Venice Inlet and the Gulf of Mexico

Capt. Dave Pinkham
May 24, 2001
Venice - Saltwater Fishing Report

Blackfin Tuna Make a Showing

Fishing offshore this week has been pretty good. The kings are still running out in 45' to 55' foot of water, and there have been some reports of black fin tuna action in the 80' to 100' range. If I get booked with a long day this week I'm planning on running out and finding some. A good place to start looking would be in the area of an anchored shrimp boat. They normally pull their trawls at night as shrimp bury up in the daytime. Often they will anchor down and pick through what they've netted throwing the by-catch overboard. This sets up a natural chum line and will often draw blackfin tuna in the area.

One method I've used in the past is anchoring out behind or down tide of the shrimp boat. If you do this make sure you don't get too close keeping safety and courtesy in mind. Now you can start a chum line of your own. If there are any blackfins in the area this should pull them to you. If you have live bait put a couple out on top. I've had tuna come right up behind the boat and eat out of the chum line. If and when this happens put a chunk of cut bait on and let it drift down with the chum. I'd be interested to know how you do so give me a call and let me know.

Capt. Dave Pinkham has been a fishing guide on the Southwest Coast of Florida for more than 17 years. His Deep-Sea Charter-Boat "LEGACY" is based one mile from Venice Inlet. For Gulf of Mexico fishing charter information call (941) 473-4603, or visit Capt. Dave's web page at, www.charter-boatfishing.com

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