Fishing Louisiana's Oil Rigs At Night Page 3

Article written by:
Outdoor Writer Jerry LaBella: Saltwater Fishing Articles

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In any case, if there's a problem with catching flying fish, the next best alternative is to use top-water poppers. Once again, the action is more important than color choice. This lure is basically designed to spit water from its cupped head as it moves forward. Thus the trick is to get the lure to dart through the water sporadically with a sweeping action.

"I have seen tuna follow the bait all the way to the boat and hit it at the very last second," Avanzino said. "If the yellowfins are not actively feeding, try making blind casts at or near patches of scattered grass. Odds are that the tuna are not too far below." Sometimes yellowfin can be observed boiling the water's surface in a feeding frenzy. When this situation is encountered, cast the bait anywhere near them and a successful hookup is imminent. If they happen to be out of casting range, then be sure to move stealthily. Never make a bold run into or near feeding fish as this will cause them to disperse and go deep.

Gear selection is most critical when going after these torpedolike speedsters. Avanzino uses Alutecno Albacore 50/80 reels with 650 yards of 80-pound monofila­ment for yellowfins because the drags are smooth, precise and dependable. It is impossible to put the drag in free spool or full strike without pressing a button on the side of the reel, so there are no birdnests on the take or during the fight and no spastic two-thumb break offs due to accidental over-drag once the drag has been set.

Proper drag setting is as equally essential as the right equipment. The reels are set with 27 pounds of fight drag, leaving the strike drag at about two to three pounds on the take. When a tuna grabs the bait, it is crucial to let him run for a second or two and slide the lever up to full position while reeling. When properly executed, it plants the 12/0 circle hook in the side of the mouth every time. When fishing live bait, Avanzino hooks the bait in the mouth from the bottom lip through the nostril with a Mustad 8/0 live bait hook attached to 20 feet of 130-pound fluorocarbon leader attached with a dacron loop to a bimini twist on the main line.

Though details to the specifics may vary among anglers, one thing's for sure— the fish will be there waiting at Louisiana 's steel-legged reefs.

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