Gulf Coast - Grand Isle Fishing Aug 31 - Sep 3

Hey everyone, first time poster here! :tht_rulez:

I'll be fishing with friends over labor day weekend out of Grand Isle and I have some questions that I think are well-suited to this forum's line of expertise.

First: We're towing down a SeaHunt BX 22 Pro, single Yamaha 150, TT, 55 gal tank. I attached a pic.

It'd be awesome if we could hook into some blue water fish, but I worry the boat may not be able to get us out there.

I've read several accounts on here of how fast the GOM can change by Ray and others, and we will yield to SAFETY first and foremost. That said, how is the gulf looking around late Aug/early Sep typically? Is this year different from others? We have SatWeather so we'll also be monitoring incoming fronts that weekend.

I've read that time of year is pretty calm, and if so, do you think this boat can make it to YFT, mahi, wahoo, etc.? Am I ignorant to think we can find em, say, 30 mi out?

We already have accommodations in GI, so its unlikely we'll launch out of Venice.

Any and all comments are greatly appreciated. Stay safe and tight lines everyone!

**UPDATE - Apparently I can't post pictures yet, so here is a link to the boat**
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/2007/img0106fj.jpg

It's been stormy so far this summer. Unless the weather pattern changes, I wouldn't do it. Typically, August is calm but you'll start to get some cold fronts in late August. You won't want to go out there if there's a chance that a front might come through early.

I'm guessing 3+ mpg so your range is theoretically 50 miles. Tuna, etc. have been mostly farther than that. More like 60+ miles. That's a long way out in a 22 foot bay boat. Most guys that run this type of boat stick to the rigs within 25-30 miles out...and pick a very calm day to do it. I.e., high pressure, clear skies, no chance of a front rolling through early.

Good luck and be safe!

there has been a rip hanging around 10 mile for a week or two. a friend of mine pulled 60 dolphin in 2 days. i could not find it sat they hit again on suday.

I certainly wouldn't expect to chase bluewater fish with that boat, but if you catch some favorable conditions you should certainly be able to put some rig species in the boat, i.e cobia, mangroves, grouper. If not, you most certainly can have some good trout/red fishing in less than perfect conditions.

I have fished Grand Isle from a 22' bay boat; we never went to blue water, but caught lots of fish. We fished the pass when the wind blew and had a ball with bull reds, caught trout and reds behind the island, and fished the rigs out to 30 miles and caught cobia, reds, white trout, snapper, sharks, spanish, kings, and others. We had a blast, and the folks at Bridgeside were helpful and great to deal with. Watch the weather, and you'll be fine. However, The Weather Channel will show the winds at Houma to be "calm", and the freakin' trees on Grand Isle will be bent over touching the ground...

The weather has been understated unusual for this time of the year. I wonder if we are going to another one of those freakishly quick and cold winters?

Blue water in a 22ft boat...not a great idea in the middle of summer. You might be able to hit the close rigs. Fish close in the Gulf for some nice Reds and Trout...or hit the back marsh...if you want to go chase blue water get a bigger boat or charter.