my main line to a 6 - 9 ft flourocarbon leader using a uni to uni knot. Then slow trolling two lines at a time with live hardtails. How can I refine my technique so that I may present my baits better? BTW I am bridling my baits to a 7/0 or 8/0 frenzy circle hook. Should I get off the rig and drift instead of slow trolling of what? I do have a kite that I really haven't used yet but I plan on using it this weekend when I go out in conjunction with the live baiting. Thanks in advance for the help.

Maclin

Break-away weights?

GAHUNTER — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:48:40 GMT

I've heard that some folks in south Florida use break-away weights when swording at night in the Stream. Weights are attached with light rigging wire at the swivel.

Theory is that when a fish starts his run, water pressure causes the rigging wire to give way, releasing the weight, preventing it from becoming a counter-weight, which may or may not cause the hook to dislodge.

I have a cousin who used to do this for tarpon in West Pass (Appalachicola). It worked well, until one day a tarpon jumped on first hook-up and threw the 4-oz. weight right through the Mako's windshield! Had it hit one of them in the head, we're not sure he would have survived.

Swordfish jump, too.

looking for sportfishing charter

wrangler — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:47:25 GMT

I will be in destin this coming sat (july 26) and will be there for a week. I have been calling around and no one I can find on the net will do make up or grouping together trips. My family doest want to go fishing and I need to find a charter group that wants to target yft, mahi, billfish etc. If anyone here can recomend a charter I might call that would do this or be interested let me know.