The World Famous Midnight Lump (located ~45 miles south of Grand Isle and 28 miles SW of Venice) is finally starting to show signs of LARGE Yellowfin Tuna more consistently. Each year between the months of January and March, the Lump becomes a haven for tons of Marine life and anglers alike. Anglers brave the depths of the gulf to make it to the shallow salt dome that sits south of the Louisiana Coast. What makes the Lump Unique is, the depths that surround it range from 400-800 feet, and while situated over this large salt dome the depth rises to 200-250 feet. This causes a monstrous upwelling of sea floor current that disorients baitfish, making fishing, and catching fantastic. So far this year, the winds have been really blowing, and the current has been ripping. This has made for green water instead of the Cobalt Blue that most offshore anglers adore. It has made inconsistent catches of the targeted Yellowfin Tuna, although Black Fin Tuna and Wahoo have been taking up the slack in a big way. If you have been reading the reports, or have been at the Marina's, you would realize that now is the time to make the journey to see if you can catch one of those monsters. Catch success rate has skyrocketed over the last week with YellowFin in the 100+ category hitting the scales daily.

 

If you would like to take a shot at fishing these fish, here are a few tips.

• 1. If you have never been offshore before, charter a boat with a professional angler out of Grand Isle, Fourchon, or Venice.

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• 2. If you have your own sea worthy rig, first thing you need to get is at least 600 feet of Anchor rope to tether yourself to the sea floor.

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• 3. Have some heavy duty fishing gear. Use 80' line, with a hefty leader, and No. 7 (Mustad Circle Hooks)

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• 4.Then you will need to find a marina that sells pogies. Get at least a 100 pound box, and a friend that doesn't mind chumming and cutting up fish all day.

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• 5.Drop you hook overboard in the Chum Slick with a piece of Pogie, BlackFin Tuna or a Flying Fish if you can catch one and try to get your bait pass the Bonita's, Kings, Sharks, and Blackfin. (You will notice the big Yellow right away)

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• 6.If you are lucky enough to get one of the big boys to hit, have a buddy untie the boat from anchor and begin chasing fish. This will be crucial in avoiding others anchor ropes and boats.

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• 7.Set the Drag on the reel accordingly after the strike. Too much drag and the line will get popped, not enough drag you will get spooled. So having the right amount is essentials to landing your fish.

HOPE THIS HELPS!