I would suggest going to POC... There is a 4 platform rig 9.x miles from the end of the big jetty. I fish that rig a lot and have had luck with Kings, Ling, smacks, bull red (time of year) and small snapper.

Regarding the sharks, yes those rigs are full of sharks. You also end up catching many bonnet head and small black tips. Last summer we caught a hammer head that was about 9', got it to the side of the boat and cut the hook (all on a King rig).

As far as other rigs, If you head SE from the end of the jetty, and go about 10 - 12 miles, you will start running into a bunch of rigs. We fished these last year and I think due to the distance, they are not fished as hard. We were catching 20lb snapper, grouper, ling and kings. We did not see another boat, but I think we counted about 5-8 rigs within sight.

I use this site to get the GPS location data of rigs, you can import the data into Google Maps and then click on each rig. One issue that I have seen is that the data may not be 100% up to date. I think that they list some rigs that may be capped or something like that.

http://www.travelbygps.com/special/gulf/oil_gas_rig_platform.php

Definately, you should buddy boat if you go out to these rigs, since the chances are that you will be issolated. Although I trust my boat, with one engine I will not go out there alone. Nice thing is that at the 9 mile rig, I still have cell phone reception (yes I also have a radio on my boat), so that is always good.

I know the weatherman can't predict this weekend's wind yet but if the current forecast holds. I may be giving those nearest rigs an early shot this saturday.

thank yall so much for the info this weekend for sure ,if it holds will be out ther first thing sat morning , so if u see 2 skiis one yellow and one green thats us ,,hopefully we catch something

Well the forecast is holding. Still not going to be flat though. We will make it sometimes saturday but may stop to drift for trout early and run out saturday afternoon. I have to see what the rest of guys want. We will be in the maroon and white triton with the tall antenna.

we went out little rough , caught one 39inch king then hooked onto a 6ft blacktip , was freakin awesome ,my buddy on other skii had some electrical issue with the skii not starting so had to tow him back ,basically just got out there and had to come right back but all in all was awesome ,buddy lost 2 decent size fish not sure what they were but yea weekend of the 18th gona try it again getting tome rodd holders made and will be set .did u have any luck (a draper ) ??

12 mph winds didn't happen, more like 20. We ran to the POC big jetty and took a look. Decided the beating we would take would not be worth it. Fished around the rocks for a while. Lots of small sharks and not much else. Had about a 20lb bull shark pup. Every cast would catch a sharpnose or bonnet head. Hooked one unstoppable frieght train. Had one rod jerked out of the boat but saved by rod leash. Caught just enough redfish for dinner saturday night. Worked on the boat and installed a new DSC VHF and fixed a couple hatch latches.

Sunday morning was calm....too calm. We ran to south pass to drift for trout. Caught a couple right way from off color green water. Not a breath of wind. Felt a faint breeze from the north and repositioned to drift from that direction. A captn over the VHF said "Looks like we have a norther coming". Wind went from none to 20+ mph from the north in 5 minutes, instantly turned southpass to chocolate. Ran back to POC to drift Bill Days. Not much happening. Lots of boats there though.

brave ....souls....good luck...