I need some help with locations around Slidell, Shell Beach, or Hopedale to take my kids fishing. They are 8 and 11, boy and girl respectively. I donââ¬â¢t need to catch trout. I just want to catch something, and preferably not all hardheads. Some hardheads are okay though. The kids are happy with pretty much anything right now. We went today in the Rigolets. It was quite windy and I had no idea what to do to catch fish with two kids who are just figuring out how to cast. We caught two stingrays. Each kid caught one and enjoyed it, but they were pretty bored. Iââ¬â¢d like to be able to take them somewhere where they have more action and catch a little something for the table. Iââ¬â¢m not real picky, but I wonââ¬â¢t eat hardheads or gafftop sails. Drum, sheepshead, white trout, or even ground mullet are okay by me. I just need something to tug on their lines and get fried up. Thanks
I hunted Big Branch Saturday 10/28 southwest of the Monique Rd. Access point. I saw no deer or hogs. I did see a little bobcat and a few squirrels. I saw very few acorns in my scouting after I got down from my stand. So far this year I have only seen one deer this year. I bumped a doe walking it in the dark opening morning. I've seen some pig droppings, and a few squirrels each trip. I've hunted twice prior to Saturday. I would like to thank the gentlemen who replied to my forum post. Deer hunting in Big Branch has turned out to be challenging. I enjoy some aspects of that. I wish I had the time to really scout the area a thoroughly as I would like. I'll post reports periodically if I see anything worth noting.
I am hunting in Big Branch for deer and hogs. I hunted several times last year. I tend to stay in the western section of the NWR. So far I have seen one deer in all my hunts (Opening morning, in the dark walking to my stand) and a bunch of pig sign. I have seen a reasonable number of squirrels for those interested. I could use some help as I feel like I am a bit clueless hunting this particular habitat. I have scouted out some areas with decent oak trees, Swamp Chestnut Oaks (Cow Oaks), live oaks, and various red oaks with decent visibility. I haven't found many acorns on the ground. Can anyone provide guidance on the deer and hog patterns in the area. What food sources seem to be used and when? I have another place to hunt in MS, but I want to harvest a couple of deer close to home and save my quota of deer at the other location for guests and new hunters I'm trying to introduce to the sport. I would really like to kill a hog as I have never killed one. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
Itââ¬â¢s been 10 years but I used to catch some Rio Grande Cichlids at the end of Generes Dr. in Harahan.
Gentlemen,
I have a question on hip waders. Do you feel they offer a real advantage in Big Branch? I typically wear knee boots. My experience with Big Branch has been that the mud is so soft that there's little advantage to hip waders. If I went where the mud was that deep then the walking was too dangerous to be carrying a climbing stand. Has your experience been different?
Interesting, I'll see what I can do to check those areas out. Thanks for the input.
I really appreciate the response. I don't have as much time as I would like to scout, but I do what I can. I have generally tried to follow the approach you mentioned. My scouting has taken me to the edge of the large timber/ marsh and I have followed the edge noting locations with good oak trees (swamp Chestnut oaks, live oaks, and various red oaks) with reasonable visibility. I am trying to use a climbing stand. I am trying to find locations as close to the marsh as possible where I can climb and achieve reasonable visibility (30 yards). So far I have only seen one deer that I walked up on in the dark opening day. I did see a little bobcat this past Saturday. I have not seen many acorns yet. Can you tell be when to expect them to fall? I found just a few swamp Chestnut oak acorns and a few from red oaks. Do you know when the various species drop their acorns?
Are there any signs I should pay particular attention to, Acorns on the ground, deer droppings, etc. I am not hunting for bucks. I would prefer a doe or a hog if I had my choice due to my family's preference in table fare. I am really hunting Big Branch because it is close to home, and I want to save my deer at my lease in MS for guests/newer hunters. If I can figure out the right habitat to hunt and sign to look for it would help a bunch. I really appreciate the assistance and any advice.
Thanks Gentlemen, I appreciate the insight. What I did when I took the kids was anchor up current of the train bridge a little west of the main Rigolets pass where the pearl mixes in. I was trying to get a bait under the bridge near the pilings. Iââ¬â¢ll track down the pass you mentioned and keep half moon key in mind for calm days. I like shell beach as well. Two friends and I took kayaks out of Campoââ¬â¢s a few years ago. We caught a few legal reds, some small trout, some bass, and the. We stumped into a school of bull reds right where Bayou Yscloskey hits MRGO. We lost most of them to obstructions on the bottom, but one of my buddies did boat one close to 30 lbs after a fun ride and interesting looks from power boaters. My only concern with Campoââ¬â¢s is avoiding the crowd. I have to launch by myself with no help and I hate slowing down everybody else. Good info, Thanks