Headed down to Grand Isle last weekend (Feb 10) to fish Friday morning. I saw the reports saying it was going to be breezy but didn't expect the winds we got. Also did not prepare for the cold. So we packed up and hit Golden Meadow, figured I would at least catch a few reds. Have always fished the canals on the west side of Catfish Lake and limited out on reds. The water this time was really low, specially at the public launch. Is that normal for this time a year? Noticed a few surface drives launching. Really made me iffy about running around in my new (to me) whaler. It seemed all my good spots were out of the water. Where are yall catching them this time of year?
I currently am working on modifying the bow rail on my classic whaler to work with a bow mounted trolling motor.
I am looking to replicate this detachable bow rail
http://s16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/lurkynot/18%20Dauntless%20Troll%20Motor
I'm looking for someone with experience with bow rails located around Baton Rouge. Will be willing to travel for quality. Will require a clean weld.
Any information is appreciated!
Thanks
The million dollar question! I've been skunked more than I've limited out. But I honestly don't think it matters. Sounds silly but now you have to be where the ducks want to be. Whether that's scouting or luck of the day. I now hunt in a pit blind in a rice field with 150-300 dekes of all ages, conditions, and species. About 4 Mojo's. We do ok. Not worth what we pay but it's easy hunting and I'm done fighting pubic land. We try to keep them grouped by species. Space the dekes about 5 ft apart. Two large groups with an opening in front of blind. About 10 steps off the levee. 30 steps to the first robo. When we hunted crawfish ponds we used very limited dekes. Maybe two and a robo dove. We were just on the X that year. In the marsh we hunted over half dekes half hydrogen peroxide bottles. Back in the day we painted two liter bottles black. If you hunt public land. Look at what other folks have in their boat. Attached are pics of some successful spreads.
Few questions for you.I have been watching your show online and was wondering if it came on tv too. Also where'd you get your tide info from? I'm planning on headed down there this weekend and was wondering what time you typically hit the water? I'm usually there for sunrise but over heard you saying to get out there a little later? Maybe I was mistaken. Is it to.let the water warm up?
I will head that way. Appreciate the tip's. Plan on fishing toward Leeville.
How is the water level looking? Heading down there this weekend. Going to take my alum boat instead of the center console since it looks like we're going to have winds out of the north. Still learning the area so any advice for this weekend?
I knew I forgot to do something last weekend. Anyone know how much the fine is for truck and single axle trailer?
Olmsted Shipyard, West Prien Lake Road, Lake Charles, LA.
They did some work on an old center console i had that i had a 3 foot crack in. They told me they could restore it to original or could repair it cheap but make it where it would be stronger than anything else on boat. I picked the stronger cheaper route and you could barely tell where they worked on hull unless you climbed under boat. I would do business with them again.
I was able to order original seats for my 1988 Whaler online at specialtymarine.com but it looks like they specialize in only whaler. I would try a search tho.
From what I heard though grapevine, You should stick to the marshes north grand isle and just hit the points with live bait. Might as well launch in Leeville tho. I fished Golden Meadow last weekend, water was really low.
Is there a way to monitor water level in Catfish Lake online. I tried looking around noaa but just see tides. Reason I ask is I have a aluminum boat that I feel better running in shallow water. I grew up in SW LA and now I'm closer to the SE side of things. Trying to get a good feel and find my spots before things warm up.
NICE CATCH
I actually just picked some up today at west marine. They sell the inserts that actually go inside the rail instead of outside. I just have to get the other end welded into place. Know any good welders in the BR area that can make a nice weld on SS
It's a classic whaler and I want to preserve that full bow rail look. Any idea on what kind of end connections those are on the bow rail in the link? Appreciate your reply, I might do that to hold me off till i get the removable piece in.
We have always ran motorguides, on our personal boats. Last 2 (24V Great whites). Have been huge disappointments, they were really loud and have been to the shop more than i can count. I have heard really good things about the minn kota salt waters and they will be my next saltwater trolling motor. I have heard bad things about the 101 lbs thrust on the 3x1 minn kotas, to much power to turn effectively.
i agree with Samarai. We have an 19 foot whaler that we fish onshore with. We hit the close rigs offshore but I wouldn't go far without twins.
This is a cold beer conversation. So many factors at play. But at the end of day, there's no doubt we have less ducks.