Captain Troy Wetzel has been chartering his fishing boats from the Venice Marina in Plaquemines Parish, La. for over 25 years. He is currently the oldest and wisest of all the captains working out of Venice. In fact, it is most likely that each of the captains working out of the Venice Marina has started out as Capt. Troy’s deckhand at one time or another.
“It is important to know that yellowfin have great eyesight and can see the fishing line.”
Catching The Big Tuna
Captain Troy has been asked many, many times to share his tips and tricks for catching yellowfin tuna. Captain Troy’s response is that yellowfin tuna are very tricky.
He says, “It is important to know that yellowfin have great eyesight and can see the fishing line.” He also adds that it helps to know that these fish have to eat often, and feed every three hours in order to keep up their speed.
“Keeping up their speed is crucial so that they do not fall prey to sharks on the hunt. Yellowfin maintain their speed in order to out swim any shark,” says Captain Troy.
The Captain, who is a popular choice for tuna fishing charters in the Gulf, also likes to share his knowledge of three good methods of catching yellowfin tuna with bait at the Venice Marina:
Toss 10-12 live bait out with a hook into -2 bait, and you will have great success.
Chumming is when you cut up ten pieces of bait and throw it into the water. The hook should be inside the bait so that the fish will not see where the line is cut and tied to the hook. This makes a very big difference when you are fishing in blue water.
Kite fishing is a method of fishing that involves bouncing bait on top of the water so that they do not even see the line.
There are many more tips and tricks to come, so be sure to frequent our blog and learn from the best of the best at Louisiana Offshore Fishing Charters. If you are ready for the offshore fishing trip of a lifetime, you can book your next fishing charter online today!
Coming up next, catching yellowfin tuna at different depth…
Captain Troy Wetzel of Louisiana Offshore Fishing Charters takes you to the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico for an amazing fishing experience, including Yellowfin Tuna, Red Snapper, Wahoo, Grouper, Amberjack, and more.
Capt. Troy and his crew charter trips from the Venice Marina, just a short trip outside of New Orleans, BOOK YOUR TRIP TODAY!!! CALL 504-701-3474
Early spring is rapidly approaching and it’s time to turn your attention to the great outdoors. This is the best time of the year to be on the water. If you’ve been looking for an outdoor adventure, consider taking a deep sea charter fishing trip in the Gulf! Nothing beats the thrill of catching giant fish out on the open water with friends, family, and coworkers. The following are only a few occasions where a charter fishing trip can be the adventure of a lifetime.
Charter Trip Bachelor Parties
If you really want to enjoy an intimate occasion with just you and the pals, you can plan your bachelor party to coincide with a Louisiana deep sea fishing charter trip. It’s a great excuse to enjoy a few brews, reel in a few sport-fish like Yellowfin Tuna, and enjoy an evening of raw unbridled camaraderie. It may be the last time for quite a while that you get to enjoy an evening as laid back and carefree, so make the most of it!
You may have been on fishing trips with your buddies before. But this is one time that you can plan to do it up in a big way. A deep sea charter fishing trip is one bachelor blowout that will give you the send off you need as you make the transition from bachelor life to your new married state.
Perfect Romantic Date For A Deep Sea Adventure
Did you know that some brave souls schedule a charter fishing trip as a bona fide romantic occasion? It’s true and it’s much more common than you may think. When you find your soulmate in life, it’s only natural that you would want to share as many adventures with them as possible. And a deep sea fishing trip off the coast of Louisiana will certainly qualify.
Just imagine it: The two of you on deck, the wind whipping around you as you hook in a mighty swordfish or tuna. It’s true that you can’t make up a big fishing story when your partner is right there to witness the action. But when you’re having so much fun reeling in the big game, you don’t need to. The exciting romance of the deep sea is enough to make for the perfect date that may lead to a lifetime of memories.
The Best Place To Network
There are plenty of places to network for the next big deal in business. But if you really want to give your potential partners or clients a memorable experience, why not take them out to the deep blue sea? Imagine the spirit of friendship, as well as mutual understanding, that will develop as you take turns telling tales and reeling in the big game. There’s just something about getting out on the deep sea that brings people together. When you’re trying hard to strike the right note with a new group of people, it helps to form a bond around a common interest. If you share a love of sportfishing, this is one networking occasion that is sure to bring excellent results.
Fishing Season Is Almost Upon Us
Whatever your reasons for embarking on a deep sea charter boat in Louisiana may be, one thing is clear: Fishing season is nearly upon us. If you are ready to enjoy the freedom of the wild seas, contact us today for booking. We’ll be glad to give you all of the latest details concerning the season and what to expect.
Fishing out of Venice, Louisiana for Swordfish during the day is no easy task. If you want to land a Swordfish, it would be wise to go fishing with a professional fishing charter that knows how to catch them.
There are specific ways to bait a hook and to get the perfect bait to the depths of 1,100 to 1,600 feet, as Swordfish can be found at the bottom of natural canyons and mounds, specifically in transition areas between the ledge and shelf. Charter Boat Captains use topography graphs to find the best locations to fish for Swordfish, and Swordfish can be found as near as 20 miles offshore from Venice.
Get Ready To Catch Swordfish
Swordfish Day Charters from Venice are now extremely popular because they make for an action-packed day on the water! And Swordfish have been hitting the docks daily.
However, before jumping on a boat to catch some swordfish, you need to understand the differences between swordfish and marlin. People often get them confused. And while they are both members of the Billfish family and have many similarities, their differences may affect how you fish for them.
Bait and Rig to Use
Squid is the preferred bait to use when fishing for Swordfish. You will need to “stitch it up and put a skirt on it”. Lay out a few squid to find the perfect one. Prior to cutting a squid, lay the hook on top of the bait so that you know exactly where you need to cut it to best hide the hook.
Once you have selected the perfect bait, cut a 1/4″ slit in it and feed the circle head of the J-hook through the inside of the bait. Note, the J hook should already be attached to a 3-6′ fluorocarbon leader line, 200-400 lb test. Use a waxline needle, thread it, and stitch up & close the slit, passing the line through the eye of the hook.
Also, make sure the head is stitched and attached properly so that it does not fall off. Then add a skirt, which come in various colors. The skirt will help bury and hide the hook even more and make the bait more attractive. The goal is to hide the hook, and make the squid look and swim in the water like a live squid does. Once you have properly prepared and rigged your bait, hold it in the air and put it in the water to confirm it looks natural.
Crimp the leader to 300 lb. top shot line, which should be about 100-150′ long, and splice the hot shot to your braided line. Where the top shot connects to the braided line is where you will add your main weight.
Next add tri-color 1/4″ lights, that are activated by water, to your line. The lights come in many colors, so you can select the colors you prefer. Place the lights approximately 6′ apart. The light helps the Swordfish find your bait, since the water is completely dark below 600′.
Methods for Catching Swordfish
swordfish caught out of Venice LA with Captain Troy Wetzel
There are different methods you can use to sink your bait, including a throwaway weight or double weights dropped at the same time, while the boat is in gear. The goal is to sink your bait so that it goes to the bottom, free-flowing and moving like a live squid, rather than getting tangled up.
Fishing for Swordfish at night requires different techniques as well as bait and line preparation. So again, fishing with a professional offshore fishing guide may be your best option.
So whether you want to fish Swordfish during the day or night. you are guaranteed an action-packed memorable fishing experience when you hook one!
Tuna fishing in any water can be quite an experience, but fishing with Captain Troy Wetzel is a once in a lifetime experience. Yellowfin Tuna in the Gulf can reach record sizes and if your fishing with Captain Troy he is sure to provide visitors a thrill that will last forever.
Your local charter boat fishing Louisiana captain uses decades of experience to get you to where these fish are in abundance, and has a few secrets up their sleeves for finding those monsters.
Here are some tips and tricks for tuna fishing in the gulf coast waters of Louisiana that will help you land that storytelling monster tuna.
Tuna Fishing Near the Oil Rigs
One of the best kept secrets in the south is the amazing tuna charter fishing that can be found near the many oils rigs off the coast of Louisiana. There are numerous rigs dotting the horizon of the Gulf, and local fishermen have been spoiled for years. They bring their fishing boats as close as possible and that is where they find the gulf coast monster tuna. Now it isn’t just about cruising the rigs to find tuna, it also about having the right bait fish, fishing at the right time of year, and the weather and water conditions.
A good charter boat captain will know that you have to pay close attention the surface waters as you approach the rigs. The Yellowfin tuna are well known to hang around the up-current on the side of the oilrig. He will also check the waters around the rig for sub-currents. The larger of the tuna will move around in different currents, despite what you are seeing on the surface. An experienced charter boat captain can read the waters and will know where the tuna are waiting to be caught.
Finding Big Tuna in Deep Water
The deeper the water you are fishing, the bigger the tuna you are catching. It is very important that you are paying close attention to your depth sounder, marking locations beneath the boat to make sure that your lures are down at the correct depth. The reason being is that the larger tuna are less afraid down that deep, and more likely to take a stab at your bait if you can find them.
Make certain that you get a good feel for the weight of the tuna on your line. If you don’t and set the hook, it is going to be gone in the blink of an eye.
Chumming the Deeper Waters
One of the more productive ways to attract the tuna near the boat is to chum the waters. Not only will the tuna come closer to the surface, they will arrive in record numbers too. Once they reach the chum, the action could be fierce as they fight each other for a free meal. One of the tricks for attracting the big tuna after chumming the water is to turn off the boat engine or generator, and allow the vessel to just drift along. Without the sound, the tuna will get amazingly close to the boat.
One tip to consider when chumming the deeper waters is that your actions could also attract sharks. Sharks are not good for fishing, so just start the boat and move on to another spot once the sharks arrive.
Tips for Faking Out the Tuna
Trying to catch the tuna near the surface can be extremely frustrating because the fish will quickly dive to deeper waters as the boat approaches. The trick to faking out the tuna is trolling slowly, somewhere around three knots while running a line on a high angle so the bait floats 300 yards behind your boat. The reason that this trick works is because the tuna will not associate the bait and the boat that far apart, so you can move in for the taking.
Spotting Signs of Tuna in the Area
One tip for locating the tuna is to simply follow where the shrimp boats are trolling. The team on the shrimp boats will chum the water, which attracts schools of tuna to the surface. As the shrimp boats move about, you can get lucky and hook up with the tuna who are in a feeding frenzy and wander away from the chum trail. The waters of the Gulf near 20 miles out or more are ideal for catching the bigger tuna. When you are out with a charter boat, the captain usually has an idea which shrimp boats have been out a few days.
The tuna get used to the patterns of those shrimp boats and can make for easy fishing. If you can get out on the water before dawn, you can intercept the shrimpers and be there when the chumming starts.
Catching Tuna Takes Some Patience
Catching tuna takes patience, so let the charter boat fishing Louisiana captain get you near the fish, while you and your group scan the waters for signs of the tuna. There should be someone near the helm all the time, while some toss chum into the waters. If nothing else, you have to be patient. Although the tuna are in abundance in the area, they tend to hide very well and come out under ideal conditions.
It might be seven hours of hard work on the water before you see your first bite, but it will be worth the wait.
If you’re visiting the area and want to land your own monster tuna, book a day trip with the local charter boat fishing Louisiana captain. Fishing for those tuna in this part of the south is not just a hobby, it is a way of life for locals. End the perfect fishing day by catching your very own tuna that might just get you in the local Louisiana record books.
Catching Yellowfin Tuna with Captain Troy out of Venice LA
For more information on day and night offshore fishing charters please visit our Charters Page. For inquiries or to book a reservation for lodging and/or fishing charters, please visit our contact page.
Dealing with Hurricanes and Tropical storms is part of living here in South Louisiana. We know that there is a give and take to being able to say we live in the “Sportsman’s Paradise”. In August of 2017, the forecast for the Atlantic Basin was to expect above-average named storms to make landfall along the gulf coast. Our neighbors to our left and right, took the worst of the landfalls this season, not leaving South Louisiana untouched. Venice, Louisiana Fishing After Storm Season 2017 shows fishing charters are staying booked.
Venice Fishing After Storm Season
Finally, the end of November marks the end of Hurricane Season. Venice, LA Charter Fishing Captains are sending in good reports. Have no worries when choosing Venice fishing charter destinations, our camps and lodges are open and in good repair. Many Charter Fleets in Venice, LA have had their boats updated and are ready to take advantage of the post storm aggressive “bite” off shore.
Fall and winter fishing in Venice, LA is probably one of the hottest seasons all year, let alone coming off an active tropical season like we just experienced. A tropical event, typically turns the heat up on the fishing in Venice, LA. Local guides in Venice will tell you that the fish can feel the barometric pressure dropping through their swim bladders before the storm. They realize when the danger has passed over and it is safe to return.
Venice, Louisiana Fishing After Storm Season 2017 & BIG Tuna
Off shore fishing following a tropical storm or hurricane, is prime from the time the barometric pressure begins to drop, until it bottoms out. The days following a tropical weather event, the deeper water species of fish; such as the Grouper and Snapper, return hungry. BIG Yellowfin Tuna will always return as the storm heads out, sending anglers scrambling to get a piece of the action.
Trash or Treasure
As much as we hate cleaning up our camps & waterways after the storm season, the debris left floating in gulf after a storm adds to the aggressiveness of the bite. If you can get on both the tail end of the storm, and find some debris to fish, the bait won’t drop down out of eyesight before the excitement begins. Does the answer lay in the baitfish taking shelter under the debris, or the larger fish looking to see if the storm debris is edible? Since the only thing we can count on is the bite, we won’t bother to ask why.
Fishing the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico can be dangerous without a severe weather threat, so never risk your safety to test the timing of the bite during a storm. When the Venice, LA tropics cool down, the fishing heats up but knowing that tropical weather can linger on into December is important. Our professional fishing guides here in Venice will keep an eye on the weather, knowing that safety always comes first when booking your trip.
On any given day now in the South Louisiana waters, you will not only see women fishing with their significant others, but launching their own boats. Gone are the days of men keeping the joys of fishing all to themselves, and somewhere, along the way us women “caught” on.
Fishing was shared with me as a young child. My brother would take me out fishing winter, spring, summer & fall. And ladies, when your older brother is teaching you to fish, you best bet you will be able to tie on your tackle, bait your hook, reel it in, and put that fish in the ice chest.
Respect Is Earned
After meeting my now husband, it was not more than an hour into the first date that I asked the obvious question, the one that would determine if there would even be a second date, “do you fish?”. Let’s just say, he gave the right answer and we said, “I do” on the shore of the blue gulf waters. I quickly became his favorite fishing partner.
Today, my husband will tell anyone that will listen he would rather fish with me any day than a grouchy old man. I did have to prove myself worthy though right from the start. See ladies, respect on the water, is earned. It is in no way cute to a serious angler to have a lady on the boat who needs everything done for her. Show a man you can not only handle yourself, but be some help to him with the boat, bait & catch, and trust me, he will be bragging to all his friends in no time.
Times A Changin’
I know most of my female friend’s fish also. You know how the saying goes, “birds of a feather, flock together”. I wanted to see if the cast net of female anglers was even larger than I had thought. I also have noticed that us fishing chicks are doing more at the launch, and with the boat. So yesterday, I decided to interview a few of the ladies through Social Media, to see if my hunch was right.
I decided my research would begin with asking the ladies out there, six simple questions:
Do you prefer freshwater or saltwater fishing?
Are you capable of pulling, trailering & operating a boat?
If so, what size boat do you run?
Do you tie on your own tack, bait your hook, and remove your fish?
Do you clean the days catch?
I even asked the ladies about their wardrobe. You know we are flooded with young hot chicks in bikinis fishing all over the internet, but, we choose what we wear just same as the men do, how dang hot or cold it is that day?
Tess Boudreaux Breaux fishing in Louisiana
My inbox began to ding immediately, I knew these ladies were just waiting to be asked. Gals as young as teens sharing fish tales of fishing beside their high school sweethearts, to the older ladies who are masters of the sport. Though the amount of responsibility each one shared with their guy may differ slightly, one thing was common across the board. These gals fish not just to spend quality time with their significant other, but they truly enjoyed the sport themselves. I would also bet, if they had a crisis and had to get that boat out & onto the trailer, they are all capable. Here are a few of the responses, and each lady was proud to let me use their name:
Lisa T.
“I Fish mostly Leesville & Fourchon area, but have fished the Rigolets also. We fresh water fish on occasion also. I can operate the boat. Back the trailer up?….that’s a no! Lol! , I pull it out after Ralph loads it. I can drive any type of fishing boat! And no…. I do not clean fish’. Lol!”
Samantha C.
“Leesville, Grand Isle, Slidell, & Laplace. I prefer inshore saltwater fishing and froggin! I usually wear a bathing suit and if I start to burn, I’ll throw on a t-shirt. Yes, 2-prefer inshore saltwater fishing and freshwater frogging. I usually wear a bathing suit and when I’m feeling burnt I’ll put on a t-shirt. I can pull, launch, drive and trailer a boat. Max size 24ft but only because I’ve never had the option for larger.”
Terry C.
“We freshwater fish. We fish at Toledo Bend, but just bought a camp off of Belle River, Lake Verret area. I bait, remove all but the catfish, I help a little from time to time cleaning but most of the time, NO. I can pull the boat and I will put it in the water if there aren’t a lot of boats waiting to get in and out. And, yes, you can use my name.”
Personally, huge props to Samantha C. for even doing a lil froggin. I, like Sam here, will start in my swimsuit in the summer, till my skin begins to burn. Now fellas, for the most part us female anglers are not what you see on the internet to lure you into a website. We dress for comfort and not vanity. With so many options now available in women’s fishing apparel, it’s easy to find what you feel most comfortable in. Camo has come a long way, pretty in pink and with sun protection fabrics.
Remember guys, most of the models on those websites do NOT actually do any fishing, they are models. I’m sure there are some that also fish, but they get paid to model. We most certainly are not all a size two in a string bikini with flawless makeup landing a limit of Speckled Trout.
And Terry C. you have me beat. I have yet to volunteer up my services to clean the fish. That is now on my bucket list! I do agree with Lisa T. there isn’t a boat out there I can’t operate, and another NO to cleaning the fish. I’m guessing that’s because while they are cleaning the fish, we are getting the boat unpacked and the oil heatin up to start cooking.
Land a Fish, Land a Man
I never did trust a man that didn’t fish. There is just something manly, rugged, and pretty sexy about a man who can talk tidal effect, water temperatures and migration. I assure you that our guys aren’t leaving us behind because they don’t want us around, it’s because we never showed an interest. Let’s face it, he’s less likely to get all fired up about antique shopping downtown, but ask a man to take you fishing, and watch his eyes light up. Well, what if you have just never had the opportunity to learn? Ladies, it’s time to take the Mullet by the gills and go for it!
A Good Bit of Advice
Tess Boudreaux Breaux
If you make that first trip out and want to get asked back again, keep the “gross, yuck, oh that’s slimy” talk to yourself. I use a Grab It Glove and belt with pliers handy for the fish I catch, and I keep a hand towel near when my hands get a little too slimed for my comfort. Let’s not forget, I do have to fix sandwiches eventually, so I don’t feel guilty about wiping my hands off. Me, personally most trips out for me, I’m fishing artificial bait anyway, I like the challenge. I like to be able to work a lure as good if not better than the next guy, or gal. Trust me ladies, let me remind you again how amazing we are, we give birth, to small humans. We touch, smell, and often end up covered in things much worse than earthworms, crickets, and minnows. Reel in a few good fish and you will be jumping to get that bait back out there for the next one.
Knowledge is Everywhere
If you are ready to tag along & want to surprise your guy, pull up a few You Tube Videos, practice with the truck and trailer, tie on some tackle. If you want to get excited about fishing, look into a fishing charter out of Venice LA, that will change your mind.
It is all so much simpler than you can imagine. Educate yourself and then strut your stuff. Ladies, I am not one bit a woman’s lib type of gal, I still like the traditional roles, but I enjoy fishing. I enjoy things even more when I feel educated about any task that I take on. Yes, I grab the Louisiana Sportsman Magazine when it comes in, I’m an avid reader of Marsh Magazine and have found several women’s groups on Social Media that are all about fishing in South Louisiana.
Respect the Sport
I can handle myself, and I do not complain on the days the bite is slow. There is a reason it’s called fishing and not catching. Always have your fishing license up to date, and know the limits per species that you can keep. Be kind and courteous to the fellow boaters, but don’t let the guys push you around either. Some men just cannot accept us out fishing them. I love it when I hear “That chick is going to try and trailer that boat, we will be here all day”, then I glide it on, add a hair flip, smile & prove them wrong.
Those That Fish Together, Stay Together
Personally, I prefer saltwater fishing, and my husband knows, don’t touch my rigs, and never, ever put filament on my reel. I’m a braided line gal. We will both tell you, the time we spend on the water is our time. No phones, no other demands on us, time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and share in a beloved sport.
Coupled with the obvious, that I can toss together a pretty decent mid-day sandwich, and I am pretty sure I will remain his total package. Fish On Ladies, Fish On!
(P.S.: I know more than a few lady anglers that ditched the husband, but kept the boat)
Devoted anglers and Charter Fishing Captains heading out of Venice, Louisiana know that there is more to catching their daily limit, then the size of their “Fish Finder”. Charter Fishing Captains & Crew will avoid the areas where the vast amounts of boats will cluster up and rely on an age-old technique; nature as their guide.
Nature has always and will always, provide the best three approaches to fishing the Gulf of Mexico. The experienced angler knows that success in landing those fat Speckled Trout, is knowing what to look for. Along with weather, water temperature and tide, Venice, LA Charter Captains keep their eyes, ears and nose open.
That Sheen & What it Means
Often, the surface of the water in the Gulf of Mexico is covered in areas, with an oily “sheen” . During the warm summer months, they are easy to spot on an inshore or offshore fishing trip. Mid-Summer Charters leaving the Venice Marina can expect the warm coastal waters to be chock full of bait fish. These bait fish bring the predator fish, like the highly coveted Speckled Trout. The nutrient dense environment provides a colossal grouping of shrimp, Croaker, mullet, and menhaden. The Speckled Trout just cannot resist and as they ravish these bait fish, they regurgitate their meal.
This “sheen” is the result of the regurgitation. Often confused with an oil spill, or an adverse environmental occurrence, by the unknowing angler, it is quite the opposite. Often referred to as a “feeding slick”, this “sheen” is anything but adverse. It is a welcome sight when chasing those Fat Speck’s.
Hey, You Smell That?
Have you ever smelled a faint scent of watermelon while on a guided fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico? The “sheen” that is produced by the regurgitation of the fish will have a slight watermelon scent. Often that be the first sign of a “feeding slick” ahead. A welcome scent when Venice Fishing Charters are out hunting the perfect spot for their clients to experience the best that Louisiana fishing has to offer.
The watermelon scent in the air, accompanied with the sheen of a feeding slick, is a sure bet those Fat Specks are just a cast away from becoming dinner. When you hit one of these spots, the Specks will hit aggressively. These conditions will support just about any plastic you toss their way.
That “Other” Sheen That Can Be Seen
A “current slick” is another one of the tricks the ole Salty Anglers rely on. Beneath the surface of the shallow bays and passes in the waters of South Louisiana, lies a grid of deeper channels that have been carved out over time. The bait fish will cluster up there in the slower moving current and become “lazy” of sorts. This makes them easy prey for Specks to feed on.
Current Slicks, like Feeding Slicks jump around. Spot the slick, anchor outside and cast right into the middle. The Specks will be there, feeding aggressively. This slick is even more dependable when coupled with the other Guidance Gift of Nature…..The Birds.
The Bird Approach
Another age old, sure fire way to locate Specks, is to watch the birds. While fishing the Gulf of Mexico, several bird species can be spotted. The most reliable of them all is the big Gulf Gulls. Charter Fishing Captains in Venice, LA know, if the birds are diving, the Specks are biting.
The birds are diving for the bait fish, which the Specks are chasing. The birds you see sitting on the water, are either right on top of the fish, or waiting for the fish they know are going to come & chase the bait up. So, the term “bird-brain” does not seem like such of an insult, does it?
Captain Troy Wetzel & Crew are ready, so come on down to Venice, LA and pay close attention to the different slicks, scents, and diving birds as you reel in those fat gulf Specks that South Louisiana waters are famous for.
Shark lovers and haters alike have finally emerged from their homes as the 2017 Shark Week on Discovery Channel has sadly, come to the end. They teased us with Episode 1 “Sharktacular 2017” on July 07, 2017, forty-one minutes of television utopia. One more tease a week later, then July 23, 2017 began the week of various excuses for missed social events, shark tales around the water cooler, and more than enough Shark Memes to go around. Social Media was all a buzz.
This year, love him or hate him, Olympic Gold Medalist, Michael Phelps tested his speed against a great white. It is not a surprise that many viewers were pulling for the shark! (Just kidding Mikey). No matter the emptiness that we are left with until next year, 2017 Shark Week is really over and many of us loyal “fin-fan’s” have to find a way to cope with the loss.
Better Than Tuning In, Could It Be?
Venice, Louisiana Charter Fishing offers an up close & personal experience for the “shark curious” around the globe. This time of year, coincidentally following the end of Shark Week, Charter Fishing Captains in and around Venice, LA, see an uptick in Charter requests for Shark Fishing Trips, and they are eager to oblige.
Not only are shark sightings a sure bet, but reeling in the various shark species found in the warm gulf waters of South Louisiana is the best “Shark Week” detox you can get for your money. Now, you cannot take a bite out of Michael Phelps, and the odds are you won’t be reeling in any Great Whites, but you will be sure to hook into a few of South Louisiana’s coastal celebrities.
Inshore Satisfaction
Louisiana waters are home to many species of sharks, yes, several of the sharks you viewed from your easy chair are just a Charter Booking away from up close & personal. Louisiana’s lakes and bays are an important nursery ground for sharks. These are the vital areas where female sharks bear their young.
If the emptiness from this year’s Shark Week finale has left you without a willingness for long excursions, no fear, Louisiana’s inshore waters are possibly just the right fix to get you through. Venice Fishing Charter Captains know where to find the most common inshore, coastal species of sharks.
Sharks, Sharks and More Sharks
Bull sharks, black tips, spinners andhammerheads are abundant in the warm gulf waters’. The Inshore Charters that leave out of Venice, LA offer anglers an exciting fishing trip without having to travel too far out, and no sightings of Michael Phelps to date.
The Bull Shark is just probably the ugliest of all sharks (if a shark can be ugly), ranging from 100-200 pounds and it has a prominent, blunt nose making it easily distinguishable. Known to even swim into fresh water, locals swim with caution. The Black Tip Shark average 5-20 pounds and are aggressive fighters. The Black Tip Shark will bite on an artificial bait, which is almost unheard of in shark fishing. The Black Tip Shark and The Spinner Shark, both will often be caught attacking a hooked fish being reeled in by an angler.
Charter Captains will often move out of an area where the Balck Tip Shark & Spinner Shark are spotted unless they are there to hunt shark specifically, otherwise it is a challenge to catch any other species of fish with these sharks lurking around.
Hammerhead Sharks will come right up and circle the boat just below the surface of the water. Size alone makes the Hammerhead Shark an exciting hook up on any day. They are a long, portly shark with an odd shaped head that gave them their name “Hammerhead”. Weighing in at 500 to almost 1000 pounds, they are not scared away by fishing boats at all, and almost appear to be “friendly” as they stay so close to the boat.
Feeling Adventurous?
Those of you who don’t sit and wallow for too long, and excited for Shark stories of your own, will enjoy the excitement of the Offshore Shark Fishing Charters that leave Venice, LA daily. If you are ready for sharks of great size & speed, and you are feeling “Michael Phelps” like energy and stamina, the Offshore Shark Fishing Charter of Venice, LA is for you!
Mako-Me Happy
The Mako Shark is an undeniable predator of the sea. There are two sub species of the Mako Shark, the shortfin Mako and the Longfin Mako. The Longfin Mako are rather rare sightings and prefer very warm seas. The Shortfin Mako, or as referred to often as the Bonito Shark, are plentiful in the coastal waters of South Louisiana. The Mako Sharks are very hard to get into the boat once hooked, and put on quite the show jumping sometimes 10-20 feet in the air once hooked. They have huge teeth, those that you would expect from any self-respecting Shark, and boy are they mean. Mako Sharks may lay on the bottom of the boat, appearing lifeless, then begin thrashing around with a vengeance. The knowledge of a Venice, LA Charter Captain is vital in success of the Mako Shark coming home with you. Mostly fished for sport, these gulf beasts make a great shark steak dinner also. Known to anglers as being a shark of great speed and stamina, the Mako shark can weigh between 200 and 600 pounds, and they have had Mako’s exceed 1,000 pounds in the Gulf Waters around Venice, LA.
Tigers, and not the LSU SEC Tigers
Another great fast shark to hunt for, is the Tiger Shark. Identified by their alternating markings of dark and light brown color. These beautiful predators of the Gulf are often called Leopard Shark when they are young, because they start out life with markings of dark color that look like spots. As the Tiger Shark matures, the markings turn to an easily identifiable stripe, hence the name “Tiger Sharks”. Roaming the open seas, the Tiger Shark can often be found in shallow waters as well. Known to grow above 1,000 pounds, this sport fish is a favorite among the Charter Fishing Captains in and around Venice, LA.
Proper Care For Table Fare
Shark is not only fun to catch but is delicious. Which Shark meat tastes the best is a personal preference. No matter which shark you plan to eat, they absolutely must be gutted and bled as soon as possible. Charter Captains and crew are experienced and cautious when handling all Sharks.
The Wait is Real
The fact is we have over 355 days until 2018 Shark Week airs, and there is no better time then now to get out there and live your own Shark adventure. You can even come home from your Charter Fishing Trip in Venice, LA, and delight in eating the Shark as you proclaim the victor! Until our next Shark Week, Keep Calm & Fin On.
