While about to leave the house for a 'roughing it' weekend in Grand Isle of fishing the bridge at night and bank fishing during the day as my brother and I often do, we got an unexpected invite from Bud Guidry to fish for red snappers aboard Dean Blanchard's 28 foot Sea Fox. My first trip for snapper and my brother's first offshore trip ever and it was totally awsome! We limited on big snapper, caught and released sharks, and my brother caught a nice grouper. Best fishing trip ever!
We met at the dock just after daybreak and loaded our rods and stuff on the boat, everybody took a seat and we were off. As the boat rounded the east end of Grand Isle, we could see a couple thunderstorms, but the waves were not bad and the storms never came close to getting us. Bud told Dean where to go, and he put the boat into the wind. Don't ask where we were, because all I know is that we headed in a 'generally southern' direction.
About an hour later, we pulled up at a rig in a couple hundred feet of blue, clear water and started fishing. We caught a few small snapper and I caught a shark about 4 1/2 feet long. After a little of that, Bud told Dean to head to another rig, and we picked up our lines for about a 10 minute trip to our next stop (also our last stop). We immediately started cranking up 20 pound snapper and never slowed until all 8 people in the boat had their limit of 2 each. My brother fought a 5 foot shark to the boat, to be released, then he caught a nice grouper.
One of the boats fishing nearby had a large snapper break the line by the boat and it was floating away on top the water so one of the deckhands on our boat jumped in (in about 300 feet of water), retrieved it and returned it to the other boat. The entire crew on board were great and Dean Blanchard himself had us in stitches with the stories and jokes he was telling. Bud passed on a few tricks from the old days on how to catch the bigger snapper and avoid the smaller ones. There were several fish hooked that we didn't even get to see because we could not get them to come up. One guy fought a fish for aver 30 minutes and never got it up enough to see it, eventually breaking the line.
Bud Guidry knows how to find them, how to catch them, and how to have a great time doing it!
My brother had never been offshore fishing before and is calling this trip 'the trip of a lifetime'. I have fished offshore years ago, but never that far out, and never caught snapper before. This was a totally unexpected, totally awesome trip and my brother and I can not thank Bud Guidry or Dean Blanchard enough.

It's been a few months since I hit the bridge for some trout and reds. My grandfather has not fished saltwater for about the past 10 years but wants to go fish the bridge for some white trout now that it's cooled off a bit. Does anyone know if the white trout are still hitting on the old fishing bridge?

I learned that a 14 year old boy drowned today near the Des Allemands public boat launch. No details, but a tragedy no less. PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR LIFE VESTS AT ALL TIMES ON THE WATER!!! No parent should outlive their child. May God be with the family of that young child.

Went fishing in Grand Isle with my brother Brian and his buddy Louie Saturday through Sunday (about 20 hours of nonstop fishing). We each caught a redfish, mine was about 30 inches, Louie's was about 40, Brian's was only 18 (maybe, LOL). Only 2 keeper specks (countless throwbacks), but I have enough white trout to stock my freezer for the next few months I think. Not going to count them, probably around 250 or so. ANOTHER KILLER TRIP!!!

After I posted about my last fishing trip to the Grand Isle bridge, I visited my grandfather and was telling him about the trip and how the fish turned on around 3:30 am. He then proceeded to tell me why!!! He asked if the moon was bright that night when I arrived, and I said yes it was. He then asked if it was still bright when the fish started biting, to which I replied that I hadn't paid attention. He instructed me to find out when the 'moon set' time was, and assured me that the fish started biting after the moon had set. When I looked it up, the moon set time was 2:45 am. He told me that on a bright moon, the fish will bite under the lights best after the moon sets!! He was completely correct. I had no doubt that he was right because he has been fishing for over 80 years, and fished Grand Isle for many of those years. So at 37 years old, I am still learning how to fish a place I have fished since I was a kid, from an old timer who will probably never have the time to teach me everything he knows.
So in closing, if an old man tries to give you info on an area you know like the back of your hand, LISTEN TO HIM!!! I am lucky to still have my grandfather in my life at this point, and hope he is here for years to come (his father, my great grandfather, lived to be 104, and his mother, my great grandmother, lived to be 105). I know the day will come when I have to say goodbye, but I want to learn as much from him as I can. Thanks for everything you have done and taught me Grandpa!!

My brother and I made another trip to fish the bridge in Grand Isle Saturday night. We arrived around 8 pm and started fishing for trout and reds. There were some friends of my brother there and we met up with Scott (nightfisher) and a couple of his friends out there, so we were in good company. We did not catch any reds, but there were some caught by others that night. Around 330 am the trout finally turned on and it was absolutely crazy as I swung two at a time over the rail until around 8 am, while my brother took a nap. There is some bad news to this story though. A guy fishing next to us was packing up to leave and noticed that his bullred had been stolen, then my brother noticed that his dropnet was also gone. A few minutes later, his buddy noticed he had a fishing pole missing. There was a thief on the bridge that night and we are pretty sure we know who it was. We don't know them but we will remember the face and we will be watching him close if he is there next time so I sure hope (for his sake) he can run fast if he tries to do it again. It's hard to believe that it happened right behind our backs, and nobody noticed, but I guess there are people like that just about everywhere you go. Just remember buddy, EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY!!!
Total count:
4 specs (most were too small to keep)
96 white trout
8 channel mullet
Shiney Hineys was the bait of choice (even over the Berkley Gulps!!!)

My brother and I made another trip Saturday night to fish the bridge in Grand Isle. This time we arrived a bit earlier in hopes of beating the crowd there. We picked our spot and started fishing and just as the sun went down, the trout started hitting slowly. As soon as it started picking up, in comes the sharks to put an end to it. There were sharks and bull reds being hooked and caught all night (most of the sharks got away). That was the routine all night. A few trout, then the sharks would run them off. Sometime during the night, a rocket scientist showed up at the bridge in a nice bay boat, using his big motor to come about 20 feet from the bridge and running over several fishing lines. Then he gets mad when people told him he was over their lines and hit the gas making a loop in front of the bridge stirring up the water and messing up the fishing again. He took off with a line in his prop and peeling line from the guys reel as he left. A little while later, in comes another boat but at least he was only drifting. He also ended up over our lines, but at least had enough class to ease his way out when he realized it. We ended up with about 12 white trout and 2 bull reds. Some sharks out there were about 6 or 7 feet long (mostly blacktips but I did see 1 bull shark). Trout were caught on double rigged shiney hineys and reds and sharks were biting on BIG cut bait or whole small white trout or mullet. Crabs were EVERYWHERE!!! It's amazing that the crowd of people fishing from the bridge can get along even with all the tangled lines that we had, but the people in the boat (who could go fish anywhere) had to act like they did.
To the guy in the bay boat, you better go pull your prop and make sure all of that 100 # power pro came out of your lower unit before it messes it up. You peeled off about 100 yards from the reel and the guy only got back about 40 of it. We still had a good time, but it could have been better.

My brother is itching for us to make another trip to Grand Isle this weekend to fish the bridge at night (probably Saturday night). I'm just not sure how it's going to be because of the storm that just passed and was wondering if anyone could tell me if they think it would be worth the trip. I'm not looking to fill the ice chest, but I do want to at least catch some fish. Can someone tell me if the rain and high, rough seas would mess up night fishing at the Camanada Bay bridge by Saturday night or not?

In my last post (May 9 /10 trip) (can be found in the June mag on page 210), I left Grand Isle wondering how bad the oil spill was going to affect things around there and how long it would be before I would be able to fish there again. When it was announced that fishing was again open, I was more than ready to go, but had other obligations to take care of first. Well, I finally got my chance. As my brother Brian was fishing Sunset Pier Saturday, and I was trying to find something worth watching on TV, we decided to make a trip down to Grand Isle to fish the bridge that night. There was very little tide range but I still was not deterred. We arrived at Bridgeside Marina just before dark, got some Ice and headed to the mainland side of the bridge to fish. We each had brought along a heavy rod and reel for (hopefully) bull reds. The bridge was a little crowded but we managed to get a spot close to a light and started fishing. The tide was coming in and there were a few fish under the lights. It started slow until my brother hooked into a HUGE bull red that managed to break his 9/0 hook at the bridge to get away. Everyone who saw it was saying that it had to be a record fish (it looked to be about 5 feet long). I guess my luck must run in the family. We started catching trout around 01:00 and managed to put 4 specs, 12 white trout and 1 channel mullet in the box before morning. There were about 10 bull reds caught that night by others out there. They were using whole white trout for bait. Just as morning came Brian caught a blacktip shark about 12 pounds or so (released after a couple quick pics). It was a great feeling just being there and there was a nice light breeze all night keeping us cool and comfortable. I was also glad to see a deputy patrolling the bridge even though there were no problems. Most of the specs caught were too small to keep, but we had a great time and made it home safe. Trout were caught on tandem Gulp baitfish casted away from the lights and slowly retrieved. One thing I had never seen before was thousands of 4 inch sailcats feeding under the lights on the surface. No way was I dropping a shrimp into that. Can’t wait to go back!!

Latest news:
LMRP Containment Operation Deployed. BP announced today that oil and gas is being received onboard the Discoverer Enterprise following the successful placement of a containment cap on top of the Deepwater Horizon's failed blow-out preventer (BOP). This follows the cutting and removal of the riser pipe from the top of the BOP's lower marine riser package (LMRP)
found on http://www.bp.com/bodycopyarticle.do?categoryId=1&contentId=7052055

Now let's all pray that it keeps working, that it works well enough, and that BP starts getting our coast back to normal!!!!!

BP can only be held legally responsible for $75,000,000 for this spill. There is a law that caps liability for Big Oil companies at 75 million dollars and I guess we have to pick up the rest. BP has said that they will ignore the cap and pay whatever it takes, but that will have to be seen when the time comes. If they do not completely cover all costs, I for one will never put another cent into their pocket.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100524/pl_nm/us_oil_rig_liability

Left out Sunday night late after confirming that inshore fishing was still open. Made it to Bridgeside Marina around 01:00 Monday morning. Went out to the bridge on the mainland side and dropped a Berkley Gulp into the water for it to be immediately inhaled by a FREIGHT-TRAIN!!! Never seen it, couldn't stop it, tightened down on drag to horse it because I was afraid it would go around the pylons. Never in my life have I ever been afraid my Ugly Stick was gonna break, but at that moment, I truly thought the handle was gonna snap off, and I was gonna punch myself in the mouth with the broken end. I had the drag all it would go and this fish would still take line when it wanted to go, It never came up and eventually, my 60# superbraid popped, and I almost landed on my backside. Seems like the biggest one always gets away. Anyway, Scott (Nightfisher) and I proceeded to put 20 nice trout in the box along with about 6 sheephead and a few white trout, before morning. After Breakfast at Bridgeside marina, we headed to Fourchon to try fishing a couple inshore spots there. Were run off by the port commission who lied to us saying that all fishing was closed south of I-10. YEA RIGHT!!
After heading back to Bridgeside where we had reservations for Monday night, and talking to Buggy, 3 JPSO's, and LDWF, decided to stay the night. Bridgeside Marina decided not to hold anyone to the 30 day cancellation period because of the oil spill and were very good to us the entire time we were there. Monday afternoon, we fished across the street from the Marina, and caught a few more before dark. At dark, we again hit the bridge but the wind was about 30 mph the water was dirty. We could see some shrimp under the lights, but nothing was hitting them. We ended up with 11 trout total Monday afternoon and night.
Most fish were caught on chartreuse Shiney Hiney 18 inches under a cigar float. Watched them stretch out oil absorbent boom in Camanada pass, greeted the news crews from ABC 26, and a few others. There were even news crews from Texas there. We slept very well in the room at Bridgeside, had a great breakfast from their in store deli and checked out. Made it home safe about 11:00 this morning and took another nap. Back to work now and wondering when I will be able to go back to Grande Isle, the place I grew up fishing.

St. CHARLES PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
CIVILIAN RANGE DATES
The St. Charles Parish Range will be open to the public for shooting RIFLES
ONLY. The dates are listed below.
The following range rules shall be followed.

Report to the firearms instructor prior to removing any weapons from the
vehicles.

Weapons are to be transported to the range in a suitable transportation device.

No weapons will be brought to the range in a loaded condition.

All Safety and Liability Forms must be filled out and signed prior to firing.

No one under the age of 17 will be allowed to shoot on the range without
supervision of a parent or guardian. A parent or guardian must sign the liability
form.

Proper identification is required to present to the firearms instructors.

All participants are required to bring their own;
- targets,
- safety glasses,
- hearing protection
- ammunition, and
- staples and staple gun
Range hours will be 8 am – 11 am and 12 noon – 4 pm. Ted Adams can be
contacted at (504) 201-5222 for any other questions or further information.
Range dates for 2009:
Oct. 24 and 31
Greg Champagne
Sheriff

Taken from http://www.stcharlessheriff.org/pr/p1256132497.pdf

Read all the way to the fines!!! Then decide if it is worth it.

ALLIGATOR HUNTERS CITED IN ST. MARTIN PARISH
Release Date: 10/13/2009

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited four subjects on Sept. 29 for alleged violations of the Federal Endangered Species Act and Lacey Act in St. Martin Parish.

While working in the Atchafalaya Basin, agents Jason Romero and Ryan Faul heard a gun shot near an area known for alligator hunting. Upon making contact with the hunters, agents noticed that the hunters were in possession of a freshly killed untagged alligator nearly 11 feet in length.

After further investigation, agents learned that Alberta Melani, 60, and Morris Melani Jr.,51, of Big Lake, Alaska were participating in a paid hunt guided by Clint Martinez, 42, and Mike Martinez, 45, of Plaquemine. Agents seized the untagged alligator and also determined it was taken on property the guides and hunters did not have permission to hunt.

The fine for violation of the Endangered Species Act is up to $50,000, or imprisonment for up to six months or both. The fine for violation of the Lacy Act is up to $100,000, or imprisonment for up to one year or both.

Agents participating in the case were Senior Agents Jason Romero, Ryan Faul, Jerry Stassi and Jason Marks. Circumstances surrounding the taking of the alligator are still under investigation.

For more information, contact Lt. Col Keith LaCaze at 225-765-2469 or klacaze@wlf.la.gov. 2009-303
Taken from http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/?id=1543

PEOPLE, THERE IS A CLASSIFIED SECTION FOR A REASON!!! STOP PUTTING THAT STUFF HERE!!!!! THANK YOU.

L.W.F.C. APPROVES REGULATIONS FOR ELMER'S ISLAND REFUGE
Release Date: 10/01/2009

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission today approved visitor regulations for public use of Elmer's Island Wildlife Refuge. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) proposed the formal regulations at the commission's monthly meeting.

Elmer's Island is the state's newest wildlife refuge, located on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico across Caminada Pass from Grand Isle in Jefferson Parish.

LDWF's Enforcement Division will enforce the following regulations, effective Oct. 1, 2009:

1. Use of the refuge will be permitted from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. This includes any land access routes to the refuge. No person or vehicle shall remain on the refuge or any land access routes during the period from 30 minutes after official sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

2. No person shall possess any glass bottles, glass drink containers or other glass products.

3. No person shall enter onto or be on the grounds of the refuge during a restricted access period; or alternatively shall do so only in accordance with restrictions set forth by the Secretary.

4. No person shall commercially fish, conduct any guiding service, hunt, pursue, kill, molest or intentionally disturb any type of wildlife on the refuge, except for the legal recreational harvest of living aquatic resources.

5. No person shall be in areas marked as restricted by signs posted by the department.

6. No person shall operate any vehicles in a restricted area. No person shall operate a vehicle in an unsafe or careless manner as to endanger life or property or at any speed in excess of five miles per hour.

There is no permit required for Elmer's Island access by anyone 15 years of age or younger. Those wishing to utilize the island for recreational purposes, ages 16 and above, must possess one of the following: a valid Wild Louisiana Stamp, a valid Louisiana fishing license or a valid Louisiana hunting license.

For more information, contact Ashley Wethey at 225-765-5113 or awethey@wlf.la.gov. 2009-294

HUNTER EDUCATION CLASSES
The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office will give Hunter Education
Classes on the dates listed below. State Law requires that all individuals born on or after
September 1, 1969 to obtain a hunting license prior to hunting in Louisiana. Individuals
must be ten years of age or older to be certified. The course will cover such topics as
firearm safety, survival, first aid, and wildlife identification.
The classes will be limited to 30 students and each student must preresister
and attend each day. There will be a field day for individuals that have taken
the course on line with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The time for the field
day will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2009 from 10 am till 4 pm.
To pre-register call (985) 783-1173. Further information may be obtained by
contacting Sgt. Ted Adams at (504) 201-5222.
http://www.stcharlessheriff.org/pr/p1254167679.pdf

Again, another friend (Nightfisher) showed up at the door and said, "I'm going fishing, are you coming?", and I of course, could not turn down a friend could I? It was 8-17-09 at about 17:30. The plan was to hit the bridge at Grand Isle and be home by morning. Good enough for me. We arrived just after dark, and found us a spot and immediately started putting white trout in the box. There were specks all around, but we had to throw back 90% or more due to size. We fished until about 04:30 and decided to head home with the cooler almost full. The rain started just as we left so we just took it slow and easy and made it home safe. Final tally was 98 white trout, and 20 specks. We also caught 1 bluefish, several rat reds, 1 hardtail, and (believe it or not) 1 huge mullet (hooked in the mouth, not snagged) on plain sparkle beetle double rigs.

A friend and I went to Grand Isle Friday night and fished off the old bridge until the rain ran us off. We tried a spot in Fourchon but no luck there. Found some jumbo shrimp on Elmer's Island and caught about 5 pounds. Came Home Saturday morning with 123 white trout, 1 speck, and the shrimp.

Yesterday morning, around 07:30, there was a knock at the door. It was a friend of mine that has been too busy to go fishing for the last 15 years or so. HE FINALLY DECIDED TO TAKE SOME TIME OFF!!! He asked if I wanted to go to Point-aux-chenes to fish. OFCOURSE I COULD NOT TURN HIM DOWN, IT WAS THE FIRST DAY OF MY 3 WEEK VACATION!!! Well, the fish would not cooperate, the ladyfish were everywhere, and even if a trout wanted to bite, he had no chance with these crazy things. So we decided to try crabbing. Caught 7.5 dozen crabs and got home for about 17:00.
We headed back this morning and arrived for daybreak, headed straight for the crabs. I fished from time to time, and caught some rat reds and 2 trout at one time, but nothing big enough to keep. We had our limit of crabs (12 dozen) for 11:00 and were home for 12:30. We boiled all 19.5 dozen crabs, invited some friends over and had a CAJUN FEAST!! Now I'm going to have a few of my favorite "adult beverages" and watch movies all night. We are planning a trip to Grand Isle for Friday night. This may be the best vacation I've had for quite a while!!!