Scouting some new holes that I hope to use for rat reds in an upcoming tournament.
This is the 3rd and final trip of fishing some marsh around Delacroix this past week. Like the previous 2 trips, I was able to land a few rats. I was also able to land 2 nice slots and even miss a 3rd. An in-line spinner and an old school grub worm bass lure were the tickets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D15duoTOkg This is the second day of a trip into Delacroix. Like the previous day, the expectation was more rat reds and that was correct. I was mostly using one of my smaller rigs since it helps to emphasize how tough these smaller fish can fight. I did hook into a nice slot so I swapped over to one of my larger rigs after that. There was no need for that since it also bought in a few rats.
I was able to get on a lot of rat reds the other day. I was also lucky to land 1 nice slot. Also lost several on an in-line spinner. I think the hook was to big on that lure for the rats. Most of the hook ups came on an old school Johnson spoon and a vudencork.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRFKG3HG5W4 A few people told me the gators were out in full force around Delacroix. â Itâs the worse weâve seen in years⦠you be careful in dat kayak!â They were not lying! I am used to running across gators but I have never seen so many on a single trip. The good news is that there are gator traps all over the place. Needless to say, I had to dodge a few gators to finally get on some reds. In-line spinner was the key today even though I missed more than I caught. At first I thought I need to replace or sharpen the hook, but then I saw that they were attacking the spinner blade. I swapped over to a spoon without much success. So I went back to the spinner to play the odds since I was getting a strike on every third cast. It turned out to be a fun trip despite all the gators and missing so many fish.
A few highlights of a recent team tournament and the goal was the heaviest weight of 5 specks and 1 slot red. The heaviest weight of both team members would decide the winner. My partner got his 5 specks and 1 slot red. I pride myself in being able to find and catch reds but I am weak in the trout area. On this day I was able to get 5 nice trout, but I couldnât catch a single red. The weight of an average red will usually be a lot more than a few average specks. If I would have caught a red our team would have won or placed 2nd but I couldnât complete the task. The flounder was just a bonus catch!
I lost a nice one and was ready to give up on a very windy, cold, slow and shallow water morning. I kept pushing on and was able to land a nice slot.
Almost a Cajun slam... just couldn't find that legal trout. In hindsight- I really didn't look that hard for the trout.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImRbFmOKvNw Did a little scouting and found little gold submarines all over! A few highlights from my new spot.
A nice, quiet, and peaceful morning in Delacroix, La. is always a good thing. I was fortunate to hook up with a couple of green trout and reds on this brief trip.
I decided to try an area where I never see people fishing. I was shocked to discover that- yes... there are fish here!
A few clips of some heart pounding attempts to catch some tailing reds on a very foggy morning.
Recap of a âCajun Sleigh Rideâ! This one lasted about 10 minutes. It was a nice red that I was able to sight cast to on a very foggy day. I initially thought it was a bit larger than it really was. It turns out that the lure went through its mouth and came out the gill. So it was essentially like fighting a foul hooked fish. Released unharmed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvEwA0LkiN0
My 3rd shakedown cruise on the 2019 Hobie Outback. It turned out to be an extremely windy day. I was lucky enough to grab a couple of nice trout and several small reds. Fighting the wind and current back to the launch was tough but the Outback performed well. I am trying to figure this new yak out, but every trip gives me new ideas to think about before I get it rigged the way I want.
A shout out to PAC Kayak Rentals for hosting Redfish Roundup this past weekend! I was able to pull in 5 fish: 1 undersize, 2 oversize, 1 keeper, and 1 non-species. Many nice stringers were weighed in but the usual heavy hitters stole the show. It was a great time and many thanks to Eddie and Lisa for putting on a great tournament! Here's a few of my highlights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIm7fPqfQIc
A nice, quiet, and peaceful morning in 'da' marsh. First cast and foul hooked a new PB for my smallest speckled trout!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCxvv3XmPW4
Went looking for trout but couldn't catch a single one. I was still lucky to land him even though he and the surf beached my yak.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqlD7aDrWkk
A few hook ups from a lazy Tuesday morning in 'da' marsh before the storms brewed up.
What is that in the beginning? Otters?
There was about 6 of them just popping up and saying high and then go under to only pop up again.
Anyway- post tropical storm Gordon trip. Literally fished for 17 minutes.
The trailing bands from the storm ran me off. But I was lucky to hook up early on and go for a ride!
A few highlights from a quick trip the other morning before the afternoon storms rolled in. Even though the water was dirty, I was still able to sight quite a few fish. Hooked several and spooked a lot more.
Neither.
I would head down hwy 23... just saying!
Mandevillian is correct. You can launch there- just make sure to not trash the area. A lot of people use that spot and tend to leave lots of trash. I fear if it doesn't stop that spot will become off limits.
Or you turn right onto Lakeview Dr. (like you are heading to The Dock) and go to the very end of the road where Vera's used to be. Good spot to launch there also.
Definitely otters.
It's not a secret!
'Seabrook public boat launch'
Stay away when there is a north wind.
It's all about money. If you fish- you should have a license.
People who bank fish are low hanging fruit. LADWF can check a lot of people in a short amount of time without even launching a boat. Does quota ring a bell? It's easy to ticket and gain money if bank fishermen don't have a license. I am good with it- as long as the money is being used for enforcement, search and rescue, resource preservation, research etc...
On the other hand- I wish they would just sit around and write tickets for people littering. They could probably get more money that way.
Nice!
I landed a gafftop last week on a topwater while searching for Jacks out there. That was definitely a first for me.
No.
Years ago it was a boat launch named Tites.
Not sure who owns it now. This past year or two whoever owns it rebuilt a camp there. However, I have never seen them run anyone off or even try to prevent anyone from using it. It really upsets me when I launch there and see trash all over the place. I always try to make it a little cleaner than I found it when I go there. If people keep trashing the place I am pretty sure it will eventually become off limits.
Oh... Danno- congrats on getting back on the water. We need to hook up. I believe I still have your email. I'll shoot ya something next time I go. Actually went looking for Jacks in the Lake this morning. It was to rough and I never even launched.
Thanks! He was 35'. Yeah trying to keep him away from the pilings was tough. I kept telling myself the whole time that if he didn't snap that 12# mono leader he was gonna wrap a pile and that would be it. Luck also helps!
Agree!
Sent ya an email.
Nice!
The road used to be bad. After they finished all the work on the beach last year the road was ok. It's been about 4 months since I have been there but it was ok for a RV then.
Guys- it's a commercial. He's advertising for his products.
Nonetheless- it's great!
I was targeting bass with that set up. After I realized what kind of day it might be, I swapped over to a larger setup.
Nothing but work for me the past 3 months.
Hoping to get out there Thursday.
No. Just looked again and you are correct. Kinda strange.
Caught one a few months ago in the same area and I would swear it was a red but afterwards I thought it was a black drum. Wonder if there is some cross pollination going on out there between blacks n reds? Thanks for pointing that out!
The northshore is really hit and miss when it comes to salt/brackish water fishing. The various interstate ponds usually hold some pretty nice bass. Keep at it... since kayak fishing is a whole different game. Once you get the hang of it you will be hooked. Then for more action head over to Shell Beach, Delacroix, PAC or down Hwy 1.
D@t's a monster! Nice job!
Here's a link to an older post. Scroll thru it and you will find some info about what is private- basically most of the marsh south of Hwy1 from the new toll bridge just about up to the first small bridge and south to the gulf.
https://www.louisianasportsman.com/lpca/index.php?section=reports&event=view&action=full_report&id=182604
The state has a website but I can't find the link. It doesn't work very well but if you play around with it you should be able to find some good info. It might be inside that post.
That's some big ones Proud Pop!