The chill of winter might bring a drop in temperatures, but for anglers off the Louisiana coast, it heralds an exciting time known as 'tuna time.' This February, the offshore waters near the Mississippi River Delta have been proving to be a hotbed for yellowfin tuna and wahoo, drawing fishing enthusiasts to the area.
"With the amount of bait in the water, especially pogies, also called menhaden, the fish are spread out," said Hunter Caballero, a veteran guide with Paradise Outfitters. Operating from Cypress Cove Marina in Venice, Caballero has observed the thriving fishing conditions, particularly along the eastern banks of the river during winter months.
To catch tuna, the key is finding the bait first. Small fish form large schools known as "bait balls" to evade larger predators, creating prime opportunities for anglers. According to Caballero, catching fish usually starts about 15 to 30 miles south of South Pass, particularly in depths ranging from 200 to 400 feet, and sometimes even extending out to 1,000 feet.
"Tuna are moving around looking for bait balls in the winter," Caballero explained. "Some days, we start catching fish 3 miles out of South Pass if tuna are chasing bait. Bait balls are usually from south of the river to just north of the Cognac platform all the way to the East Lump. Some days, we’ve caught tuna due east of the Chandeleur Islands in 60 feet of water."
Once Caballero spots the tuna, he grants his clients the thrill of active fishing with explosive topwater action. Utilizing heavy-duty spinning rods, anglers cast large spinnerbaits and topwaters, simulating an experience akin to bass fishing on a much larger scale. "We’re targeting 175- to 220-pound fish on topwater baits," he noted. "The No Live Bait Needed Lures paddle-tails have been very good for us. Berkley Frenzy Poppers are also productive. When tuna go after topwater baits, it’s like throwing a case of dynamite into the water."
In addition to tuna, the winter months also signal a prime time for wahoo. While hunting for bait balls, Caballero employs trolling tactics, favoring lures enhanced with ballyhoo to attract both tuna and wahoo alike. "A blue and white Ilander is always a great go-to bait," he commented.
Caballero likens the pursuit of big yellowfins to hunting trophy deer, emphasizing the thrill of the chase. "When we can’t find the tuna or we’re looking for bait, we troll around the rigs catching wahoo. For winter wahoo, fish around platforms in 175 to 500 feet of water," he added.
The notorious brown waters from the Mississippi Delta may seem uninviting to some, but Caballero urges clients to reconsider. "Our customers look at us like we’re crazy pulling for wahoo in brown river water, but some of the best wahoo fishing has been in brown water," he explained, noting that fresh river water can float on top of the denser saltwater beneath, leading to surprisingly good conditions.
For targeting wahoo, Caballero recommends a spread of four baits, using Nomad Lures or Rapala XRM-40s trolled at seven to nine knots. While swordfish can be sought throughout the year, January remains a peak month for anglers seeking both yellowfins and wahoo off the scenic coast of Venice.
These insights from experts like Caballero illustrate why enthusiasts flock to Venice during the winter season — the combination of favorable weather and rich aquatic life culminates in an exhilarating experience for both novice and seasoned fishermen on Louisiana's bountiful waters.