There are a number of species of tuna worldwide. Some of the tuna we encounter off the Gulf Coast are blackfin, yellowfin, big eye, and giant bluefin. Yellowfin is by far the most popular species in the group. We often catch blackfin and occasionally find a big eye. However, giant bluefin, which can weigh in excess of 1,000 pounds, are rarely seen. Yellowfin can be caught almost year-round, in a variety of environs and depths ranging from 150 to a staggering 10,000 feet.

It’s not uncommon to catch 100-pound tuna any month of the year. Typically, though, the biggest tuna, from 150 to more than 200 pounds are caught between October and March. Like many other species of fish, they gravitate toward any structure, either natural or manmade, or where there’s an abundance of baitfish. Some of the more popular structure are oilrigs and drill ships between 50 and 100 miles offshore. There are thousands of these platforms off the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. And it’s no coincidence that this is where most tuna and many other species are caught.

Veteran offshore anglers have long known that some rigs historically produce more tuna than others. Then, there are other oilrigs in remote areas that few people know about. Over the years, we’ve marked more than a thousand of these areas. There are also extremely productive natural structures that can’t be seen from the surface. These include steep shelves, reefs, wrecks, and salt domes. Salt domes are veritable mountains that rise hundreds of feet from the seafloor and hold monster tuna, wahoo, reef fish, mako shark, grouper, amberjack, snapper, king mackerel, and many other species.

By far, the most well-known salt dome is the Midnight Lump. Located approximately 20 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River, “The Lump” draws large numbers of boats and anglers during peak season. Most will anchor near the top of Tuna Mountain and raise the tuna from the depths by tossing chum or cut bait overboard. Soon monstrous tuna are racing through chum slicks just a few feet off the bow of your boat. The sensation is like hand-feeding 150-pound fish in a giant aquarium. Soon, rods bend, reels scream, and hearts pound. The tuna is a remarkable creature that packs a fight unlike any other species in the Gulf.

In peak season, I don’t believe there’s any place in the world as productive as the Midnight Lump. But it can get crowded. Fortunately, there are more of these underwater salt domes nearby. They get few visits from other anglers, because not many people know where they are. We do.

A number of methods can be used to catch tuna. Some of these include slow trolling plugs or live baits, chumming, dropping diamond jigs, rigged natural baits with kites, or sight-casting to schools of feeding tuna with topwater plugs. There is nothing more exciting than watching the water explode as a 100-pound yellowfin engulfs a topwater bait.

Whatever method you decide to use to catch tuna, expect the thrill and fight of a lifetime.