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Fishing Reports for Local Area - Location |
    
Capt. Scott Avanzino (Paradiseout)
New member
Username: Paradiseout
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 - 10:12 am: | |
Wide open tuna bite Thursday night on live flyers and Matzuo poppers..haven't been on a bite like that in years...Had a crew in from Tennesee for two days..with the weather delay on Thursday morning we decided to get a late start and spend the night..man was that the right call..by mid morning the Gulf was glass and it remained so for the next 24 hours.... In 2 hours we had 9 yellowfin from 60-120 pounds in the box and we were out of energy, space and excuses to stay..Had a nice meal and settled in for a little bottom fishing after a 40 mile cruise to the northeast... Hit a rig in Main Pass and tied off..fishing tuna bellies we probaly went through 1 amberjack and 3 sharks for every snapper and the snappers were studs..the smallest was 13 pounds, the next 17, with 4 fish over 20 pounds and 3 others between 17-20. Have to say the sharks are a nuisance and one got it's revenge..instead of using the " hot lead gaff", I decide I was going to have a conscience and release one the environmentally friendly way...got the hook out with little problem and grabbed the tail to toss him out when he truned his head and took a swipe at my calf...I'll now be wearing superglue and duct tape and getting high on Augmentin for the next few days...I think I am going back to hot lead in the future... On to Saturday..beautiful 1-2 as forecasted..not even close..I think we need to adjust the forecast for 1o knots and allow for extra chop from opposing surface current...anyway..had 5 yellowfins and 7 blackfins for a mixed early moring and day effort with the crew from Jackson MS...All the fish caught on purple or black Braid murauders or naked ballyhoo. Could NOT make live bait as it was too rough to safley deploy the greenlight for flying fish let alone to make a dead drift so we made do without...had many more fish hooked and even gaffed but a heavy sea is really a burden when trying to get heads up on a large tuna..never helps getting tossed around the cockpit either..excuses, excuses... call us for fuin like this or check us out on the <a=href"http://www.paradise-outfitters.com">WEB!</a>
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Jerry LaBella (Agl01)
New member
Username: Agl01
Post Number: 3
Registered: 10-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 6:12 am: | |
Venice Report,
Friday afternoon Mike Martina, Tim Mulmore, and I left out of Venice Marina to night fish the first spillway of SW Pass. That afternoon fishing in and around the marsh area of that spillway many undersized redfish where caught on Carolina rigs and corks with fresh shrimp. We also fished Joseph Bayou for a little while and only caught a huge flounder. The water in the Venice area is now very clean. Friday night, the first spillway of SW Pass had several other boats fishing with lights and all where catching speckled trout with various lures and live bait. Most of our trout where caught on live cocahoes while we observed others having perhaps better success with live shrimp. We caught a total of 45 specks with a few white trout mixed in. When things slowed, we headed to Port Eads to fish the lighted dock where many white trout were schooling along with bull reds. Glow cocahoes in tandem easily caught as many white trout as one could want. We keep a mess of small white trout to use as bait the next morning keeping only the larger ones to eat. Saturday morning we headed to S Pass jetty and fished the inside area near the mouth and caught beautiful bull croakers, redfish, Spanish mackerel, and flounders fishing with bottom rigs and cut white trout and croaker chunks. Fall fishing is Venice is in full swing.
http://www.jerrylabella.com/captain's_log1.htm
SEE PICS:
Good fishin’
Jerry LaBella
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Jerry LaBella (Agl01)
New member
Username: Agl01
Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 05, 2003 - 6:26 am: | |
Venice Inshore,
Friday evening Capt. Mickey Wagner and I left out of Venice Marina to fish the spillways of SW Pass. River has been unusually high and not too clean for this time of year. The weather was beautiful with light winds. The first spillway yielded undersized reds and a couple of flounders. The second spillway was much cleaner and had plenty of nice redfish in the 22 – 24 inch range. We limited out in a short period. We were fishing in less than 4 ft. of water with popping corks. One boat fishing next to us was catching both reds and specks. They were using live cocahoes under a popping cork. The speckled trout didn’t seem to want to bite on the live shrimp we were using. That night we setup the generator and lighting system to night fish. Speckled ttout fishing was slow with a good bite for about an out late into the night. The trout shut down around midnight. We managed to boat about 20 small specks. If the river comes down and cleans up the trout fishing should be in full swing.
Good fishin’,
Jerry LaBella
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Jerry LaBella (Agl01)
New member
Username: Agl01
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 05, 2003 - 6:24 am: | |
http://www.jerrylabella.com/captain's_log1.htm
SEE PICS: http://www.jerrylabella.com/captain's_log1.htm |
Jerry LaBella
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 9:50 am: | |
Subject: Breton Sound
Breton Sound/Island Report.
My friends Mark McAdams, Tim Mulmore and I left out of Venice Marina Friday afternoon to fish Breton Is. and Breton Sound rigs at night. That evening we tried Breton Island where the water was very low. No fish were caught. There were many charters fishing using live croakers. I saw one fish caught. After leaving the island we headed to Central rig and discovered “Banana Fish City.” We left and tried 2 other rigs with just redfish being caught. The last rig we tried later that night we got into nice speckled trout. Managed to catch 67 and many redfish. All fish were caught on Bayou Chub minnows white/chart. tail./glow, ¼ oz. jig heads and freelined live cocahoes.
SEE PICS: http://www.jerrylabella.com/captain's_log1.htm
Jerry LaBella,
Good fishin’
POST YOU REPORTS and get noticed: http://www.jerrylabella.com/guest_book.htm
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Capt. Scott Avanzino
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 3:17 am: | |
Subject: offshore bite
Where do I start..the week looked pretty grim but the Lord provided!!!! Managed to book the "lost" cancellation days and take part in one of the best bites I have ever seen...Aside from Monday's trip on the rip with 5 wahoo and 10 bulls in 3 hrs and I was able to fill both boats for the week..John Hunsacker and Destin's Capt Walter "Casey" Jones came down for part 4 of John's neverending quest for a blue marlin..John keeps his boat in Destin where he catches an occassional bill, but never gets to fight any fish since he has to drive and wire.
Malcolm Nelson the owner of our Blackfin decides to drive down and use the boat since it is open..Malcolm is the only person I know who catches at least one blue marlin every time he comes down from Birmingham icluding 6 one weekend at 152 in green water..anyway pal Chuck calls and they drive down..so what happens, the usual.. Dr. Chuck who came to fill the freezer with meat fish hooks a big blue with lines out 30 minutes...where he fights him for 4 hours in the rain..with Malcolm at the helm dodging lightening, 4 foot seas, driving rain and an ocean going tug and tow in zero visibility..Long story short..he fish expires after 2 hours on 80 pound stand-up tackle leaving an exhausted and soaking Chuck with the human winch duty..it took 2 hours to winch it in off the bottom in 1500 feet of water and 30 minutes to secure it in the cockpit...it weighed 580 pounds at the scale with mud still in its mouth..sad but it was given out to everyone who was at the dock
...Meanwhile we're happy for them but haven't had a strike except for bonita at the Lump..so we get the hare to head south west 90 miles to the Canyon with a fuel drum..after the storms cleared about 4 PM we finally put the lines in the back in the water...picked up 2 bull dolphin, 3 blackfins and 5 yellowfins while marlin fishing and then the sun sets..so we decide to pick up and make bait for swordfishing at a nearby bouy..with one line to clear John pops the rigger bait another pesky "tuna" hits...After 3 of us decide who is going to bring it in (I amost climbed down from the tower) Casey eventually takes the rod from John..we settle in for a short fight and a 250 pound blue takes off across the surface with our Islander in his mouth..he must have been following and when I slowed down and John made the "blind" drop back it was on...great...
The real story is John..he has pulled hooks on 2 blues with me before in the last 3 years, missed one on a natural bait last summer and now he has handed off the rod to Casey who goes 275 pounds and isn't giving up the rod...after a 45 minute fight and 15 late fight jumps we secure him for the uneventful tag and release and off he swims...never heard of one hitting so late in the day...My flash even went off as I snapped shots of the jumps at 50 yards
No sweat we have 6 rigs within 20 miles and all day tomorrow... so we make bait and shut off the engines and settle in with 2 squids and two live hardtails from 300-75 feet...morning breaks and we have had one bite and miss on a UFO at 200 ft and we go to start the engines..port won't crank enough to make fire...no problem..low battery.. I have spare... battery fine, burned igition wire..no problem... I have a spare...New wire...failed starter...BIG PROBLEM...I don't have a spare...I don't feel like cracking off the starbard starter since I am already tired, angry, singed and sweaty..also got shocked twice...so we put baits out and troll home 95 miles at 5AM...I blame it on John!
But what temptation to stick it out..plenty of bait, blue skies and blue water, and we can't fish the rigs we drove all afternoon to fish on!..I tried taking it apart but think I made it more broken..too many spare parts...
New starter goes on tomorrow and you had better believe I will rebuild the old one and store it below!
Until tomorrow..Capt. Scott..Paradise Outfitters - 504-451-7579..one boat available on cancellation for Saturday..Good weather and open invitiation to come keep the sreak alive while experiencing the thrill of fishing with us on the Blackfin..which is 2-2 for marlin on consecutive trips thanks to Chuck!
Since Thursday we have had 3 blue marlins, 6 yellowfin, 4 blackfins, 8 wahoo to 60 pounds, and 15 bull dolphin to 55 pounds...hope it stays hot! Check out the pictures on our home site at paradise-outfitters.com |
Jerry LaBella
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 12:50 am: | |
Subject: Intracoastal New Orleans
New Orleans Intracoastal Canal Fishing Reports,
Friday evening my friend Oscar Perez and Captain Mickey Wagner invited me to fish aboard his boat in the Intracoastal Canal at the bulk plant. Word had it that big speckled trout were being caught in good numbers on live shrimp. They were right! It didn’t take long for us to limit out before sunset. Many boats were fishing and late that evening most were catching fish. Sliding corks fished 11 ft. down did the trick. All the trout were over 2 pounds and many were 3 to 4 pounds with a few over 5 pounds. There must have been over 100 boats in and around the area.
SEE PICS: http://www.jerrylabella.com/captain's_log1.htm
Good fishin’,
Jerry LaBella
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agl01
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 10:23 am: | |
Subject: Fourchon
Fourchon Fishing Reports,
I had the privilege of being invited by my friend Mark McAdams to fish aboard Steve Tommney’s charter boat Southerner Saturday. Though the winds were very high and the seas were rough, the whole crew had a blast catching big red snapper, amberjack, and cobia in the Grand Isle blocks of the Gulf of Mexico. The Southerner’s crew, Captain Roman, Matt and Chad, did an excellent job of keeping the lines baited and removing the fish from the hooks. Other friends of McAdams included Debbie Wilson and her husband, Ben Lawrence and his son Ryan-who lead the pack on bring in the most fish- and McAdams two sons Craig and Jason. When the winds don’t keep the boats at the dock, fishing has been great, according to Captain Tommeny who runs 4 charter boats in the 60-ft. range out of Fourchon.
See pics: http://www.jerrylabella.com/guest_book.htm
Good fishin’
Jerry LaBella.
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Capt. Scott Avanzino
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 10:08 am: | |
Subject: Bottom fishing again
We have been finding easy limits of red snapper over wrecks in Main Pass in 160 feet of water. We had our limit for the last 4 trips before 10am each day with anywhere from 3-5 gag grouper as well. Been fishing live hardtails and tuna bellies for the grouper and trout and amberjack bellies for the snapper. Entered the weekend tournament and won with a 26 pound snapper for this year's shootout. We have been saving the afternoon to catch more amberjack and grouper with a few cobia mixed in. Been averaging 5 grouper per last 4 trips. The jacks have been easy while grouper fishing platforms in 250-300 feet of water. The cobia have been either on top or following hooked fish from the bottom. Cut bait and jigs have been nailing the curious cobia. Largest fish went 40 pounds...Paradise Outfitters - 504-451-7579 |
Capt. Scott Avanzino
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 12:04 pm: | |
Subject: Bottom fishing
Been fishing out to the east of the river lately. The grouper and amberjack bite has been phenominal. We have been keeping our limits of AJ and releasing an average of 20 others. Scamp groupers and small gags are being taken close to the rig legs on diamond jigs with larger fish coming off live hardtails fished in the rig with heavy mono. We have been averaging 4 grouper per day although we bagged 12 last Sunday, two of which were over 40 pounds. We have also been picking a cobia here and there and big snappers too. Now that the season is open we will be able to target them and keep them. I hate releasing 20 plus pounder red snapper that I know aren't going to survive, but now it is legal to keep them so I won't mind releasing them into the cooler.
Check us out online at http://www.paradise-outfitters to see the pictures or call us at 504-451-7579 |
Jerry LaBella
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 8:57 pm: | |
Subject: Breton Island/Taylor’s Point Fishing Reports,
Breton Island/Taylor’s Point Fishing Reports,
Saturday afternoon Tim Mulmore, his son, and I left Venice Marina to fish Breton Island. Winds were high out of the SE and tide was high. After making it to the island we found clean water under heavy winds. 6 big specks were landed but it took a long time fishing to catch them. We had planned to night fish some of the lighted rigs but the wind was near 20 mph. Next morning we fished the island under calm winds and clean, high-tide water, but few specks were caught and a couple of redfish. Winds picked up later in the morning. All fish were caught on plastic Bayou Chub minnows (chart.) and Saltwater Assassin opening night lures fished freeline. After slow fishing the island we headed to Taylor’s Point where a few more large specks were caught under Cajun Thunder corks and DOA and minnow lures. Fishing was very slow despite good tides and clean water. Bright moonlight may have contributed to the slow day fishing as the fish probably fed all night.
Good fishin’
Jerry LaBella
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Jerry LaBllea
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 13, 2003 - 11:20 am: | |
Subject: Breton Is
Breton Island Reports:
Friday afternoon my friend Tim Mulmore and his son left the Venice Marina to fish Breton Island. Wind was NW and breezy. Water in the area was high and 64 degrees. We managed to land 24 specks before sunset after which we headed to one of the lighted rigs in the area. As we approached the rig hundreds of diving seagull were gorging themselves on bait. Hundreds of redfish were below and could be clearly observed feeding. Anything you threw from spoons to Chub Minnows they hit it. Bull red limit was met along with several other reds. They wore us out. Sat. morning fishing started out slow with low tide and no tide. Water was clean and the wind still NW and breezy. As they sun came up, the fish turned on. Limited out on nice size specks some of which went 4 ½ pounds. All fish were caught on Bayou Chub minnows and Bass Assassin opening night paddle tail on ¼ oz. heads freelined. See Pics:
http://www.jerrylabella.com/captain's_log1.htm
Good fishin,
Jerry LaBella
April 11/12, 03
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Capt. Scott Avanzino
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 11:05 am: | |
Subject: Wahoo and Grouper - Venice
The last two weeks have been cut and dried...really the same catch every day. We would try trolling out to the East hitting every rig withing 40 miles of South Pass and then spend the afternoon bottom fishing. Plenty of cobalt blue water but we had not really got on the wahoo like we had compared to last year. Using a mixed spread of Brain Murauders and Islander ballyhoo on long lines and downriggers we avergaed 1.5 wahoo per day. Most of the hoos went 25-40 pounds. We had a few balckfins mixed in and even 5 mahi on Saturday.
The amberjacks have been eating us alive on top and on the bottom. I think we caught 12 on topwater plugs. We were also able to catch 2 on flyrods one day, the largest 23.25 opounds will set the bar for the species on fly gear for Roger Delrio of Baton Rouge. 3 Attempts were made by Susan Gros to beat the existing IGFA Women's world record of 22.4 pound on 20# tippet, but all three fish she hooked broke off. The grouper have been feeding as well too. We have been taking all of our deep jigging close to the platform legs averaging 4 or 5 nice gags and scamps per day.
Things are simmering down in the Delta right now and we expect the pot to boil over soon. Check out the pictures on the web site at http://www.paradise-outfitters.comm Until next report....Paradise Outfitters - 504-451-7579 |
Jerry LaBella
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 28, 2003 - 11:23 pm: | |
Subject: Breton Is Report
Breton Island Report,
This morning Tim Mulmore, his son, and I left out of Venice Marina to wade fish Breton Island. After leaving the launch we hit a heavy fog bank as we crossed the river to Baptiste Collette. Fog was very thick in certain spots along the route but diminished as we head out into Breton Sound toward the island. River water was everywhere, including Breton Island. As we pulled up to our spot the tide was low and the water was chocolate colored. Right off the bat 10 cast yielded 6 specks and one redfish. However, the bite stopped as fast as it started. We then headed to Gosier Island where we found clean water but no fish. We then headed back to Breton Island to try it again. After fishing for 35 minute and catching only one redfish we almost gave up when I made one last cast and caught a speck. Soon after we were into the trout one after the other as the water started to rise but remained muddy. We limited out with a nice mess of speck to our surprise despite river-water conditions in the area. All trout were caught on Bayou Chub minnow is various colors including chart./black back, chart./red tail, avocado/red flick, purple/chart tail, and Bass Assassin opening night fished freeline on ¼ oz jig heads. SEE PICS: http://www.jerrylabella.com/captain's_log1.htm
Good fishin’
Jerry LaBella
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Jerry LaBella
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 6:36 pm: | |
Subject: Breton Island
Breton Island Reports,
Friday afternoon 3 of us left out of Venice Marina and headed to Breton Island to wade fish. That evening we landed 14 specks and 6 redfish. The water was 68 degrees and the wind was brisk out of the SW. Water conditions around the island were clean. The next morning the speckled trout were in a feeding rampage. In short order we limited out on early-spring specks. These were all nice trout; no school trout. All trout were caught on Bayou Chub minnows in chartreuse black back and Saltwater Assassin opening night on ¼ oz jig heads freelined. This year looks promising for the Breton Sound islands. See pics:
http://www.jerrylabella.com/captain's_log1.htm
Good fishin’
Jerry LaBella
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Capt. Scott Avanzino
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 17, 2003 - 2:45 am: | |
Subject: Offshore fishing
Been putting a hurt on the amberjacks and grouper on the slow tuna days avergaing and easy limit of jacks and at least one large warsaw from 30-60 pounds as well as a few scamps and yellowedge groupers....the 70 degree bluewater has moved in but fishing is surprisingly slow for trolling. Last year during this same time we were hammering the wahoo. Only caught 2 last week along with a 8 twenty pound blackfin tuna in open water.
The big story of the week was the 400 pound mako we released....not intentionally...It was the highlight of Thursday after spotting a dark blue and black fin among the busting tuna. The hookup and fight went smooth since we had a bonita on wire in the box and the "mako rod" in the ready in the rack. My angler Houston from O'Conner Oil and Gas in Lafayette did a great job all by himself with a potential record fish on the line. He hung in for 1 and 45 minute doing a great job...the fish made 5 jumps at various times and came to the transom 3 times before running off 100 yards of line...we got great pictures of the of the fish on Tim and Jon O'Conner's digital (will post on my home page photo sight when I get them)...Just to tell you how unpredicatble these guys are is a whole separate story. The one we green gaffed a few weeks ago was tame compared to this one...
Had rehearsed the process before attempting anything and had a 22 caliber with hollow points on the ready. Decided to let the deckhand Sonny do the honors while I manuevered. He precisely planted the 8" flyer deep into the back (a perfiect shot) and the fish went nuts spinning and thrashing behind the boat 4 feet from the cockpit. Somehow the 100# mainline and 250# windon broke in the calamity. I decided to leave the controls to help out Sonny with the rope. I was able to get him closer to the boat but for every foot I would gain he would get a little deeper until he turned and made a run under the boat. I asked the closest bystander to the controls to put the boat in gear and he hit the throttles by accident...by the time I ran back to the controls to get in gear the rope holding the gaff to the cleat came undone yanking Sonny clean out of the cockpit and into the water. Fortunately Sonny cam up rattled and clear of the running gear a little rattled and without boots...not a perfect catch and release but a catch and release!
As we were discussing what we learned I was thankful that we always keep a knife in a utility belt at all times...next time we will be sure to do the cleating ourselves...and for sure check it before the gaff shot....it had turned out that the loop end of the flying gaff rope had been hurriedly looped around the cleat instaed of secured...the slack in the line pulled the loop free and when the boat went into gear the fish took the whole line and Sonny with it.
Paradise Outfitters...504-451-7579
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Jerry LaBella
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 9:18 pm: | |
Subject: Delacroix
Delacroix reports,
Today while many were out catching beads we were out catching speckled trout. Three of us left out of Delacroix today and fished Lake John at the twin pipeline canal. 56 specks were caught using plastic. Opening night and stingray grubs did the damage, fished slow on the bottom. The day was cold and foggy with fair water clarity. See pics: http://www.jerrylabella.com/captain's_log1.htm
Good fishin’
Jerry LaBella
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Tom Davidson
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 03, 2003 - 7:36 pm: | |
Subject: A Little Help From The Locals
I am planning a trip down their from central Alabama around the end of March. Was wondering if I could get some informations on a few spots that might be holding some REDS. I will be putting in at Venice and I am not familiar with the area at all. Will be just my girlfriend and myself down for a weekend doing some camping. Just looking for somewhere to go where she might be able to put a few Reds in the boat. I only have a 19 ft. bass boat so I probably won't be able to get in any big water. I would really appreciate any help someone might give and I mean ANY.
Like I said, not from around here.
THANKS,
Tom |
Capt. Eddie
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 11:37 pm: | |
Subject: Venice - Tuna at the Midnight Lump
Guided Garry Tudor and friends yesterday on their 23 century off Venice. We went out to the lump but because of the full moon and north wind the tuna bite had slimmed out to almost nothing on the lump. We chummed up the vermillion snapper and caught 18 of them from three-four pounds along with numerous kings. We left there and went to a nearby rig and started diamond jigging. For three solid hours we had fish hooked up on jigs and ended up landing four amberjack from 20-40 pounds to go along with five scamp to 16 pounds. When the lump is off which does happen sometimes you can really save a day at the nearby rigs fishing for grouper and amberjack. For info on having me guide you on your boat or chartering my brand new 26 glacier bay just email me or click on my link below.
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Jerry Labella
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 9:38 pm: | |
Subject: Delacroix report
Delacroix fishing report:
Today 3 of us left out of Delacroix aboard photographer David Tompkin’s bass boat. The weather was very calm under overcast skies. Our first stop was Lake John where the gnats ran us off. We then headed to Big Oyster Bayou where we landed into the speckled trout with Opening Night Saltwater Bass Assassins under a rattling cork fished 2 ½ ft deep. The fishing slowed around 10:30 AM and several other spots like Island Bay and Baker’s Bay yielded smaller, throw-back trout. All together we caught 35 speckled trout and threw back at least a dozen under sized ones. The water in all of the areas was very clean.
Good fishin’
Jerry LaBella
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Capt. Scott Avanzino
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 3:41 am: | |
Subject: Venice Offshore report
Thursday was the perfect day...forecast correct and everyone caught fish...
Had my good friends Jean and Barclay Laborde, John and Guy Halberg in from TX and Metairie. After the final stop to the trawl boats for the week, we made it home to the Lump with a borrowed anchor from non other than Bill Butler at VMI-Many thanks to him and Capt. Mike Frenette for helping out last 2 days with the hook.
On to fishing...no mako today thank God, but plenty of stupid and hungry tuna...got on a mean blackfin bite to the point of release....light tackle and no more line on the flyreel... Had to use slabs for bait to get it to the yellowfin which were likewise plentiful, visible and always ready for the occasional jog around the boat..I think I did 6 full laps today with 5 different fish.
Ended up with 4 yellows and kept 8 blackfin after getting down the hookset without the birdsnest...just have to say that Barclay was a reel spaz at first (That final shot is for you Guy). We had fun with the good natured ribbing while Fishing all day and I look forward to their return. Jean is Barclay's best girl of 4 years and she is as fine a fisherman is she is to look at...a big hit with the trawl boat crowd too...we could have got another 100 pounds if she only would get into the spirit of Mardi Gras...she likes to get dirty and wail on bonita with "the quiver giver" bats by Capt. Terry Brousseau
Yet another fine day in te deep blue...started off at the Lump to find tht some kind person had cut our anchorline with a clean swift stroke of a knife....thanks alot fellow sportsman...
Made 3 drifts picking up 8 blackfin, then we tried drifting the outside and never saw another fish for 2 hours...then the sun shined on us again...as we picked up a small yellow and then a monster we chased 4 miles off the Lump going through everyone on the boat in 1:45...I took a turn and wimped out after 15 minutes and handed off the rod....as he neared the boat he started acting funny, though I could see he was at least 160+ and circlng just out of gaff range...Then out of no where he made a bursting run of 50 yards toward the bow with a 9 ft Mako in hot pursuit...before I could even react...he ran out of gas and made a 180 degree turn, tearing across the the surface where he crashed into the boat, dug in and then hung in the running gear...what happened next was stright out of Jaws...we could see anything but it soundeY like a bomb went off under the boat and all we could see was red...after the commotion and thumping stopped the Mako proceeeded to circle the boat doing 4 complete laps before we could fling a bait to him...we quickly dogged down the flying gaff and with a butterflied bonita on 40# leader we readied for the free gaff. What happened next completely surprised me. He teased him right ff the transom and I sank the gaff deep into his back quarter and pulled him along side he boat where he patiently waited for us to sink anothe two gaffs...one deep into the gills and the other into the tail..once he was on the tail rope we were able to gutt him and pull him in the boat where we dogged him down to the hause pipes...After te brief celebration and clean-up we decided to go home...about 20 minutes later we made it back to the Lump fortunately with no vibration, but the shark came back to life briefly...shaking violently while scattering the raining visceral organs liver, heart and fluid all over the entire boat...bad day for a washdown pump to sieze..he measured 104" TL/94"FL with a gutted girth of 44 inches...284 ponds on the Venie Marina Tournament scale...saved a peice of the spine and gallon of liver for Jason the shark man....We manged to catch the entire event on digital video...Aside from the elated cursing...we looked pretty calm and collected...
Wednesday was interesting with 67 boats in 1 sq mile...
It was a light tackle day for us not by choice but by shear attrition...we could only get strikes with 30 pound test...Lost alot of big fish but saved the day with 18 blackfin, 1 grouper, 3 aj and 20 beeliner, silks and hogs...Never did see any big fish in the slick today when all we saw were yellows yesterday..sounded like other boats had more success with bigguns..but whose complaining with 20-30 pound fish matched to light tackle...
Had Jim Striztenger and friends from Houston Saturday for 2 tuna and 2 jackss.Herb's fish took 1st placre at 75 pounds...Next day I had Vince Pisciotta and Danny Blackburn of Brian Harris GMC for an interesting day of diamond jigging...Ouch my neck and back are sore from watching...funnt thing is there wsn't any need to pump the jigs...just reel in the jerky 5-6 footers..noting that the jacks are as far out as 1/4 mile and 150 feet down at 143, 152 and 93 lately...blackfins mixed in...Is it a breeding ritual for the jacks?
Monday...finally a calm day if only the afternoon.
Left for the rocks today with Daniel Thomas and friends from Kentwood...planned to fish the redfish release tour but went to the Lump instead...what 25 knot winds? Not withstanding the previous adventures from this week...the weather was the exact opposite in the right direction of the predicted and a trip that was to be cancelled turned out 5 hookups on big boys...first double resulted in 3 laps around the boat, two underhand rudder dodges anH a breakoff at the gaff in both instances...nobody's fault when slashing tails hang on lines with no leader. Next double resulted in the same circus but one tail wrapped fish made it to the gaff in 15 minutes with the second fish's line hooked into the sickle fin...after a quick untangle it too came to gaff shortly thereafter another single with much less effort made the trip and we quickly headed in. The 15 minute fish with angler Neal "chummy" Warren weighed 183 pounds and the otheres were 130 and 100 apeice...Tried trolling for wahoo on the rip today with no luck...before it got to the Lump in the morning and after it passed by at 3PM...
Also hung the anchor today so we attached a glow stick to the ball and pray that it will be there tomorrow without a flatboat attached to it.
As for the Venice I/O Winter Invitational...great tourney and thanks to the late entry polIcy 3 boat anglers walked the boars with 1,2 and 3 for both tuna and jacks...Congrats to Herb Green, Danny Blackburn and Vince Pisciotta for sweeping the board in the 2 day knee buster...next year they are going to have an alternate weekend for those without coaming pads...
Two bum days and then a great day today..thanks to Pastor Brad Watson's prayers..and the Lord's grace and good will He delivered!...I am not surprised!
Til next week when the wind lays again...Bye bye from Capt. Scott, Sonny and team Paradise Outfitters - 504-451-7579 |
Capt. Scott Avanzino
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 12:37 am: | |
Subject: Offshore Venice Report
The bite this week was just increadible to say the least. Not only did the yellowfins and blackfins cooperate, but the wahoo made a big run and the bite was strong. Over 4 days of fishing them we averaged 12 wahoo per hour of time fished. We had 11 on Sunday, 9 Monday, 17 Tuesday and 9 Thursday and 4 Saturday. Most fish falling to the single hook variety Braid Murauders in purple and black colors. On Tuesday the guys broke out the light spinning tackle and went 6 for 10 on rigged ballyhoo on 30 pound line. It was like sailfishing in some Banana Republic. On the off days we found easy tuna at the Midnight Lump on cut chum and even a 40 pound Warsaw Grouper while jackfishing over a wreck on Friday. Check out the pictures online at our website paradise-outfitters.com...until the next adventure...Paradise Outfitters - 504-451-7579 |
Jerry Labella
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 8:07 pm: | |
Subject: Midnight Lump
Venice, Midnight Lumps,
Three of us headed out to Venice Sat. afternoon to fish the Midnight Lump. Weather was perfect and the blue water was thick; so where the boats. There must have been 150 boats fishing. Reports coming over VHF said the fishing was slow that day. We chummed with porgies and only managed to land one large blackfin tuna. That evening, however, we headed to WD 143. After sunset the tuna were tearing up everything in sight. We caught large blackfin until there was no more room to store them. The floor of the boat looked like a slaughterhouse. After discarding the heads and tails overboard a 14 ft. mako shark came right next to the boat's side to see what all the blood was about. We could have literally reached over the side of the boat and touch him as he hovered there. It was a bit intimidating. See pics:
http://www.jerrylabella.com/captain's_log1.htm
Good fishin’
Jerry LaBella
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Capt. Scott Avanzino
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 11:35 pm: | |
Subject: Da Lump
The Venice Report
The offshore fishing for Yellowfin and Blackfin tuna is peaking in Venice. The Midnioght Lump located 16 miles offshore is a piercement salt dome that rises from 450 feet to within 190 feet of the surface. Chumming and live baiting with mullet and hardtails has been working like clockwork with an occasional whopper being taken on heavy spinning gear on a surface popper.
We have put 14 yellowfin from 40 to 185 pounds and 26 blackfin from 15 to 30 pounds in the last 4 trips. The fish of the week (185 pounds gutted) hit a whole pogey on Tuesday.
Water has been blue after the south winds and clean green during the northerly blow. We are expecting the big wahoo any day and look to take them trolling surface baits , diving plugs and ballyhoo on downriggers.
On Wednesday we had a big fish get caught in the rudder but we free spooled him until the line went slack, got the business end back with a gaff, hand lined him and retied the line to the same reel. After we came tight he was 400 yards downcurrent from us and on the surface. It took another 40 minutes to get him boatside again. This time a 13 foot Mako shark showed up and bit the tail off. The fish came easily to gaff shortly thereafter and the mako swam off toward some free divers who shot him and killed him. He weighed in a 199 pounds gutted. The fishing has been superhot on weekdays when the crowds are absent, while we have been struggling when there are more than 50 boats chunking.
For more information call 504-451-7579 or check us out on the web at http://www.paradise-outfitters.com |
Capt. Scott Avanzino
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 2:24 am: | |
Subject: The Lump!
13 yellowfin tuna 100 pounds or better last 3 days!
Glad to be back at fishing....plenty of yellowfin, dumb, plentiful and hungry. Non stop action with nothing new to tell. Been keeping one big yellowfins per person, releasing 90% of the blackfin for later on. Noticed the size of the fish is up from average giving longer and tougher fights. Most fish weighing over 100 pounds with one or two jumbo's mixed in. Not sure how long it will last, but I am not complaining.
Water has been too cold and too dirty to give me any confidence in wahoo fishing. Guess we could use a good southerly blow to mix things up. Some blue water might tip the advantage to the yellowfins...it's almost not even sporting after a while, but it is damn sure fun for the first few hours. The bite has been nothing short of increadible.
Anyone not fixed up with thier favorite charter captain, feel free to call on us. Plenty of uncrowded weekday openings this month. 504-451-7579 I'll be heading to Atlanta for the show next week then on to the Outer Banks to go pick a fight with the mighty tarheel bluefin.
Check out the pictures! |
Capt. Scott Avanzino -
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 03, 2003 - 2:29 am: | |
Subject: Offshore Venice,LA
Just got back from vacation this week greated by wind and waves. Capt. Dev made one trip while I was gone. They ended up with 7 yellowfin, a blackfin and an amberjack for their morning effort.
One tuna went 176, five went better than 100 and one about 60 pounds...not bad...they were back in time for the 2:30 pm kickoff!
Plenty of better days still to come...Paradise Outfitters 504-451-7579 or http://www.paradise-outfitters.com
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Jerry LaBella
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 9:11 pm: | |
Subject: Delacroix
Delacroix Report,
3 of us fished Bay Jack Nevette today aboard Captain Mickey Wagner’s bay boat. The morning was breezy and the tide was high and falling. The water in the area had good visibility but the further we went toward Point La Hache, the dirtier the water became. We brought along live shrimp but the bait died soon after due to a low battery aboard the boat. We boated about 30 specks with a few throw-backs, all on plastics. However, one boat fishing nearby was consistently pulling in trout after trout with live shrimp under a popping cork. Many of the trout were over 2 pounds and some went over 3 pounds. Some other nice sized trout came from False River area where the water was exceptionally clean. After 10:30 AM the fishing came to a halt as the tide stopped falling.
SEE PICS: http://www.jerrylabella.com/captain's_log1.htm
Good fishin’
Jerry LaBella
Wed. Dec 18, 02
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Capt. Scott Avanzino
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 - 1:00 pm: | |
Subject: Offshore tuna fishing
Decided to get off the couch after the first quarter of the Vikings game yesterday and drive to Venice with good friends Dave Diamond and Thomas Kieffer. Met up with Devlin Rousell and Capt. Billy Waldbaum about 4PM...sorry Capt. Randazzo...you missed a memorable one.
Headed to 93 shortly before dark...nothing...then to Moxie...nothing...then to Mars and were further disappointed...nothing...headed to Ursa...nothing...headed to Romano...nothing...not even a fish on the surface anywhere. Flat calm and cobalt...no flying fish and not even a ripple of surface activity anywhere even the blackfin were tough...Didn't matter...Capt. Billy, Dave and Thomas had fun with the few that cooperated...Billy with his "bull red rod" with 15 pound test.
Had 20 live baits in the live well when my 12 volt decided to short out completely..nothing....and with no access to the panel in the engine room...things looked grim for yellowfins...decided to deploy 2 mullets before they croaked and managed one decent yellowfin about 80 pounds for Dave...that was it for the night bite...used a pair of jumper cables to get power to the electronics power strip and with the float switches on their own circuits we decided to stick it out...no strikes for 6 hours and at 7am we decided to call it quits...spotted some huge grass patches about a mile from Mars and out went 2 dead flying fish...instant double...good fish...Billy with a 100 plus and Thomas with another 80 pounder perfectly choreographed by all involved...with such a great blessing and the impending repair, that was it definately time to call it..if that wasn't enough we overheated an engine 1 mile from Tiger and with no access to the engine we limped in on one engine...ever crawled between two engines (one 250 deg) in the dark to lock down a shaft? It was like doing one handed upside down push ups in a sauna...ahh the joys of fishing with good friends. Great pictures at http://www.paradise-outfitters.com/photos.htm
Have a great holiday season...Paradise Outfitters 504-451-7579
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Jerry LaBella
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 - 8:26 pm: | |
Subject: Point A La Hache
Point A La Hache Report,
This morning Mo Hurst and I went aboard Captain Mickey Wagner’s 21 ft. Kenner boat to fish Point A La Hache around Big Four and Grand Bay. The fish were turned on early in the morning under very calm weather and light fog. The water was decent and on the high side and the 30 specks that were caught hit chartreuse sparkle beetles fished 4 ft. under rattle corks. Around 11:00 AM the fish turned off. The marina attendant said the fishing in the area has been off for three days but it appears that the area is starting to improve again.
Good fishin’
Jerry LaBella
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Capt. Scott Avanzino
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 6:09 pm: | |
Subject: Offshore Fishing Venice,LA
Too good not to go!
Fished yestersday with Andy Crawford, Lyle Cobb, Brad Del Rio and Capt. Hairhelmet Mike.
Fishing was slow but persistence paid off. Fished the Pipelayer, Enterprise, Ursa and Mars. Fish were too small at the first few stops, porpouses too thick at Ursa and too scarce at Mars. Ended up with 6 yellowfin and 2 blackfin. They just wouldn't eat. Pulled wahoo baits on single passes at Moxie and 93 with nothing before calling it early. Flat calm - covered 250 miles running 25 knots all day.
Made anther trip last good weather day Friday - Fortunately the big wahoo arrive again and again each year, and from the looks of Friday, it's starting to happen. I saw an 84 pounder being weighed but not sure where it was caught. We caught 3 wahoo out of five strikes the largest 50 pounds. Also picked up a blackfin and a yellowfin on a line south of the Lump. Water was blue on green and though we could see big yellowfin jumping on mullet in the green water we couldn't seem to get anything going with them. Even the wahoo we caught had mullet in thier stomachs.
I had the Del rio boys from Baton Rouge and after our trollng efforts we stopped at the Lump for dad Roger to use his flyrod. He caught bonita, kings and a trigger on fly. Not sure if anyone else had done that before so he is going to register it.
While dad was playing with his fly rod the boys went to work on the sharks and amberjack. Pretty exciting day and the weather was a perfect ten.
Call 504-451-7579 for wahoo and tuna! - PARADISE OUTFITERS check out the pictures on our website at http://www.paradise-outfitters.com |
Jerry LaBella
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 01, 2002 - 1:22 am: | |
Subject: Offshore Venice
Venice Offshore Report,
Friday afternoon Mike Jacob and I headed to Venice to fish offshore at night for tuna. The weather was perfect with light winds and clear skies. Our first try was the Halfway rigs out of South Pass. Trolling proved no good, though the water was blue/green. However, a school of blackfin tuna surfaced chasing bait, just before sunset, and I managed to throw a popper at one and he immediately engulfed it. Right after that we headed to BP 109 where one other boat was already tied up and fishing. It wasn’t long before we were all into catching blackfin tuna until our arms couldn’t take it any longer. We had caught 8 and lost 7 others. Next morning at the S. Pass mud lumps the reds were boiling the water. Water was very clean. We limited out on reds and a mixed bag of drum and sheepshead. Coming in Sat. morning anglers fishing along the S. Pass jetty wall were catching croakers amid light rain and warming weather.
See pics:
http://www.jerrylabella.com/captain's_log1.htm
Good fishin’
Jerry LaBella
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Jerry LaBella
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 28, 2002 - 7:11 pm: | |
Subject: Point A La Hache
Point A La Hache Report,
While most person stayed home to eat Thanksgiving turkey, we were out slamming the specks in Point La Hache. Under overcast skies and very cold weather, three of us managed to put 53 specks and one red in the boat early this morning. All the fish were caught on plastic chart. sparkle beetles and opening night lures under Cajun Thunder corks. Very few boats out and the water was a bit dirty with high winds.
See the pics:
http://www.jerrylabella.com/captain's_log1.htm
Good fishin’
Jerry LaBella
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Capt. Scott Avanzino
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - 10:50 pm: | |
Subject: Tuna bite is on -Venice,LA
Snuck another one in before the wind with Ken Sielski, Dan Kyle, Dennis Ryer, and Dag Legreid and Jeff Rotta from Jotun Paints and Coatings. Went to Ursa so the boys could see the epoxy paints they formulate and sell in their practical application.
Fishing was steady and choppy. After a slow start we managed 7 yellowfins and a few blacks. It always amazes me how tough some fish are. Dan caught a 80 pounder that took 3 minutes to land and Dag had a fish of the same size that took 1:45 minutes. Everyone on the boat put thier time in including Devlin and myself. He was a bear that wouldn't budge with every bit of bend in the rod. Thankfully these guys were a little more conservation minded and given the fight time on the fianl fish everyone decided to pack it in early so that we could go look for wahoo. Nothing on the hoos at Moxie or 93 despite pretty blue water and plenty of bait.
The big 'HOO run could happen at anytime and the thought of breaking Myron Fisher's state record is always in my mind! Not sSre if they get that large anymore (125#) but would welcome the fight!
Call Paradise Outfitters to get in on the action! 504-451-7579.
We have caught 38 yellowfin and kept 50 blackfin last 4 trips...the bite is on! Check out the pictures at www.paradise-outfitters.com |
Jerry LaBella
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 9:46 pm: | |
Subject: Point A La Hache report
Point A La Hache Reports,
Today I went aboard Captain Mickey Wagner’s 21 ft. Kenner boat to fish Wreck Bay out of Point A La Hache. The weather was overcast with intermittent rain showers and sprinkles. Fishing with chartreuse sparkle beetles in tandem, both freeline and with corks, we managed to boat 33 fish before the weather became unbearable. Most were nice sized specks with 2 reds and one flounder. Water in the area was very low and dirty. Few boats were out this morning with some showing up in the afternoon. The fish have moved inside and fishing should get much as the weather straightens out. SEE ppics:
http://www.jerrylabella.com/captain's_log1.htm
Good fishin’
Jerry LaBella
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Capt. Scott -PARADISE O
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 11:08 am: | |
Subject: Offshore tuna again!
Last 3 trips we have slayed the tuna....yesterday was no different.
Just want to thank the team from Keefes A/C for taking advantage of the great weather and fishing opportunities today.
Made a partial overnight and half day trip today and it was once again action filled. Ended up keeping 13 yellowfin from 80-10 pounds with all action on slow trolled ballyhoo, poppers and surface baits. Couldn't manage any flying fish or hardtails but it didn't seem to matter. Keefe's son Ryan was a machine single handing four 80 pounders on topwaters. He probably hooked 7 or eight fish giving them off or unintentionally releasing some at the boat. Pulled out a few smaller tuna on jigs at night and a double on bull dolphin boating the cow and breaking off the bull. He was a big one, thought he was a tuna until he eventually parted the 50 pound line with a blistering run for freedom.
Time to rest!
Call Paradise Outfitters for your day or night adventure get on it now! -504-451-7579
Check out the pictures at http://www.paradise-outfitters.com/photos.htm
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Capt. Scott Avanzino
Unregistered guest
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