Louisiana Blue Water Trip

[lars]

Blue Water Spearfishing Trip- Louisiana February 2006
Shoot Blackfin tuna and wahoo on “The Lump” this winter. I am looking for people to split a charter out of Venice Louisiana. It's freediving with good chances at Blackfinfin over and big wahoo. Line fishing for yellowfin over 100lbs is also possible. Big guns with breakaway float rigs a must. Trip is with one of the most experienced spearo captains in the area. Has a new boat courtesy Katrina insurance payoff. Will be driving from South Florida. Can offer transport to folks along the way or meet you in New Orleans. Fishing pressure in the area has been light recently for obvious reasons. Reply to this thread or e mail me directly at larsbuffalo@yahoo.com

Also, be sure to get involved in the effort to legalize spearfishing for Yellowfin Tuna. Write letters, attend the meetings, and join the FRA. It is crazy that our most resurce freindly fishing method is illegal while harpooning, netting, and you name it is OK. As a spearfisherman, be prepared to fight for fairness in fishery management.

[chasintail]

I'll dive with you.You have to catch the lump on a really good day.Email me for more info.

[bubblejunkie]

Going with Troy? How deep is the average free diving out there? Been to the rigs a bunch but only on scuba.

[chasintail]

If you can dive to 20 feet you can shoot fish.

[hartwelltv]

Man I wish I had the experience and equipment to do that trip right now. You guys have no idea how incredible the fishing is here right now. It's amazing what a difference it makes when 95% of all commercial and recreational fishing comes to a halt!

[lars]

Yep, going with Troy. Had a great rig trip there in August 2 weeks before the storm. Chasin Tail I'll e mail you direct.

[OceanEd]

Lars:

I'd appreciate it if you could E. Mail me the details also.

Jerry:

It could be an interesting trip.

[rigdvr]

If you can dive to 20 feet you can shoot fish.

Bullshit! :D

Youll have a good time with Troy. The ONLY time I dive the lump anymore is when its blue and you never know till you get there. Becareful, the lump has been called the Indy 500 of spearfishing. So much going on at one time. When the chumming starts the bonitas and sometimes blackfins will swarm at speeds so fast, its given me vertigo. One square mile, 100 boats anchored and all with 100 or more pounds of chum. Dont bother trying to count the number of 15' plus hammerheads, just look out for the mako's :eek: :D

If the lump isnt happening there can often be great wahoo action nearby. My personal favorites are the 93's, and any of the big white mooring cans in the area. Another piece of advice is that if the Tuna show up in the slick, let em cruise and eat for a little bit...they might be at 50-70' but come up if you dont chase them around.

I might be game, what are the dates?(wifes gonna kill me, I said no lump this year after my 8 trips last year:) )

[ROBERTO REYES]

But when is blue, its hot.

[rigdvr]

In the last 4 years diving the lump Ive only been lucky enough to catch it blue 3 times. Others I know go once, hit the motherload and think its always like that :slap:

The wahoo should be out in force right now and be thinned out by feb. but still around. The tuna last year went mid december, awesome in early Jan then slacked and picked back up for feb. The state record for Louisiana was broken twice in two weeks with the fish being much bigger than average. I saw several that went 140-200. LAseacat shot a huge Blackfin and pretty much nuetered it, swam to the boat with his floatline and got in to haul the beast up...the hammerheads took it at the side of the boat. It was neat to watch (I was in the water) I chased the sharks of the fish for a while until the tuna showed back up in the slick and I lost interest in Dave's fish for some reason :confused: When I turned around a 15' HH came up from the depths and inhaled the front half of the tuna and took the rest with him as well.

If you want to keep up with whats happening at the lump check out the reports section on www.rodnreel.com remember though, alot of those guys are charter captains trying to get people wound up enough to book trips :D

[chasintail]

[QUOTE=rigdvr]Bullshit! :D
\

Way to encourage new divers Mike. :rolleyes: You can shoot fish and not have to be an 80 foot diver.

[rigdvr]

:rolleyes: The lump isnt a place to encourage new divers to go. Its not a very forgiving place, it holds monster aggressive sharks, mostly a horrible murky surface layer, 100's of boats at anchor in a confined space, tons of chum, and sometimes the current is so bad, you hang onto a tag line from the boat and feel like you are water skiing. Sometimes none of the above is going on, but not often.

As for learning to freedive on the rigs, Nick is right. You dont have to be a deep diver to shoot fish. Some days you can be a 100' diver and not get to the fish and others you can shoot all you want without getting the top of your snorkel wet :D

You know Im all about encouraging new divers but to say in a thread about shooting tuna on the lump that "if you can dive 20', you can shoot fish" :confused:

[chasintail]

:
You know Im all about encouraging new divers but to say in a thread about shooting tuna on the lump that "if you can dive 20', you can shoot fish" :confused:

I learned that from watching you. :D Biatch.The good thing about the lump this year is that there is not 100 boats because Venice is fubar.I talked to guys who have been out.
When are you moving back?I am tried of anwsering 4 million equipment question for hartwelltv.When you get back lets take him diving so he can use our shit and make up his mind.

[rigdvr]

Lumps gonna be as crowded as usual...almost. the charter boys are running it now out of Fourchon. the regular out of state boys are on their way(Red Eye Charters, ect) Think of all the coonasses jonsing for a tuna or two after the fall we've had:)

I hope your right and I too believe it will be a little thinner than usual. Shit, hit it on a Mon, Tues or Wed is what we do when we really want to dive the lump for tuna. Weekdays usually have 15 or so boats, Fri, Sat, Sun are 70-100 boat days.

Heading to Tampa tommorrow to pick up that GB. Gonna stay through the weekend and pray for the forecast to be wrong:) The mighty Bucket said some bay diving might be in order if the weather doesnt let us out....

[rigdvr]

sorry about hijiking the thread. Anybody on the fence about the trip dont let me scare you off. Louisiana has good bluewater when the conditions are right and some of the most intense diving when its "almost" right.

Its one of the few places you can go realistically to target 100+ lb wahoo.

[Into The Blue]

100+lb wahoo??? Thats nuts!!! Hopefully i can go!! I have an underwater video camera and just to get some video of fish like that would be nuts!!! Cant wait!!

[lars]

Hey, it's Lars the guy that started this lively exchange. Why don't you "old Lump hands" lay it out for us newbies? A piece of info that all prospective Lump divers I am sure would like to ask is "How many guys have been bitten in the history of diving the lump". I think it's more appropriate that you guys answer this question since it might tend to put a captain we are trying to book with "on the spot". Don't worry, regardless of how you answer the question, I'm still going.

[Into The Blue]

Yeah...i am def wondering how many people have been hit by sharks. However, i am with lars "Don't worry, regardless of how you answer the question, I'm still going." That is if i can get the money and the stuff i need!!

[rigdvr]

Kurt Bickel was launched several feet out of the water by a charging mako...almost didnt spot it, just enough time to get the gun between himself and the shark. Shark hit the tip, ramming the gun into Kurt, thus causing the mentioned launch.

Chris Eaton dove through the murk one time to land on top of 2 makos feeduing in the chum slick. Ive broken the murk to land on many a hh. I know of at least 2 makos being on the wrong end of the shaft on Troy old boat The Kingfisher, when the sharks got too aggressive.

Myself and bill Crawford were diving one time and a boat anchored 35 yard to the side of us hooked a very lage mako which proceeded to do backflips very close to us...I got out when he broke the line :bolt:

Needless to say its a very sharky place. Some days the lump is overrun with sharks of all varieties including hh, mako, blacktip, bull, silkies among others. You will be able to hear the charter captains bitching for miles on those days as they will gothrough several boxes of hooks and leaders :cussing:

The drill will be, Troy will anchor somewhere on the lump and start chumming. If the current is bad he will probably let out a couple line to hang on. More often than not it is murky on the top. Sometimes the murk is 60' deep, sometimes 6". once the surface was so nasty I didnt even suit up. After an hour of fishing with several boats getting tuna around us I said f*ck it and got in. To my surprise the water was cobalt 6" down. It was so bad on the top that I could let my arms dangle down in the warm blue while I breathed in the cold river water on top. I never could get comfortable that day as I felt too much like a big Zara Spook topwater bait. :D

the biggest thing is you cant shoot em from the boat and you need to keep diving even when you dont see fish. Some days they can be chummed right up to the boat and you can even hear them bumping into the hull trying to get the chum, some days none are caught at all by the fleet.

Its also worth checking out the nearby rigs for wahoo, like I said the 93's are my favorite, as well as Moxie, Lena, and Cognac. When diving the rigs for wahoo and tuna, stay waaaay away from the rig. Your natural instinct is to get up next to it. The time I dove on Troys boat he was good about dropping us off about 1/4 mile uppcurrent of the rig. I like to make a couple of dives on my way there but when I start seeing bait(usually hardtails) I turn into the current and try to dive the outside edge of the bait.

I could go on and on but I gotta give the kid a bath...

[Mobile Diver]

Great post, Rigdvr. I really learned a lot.

[Straightup]

We were there last year. The water was to dirty to dive. It seems like you need a good south wind before a front to have bluewater. Once the north wind blows it pushes all that river water out. We must have caught 100 or so sharks in one day. There must have been thousands of them. We could not get our baits past all the sharks to the tunas we finally gave up and left. The other two days we caught some tuna, but when those sharks start feeding you might as well go home. It is not a place to try bluewater diving for your first, second, or third time. Maybe your 20th.

[Bill McIntyre]

A few years ago I happened to talk to Jay Riffe right after he got back from the lump. He is not exactly a newbie and has seen his share of sharks, but he said that he jumped in, looked around, said "f#*k this" and got back into the boat.

As I recall, he still let Julie dive though.:)

[rigdvr]

Its a very intimidating place for sure. We usually skip and go looking for hoo's unless its blue.

I can promise its ALOT more fun to charter there than run your own boat. Its worth the price to not have to deal with the 30+ feet of anchor chain and 600' of anchor line:) Remeber, youre anchoring on an old salt dome that comes up to about 180' on its very highest point.

The reason I quit offering so many trips to out of towners was b/c of the weather. In a 7 day span you might get one or two divable days, sometimes zero. I felt bad for people flying in and not getting to dive. I know when Terry Mass comes he books six days to hopefully insure one...though I think he's bought had enough of the lump as well.

One thing to look out for in Venice is trip + fuel. It is common practice for them to advertise the trip cost and not tell you its plus fuel. Most other places in the world include fuel in their prices. Also check on deposit refunds. Many WILL NOT refund the deposit even for a weather blow out. They just give the option for a reschedule. Troy has been around for a long time and I have nothing but good things to say about him, but there are others that arent as upstanding.
Mike

[chasintail]

make sure you bring two wetsuits.A charging Mako on the Lena caused me to soil mine and scream like a bitch to be picked up. :(

[lars]

Alright, we got some good stories going here. Lots of close calls. I want anyone contemplating this trip to know what they are in for.

Still I haven't heard anyone say yet that they know of an actual bite.

Next question, roughly how many divers have dived how many days (diver days???) on the Lump over the years. I mean do 100 divers dive there per season, 50, 20, 10? Do lots of guys dive multiple days per season? I'm not being a smartass, I want people to be able to assess their risk with the most solid information available.

[chasintail]

I don't know of anyone thats been hit.I would say maybe 100 divers a season? :confused: There is no what ifs.If you dive the lump you will be diving with large feeding sharks.

[Into The Blue]

Hopefully we will get one of those days where there are no sharks and lots of TUNA!!! Plus the viz being amazing!!! Keep the info coming!!! I would like to know what i am up for.

[chasintail]

BTW Adam I am in for the trip. :beer:

[Bill McIntyre]

Still I haven't heard anyone say yet that they know of an actual bite.



This may be splitting hairs, but Kurt Bickel almost certaiinly would have been an actual bite if he had not seen the shark coming in time to shove his gun into its open mouth. As it was, the shark bit the gun and went off with it sticking out of his mouth.

[lars]

but Kurt Bickel almost certaiinly would have been an actual bite

You're right of course. He could be almost counted as one. Still I had a reef shark brush up against me in a blind side charge when I was taking a grouper off a spear. He had me dead to rights and there was no reason reason he why he couldn't have bitten me, but he didn't. I had a gator swim between my legs while I was wade fishing and he didn't bite either. Go figure.

The only way to make an informed decision about a risky activity is to know what the injury/fatality rate is. They have hard numbers about sports like skydiving so that when you jump out of that plane you know what your odds of dying are within maybe a 10th of of a per cent accuracy. I know statistics like this don't exist for spearfishing. But if I can get some reliable info we can get some idea what the chances are. I just want to put everything in perspective for the guys who might want to go.

Doesn't everybody over the age of 30 know someone who got killed on a bike and maybe a couple of more who were severely injured? So let's make some comparisons with spearing on the Lump and hopping on your crotch rocket and heading downtown to a club on a Saturday night. Now the bike is a risk just about anybody can relate to.

[rigdvr]

Still I haven't heard anyone say yet that they know of an actual bite.

Next question, roughly how many divers have dived how many days (diver days???) on the Lump over the years. I mean do 100 divers dive there per season, 50, 20, 10? Do lots of guys dive multiple days per season? I'm not being a smartass, I want people to be able to assess their risk with the most solid information available.

Fair enough. I would estimate maybe 40 divers in a season. Most of us locals make multiple trips if we can. The low numbers are because of weather and the fact that its not a friendly dive place with the crowds...that and it is a feeding ground for so many sharks. Nobody I know has been bit, nor that I know of, but I shit you not, it would rank very high on the most dangerous places to a spearo list, right under sharing a hotel room with chasintail :eek:

Its only a matter of time before a full fledged attack takes place, this is only my opinion. If its the mako that gets ya, it wont be a bite...it'll be a swallow. This isnt meant to scare anyone from going because I know I'll be there at some point this winter. Just a reminder that you really need to be on your a-game while there.

[chasintail]

Nobody I know has been bit, nor that I know of, but I shit you not, it would rank very high on the most dangerous places to a spearo list, right under sharing a hotel room with chasintail :eek:
.


It must be safer than rooming with GR.At least I didn't his wet suit rash on my head. :eek:

[rigdvr]

You're right of course. He could be almost counted as one. Still I had a reef shark brush up against me in a blind side charge when I was taking a grouper off a spear. He had me dead to rights and there was no reason reason he why he couldn't have bitten me, but he didn't. I had a gator swim between my legs while I was wade fishing and he didn't bite either. Go figure.

The only way to make an informed decision about a risky activity is to know what the injury/fatality rate is. They have hard numbers about sports like skydiving so that when you jump out of that plane you know what your odds of dying are within maybe a 10th of of a per cent accuracy. I know statistics like this don't exist for spearfishing. But if I can get some reliable info we can get some idea what the chances are. I just want to put everything in perspective for the guys who might want to go.

Doesn't everybody over the age of 30 know someone who got killed on a bike and maybe a couple of more who were severely injured? So let's make some comparisons with spearing on the Lump and hopping on your crotch rocket and heading downtown to a club on a Saturday night. Now the bike is a risk just about anybody can relate to.

My recommendation is that if you are not a highly experienced bluewater hunter please go with someone who is. My first trip was with Bill Delebar and Marcel Garsaud, I learned alot and actually got some wahoo my first time. Deaths mean nothing, the lump is an extremely dangerous dive, prepare for it that way...so much so that many of us locals dont bother unless everything is right. You cant guage the risk on those statistics, I cant say that enough. Statistically the area is a pupping area for very large aggressive makos who are there to eat large tuna and wahoo, they have been caught over 700#. I personally dont mind the hammerheads though they do have a way of sneaking up behind me in the murk and making me jump out of the water :D I also find the clearer the waters the more distance the hh's keep. Dive safe, watch out for each other and I hope you are blessed with good weather, blue water, and big tunas! :thumps:
Mike

[Into The Blue]

What kind of float system and break away system do you guys use when you head out that way? All the details about your setup would be great. Just want to know the best setup to have when out there for both wahoo and tuna.

[chasintail]

75 to 100ft bungi.Two Rob Allen 11 hard floats connected with bungi and 1 Riffe inflatable.

Adam,
Please listen to Mike.If you are not comfortable spearing in a feeding frenzy don't go.I had GR Tarr and Eric Friedrichsen on my first bluewater dive.There was a shitload of sharks and I was scared shitless.These guys are great divers and I trusted them.Since then I don't mind big sharks.Just have a whole lot of respect for them.
Since then I have had a run in with a 500+ tiger and a solid bull shark.Just stayed calm and alert.

[lars]

What kind of float system and break away system

Mike, go see Mike Damms at Florida Freedivers in Palm Beach. He'll set you up. Tell him I sent you. I gotta score points....

[chasintail]

:stupid: Mike, go see Mike Damms at Florida Freedivers in Palm Beach. He'll set you up. Tell him I sent you. I gotta score points....

[rigdvr]

2 RA's (11 liter foam filled) will be fine. I use a 50' homemade bungie with a 10' bungie between. My first time out i used a regular 75ft Riffe float line to the RA's and landed fish fine. One thing I like to make sure of is that my last float has a flag on it. There are alot of boats out there on the nice days and if you leave the lump to look for cleaner water and wahoo the boats there will be high speed trolling(up to 12 knots or more) They arent used to alot of freedivers so watch out for them...sometimes they think that float is debris they should troll right past:)
I got all my floats from FF too.

[Straightup]

When we went I was the only diver on the boat. With the crappy vis and seas I did not get in. While we were fishing a small boston whaller pulled up next to us with a diver getting ready to jump in. We wondered who the Jackasses were out there in those seas in such a small boat. It was Red Tide! He jumped in swam down and jumped right back out. You know its bad when Red Tide gets out that quick.

[rigdvr]

that little whaler is Bill Crawford...when you go out on it you come back 3 inches shorter! Bill is by far one of the best local divers as well as a member of the 100# hooter club.

[chasintail]

Bill will puke in his snorkle,take long naps,and still shoot more fish than anyone on the boat. :scratch: :notworthy

[Into The Blue]

How close do these sharks get to you? How aggressive do they act toward you? Seeing a shark is one thing but having one come after you is another. I mean if they are just swimming around waiting for the tuna thats a hell of a lot better then them trying to get you.

[ROBERTO REYES]

"Kurt Bickel was launched several feet out of the water by a charging mako...almost didnt spot it, just enough time to get the gun between himself and the shark. Shark hit the tip, ramming the gun into Kurt, thus causing the mentioned launch. "
Funny to read it this way, I was in front of Kurt , in the water, it sure was a nice fat Mako.

[Into The Blue]

Well i have been told to dive with experienced divers. Is there anyone going that is experienced these conditions. I would love to go, learn, and shoot some big fish!!!

[Wayward Son]

I'd love to do this some day, but I don't think I'll be able to afford it this year.

I want to see Chasintail scream like a bitch & walk on water back to the boat, while I do my best to push him out of the way :D

[Into The Blue]

:lol: I am trying to get the money together...but i didnt know about not being able to spear yellowfin tuna...Thats bull crap!!! Is the trip still on? Any experience divers going that can teach a few things to us new guys??

[TheMackDaddy]

sounds like an insane place, somthing about laying in murk w/ feeding 10ft makos under you, damn theres gotta be safer ways to get a nice pelagic fish. someone said only 40 divers per season hit the lump? thats not much at all.

[lars]

I am trying to get the money together...but i didnt know about not being able to spear yellowfin tuna

Mike, e mail or call me direct

Lars

[chasintail]

I want to see Chasintail scream like a bitch & walk on water back to the boat, while I do my best to push him out of the way :D

If thats the case I'll pay your way tough guy. ;)

[Wayward Son]

Well, if you pay I might consider being mannerly & not trying to get back on the boat first ;)

[elCajuna Grande]

The only way to make an informed decision about a risky activity is to know what the injury/fatality rate is. They have hard numbers about sports like skydiving so that when you jump out of that plane you know what your odds of dying are within maybe a 10th of of a per cent accuracy. I know statistics like this don't exist for spearfishing. But if I can get some reliable info we can get some idea what the chances are. I just want to put everything in perspective for the guys who might want to go.

Death is certain...
Life is not

[rigdvr]

Well i have been told to dive with experienced divers. Is there anyone going that is experienced these conditions. I would love to go, learn, and shoot some big fish!!!

You really ned some more seasoning before this trip...not trying to be a jerk here. What setup are you using, wetsuit, gun, floats, bungie, slip tip, ect. Please think twice about this.
Mike Freeman

[ramblin'wreck]

made it out to the lump on Saturday. nice calm seas and blue water, medium current. Did not see any yellowfin in the slick although one boat reported pulling hooks on one. Ended up with 8 blackfin on hook and line.

We did see hammerheads and blacktips actively feeding behind the boat, dorsal fins sticking up out of the water and all. Hooked a 6 foot hammerhead as well as a 7 foot non-descript shark, probably a silky. Got to see a large hammerhead following my bait on the surface as I reeled it in.

Did I mention all the sharks?

[lars]

I think everyone who was interested in the trip now knows about the sharks. Notice I said "was". Just about all of 'em have dropped out thanks to the individuals who have given us these warnings of certain death if you jump in the water. Although I support the idea that everyone should know what they are in for - my question is "You survived it, why do you think no one else can?

[Stinkey Fish]

I have been going out with Cajun Fishing Adventures in Luling. Ryan's one cool due. As for the sharks never had a prob. You will see them but go for it. These guys are just trying to keep everybody away.

[rigdvr]

if your talking to me, read again Lars. Into the blue had no business on that trip and you know it. I said to prepare for that trip and take it serious...because its a very serious dive. Yes, many have survived it...only to say never again. I dive it as often as conditions allow.

Go for it. Like I said, I know I'll be there sometime this winter although the lump has lost alot of appeal now that the locals know its illegal to shoot tuna and are threatening to turn us in...but the large wahoo still make it worthwhile. But I WILL NOT hesitate to tell the honest truth about how serious the lump is. You have the entirely wrong attitude about it.

[Wayward Son]

I really would like to go. I've seen a fair number of sharks over the years, but prolly not in the way you're seeing them there. That doesn't bother me much.

I'm more concerned over my having never hunted with that type of tackle. Line with float & break away setup, or may just attached to the gun, I dunno. Considering the location is supposed to be so demanding on its own, it might be a good idea to hunt with the required tackle under easier conditions in order to get some field experience with it 1st.

My problem this year isn't nerves, it's cash. Likely won't be able to consider doing this until next year, just due to money issues right now.

[Stinkey Fish]

They still shoot tuna at the Lump, its just low keyed. A gaft hole and spear hole look the same.

[ramblin'wreck]

Sorry, I guess that was piling on. nevertheless, it would be a shame for someone to jump into that without knowing what they are getting into...I for one wasn't diving and don't plan to dive the lump anytime soon. The strong current/boats fishing/boats trolling in a small piece of real estate would give me pause without the sharks.

If I were a bluewater diver (I'm not) I'd be more interested in the numerous wahoo that can be found swimming around South Pass 93 and other places this time of year. A charter boat that was out trolling on Saturday picked up 14 Wahoo!

[rigdvr]

They still shoot tuna at the Lump, its just low keyed. A gaft hole and spear hole look the same.

You obviously havent seen a spear hole in a tuna :D They are looking for it now though so be careful. The fisheries people went so far as to call the Helldivers and remind them of the regulations this year :eek: Not saying you wouldnt find me "long range underwater gaffing" a yellowfin ;)

The wahoo can be outrageous at some of the nearby rigs. I already listed my favorites but they can be found anywhere on the edge of the shelf. I prefer rigs in 300-500 feet but have seen them on rigs up to about 3000 and as shallow as 180. The 12 and 24 mile rigs can also be great producers along with the horseshoes...not sure how many are left standing.

[Stinkey Fish]

rig - that good to know, I have a trip planned mid March. I'll keep my eyes pealed. If you can shoot a gator, why can't we shoot a tuna ? Whats next ?

[rigdvr]

just always been that way. The law should be changed by summer as it has already been rewritten to include spear as a legal means of harvest. Until then I would just lay low about it.

It is a very stupid law as the effort to catch total on bluewater game by divers is so very low compared to ANY other means. Heck, the fisherman on the lump absolutely slaughter them on a good day with people giving away yf tuna because they ran out of ice chest room(Ive seen multiple 320 ssi's filled with steaks on a single trip) while Im happy just to see one tuna much less have a chance to harvest it.

Good luck in March and let us know how you do. Last March was pretty good if I remember right.

[ROCK BOTTOM]

I heard a big ass 765# Mako was taken at the Lump recently. That is the biggest one I've heard of by a rodnreeler.

Zz

[rigdvr]

very true rumor...thats one big bitch.

[Southern Cross]

Talked to Lars yesterday. I'm in.

I've rodnreeled those waters many times. If the weather is good, it is nothing short of spectacular. Getting in the water will just be a bonus.

[rigdvr]

Good luck...let us know how you do. The wahoo have thinned out alot in the last week but they will show back up. The lump has been pretty clear this year due to the low river levels. As you get closer to the trip a good indicator of the water conditions will be river level(the lower the better) and wind direction.

[Griswold]

I have fished their several times and have wanted to get in a few times, but never had the right crew.

Sunday, 1/15/06 at the lump, something ate a large fish we were fighting. The fight changed from battling back and forth for line to VERRY!!! violent shaking and fast drag pulling before the line broke. 5 minutes later, a 12' Mako - 6 to 8 hundred pounds swam very casually within 1 foot of our boat. Stuck around for a minute or 2 and casually swam off with both dorsal fin and tail out of the water. BTW, it didn't want anything to eat.

I'm gonna pass on freediving there.

[rigdvr]

why...I mean nobody had died yet so it must not be that risky... :D

How was the water? I seen some decent sized tuna but not quite the numbers usually seen this time of the year?

[Griswold]

It started out pretty green, but I could see the chum about 30' down by the end of the day. Only 1 - 70 pound yellowfin was caught by the 30 or so boats. According to the radio chatter people tried everything from shotgunning beers, bloody mary's, tequila shots, and tossing coins in the water. After they ran out of chum, most boats were trolling for Hoos. They were probably more dangerous than the Mako's. There were more than a few heated conversations over the radio just to keep boats off eachother's baits.

We caught a 40 pound wahoo and lost another about the same size at the boat.

I understand that it was good a week ago, so it's hit or miss right now. Maybe the warm weather has delayed the normal large numbers of fish. There was bait everywhere. They will be there soon.

[Freedro]

I understand that it was good a week ago, so it's hit or miss right now. Maybe the warm weather has delayed the normal large numbers of fish. There was bait everywhere. They will be there soon.

It's probably the phase of the moon. The tuna come up and feed at night on the full moon, so they don't eat much during the day. Should be a good bite on the upcoming quarter moon.

[rigdvr]

Not to mention the ripping currents during the full moon phase make it a nightmare to dive out there.

Freeballs...how was the adventure man? Dont tell me Nick drank all the beer on the boat, found a cute Mexican and holed up at the nearest cantina...:)

[Freedro]

Freeballs...how was the adventure man? Dont tell me Nick drank all the beer on the boat, found a cute Mexican and holed up at the nearest cantina...:)

Well... Nick DID drink all the beer on the boat. That part was fairly predictable. Otherwise, I'm speaking of the full moon fishing from VERY recent experience. I plan my trips for quarter moons. I didn't plan this one, but went along for the ride. The weather was nice, and we had a great captain. As for anything else that happend to Nick, you'll have to get the details from him. :D

[rigdvr]

Cool, glad yall made it home safe to tell the stories.

[lars]

[/QUOTE]a 12' Mako - 6 to 8 hundred pounds swam very casually within 1 foot of our boat[QUOTE]

I am praying that a 12 ft. mako swims a foot from our boat. Mako is better eating than tuna and I got something for his ass!

Go ahead and laugh at me Rigdvr. I got a sense of humor. You'll see how I am if we have a chance to dive together. :thumps:

[rigdvr]

Im sure you are a great guy. I dont think I ever tried to sway your people from the trip (except for intotheblue) just gave the opinions you asked for. Infact, I even shared my favorite wahoo spots and my bluewater rig hunting technique that Ive had the most success with.

Good luck on the trip, you wont have a hard time filling it with experienced hunters. If you do, call me and I'll take a spot or get you in touch with some of the other locals that have done the lump many times...we all like Troy so wouldnt hesitate to go on his new boat(it'd be way better than the last one that went 15 knots!)

[ROCK BOTTOM]

rigdvr,

Think of how bad Troy is gonna beat up the rigs with a boat that will go faster than the Kingfish. The grouper are gonna be so deep, almost unreachable.

Zz

[Into The Blue]

why was i the target?

[Grunt]

why was i the target?

I wouldn't so much call you a target. Rig was just stating that he doesn't think you're quite experienced enough given the diving conditions. This is just one of the situations where you have to assess your skill level. You wouldn't go do a 400ft dive after just recieving your open water certification. Think of this as similar circumstances. You shouldn't go jumping into shark-infested, murky waters (possibly), with a high amount of boat traffic just because you've put in a couple of hours on a reef. It's not worth it. I think the trip sounds like a hell of an adventure, but I also know my limitations and know that shooting a few fish doesn't qualify me to do a trip of this level. Don't sweat it. You can find other trips that are more your speed. Go shoot some dolphin or something off the coast over where you live. Schoolies are a fun start. :thumps:

[ROBERTO REYES]

I understand that it was good a week ago, so it's hit or miss right now. Maybe the warm weather has delayed the normal large numbers of fish. There was bait everywhere. They will be there soon.

Too many boats chumming a small area, too many fish taken ,
is just incredible that it has hold this long, they should only
allow spearos there. :lol:

[rigdvr]

why was i the target?

Definately not a target...just looking out for you. I just had a feeling you needed a little more experience before this one. I look forward to you sharing the many stories you will soon have as you progress through the sport, its nice to be reminded by newer guys how exciting spearing is supposed to be.

Two of my best friends started freedive hunting this past year with me and I promise I wont be taking them to the lump this season either.

Roberto, Im with you. They should let us have every Mon-Wed and we'll let them have their weekends:)

[Into The Blue]

OH ok. well thanks!!! i guess the next question would be when is someone ready to dive those conditions?

[rigdvr]

I dont know if anyone is ever "ready". I would say do a couple of bluewater dives in a little less demanding situations with lower boat traffic, ect. Big mean sharks are just part of the game in open water. Aquire the proper gear for such a trip.

In south Florida, theres really not that much YF action but there are alot of sargassum patches holding dolphin in the spring and summer...I cant think of a better way to get into bluewater than that! The patches will give you something to key in on until you get used to hunting in the bottomless blue(and it does take some getting used to) and the dolphin can be quite cooperative as well as tasty at the end of the day. You also have a shot at a wahoo like this. If you see some bonita, whack a couple. They are a tuna and you can use them to chum up more game. You'll be suprised at the speed of these fish...definately not like shooting a hog:)

[Into The Blue]

Got it!!! Its sad because i don't have a boat!!! I have actually jumped into the bottomless blue a couple of times and it is intense. Nothing around but blue!!! Although it gave me such a rush to know that at any moment something big can swim right by you. It was actually the sweetest thing i have done and i didn't even shoot anything. I am just itching to shoot a bluewater fish instead of a hog that sits there and takes the shaft.

[lars]

Hey Mike,

I will let these other guys who have "been there and done that" speak as the experts, because I have not been there. But I think I am safe in saying that this dive is not a question of athletic skill like shooting a 20 lb. grouper at 75 fsw in the Bahamas where you have to use a hawaiian sling and freedive. It's a matter being cool in stressful situations and judgement when taking some serious risks.

One way to know you're ready is if you can say "I've been through worse than this and I know I can handle myself." That's my philosophy and that's why I know I'm ready. That's the "balls" part of it. On the other hand, unless suicide is part of your plan, there is the "rational mind" part of it too. You have to be able to look at the conditions and if it is just too dangerous you have to be able to forget about all the money you have spent to get there and all your time and expectations and how you think you look in front of the other divers and just say "No, I am not doing this"

You're only 19 and there will be a lot of other opportunities. I will give you a full report
from the point of view of a non-local when I get back.

[Marcus]

Little Indian want to kill Buffalo. Wise old Injuns say "not this time, Eagerfoot, maybe next hunt."...this make little Indian sad. :(

[Into The Blue]

Thanks Lars!!! I look foward to the report....I wouldnt have a problem jumping in and seeing all the sharks and boats and then saying F this. If i couldn't handle it then i would jump out. couple of reasons why i cant go...don't have th money...don't have the right equipment..i am getting a riffe NoKAOI soon....and people have been saying stay away. My dad and i watched the show where Shark hunter himself went to the lump and had a big macko with him. My dad said no way so he doesnt want me to go...etc..i deff want the report when you get back!!!

[chasintail]

The Fu**king Tuna Must Die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rigdvr]

you mean blackfin right Nick ;)

[deepdestroyer]

I'm with Nick on that one...I wanna shoot a tuna reeeeeeaaaaal bad!!! but a 60-100# wahoo would work too :D

[chasintail]

I hate tuna.I am begining a personal quest to kill them all one fish at a time.


Disclaimer:
To all you PETA faggots holding a stiff one in your mouth.I know this post may have caused you to tooth your lizard hugging teenage boy toy.It was a joke,go back to slurping man gravy.

[Freedro]

I hate tuna.I am begining a personal quest to kill them all one fish at a time.

And why would that be? Use the force Nick. Aim for the nose. :D

[chasintail]

And why would that be? Use the force Nick. Aim for the nose. :D


:mad: :bashhead: :moon: :cussing: :bs:

[tommy7]

Since I quit my cable a couple weeks ago,I ended up reading the entire thread. I should have given up cable a long time ago!
Thanks all, I learned alot and was entertained in the process...beside that I really want to go...
Rigdvr, was straight forward in laying out the potential danger as well as the intense atmosohere of diving the lump?...:cool:
Into the Blue was not ready for it or he would go anyway.
Lars has never been but is ready for it and I hope he gets a good fish.
Nick "WILL" drink all the beer and Nick and Freedros wives should not let them go out of town together.:D
BTW when is the trip ???
Tommy7

[Bill McIntyre]

Into The Blue-

I've never been to the lump, so I've stayed out of this thread up to now. But I did have a converstation that might make you feel better about these guys trying to steer you away until you have more experience.

A couple of years ago I happened to go into Jay Riffe's shop right after he got back from the lump. Jay is a couple of months older than I am (67) and has been diving since he was a teenager. He has vast experience diving all over the world and has made multiple trips to the Revillagigedos Islands which are notorious for aggressive sharks fighting you for your tuna and wahoo.

He said that he jumped in at the lump, looked at all the aggressive sharks running around, and said "screw this" and got back in the boat.

Up to then I had thought I might like to try it some time. But after hearing that from Jay, and then reading Terry Maas when he said you needed to book a week down there to have a good shot at finding a day or two with weather good enough to get out, I had second thoughts.

And while I have nothing approaching Jay's experience and skill, I've at least had to deal with a few sharks. These guys are probably doing you a favor when they recommend you get a bit more experience before jumping into a situation like this.

[ROBERTO REYES]

How is he going to get the xperience?, were? with whom?.
And yes, sometimes is full of sharks, sometimes is only one big one.
I have seen so many incredible things at the lump, and around the rigs,
we have many real dangers in this sport, not being with a good buddy is
one of them, sharks, boat propellers, SWB,getting stuck on a cave,line,
Kelp,still most of us dive alone , and take the risks, sharks live there,is
just a matter of dealing with it all over the world .
If you ask me for the best spots in the world, go look for the sharks, jump there, they are there because its a very good spot, the bigger the sharks, the bigger the game fish.
If the weather is bad, visibility close to zero,sharks get too agresive, current is ripping to the point of nonsense, or the captain is drunk and fishing somewere else while you are in the water, (etc,), GET OUT OF THE WATER .

Make sure you go with a GOOD diving buddy, the hump is a good blue water experience.
There are many good freedivers who dive there all the time, just to mention one, my friend Bill Crawford, exelent diver, nicest guy,fearless, go with the right guys, it will be a blast.

[chasintail]

There are many good freedivers who dive there all the time, just to mention one, my friend Bill Crawford, exelent diver, nicest guy,fearless, go with the right guys, it will be a blast.


:yup:

Peacha said hey Roberto.

[rigdvr]

Roberto...you need to call Bill a little more often:) Its been a couple of years since he's been in on the lump. Me, Bill and Marcel have decided its just not worth it (for us at least) unless everything is perfect. Especially with the large wahoo that can be found close by in cleaner water.

Bill is THE best diver in Louisiana in my opinion. I always look forward to diving with him and the bags of peanuts...just wish his boat was bigger. everytime I go I come back an inch shorter:)

[ROBERTO REYES]

Whalers are a lot of fun, those old 18 footers are just awesome small boats, is just that for some reason, the owners dont know how to go slower, just a bit slower than flying is so much easier for the crew.
Any trip with Bill, is a perfect trip, so much fun, even with the water with -5 feet of visibility.

[lars]

A couple of years ago I happened to go into Jay Riffe's shop right after he got back from the lump.................

We have beat the subject of the sharks to death, but it should be noted that the point was made earlier in this thread that on the very same trip when Jay got out of the water, Julie kept diving and went on to spear the women's world record wahoo.

I can't verify this since I was not there but I did speak to Julie about her trip there and she loved it but acknowledged it had it's hairy moments.

[tommy7]

Lars,

I actually would like to see the sharks. I may not stay in the water too long after I saw them but then again I might! So it's not the sharks for me, it is more about the coin, $340.00 per day is probably not much if you can be somewhat certain that you will get out and have a chance at a good fish. I realize nothing is garenteed but I need a little more assurance that there is more than a 50/50 chance...
All that to say: it's not just the sharks and actually the sharks could be a plus to some people :eek:
Tommy

[lars]

I actually would like to see the sharks

Good point ! And also good point Roberto ! Spearfishing wouldn't be the sport that it is without the sharks. It's like football. They are like the home team and we are the visitors. We are competing for the same thing and that's what makes it interesting.

I have been in the dive business since '76. 12 years of that was spent in Puget Sound where there are no dangerous sharks and the most aggressive sea creature is a sea lion. Lots of orcas but they don't mess with humans. It got really boring spearing fish. The fish they have there are like sheep. You go down and you can just slaughter them. They don't even get that spooky, they just get scarce. You never even thought about any sort of danger. You could drag around a stringer of fish and not have any worries. Whenever I would come back to Florida to dive for fun, I would get that old familiar feeling of constantly looking over your shoulder.

The thing about sharks is that any seemingly safe little dive in 15 feet of water spearing hog fish can turn into a battle to save your skin. Bulls, T-heads, tigers, spinners and lemons all call shallow water home. The worst shark encounter is when you aren't prepared. You're far from safety, alone, not properly armed. My worst incident was like that.

You're not safe anywhere and that is what keeps the masses out of the water. A lot more people die in the ocean from causes like SWB, CNS hits and air embolism than die from sharks but sharks have the boogeyman factor and that is what scares the people. I say God bless the sharks. Just think what it would be like if every rod & reel guy was a diver too.

[chasintail]

[QUOTE=tommy7]Lars,

I actually would like to see the sharks.


Me too.I just finished sealing a box of bullets. :gun:

[rigdvr]

Lars,

I actually would like to see the sharks. I may not stay in the water too long after I saw them but then again I might! So it's not the sharks for me, it is more about the coin, $340.00 per day is probably not much if you can be somewhat certain that you will get out and have a chance at a good fish. I realize nothing is garenteed but I need a little more assurance that there is more than a 50/50 chance...


Can you name any other bluewater charter for 340 a day? Thats a great price. As for your chances...its as good as anywhere else. Some trips Ive seen zero fish, others wahoo swim past by the dozens. You never know till you go. There isnt a dive spot on earth with any guarantee on pelagic game. Weather is a huge fator there because of the cold fronts...you should know a couple of days ahead what you are dealing with but you cant make that call a week or more ahead of time.

[tommy7]

What should the water temps be during the 1st week of Feb.?

[rigdvr]

temps will depend on the murk. The freshwater layer often found on top is from the mississippi river and its some cold shit! The blue beneath it will be quite warm. low 70's. murk is in the 50's. I use a 5 mil Omer and am usually fina all day.

Make sure to bring plenty of warm clothes for the ride out...thats the coldest part.

[tommy7]

temps will depend on the murk. The freshwater layer often found on top is from the mississippi river and its some cold shit! The blue beneath it will be quite warm. low 70's. murk is in the 50's. I use a 5 mil Omer and am usually fina all day.

Make sure to bring plenty of warm clothes for the ride out...thats the coldest part.

So....if it doesn't rain too much or get real windy, does that mean it might be pretty O.K.?
Thanks Rig

[rigdvr]

well I wish it was that easy. The Mississippi produces alot of flow regardless of rain. Maybe if we could get everyone in the north to quit flushing their toilets for a while it would slow down:) The current from the river kinda moves around like a snake. Troy is a great captain and should be able to find cleaner water for you. If its bad on the lump I'd ask him to hit some rigs like the 93's, Moxie, Lena, Congac, ect. If its more than a one day tripand the lump wasnt on and the wahoo werent found nearby, Id request the "long" run weather permitting. This would get you to the "floaters" oil rigs in 3000-5000 feet of water. The tuna can be great at them year round because the rigs actualy heat up the water around them.Some good ones are the Mars, Ram Powell, Bullwinkle, Elf, Petronus, and Beercan.

Troy will know if its worth the run but many times they are hesitant to go that far because it cuts into the bottom line. Good luck.

[tommy7]

Rigdvr,

How many miles is the "long run"??

Thank You!

[lars]

Last Call:

As of Monday Jan 30, I'm closing down the sign-up for this trip. We have three divers going at the moment, plus a model or two for the obligatory bikini calendar shoot. :yay: Captain Troy is able to fill the rest of the boat with hook-and-line guys but I would prefer keep it spearos only if I can.

Troy did great out there last weekend. Check out the pic of the rod and reel trip's catch. The water was blue and would have been great for spearing.

http://www.rodnreel.com/potb/PicView.asp?PicID=66095[/URL]

In case you can't view this pic there are 2 yellowfin one about 100# and the other maybe 120# and a wahoo that looks close to 100# plus an large pile of small yellowfin and blackfin

If anyone out there has been considering it, now's the time to let me know!

[Rig Magician]

Tommy, you can find that on rodnreel.com. they have a section for GPS # to the rigs. They are close to 100 miles out, give or take a few. we looked it up from Cocodrie it is right at 120.
Mark

[tommy7]

Tommy, you can find that on rodnreel.com. they have a section for GPS # to the rigs. They are close to 100 miles out, give or take a few. we looked it up from Cocodrie it is right at 120.
Mark

Thanks for the info...I really really want to go.....don't think it will happen this time, Thanks for all the info everyone and hope Lars and crew have a great trip!!
Tommy

[lars]

Here's a report for those who followed this thread. I made the trip. I was on the boat with nothing but fishermen. I didn't get eaten or anything dramatic like that.
In fact I was bored most of the time. The water was dirty for the three days I was there. On the last day it was dirty even though we had a south wind.

On day one we caught nothing but a bunch of bonito and a couple of kings until the last minute. I jumped twice for about 20 minutes each just to say I did it. Sat in 10 foot vis murk and did not see anything. Current was ripping. Spent some time siting on the dive platform while the others fished ready to jump in if someone hooked up. Then at the last minute a single fish hit and they had to throw the ball I could not jump in. That fish was a 150 lb yellowfin.

On day two I couldn't be on the boat but they killed them with 6 yellows and two blacks landed. Vis was bad and I don't know if I could have shot anything if I was there.

Day three was a total bomb with bad vis despite the south wind and 1 blackfin landed all day. Didn't even bother jumping in.

Despite the dire warnings of sharks, we did not see a shark over 3 feet long on either day I was out there - not when I was in the water not from the surface. we never had one chomped either. I am sure they are there sometimes.

the water was chilly but I was almost too warm in a 5 mil and could have handled it in a 3 mil.

So the final word on the Lump is that I couldn't recommend it for a non-local for the following reasons:

1 You would need to book a large number of days (and the charters are pricey) to get one good day. You need good vis and you need lots of fish. It is conceiveable that you could shoot something in the bad vis but it would have to be a quick shot.

2 Yellowfins are illegal to spear which leaves you with blackfins and wahoo. We never saw a wahoo and nobody we heard talking in the fleet got one either.

3. All other conditions - like boat trafic, sharks, current, rough water - did not present a problem on this trip but we never shot anything and on a different trip they could be a problem.

the Lump is a good place to catch a big yellowfin on hook and line less expensively than traveling to an exotic location. We saw fish over 200 pounds at the dock. If you are a local spearfisherman, especially if you have your own boat, it would be a good bet to go out only when you expect to have good conditions. If you have to drive a day and a half (like I did) just to get there or fly in, then you better be happy catchiing 'em on hook and line, because that's exactly what you may end up doing.

[ROBERTO REYES]

a 12' Mako - 6 to 8 hundred pounds swam very casually within 1 foot of our boat

I am praying that a 12 ft. mako swims a foot from our boat. Mako is better eating than tuna and I got something for his ass!

Go ahead and laugh at me Rigdvr. I got a sense of humor. You'll see how I am if we have a chance to dive together. :thumps:


I had a chance to dive with Lars, and I can say that Makos were lucky they did not there this time.
Roberto

[rigdvr]

The sharks usually run with the tuna. Days with lots of tuna is usually days with lots of sharks. Youd be surprised what you were swimming with if it wasnt for the murk layer. Although I have been there when it was cobalt blue and no signs of life at all.

Glad you made it out and back. Like I said, the lump is a big time hit or miss thing for all the reasons you mentioned and more.

[ROBERTO REYES]

Rig
Everywere is the same, looks for the sharks, the fish are there.

[rigdvr]

isnt that the damn truth:)

[greg1]

In the last 4 years diving the lump Ive only been lucky enough to catch it blue 3 times. Others I know go once, hit the motherload and think its always like that :slap:



That drives me crazy. I remember prior to 2000 we had a couple 1000lbs of YF days. And even more 500lbs days. Not as common anymore. Especially for me.

Seems like whenever newbies go they slay 'em. I haven't caught 100lb YF on the Lump in at least 10 trips. I hated the lump before, but now I really hate it.

Give me warm weather, live bait, and a virgin rip anyday.

Anchor and chum is for the tourist.

BTW, I'm a New Orleans native with a boat in Cypress Cove. I live in Charleston, SC for occupational reasons.

Geaux Saints!!!!

[TheMackDaddy]

I can't believe someone that has the steel balls to jump into the waters of the lump is not allowed to spear a yellowfin but some duck on a charter boat can drag them in and kill them with an international reel. If you are willing to risk you life and swim with man-eaters they should let you spear a yellowfin, beleive me there aren't many ppl that will do it, its not going to affect the yellowfin population at all.