Jordan Lee adds salt to diet

Hungry for a new fishing experience, back-to-back Classic champ Jordan Lee decided to spend a weekend between Elite Series events targeting offshore saltwater species. “I’ve fished in the ocean a little bit, but mainly for redfish and snook. I’ve never truly been offshore in a big boat and hooked into something that weighs as much as I do,” the Alabama native admits. “The folks at Lowrance found out about my interest in doing this and hooked me up with a Simrad charter captain in Venice, Louisiana (Voodoo Fishing Charters).” Here is a look at Lee’s day fighting giants of the salt.<br><br>The ride out of Venice Marina was gorgeous. Seas were calm, which eased Lee’s fears of potential seasickness.
Hungry for a new fishing experience, back-to-back Classic champ Jordan Lee decided to spend a weekend between Elite Series events targeting offshore saltwater species. “I’ve fished in the ocean a little bit, but mainly for redfish and snook. I’ve never truly been offshore in a big boat and hooked into something that weighs as much as I do,” the Alabama native admits. “The folks at Lowrance found out about my interest in doing this and hooked me up with a Simrad charter captain in Venice, Louisiana (Voodoo Fishing Charters).” Here is a look at Lee’s day fighting giants of the salt.The ride out of Venice Marina was gorgeous. Seas were calm, which eased Lee’s fears of potential seasickness.
Lee is used to seeing bass boats and pleasure boats during the run to his first spot. However, passing a shrimp boat trawling in the distance was a new experience.
Lee is used to seeing bass boats and pleasure boats during the run to his first spot. However, passing a shrimp boat trawling in the distance was a new experience.
Not your typical flipping sticks. Big fish require big gear, and this arsenal would be Lee’s weapons for the day.
Not your typical flipping sticks. Big fish require big gear, and this arsenal would be Lee’s weapons for the day.
Before heading out, the captain ran across a school of menhaden and had his mate throw a cast net. “Can’t win the war if you run out of bullets,” he said.
Before heading out, the captain ran across a school of menhaden and had his mate throw a cast net. “Can’t win the war if you run out of bullets,” he said.
After watching the 16-foot net spread perfectly, Lee was asked if he’d like to give it a try. “Nope, I’m good!” was the quick response.
After watching the 16-foot net spread perfectly, Lee was asked if he’d like to give it a try. “Nope, I’m good!” was the quick response.
Upon arrival to the first rig, which sat in about 150 feet of water, Lee hooks up immediately.
Upon arrival to the first rig, which sat in about 150 feet of water, Lee hooks up immediately.
The first fish is a giant mangrove snapper. “Man, these are much harder to flip in the boat than a bass!” Lee admits.
The first fish is a giant mangrove snapper. “Man, these are much harder to flip in the boat than a bass!” Lee admits.
“This looks and fights like a smallmouth on steroids!”
“This looks and fights like a smallmouth on steroids!”
Lee learns quickly that you do not lip snapper.
Lee learns quickly that you do not lip snapper.
Because they have serious teeth.
Because they have serious teeth.
Lee gets a vicious hit on the surface and the fish is definitely not a snapper. When he gets it to the boat, he learns that a barracuda was responsible.
Lee gets a vicious hit on the surface and the fish is definitely not a snapper. When he gets it to the boat, he learns that a barracuda was responsible.
And the teeth on a barracuda make the snapper teeth look like child’s play.
And the teeth on a barracuda make the snapper teeth look like child’s play.
At this point in the day, this barracuda represents the biggest fish Lee has ever landed.
At this point in the day, this barracuda represents the biggest fish Lee has ever landed.
Now it’s time to get serious. The Voodoo boat has moved out to 350 feet and upped the game. This size circle hook cannot be found inside Lee’s Ranger.
Now it’s time to get serious. The Voodoo boat has moved out to 350 feet and upped the game. This size circle hook cannot be found inside Lee’s Ranger.
It doesn’t take long to get bit after dropping the bait down about 150 feet. This photo was taken about 15 minutes into the fight.
It doesn’t take long to get bit after dropping the bait down about 150 feet. This photo was taken about 15 minutes into the fight.
Lee is getting the fish closer. The captain can see the fish hooked fish about 50 feet below the boat.
Lee is getting the fish closer. The captain can see the fish hooked fish about 50 feet below the boat.
Lee brings aboard a giant amberjack.
Lee brings aboard a giant amberjack.
Also known as a reef donkey, this particular AJ weighs in at over 70 pounds, easily taking over Lee’s personal best.
Also known as a reef donkey, this particular AJ weighs in at over 70 pounds, easily taking over Lee’s personal best.
Taking a break after landing the giant AJ, Lee looks at the Simrad unit showing an incredible amount of fish hanging around the rig.
Taking a break after landing the giant AJ, Lee looks at the Simrad unit showing an incredible amount of fish hanging around the rig.
After a brief rest, Lee is at it again. He hooks another fish hovering around the 150-foot mark.
After a brief rest, Lee is at it again. He hooks another fish hovering around the 150-foot mark.
Another big amberjack!
Another big amberjack!
This console of the big offshore boat offers a little more room for electronics than does a bass rig.
This console of the big offshore boat offers a little more room for electronics than does a bass rig.
The big Yellowfin sportfishing boat of Voodoo Fishing Charters has three Yamaha 350s hanging off the back. “Man, I thought 250 horsepower was kind of a big deal. Feeling the power of 1050 HP is awesome!” Lee says.
The big Yellowfin sportfishing boat of Voodoo Fishing Charters has three Yamaha 350s hanging off the back. “Man, I thought 250 horsepower was kind of a big deal. Feeling the power of 1050 HP is awesome!” Lee says.
Pulling back in to Venice Marina, Lee has sore arms and the memory of landing his biggest fish ever.
Pulling back in to Venice Marina, Lee has sore arms and the memory of landing his biggest fish ever.
A pile of mangrove snapper and enormous amberjack fill the fish cart.
A pile of mangrove snapper and enormous amberjack fill the fish cart.
“Now that I’ve had a good taste of this saltwater deal, I will be coming back!” Lee promises.
“Now that I’ve had a good taste of this saltwater deal, I will be coming back!” Lee promises.