Exploratory Gulf Coast Jigging/Popping Trip in June, 20

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.

 

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.

 

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).

 

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,
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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Two fishermen are going to join from Korea. They have great expectation to catch their first tuna ever. Good thing is they still don't know the difference between yellowfin tuna and blackfin tuna, and they will enjoy catching tons of tuna.