1st time marsh fishing question

I’ve moved to Louisiana about two years ago. I’m not looking for anyone’s honey holes but just looking for some direction. I’m looking to to go fishing in an marsh area that may possibly be somewhat protected if the wind picks up. I’m fishing out of a small boat so I really don’t want to get to far from a boat ramp just in case. I’ve read that starting near shell beach wouldn’t be too bad but I’m just not sure. If anyone has any direction that would be great. Remember I’m not looking for honey holes just an area that’s not to crazy to explore.

Get a few good and updated satellite maps and some areas to start with providing some very good marsh fishing would be the Hopdale/Shell Beach area as well as the Delacroix Marsh.There are probably plenty of reds in protected marsh and I am certain a trip down the Back Levee Canal out of the Hopedale Marina should lead ya to some nice reds and one very good spot happens to be just across Bayou LaLoutre almost a stone's throw from the Launch,believe it or not.I know of some yak fishermen who do very well fishing near the Dam and check it out.I am headed to Delacroix this Friday and we will be seeking reds with fly rods!!Good luck!!

Mandevillian

Not sure where you have fished before but the marsh is all about the tides. For small boats the falling tides are best as fish will be concentrated at cuts and drains in the marsh. Rising tides are great on the outside but a bit more challenging on the inside. On a rising tide for small water focus on where the cuts and small bayous feed into the ponds from main bayous and any bottlenecks between ponds. Shell Beach will mean crossing the MRGO and/or running it to get to most fishing spots. Hopedale and Delacroix have more abundant 'protected' water spots. aerial maps are a good bet, pick a named bayou then fish the drains leading into it from ponds on a falling tide with either live shrimp or Gulp lures on a jig head under a popping cork and you should catch some reds, come fall you will also catch specks and bass are often around too. If there isn't much tide troll grass lines and cast spinner baits for reds. Once you learn to run the marsh you can start to fish bigger bays and areas further from the launch with the knowledge that shelter is usually not too far away should weather worsen. Keep in mind that winds with an Easterly component will exaggerate the rising tides while west winds especially in winter will drop water levels considerably. Make a note of water levels at the dock and water depths where you fish each trip and realize that places you may catch fish one day may be mud flats another if the wind shifts. Keep moving and look for moving water and bait and you will figure it out. Good luck!

Just wanted to say Welcome too the Marshes of South Eastern La. , don’t know how small of a boat you got , but a word of caution, always let some one know where you are going, either a family member or launch operator, Good Luck 🍀 🧙‍♂️

I grew up fishing the Delacroix area and it is becoming more and more popular for kayak fishing. Everyone?s advise is spot on and I would add that looking for clear water will help with the reds and bass. You will catch them in murky water but they seem to be more concentrated in the clear stuff. Sometimes it?s best to cover some area without making many cast at a good pace at locate reds by the definitive V wake they push. When you see a couple of these big wakes you know they are in that area. This may help you from wasting time in unproductive locations. Last I would recommend a TALL HIGH VISIBILITY FLAG on your yak to let boaters know you are there. Not everyone driving a boat out there pays enough attention to what may be around a bend. Good luck!

All the replies so far are spot on and I agree with them 100%. I gave up motor boat fishing years ago and made the transition to kayak fishing. It took awhile to get the hang of it but once I did I found that I enjoy it more than motor boat fishing. Less maintenance, less money, and believe it or not I am catching more fish. As for spots they are endless. Just read through the archives of reports. Don't pay much attention to the reports from guides and focus more on the regular reports.

Travel to Delacroix and put in at Sweetwater Marina. If Capt Jack is there, he'll give you some guidance. Due west of where you put in is a great place to fish inside. Get a map of the Delacroix area and fish the canals coming out of the small lakes and duck ponds on a falling tide. Tide data is essential.

Have fun and welcome to the Louisiana marshes!

Thanks to all of your responses I believe I shall have a good trip when I do go out later this month.