*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
other than using poppers on heavy spinning tackle and metal and japanese style jigs occasionally we don't use lures down here. bring flourocarbon leader in 60-100lb and plenty of black circle hooks in 6/0-9/0. live bait and chunks are all you need down here. we have a captive audience--our fish are usually around some kind of structure(oil rigs, sea mounts, and shrimp boats) so there is no need to cover ground with trolling lures which they don't bite well anyway.
other than using poppers on heavy spinning tackle and metal and japanese style jigs occasionally we don't use lures down here. bring flourocarbon leader in 60-100lb and plenty of black circle hooks in 6/0-9/0. live bait and chunks are all you need down here. we have a captive audience--our fish are usually around some kind of structure(oil rigs, sea mounts, and shrimp boats) so there is no need to cover ground with trolling lures which they don't bite well anyway.
What do you think of Green machines, daisy chains, cedar plugs, Yo-zuri bonitas?
What do you think of Green machines, daisy chains, cedar plugs, Yo-zuri bonitas?
bonitas are great for wahoo and you will occasionally catch a tuna on one but it's usually a small one when you do. trust me on this one, and you'll see when you come down here: nobody in venice trolls lures for tuna. we slow troll live bait and chunk with pogies and/or cut bonita and blackfins. the first thing I do on the morning of a trip is buy ice and a 25lb or 50lb flat of pogies at venice marina. then depending on the time of year and where the fish are and what they are eating we stop on the way out and catch live bait. right now the big fish(100-200lb) are behind shrimp boats in 300ft of water and are eating bycatch so all you need is cut pogies and cut up bonitas and blackfins that are also following the shrimpers--no need for live bait. this will change in a couple weeks when the shrimpers leave the area. next month we'll be using live mullet, back to chunking in winter, hardtails(blue runners) in spring and summer, treadfin herring in summer and early fall. we catch mullet in cast nets and everthing else on sabiki rigs.
nothing like the real thing for tuna down here. 60-100lb flouro and black circle hooks sized to the bait.
live bait and chum for tunas. by the time next month comes around you will probaly need a cast net to catch mullet. pull some marauders, diving baits, and illander bally combos for wahoo. hope this helps
N. Gulf Mex. Lures for Tuna 
