The experience of a few “cool fronts” and we all get excited about fall. We think of turning leaves, the cooler weather, and Halloween’s scary events. Wow, did this year fly by. But in the rush to kick start Q4 of ’09 we often overlook one of Mother Nature’s greatest gifts, THE FISHING.
The tenth month of the calendar year is a messenger for much of our wildlife and fisheries. The light cool fronts that make their way to our state let nature know it is time to prepare for winter. Patterns in the animal and fish world change, and those who want to catch fish in Southeast Louisiana would be wise to do the same.
Avid anglers often speak of transition fishin’ this time of year. A time when fishing hot spots along the coast and just off the coast begin to cool down, and the fishing inside the marsh heats up. The “transition” means a wealth of opportunity for anglers with smaller boats. The protected waters of the state’s interior marshes are a safe haven for the boaters and feeding grounds for fish.
The Louisiana Marsh and the Biloxi Wildlife Management area are basically the same place. So much so that you will often hear it called the Biloxi marsh. This is an area BIGFISH Charters frequents. The winding marsh offers infinite fishing spots. The many canals and ponds provide knowledgeable captains the ability to get away from most of the fishing traffic finding many hot spots that don’t see a tremendous amount of fishing pressure.
Right now is an amazing time to learn this area if you don’t know it already. Almost anywhere you find the basics of fishing (clean moving water, bait, structure) you will find biting fish. Yes, they may be undersized speckled trout, but the action is endless and a great way to teach youngsters how to watch their cork and set the hook. With a little added effort you will find the bigger keeper trout and be on your way to learning the marsh and boxing fish. Of course you can call Team BIGFISH (504) BIG-FISH and I’ll be happy to show you around.
If you know the area, let’s get into where you are most likely to find a box of fish and what to use to get them biting. Coming from Lake Pontchartrain, the Rigolets, or Chef Pass set your heading for Bayou Biloxi. From there you can get into Bayou Magill. On an incoming tide the pond at the end of Bayou Magill will likely have a mixture of trout and reds near the mouth of the pond. From there redfish can be found all along Bayou Biloxi right on down to Brick Lagoon. From there trout are found in scattered schools all along the back of Bayou Grande, Cutoff Lagoon, Pete’s Lagoon and Muscle Bay.
Coming from the Hopedale area, Bayou LaLoutre offers a lot of great opportunities on the way to the same locations. Bayou St. Malo, the two ponds known as Magnolia and Muscelini (a spelling that reveals few Google references or explanations to its origins) and of course the world famous Stump Lagoon.
So you’re on your way; what to look for is now the key. Clean water is likely to top the list. Fish can’t eat your bait if they can’t see it. Whether fish move on or shut down, you will rarely find ‘em biting in chocolate soup. If the water is clean, look for tidal movement. Good moving water will always concentrate feeding schools of fish. So far you may feel like little of the above is new on any level, if so, let’s get to the finer points of finding fish in this area.
A lack of tropical weather has left a smorgasbord of bait in the water. Storm minnows, cacaho minnows, shrimp, crab, mullett, pogie (shiners) and more fill the marshes. So when you approach any area that seems to have the right conditions, take time to examine the water’s surface. Just a few seconds of looking over the area will likely reveal fish attempting to feed. Mullet scatter, shrimp jump clear out of the water repeatedly, shiners will give the water surface a shimmer or nervous look. There are often many signs of feeding that most anglers leave unnoticed.
Now that you are where you want to be and see good signs of feeding fish; what will be the most productive tackle? While there are endless possibilities, live bait under a cork is probably the universal answer. Plastic baits on a jighead are also productive, BUT if you are going to use artificial the Berkley Gulp will work above all else. Don’t take my word, try it and see for yourself.
As long as there is no major weather event, the fishing should remain like this through the end of the year. If, by chance, you are looking for a late season fishing event to attend, I want to tell you about one important to me.
November 20th, you are invited to attend the 1st annual “Who Do You Love Inshore Invitational” at the Breton Sound Marina in Hopedale. The event will be a small fishing rodeo dedicated to all lost loved ones who loved the outdoors. A great fishing rodeo is planned with food and music as well as prizes. The Louisiana Wish To Fish Foundation will take underprivileged children fishing on that weekend, and we plan more announcements in the coming days. Many of you may remember Capt. Barry Brechtel, and my hope is for the event to be a fun way to keep his memory alive as well as the memory others may have of family and friends who loved the Sportsman’s Paradise. If you would like to take part in the event, or want to help out, give Team BIGFISH a shout either by phone (504) BIG-FISH or email CT3@theBIGFISH.net. I invite you to a fun event with a purpose.