sel1005

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=9 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR id=_ctl1_ctlTopic_ctlPanelBar_ctlTopicsRepeater__c tl1_trRow2><TD class=TableCell_Light id=_ctl1_ctlTopic_ctlPanelBar_ctlTopicsRepeater__c tl1_tdPostCell4 vAlign=top width="76%"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=smalltxt vAlign=top><SPAN id=_ctl1_ctlTopic_ctlPanelBar_ctlTopicsRepeater__c tl1_lblFullMessage>I've crossed the Eastern Gulf many times, from Apalachicola to Clearwater and on to the Keys, Bahamas, Tortugas, etc many times, but never the western Gulf.

Looking for advice, experiences on crossing from Pensacola to Venice and fishing out of LA for a bit, then head back. Would like to make this a regular event, but want to learn, what have you seen, whats the good, bad, ugly about this crossing or fishing from Venice??

Happy to share on the other side too, what I've seen on the eastern gulf, where to avoid, where to be sure to go / stay, etc.

Thanks! </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR id=_ctl1_ctlTopic_ctlPanelBar_ctlTopicsRepeater__c tl1_trRow3><TD class=ShwMessageFooter id=_ctl1_ctlTopic_ctlPanelBar_ctlTopicsRepeater__c tl1_tdPostCell5 width="24%">Post #193192 </TD><TD class=ShwMessageFooter id=_ctl1_ctlTopic_ctlPanelBar_ctlTopicsRepeater__c tl1_tdPostCell6><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=smalltxt><INPUT id=_ctl1_ctlTopic_ctlPanelBar_ctlTopicsRepeater__c tl1_imgButPrivateMessages title="Send Private Message..." type=image alt="Send Private Message..." src="http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/fishingforum/Skins/Classic/Images/Contact_PM.gif" border=0 name=_ctl1:ctlTopic:ctlPanelBar:ctlTopicsRepeater: _ctl1:imgButPrivateMessages> <INPUT id=_ctl1_ctlTopic_ctlPanelBar_ctlTopicsRepeater__c tl1_imgButEmail title="Send Email..." type=image alt="Send Email..." src="http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/fishingforum/Skins/Classic/Images/Contact_Email.gif" border=0 name=_ctl1:ctlTopic:ctlPanelBar:ctlTopicsRepeater: _ctl1:imgButEmail> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Captain Woody Woods

we have moved the boat several times to venice from orange beach for the lump season. not positive, but i think it is like 140+ miles. ask freespool, i think he fishes a lot out of venice

Buzzbait

It is right at 120 somethingmiles bouy to bouy from Pensacola Pass to South Pass. Done the run many times. Pick your days and it is no problem.

sel1005

Thanks, anything to watch out for other than the rigs, tanker traffic, etc? Seems to be a pretty busy area with lots of things to dodge but appreciate any advice or thoughts you have. My chips are current as well as charts, but local knowledge or experience is always the best.

I'd like to spend a night or two docked at the marina, ice, land, fuel, all that, and then maybe a night or two offshore around the rigs, maybe even a sword drop or two on drift. Anyone ever done those there?

Only issue I can see is its a long way back up the river for fuel and then back down to come home, but has anyone tried refueling in MS somewhere vs direct back to PNS?

Captain Woody Woods

heck ya especially at night. watch your radar. not trying to take you for an idiot but make sure you know that if you see red lights crossing in front of you, a ship is going from your right to your left. if you see green, he is crossing from your left to the right. stay far behind tug boats offshore...they usually pull their cargo instead of push it like you might see in the ICW.



pa-lenty of swords and tuna to be caught at night off LA

Freespool

If you are running over and not fishing along the way it is shorter to go in Baptiste collete, but if you fish over you will end up somewhere that it is easier to run south pass. As woody said give the tugs a WIDE birth at night because they tow the barge a long way back sometimes out in the open

whatcon

Freespool is correct in his route to Baptiste Collete. Be sure to make the trip during the day. I have seen way too many different type floaters and know too many boats that have gone down from them. I've even seen 12" steel pipe over 300 yards long floating in that area.

This link will give you some good contacts:

http://www.jerrylabella.com/venice_l...na_fishing.htm

Pelagic Tigress

Question for the seasoned pros...when a tug is pulling, can you usually pick the barge up on radar? We have only run at night one time from the rigs to Perdido, and want to make sure we don't have a crash!

bluffman2

that depends on the sea state and the radar...

Capt. Read Nichols

well when a tug is in tow it will have two solid lightsat the stern then whille pulling a barge the barge that is in tow will have just regular nav. lights, and the tug will have one solid yellow light. just stayon 16 and comunicate with the captians out there