Port Aransas January Deep Sea Fishing Forecast
Happy New Year everyone! As promised in last month’s forecast, I will get a little more in depth on the long range tuna trips, but first let me cover what you can expect on a regular day trip out of Port Aransas in January. This time of year, I recommend that the clients book a 10 -12 hour trip in order to get into some of the better game fish. The cold fronts have pushed the warmer water out to about 35 miles and that is where the best fishing starts. Due to the natural contour of the shelf, the warmer water(about 70 degrees)will stay around 50 fathoms all winter, but moves in and out according to currents and wind direction. When this warmer water moves into structure such as the Baker rocks and rigs, Southern rig (cut-off) or the Aransas Bank, the wahoo bite can be outstanding. The wahoo will school up during the winter months around the structure and are usually targeted first thing in the morning by trolling Russell lures, Rapalas and ballyhoo. Mutliple hookups of fish averaging over 40 pounds is the norm. The bite usually shuts off after an hour or two, but check back later for an afternoon bite. Once the bite shuts off, the boats will go after some amberjack, kingfish, sharks or maybe some blackfin tuna around the rocks or any nearby shrimp boat. Make sure you have a rig setup for some big Makos that show up while you are fighting your own fish. When you bring in half of a 40 pound wahoo or a blackfin head, it is usually a mako that is the culprit.
For the more adventurous, an overnight trip to the floating rigs located better than 100 miles offshore may be for you. Most of the boats plan on at least 24 hours to get out there and take advantage of the daytime trolling for wahoo, dolphin, tuna and billfish, but it is the night time yellowfin tuna bite that everyone pines for. These deep water rigs are lit up during the night and along with being the only structure within 50 miles or more, acts as a fish cafeteria. It is usually not if the fish are going to bite but when. The amount of blackfin tuna will wear you out, but the 60-80 pound yellowfin tuna will keep you fishing. The common techniques to catch the yellowfin are jigging, chumming, casting topwaters or live baiting. Starting off by jigging is normally the way to go, that way you can get catch some fish and start chumming. Sometimes it may take a few hour of chumming to attract the yellowfin. Do not worry if the boat drifts a few miles off of the rig while chumming, if you have blackfin behind the boat, the yellowfin will most likely eventually show up.
If the tuna are crashing the surface, then start to throw some topwater plugs to them. There is nothing quite like a triple digit yellowfin blowing up behind your lure. If the tuna are crashing bait, it is most likely flying fish. These flying fish are candy to the tuna, and you should have a long dip net or cast net ready to catch any flyers that come into the lights behind your boat. Free line a flyer and hold on, it will not take long for it to get slammed.
If you happen to be fortunate to go on a long range trip, it is extremely important that you are prepared. Make sure that you have the correct tackle and equipment for the different types of fishing. Make sure that you have enough ice for fish that you keep. Make sure that you give somebody your float plan, or tag along with a buddy boat. Make sure the boat is in excellent condition for a trip like this, it will be tested. Make sure the weather window is large enough for your trip. Finally, make sure you have a fun time, that is what it is all about.
As always, be safe and have fun!
Get Hooked Up!
