They don’t call Venice, LA “Tuna Town” for nothing! The Gulf coast of Louisiana is one of the few parts of the world that has a year-round tuna fishing season. Yellowfin tuna is one of the most abundant fish off the coast of Louisiana and a common fish you’re likely to come across on one of our offshore chartered fishing trips. Thanks to the speed and agility of this large species, offshore fishing in our area makes for an adventure you’ll never forget. Here’s a closer look at this fascinating species and why they are such a thrilling catch for sports fishing.
Sheer Size
Yellowfin tuna (also known as the “ahi” fish) are fast and powerful and found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. They typically call “home” in the top 330 feet of the water column and penetrate the thermocline infrequently, although they are capable of diving to considerable depths. Yellowfin tuna are amongst the largest of all tuna species and reach weights of over 400 pounds. However, if you’re fishing in Venice, LA, your tuna catch will most likely max out at 250 pounds. Although, that doesn’t mean your dreams of catching a 400 pounder need to be shattered. You never know what you’ll come across!
Speed
In addition to the Yellowfin Tuna’s size, another reason they are great for sports fishing is they are fast! Active and agile predators, tuna have sleek, streamlined bodies, and are among the fastest-swimming pelagic fish traveling at speeds up to 47 mph. These fish are also constantly moving through the water so it makes for an exciting sport fishing experience.
It is this combination of speed and strength that make tuna a worthy sports fishing opponent and a challenge to reel onto the boat. Once hooked, you can expect a good fight anywhere from 30 minutes to even several hours!
Unique Location
In the winter months, tuna can generally be caught at Sackett Bank, AKA the Midnight Lump, which is located off the coast of Venice, LA. The ‘Lump’ is the perfect location to put your sport fishing skills to the test. This local fishing destination is known for the large schools of baitfish that get caught in the current. Additionally, the Midnight Lump is a feeding sight for some of the largest Yellowfin tuna found in the Gulf of Mexico! If you are interested in line-breaking tuna, then we highly recommend you check out Midnight Lump. This exciting fishing location only adds to the thrilling experience of tuna sport fishing here in Venice, LA!
Tuna “season” is right up your alley if you’re looking for a challenging adventure in deep-sea fishing. The good news? Tuna season is a year-round event, so you can enjoy one of Home Run Charters Venice, LA offshore chartered trips any time of the year. For more information or to check availability of our fishing trips, please give us a call at (504) 909-TUNA.
