ALASKA HALIBUT DERBIES

The Halibut derbies out of the towns of Valdez and Homer are in full swinging and coming to a close in a few weeks.  Currently the leader in Homer is a halibut weighing 240 lbs while the top butt in Valdez is a monster weighing 374 lbs which will be the largest halibut entered in the Valdez derby.  A one day ticket costs $10 and there are numerous payoffs including over 15K for the winner.  Both ports offer prizes for tagged fish plus weekly winners.  So, if you heading to Alaska you have a few weeks to catch a true monster and take home a suitcase of prize money!

Top Tactics for Monster Bull Reds

On my recent trip to Venice while fishing for bull redfish with Capt. Keith Kennedy of "Born To Fish Charters", certain tactics paid dividends on big bulls.  First off we used popping rigs consisting of popping corks from the TheFishinggrip.net.  These corks produce lots of noise thus drawing in the big bulls.  Attached to these poppers where Berkley Havoc Sick minnows in either the 4 in or 5 1/2 in models.  They have the appearance of a real fish and have tremendous action during the popping process.   We rigged up the Sick minnow on 8/0 Owner circle hooks with a 1/8 oz bullet weight.
For some topwater action, the top lures were the Halco 4 1/2 in Roosta Popper and the Dahlberg Whopper Plopper 110.  So, make sure to get into the great redfish action in Venice which is going on right now.

VENICE, LA REDFISH REPORT FOR AUGUST 10 TO 12

Had the opportunity to fish out of Venice, LA for monster bull reds with friends Jeff Stagg and Dr. Gary Clark during August 10 to 12.  We were guided by Capt. Keith Kennedy of "Born To Fish" Charters.  The fishing was redhot.  On day 1 we landed a total of 30 bull reds up to 36 lbs.  The top lures were popping corks rigged with 8/0 circle hooks attached with Berkley Havoc Sick minnows.  We fished in 8 to 12 feet of water and observed hundreds of mullet mulling around in the area.  Numerous double and triple headers were obtained throughout the day.  The majority of the bulls landed were between 22 and 28 lbs which were weighed/ photographed/ and released.  The weather was perfect in the early morning with calm winds.  We however dogged a few thunderstorms in the late morning.

 Day 2 was another ideal day.  The winds were down and the sun was shining.  We again saw numerous birds feeding on baitfish which led us to a great day of catching big bull reds.  We landed 34 reds with the largest weighing in at 23 lbs with the majority of the bulls weighing between 18 to 22 lbs.  A few black tip sharks were in the area which broke off a few of our lures.  On Day 3 we awoke to black skies with thunderstorms in the area.  Looking out for the safety of all, Capt. Keith awaited out the storms and we left the dock in the late morning.  We dogged a few thunderstorms which limited our fishing.  We still landed 12 bull reds up to 32 lbs and 2 jack crevalle which the largest pushing the scales at 30 lbs.  I highly recommend this trip to all.  Capt Keith does everything in his power to put you on big bull reds.  He provides all tackle, meals, and lodging. His meals are simply delicious to say the least with dishes of shrimp and blackened redfish on the menu.  Venice is easy to get to. Fly into New Orleans and rent a car for the 2 hour ride to Venice.  It is a trip you will not forget.  Capt Keith books fast.  Give him a call at (504) 908-3108.

Rapala Magnum 40

Rapala has recently introduced the Magnum 40 to the USA.  Previously, this lure was available only in Australia.  The Mag 40 has a massive lip allowing it to reach depths of up to 40 feet.  It was recently awarded the "Best Saltwater Hard Lure" at the ICAST 2017.  This should be a fantastic lure for the huge golden dorado at La Zona.  I anxiously await to try them out!

JACKALL GANTAREL

Besides fishing, one of my other hobbies is collecting fishing lures.  Having a "tackle store" in my basement, I have thousands of lures for multiple species.  While fishing for Yellowcheek on my recent trip to China, despite my low catch rate, I predominately used the Jackall Gantarel and Gantarel Jr. lures.  These are jointed body lures representing bluegills.  With a steady retrieve they swim slow and natural, or give it a twitch and the lure turns 180 degrees sometimes triggering a strike.  The body has a wire through harness with rotating hook and natural looking pectoral fins. On a steady retrieve the lure dives about 3 feet.   They come with feathered hooks, but I replaced them as I deemed them not very strong.  Am anxious to see if these lures can hold up to the fierce golden dorado of La Zona.

La Zona News

With water levels coming back to normal, fishing for golden dorado in the zone has been fantastic according to La Zona Lodge owner, Hector Bradanini.  Numerous dorado exceeding 40 pounds were landed the first weekend in July.  After a conversation with Hector regarding other options from La Zona Lodge,

it was decided that an option to fish for huge surubi catfish can be added to your trip.  A possible schedule would be to fish golden dorado inside La Zona for 4 days then fish for the surubi outside the zone for 2 or 3 days.

 This would take place during the good season for surubi which is July and August.  For more information contact Giulianabradanini@gmail.com

FISHING ARGENTINA

Now is the time to start planning your dream fishing trip to Argentina.  Monster golden dorado which are mean as hell are available on the Uruguay and Parana Rivers.  La Zona Lodge which is located in the town of Concordia offers the largest dorado on earth during the months of January through May then good fishing again mid September through December.  During the months of July and August, La Zona Lodge can set you up at a chance of a monster surubi catfish of your dreams.  I have fished here numerous times and dorado over 40 pounds are caught daily and perhaps a 50 pound will be caught during your stay.  I have fished La Zona each year since it opened to sportfishing and it is as good now as the first year I went.  This past January I landed two monster dorado exceeding 50 pounds!  There definately are dorado swimming around exceeding 60 lbs!!!The bookings go fast so act now before it is too late.
The most famous dorado outfitter on the Parana is Matias Pavoni.  I have known Matias and his wife Fany for many years.  Matias was a wonderful guide years ago at La Zona and definately can put you on big dorado.  He has since established his own guiding service and lodging out of the town of Corrientes.

In Southern Argentina in the famous Patagonia Region the best rainbow trout fishing on earth is available.  Jurassic Lake Lodge sits on Lago Strobel where thousands of double digit rainbow trout swim.  You have a decent chance at a rainbow exceeding 20 pounds during your stay.  The season beings in the Argentina Springtime and last until their winter months.  I have fished here numerous times and the fishing has been fantastic.

Argentina has rapidly become my favorite destination worldwide.  The people are very friendly, the beef is world class, and the fishing is beyond belief!  Make sure to spend a few days in Buenos Aires during your visit.
Write me if you need any information on any of the destinations mentioned above and I can put you in touch with the owners of the operations!