Offshore Fishing -- Charter/Captain Reccomendation

T

tropheus

1,000+ Posts
I'm thinking about a 12 hour offshore fishing excursion from Port Aransas in late January or early February -- target numero uno? Yellowfin Tuna. I have between 4 and 6 people.

I am fairly new to the sport, but I understand winter is generally the best time for tuna fishing in the Gulf. I've been fishing several times in the Gulf and once off the coast of San Diego. At this point, I am ready to get serious about the sport -- I even have grand dreams of owning my own offshore boat in a few years. The problem is, there are so many charter choices out there and not being a local, it's hard to tell who to go with.

Anybody here have any Port A charter service or captain recommendations, especially for a winter 12 hour trip looking for tuna?

Any other general thoughts?
 
The Dolphin Docks have the best captains meaning they will usually take you were the fish are
 
thanks. I've heard good things about them especially for tuna fishing but their best trips seem to be 24-60 hours and involve 12-15 folks on a boat. I sort of want the boat all to myself (i.e. a smaller, faster boat). I am not ruling them out as of yet though.
 
Some of the smaller ones, it's honestly hit or miss. You are better off going out of Freeport. Much of Port A is more geared towards tourist than true fishing enthusiast.
 
A friend of mine runs Ambush offshore. They are good people and will treat you right. They will take you fishing. I don't know of anyone who will take you catching every time.

Loree, I'm not sure what you are trying to say, but catering to tourists is not a bad thing. In fact, it really sounds good.
 
NickDanger,

Yes, but in the fishing cult there are 2 types of people very often. 1) Your recreational fisherman who are mostly out to have a good time. They aren't experts but have a clue very often
2) Fishing cult. They walk on the boat with 4 rods, premade liters, minimum of 3+ ice chests......I'm sure there's more, just not coming to mind right now. The fishing cult guy wants different things, mostly and above all he want that captain to take him to the fish. Period.

Once upon a time I owned half of a 120 ft Gulfcraft party boat, a crew boat, a commerical fishing boat and a six pack charter boat. This was all purchased when the ex went through his "My life is 1/2 over and I haven't done any of the things I wanted to do" -- this was in addition to his regular job. But his family owns a very well known charter service in Port A, so I learned a lot about it in 14 years
 
Oh

Smaller boat in Jan or Feb might be very bad idea. Tuna are in deeper water, even in the winter. Little boat + big waves = not so much fun. I seriously wouldn't go that far out in anything smaller than a 12 man boat, it's usually just too rough to really have any fun.

Just a thought
 
I don't fish offshore. I can't stand diesel fumes and gas powered boats are not what you want to be on for the most part. I'm also not going to mess with a head boat as I don't want to fish with a bunch of people I don't know very well. Leaves me to fish the bay. I'll go offshore in late July/August when I can ski behind the boat onthe way out.

I think the Ambush crew is after snapper most of the time. One of the owners is named Furlow if that rings a bell.
 
As much as I would like to bag a big tuna, sadly, any fish over 40 pounds is now loaded with mercury.
It's a ***** being near the top of the food chain.
 
I have fished for tuna. Personally think it’s over-rated. It was a 2 day trip, I’m sorry, but 48 hours in 8-10 ft seas, gets old quick. 9 ot reel w/ 120 lb test line, diamond gig and the yank and real all the way to the surface in deep water? No thank you, I can buy tuna.

I like my electric reel. Lift up and push a button. It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it.
 
Thanks for the responses. Just some random thoughts from my end.

The folks I am bringing have no problems with, deisel fumes or their sea legs (heck my dad who would be going was in the Navy and has terrifying stories about the North Sea).

As for which part of the cult I/we belong to? As of right now, I border on the category of the recreational fisherman who knows some about the sport. I am not sure I will ever walk up to a boat with three ice chests and four rods but I do care most about having a good time and that certainly means having a captain who knows where the fish are.

I guess I am looking for a charter service and/or captain who takes pride in what they do and puts forth the effort to find the fish.

So far, I hear Ambush, Dolphin Docks, any others?
 
Myke and Nick, I actually had a trip through that website with Tommy as the captain cancelled due to weather so time ago. Maybe I ought to give them another shot.
 
The only times I go offshore out of Port A are with my BIL in his 35' Cabo so I can't really vouch. I see that Aaron is no longer the Capt of the Ambush and it's no longer a Cris Craft. I still know the owner and he's a great guy, but I really can't vouch for anyone. I have some friends who have been out on the 54 carat and another of the really big boats. I think they mainly got the big boats so there would be room for the strippers. They did hook up a huge yellowfin and brought in a 25 lb blackfin on a flyrod.
 
Loree... I'll bet it was tough getting those YF's to the surface with a diamond gig!..... Gigs work okay on flounder, but they are kinda tough to work with over about 1/2 a fathom
smile.gif
 
capt carl shanklin out of woody's. the riptide.

speaking of offshore fishin.. i am in desin fl right now looking at blown away houses and cant get time to go out. this is hell.
what i really cant believe is that people here would rather watch fl state or florida than the horns. got the friggin tech game on tv saturday but no horns. no tv and no radio.
and no cowboys either.
 
I have been aware of the mercury problem in tuna, but always thought Swordfish and Shark were the worst. Here are some links I found:

link 1

link 2

link 3

Here are several links, Yellowfin Tuna is not the worst in terms of mercury levels and is not widely mentioned in these governmental reports and advisory bulletins, but the third link, a study from Hawaii does devote considerable attention to mercury in Yellowfin.

According to the Hawaii study there is a direct correlation between weight (age as well) and mercury levels. This study seems to confirm that Yellowfin Tuna is not the worst in terms of mercury count.

The question is how much mercury is too much?

On another note, the mercury problems in freshwater rivers, streams and lakes are as bad if not worse than the mercury problems in the oceans.

In some States, fisherman are advised to avoid eating any fish caught from certain lakes and rivers.

The mercury problem sucks bigtime.

If I were on a six pack boat, I'd probably advocate releasing yellowfin over 40-50lbs, especially if we already had a few smaller ones in the ice chest.
 
Unfortunately it's true. I've heard big kings are loaded with the stuff.
It's a real concern if you eat a lot of fish.
 
Yet, for some strange reason a request for sailing lessons got moved from Cactus Cafe to the philosophy board. I could understand the Depot, I guess, or even Other Sports. Ours is not to reason why, ours is just to something or other...
 
First off, mercury in fish is bs! I eat fresh fish all summer long and have never been hurt by mercury!

Secondly, spending most of my free time in Port A fishing, I would suggest going in the summer rather than Jauary or February. The seas are likely to be 7-9 feet and that's not very fun.

I fish with my future father in law on a 35 Cabo Express. He's probably the best captain in Port A and Port O'connor, winning billfish tournaments regularly. I think we'll be fishing in the Bahamas around that time, but drop me an email at [email protected] and I'll give you more specifics.
 
Ain't no BS about mercury in the top of the fish food chain, but, it's like anything else, in moderation, you will be okay. And, the yellowfin seasom is not the best in the summer...
 
which is the reason for a winter trip... sigh, I belong on the water, that is all there is to it.

Thanks for keeping up the fight NickDanger -- oppression and prejudice is a horrible thing, especially against fishermen, we don't want to hurt nobody, just fish.
 
tropheus...Go fishing & have fun.. That's what it's all about! But, be forewarned, the Gulf of Mex in winter, can be like a lion....In other words, take some dramine or scopalimine, if you are not accustomed to being offshore......
 
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