Tuna Town

By Gerry Bethge; Photos by Joel Lucks

Posted on Sep 17, 2009

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Roussel hoists a toad.

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There are few more startling–and busy–sites than Venice marina at first light. The dock is abuzz with excitement as both inshore and offshore anglers prepare for the day ahead. Our challenge for the day was big Gulf yellowfin tuna. The target were the far off gas and oil rigs.
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Reelpeace fishing charters' (reelpeace.com) Devlin Roussel is one of the most knowledgeable offshore captains in the region.
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Mark Amos was our mate for the day and proved as proficient with both gaffing and washdown duty. Hint: If you ever get the opportunity to fish with Mark, leave the Cheetos back at the dock (or at least make sure that you don't drop any on the deck).
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Pete Angle, outdoor marketing specialist for Underarmour, soaks in the sun and excitement of his first Gulf offshore trip.
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Offshore rigs are awe-inspiring monstrosities and fish-drawing magnets.
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Once we arrived at the first rig, Roussel circled it to check for marks on his fish finder and the direction and speed of the current.
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Meanwhile Amos expertly rigged rods and reels.
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Bob Funk of Mustad pounced on the first rod. A yellowfin sucked up a drifted hardtail and screamed for the bottom of the Gulf. Here he takes a breather from the fray.
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After a 20-minute give and take–and two swipes with the gaff–Amos hauls Funk's yellowfin aboard the ReelJob.
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After a 20-minute give and take–and two swipes with the gaff–Amos hauls Funk's yellowfin aboard the ReelJob.
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The telltale sickle fin of a yellowfin tuna.
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A happily worn out Funk.
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Offshore in the Gulf means that anything can happen–including a September sailfish. It gave us three jumps before shaking off.
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Angle and Roussel with a RealJob double. Angle's fish pushed the 80 pound mark and was the biggest of the day.
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Amos with a blackfin–the smallest tuna of the day.
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Venice Marina in Venice, Louisiana–where fishing dreams are made.

There are several places that bill themselves as Tuna Town USA, but few are as worthy as Venice, Louisiana. And when the fall bite is on, it’s time to strap on the fighting belt and hang on for all you’re worth.