Exploratory Gulf Coast Jigging/Popping Trip in June, 20

17891 Views 116 Replies 23 Participants Last post by Deep_Sea_Gull, Jul 9, 2007

ksong

Discussion Starter · Mar 24, 2007

We plan to go on an 80 hour fishing trip on the Carribean Sea out of Fourchon, LA from June 17 to June 20, 2007.
Unlike other trips, this trip is for jigging and popping only. The Gulf of Mexico provides unique opportunities to catch big yellowfin tuna on poppers, though they catch yellowfin or blackfish on jigs too.
While most tuna fishing is done at night near oil rigs, we have opportunities to jig big grouper, amberjacks or red snappers daytime.
This trip is not for everybody as you have to have the desire and stamina to fish day and night for three days.

The area called Green Canyon where we are going to fish is located 150-200 miles off LA coast.
The Green Cayon is still untapped area and the fishing pressure is almost non-existant though some sportfishing boats fish there.
I got valuable information and tips from Ragman who arranged the GEM 06 trip to Green Cayon in Nov, 2006. Thanks, Ragman
Unfortunately they couldn't go to Green Canyon and had to shorten the trip due to weather. But still they could land 29 yellowfin tuna in 50 -90 lbs range,mostly on poppers at one night !
As much as I am excited to catch my first tuna on popper, I am looking forward to battling with big grouper, amberjack or huge red snapper on jigs as the areas nearby Green Canyon are known for big bottom fish.

The trip is limited 10 - 11 guys and fishermen come from as far as Far East for the trip. Probably master Japanese jig fisherman, Mr Matsutani of Seven Seas will join the trip as an invitee.

This history making trip will be a life time experience for those who join the trip as long as we have a good weather.

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ksong

Discussion Starter · #2 · Mar 24, 2007

I got the delivery of poppers and Sabiki rigs from Ocean Tackle (www.360tackle.com) as they sponsor our trip.

Their poppers are consisted of three different types:
Komodo popper, Wombat chugger and Goanna cruiser as you see in the pictures below.

With 300 lbs swivel, Owner ST-66 4X Strong Treble hooks and Owner #10 Hyperwire split-rings, the solid harwood body poppers look formidable. They tested those poppers on the GEM 06 trip with excellent results.
Thanks TJ for your generous offer and I have no doubt those poppers are excellent choices for tuna as they are selected by an excellent fisherman.

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Snagged

· #3 · Mar 24, 2007

ksong,
Please take a lot of film and use it up. That should be a great trip.

TeamOso

· #4 · Mar 24, 2007

Cant wait to see this report.

Deep_Sea_Gull

· #5 · Mar 25, 2007

ksong,
Please take a lot of film and use it up. That should be a great trip.

What is film????

I am on the trip Snagged. I'll be using digital film...

My work requires that I maintain a film processer. I know how the world has gone to digital. The film prices are through the roof!!!

Did I mention that I am having a hard time waiting for June?

ksong

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 25, 2007

ksong,
Please take a lot of film and use it up. That should be a great trip.
I hope I catch a bigeye as you did. ( your catch on the Big E was a definite bigeye).

Snagged

· #7 · Mar 25, 2007

All right! Bring lots of memory cards and yse them up!
Just take a whole lot of pictures. Please.

ksong,
It hit at 200 meters and wanted to stay from there to 250 meters.

feeder

· #8 · Mar 25, 2007

Man that trip sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun. Hopefully some of those OTI jigs are in the mail for you as well

lite-liner

· #9 · Mar 25, 2007

Ksong, did you say Matsutani-san will be on this trip? Man, I wish I could go.
That guy is my hero!
-Brian

Ragman

· #10 · Mar 25, 2007

Me too Tony!

Jerry- I'll be taking a couple of 1 GB memory cards for my camera, and maybe my laptop to quickly process the CD's.

I might be able to come up with a digi-cam and try to get some serious action footage too!

ksong

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 25, 2007

Ksong, did you say Matsutani-san will be on this trip? Man, I wish I could go.
That guy is my hero!
-Brian
When Randy of Anglers Proshop who also join the trip met Matsutani-san in Japan last month, he said he would come.
Among many Japanese master jig fishermen, Matsutani-san is on my top list to fish with. I don't think I would jig like him for my age, but it seems there is no way fish ignores his powerful jigging.

ksong

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 25, 2007

ksong,
It hit at 200 meters and wanted to stay from there to 250 meters.
200 meter !!!!
I've never jigged tuna that deep.

Bigeye ususally stay deep. The reason I don't catch bigeye is I jig relatively shallow. My friend intends to jig bigeye by jigging deep and he was rewared with 5 - 6 bigeye upto 220 lbs on jigs.

Pope

· #13 · Mar 25, 2007

Snagged, can you post a pic of your big-eye?

ksong

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 25, 2007

Snagged, can you post a pic of your big-eye?

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MrBill

· #15 · Mar 25, 2007

It looks like a bigeye to me. Did you catch it on that noodle stick? If so, you have a lot patients. It must have taken a while to hoist it up. Jig or chunk?

Snagged

· #16 · Mar 26, 2007

It was on a jig at 200 meters (660 feet) for the hit. The fish wanted to stay below that 200 meter mark.
Yes, it was the Trevala. By the end of the fight I couldn't get more than 14 pounds drag on my Kiakon (I started with 22 pounds). The rod worked the way it was supposed to. I can't really blame to reel as it had already caught a couple of Mako's, a bunch of wahoo, kings, ling and just about everything that is in the 50 mile range.

Snagged

· #17 · Mar 26, 2007

200 meter !!!!
I've never jigged tuna that deep.

Bigeye ususally stay deep. The reason I don't catch bigeye is I jig relatively shallow. My friend intends to jig bigeye by jigging deep and he was rewared with 5 - 6 bigeye upto 220 lbs on jigs.

ksong,
I'd like to know what jigs he is using. I enjoy the deep hits and think the big eye fight harder.
Jerry

ksong

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 26, 2007

ksong,
I'd like to know what jigs he is using. I enjoy the deep hits and think the big eye fight harder.
Jerry
He doesn't use any special jigs for bigeye. It seems the right depth is more important thatn the jig selection.

Bigeye don't make a spectacular run, but they just stay there and don't give up.

I had a couple of bigeye in 210 -220 lbs range on bait. Surprisingly I caught them in 90 - 100 ft early in the moring.

Ragman

· #19 · Mar 26, 2007

I'm very excited about this trip! I guess that's an understatement and as my 11 year old daughter would say, "Duh!".

It's a dynamic change of mind to prepare for a "business trip" (OTI sponsor Rep) and be preparing tackle and rigs instead of call reports, key acct sales, and fabric trade shows! LMAO

Snagged

· #20 · Mar 26, 2007

Thanks ksong.
I agree they fight in one spot and won't move off it.

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