Crew chums up chunky yellowfin out of Venice
On a fairly calm day in mid-May, Sportsman TV host Greg Hackney, Bowie Outfitters’ David Reynerson and Capt. Trey Pique of VooDoo Sportfishing Charters in Venice landed four tuna averaging 80 pounds each. The day started slowly for the crew, with the fish ignoring live hard tails and live pogies drifted behind the boat or sent down were tuna were spotted on the depth sounder.
Pique marked numerous tuna on the depth sounder in the 150- to 200-foot range, and with the patience born from experience he switched tactics.
A small, frozen blackfin was pulled from the ice and cut up into chum-sized pieces, and five lines with hooks concealed within tuna chunks were sent out with the chum.
On the first drift, the first yellowfin struck. After a 20- to 30-minute tug-of-war, Hackney boated the second tuna of his life.
The 39-foot Yellowfin was quickly brought back around to the section of the rig where fish were marked and on the very next drift two lines went off simultaneously. Two 80-pounders were put to rest, and then patience came into play again as the next four drifts left the crew wondering if the game had come to a halt.
On the fifth and final pass, Reynerson got his first chance to battle a fish that had been on his long-time bucket list. After the battle it was time for pictures, high fives and scratching one of the list.
Sportsman TV will air this episode on Cox Sports Television on May 30 at 6:30 p.m., June 1 at 8:30 a.m. and on June 2 at 9 a.m.
Sportsman TV is aired on Cox Sports Television (CST) every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at the same times listed prior. Back episodes also can be watched 24/7 at louisianasportsman.com/sportsmantv.
