Had spectacular hunt Saturday AM. #18 hit the water at 7:15. Sunday different story. Started morning off running trespasser of my lease who set up in exact location we did Saturday. Then we only had 2 opps and killed 2 teal. I believe that group of poachers hunted my lease Saturday evening and ran all the teal that were holding out. Hopefully we get more birds down soon.
Does anyone recommend a certain duck blind material over another for a boat blind? We have used Avery RealGrass and its OK, but looks beat up as the season goes on. Was thinking about the Avery KillerGrass stuff, but not sure if it would look natural enough. I thought someone made a synthetic material that would not fade, crack or rot out? Any ideas guys? Thanks.
Can anyone tell me what the tides are doing in Delacroix at daybreak? Fished last Saturday and on paper, I was expecting and incoming tide. But it was already real low and falling all morning. We managed to do what we set out to do; catch reds, but I was not expecting the water to be so low and falling at daybreak. Not asking for any fishing info; just what kind of water conditions should I expect upon arrival. Thanks and tite lines to all.
Had decent hunt Saturday for the second slit opener. Took 10 GW and 2 Grays btw 3 hunters. Probably should have limited on Teal; but missed a few. Could have shot Dogris but refrained. Seemed to do better than average that day. Not many good reports.
The second split has been; let say 'a challenge'. I didn't hunt this past weekend based solely on the negative reports I got from all last week; no ducks. I realize our local conditions were not ideal, but there was a major ice storm that covered large areas north of us. And the weekend before last it was perfect duck hunting conditions (North wind 20-25mph, cold (25-30 degrees)) and we still only managed 6 GW teal that Saturday. I'm just wondering if everyone else is experiencing the same results.
Has anyone been to Delacroix area this week since the conditions have improved? I went deer hunting last weekend but heard those that went duck hunting struggled and had nut high water. Just wondering if I should take advantage of the great deer weather this weekend, or try to chase the birds before split closes. Thanks.
Does anyone know how high the tides got with the storm surge? I was praying we didn't get any storms or crazy high tides before duck season. The marsh looked perfect in teal season. But I usually experience with storm tides is the SAV's all wash up and settle on top the marsh grass. Essentially matting the marsh grass down and killing it. By mid December the marsh looks pancaked and desolate. Did anybody go down there yesterday or today? Was it up over the dock at Serigne's? Thanks.
Fished Biloxi marsh yesterday. went pretty far into the heart of the area and a saw a total of ZERO teal. They are not here yet; but as we all know they could show up today and be gone by tomorrow.
Have not been to lease since Thanksgiving near Lake Lery. Just wondering if anyone has been hunting and doing well last weekend and this week in the Delacroix marsh. Winds predicted light tomorrow.
Hunted this am and the ducks were gone. Did not see many and only had mostly divers where usually shoot all teal. 2 guys finished with 3 redheads, 4 dogris and 1 mot. Water very low.
While taking in a beautiful sunrise yesterday in the Biloxi marsh; I did manage to see 2 flocks of teal. About 30 birds collectively. I was fishing and not scanning too hard, but those two flocks were the only ones I saw.
Does anyone know a guy in Mandeville that does boat cover repairs? I used him in the past and cannot find his name and #. I believe he lived in Beau Chene. Thanks.
Two part post: First, can anyone recommend the best value boat cover for a 19' Pathfinder? I got one from Academy last summer and its rotted out already - garbage! What's best material for our SELA climate; acrylic, polyester? Or if anyone knows a custom fab shop locally, that might be the best bet. Thanks.
Now for lame fishing report: Took boat out yesterday afternoon to give it the shake down and test all functions before going on a 'real' trip when the weather straightens out. Hit Bayou Bonfuca and tried the grasslines for bass. Only caught 2 small ones and 1 big perch on plastic worm. I use this fishery as a back plan when its too windy to marsh/lake fish. Its usually spot on for 10-15 knotheads; but this year its been off the 2 times I tried. And the grass is crazy thick; blocking some of the most productive canals. Good luck and tight lines.
Well, after getting all ready to make a youth duck hunt this past weekend; we were stonewalled by a Fall baseball tournament! We didn't get to go and I did not hear a whole lot from anyone that did go. A friend did fish Little Lake complex on Saturday and said he didn't see any ducks other than Motts and did not recall hearing any shots either. Can anyone report, specifically from the Delacroix interior (Lake Lery, Lost Lake, etc..)on their youth hunt and amount of ducks down? Still sounds pretty thin considering the regular season open this coming Saturday. Thanks.
I fished the Biloxi marsh last Sunday and did a good bit of running around. I saw a total od 2 Motts and one band of UFO's way out in open bay on fringes. Was shocked at the lack of any ducks on the interior. Youth season opens in 2 weeks! Hope they are coming soon!
Does anyone know of a boat launch that is available near Dudenheffer's in Hopedale? I know that Pip's still have a makeshift backdown but I also hear its not too legit, especially on lower tides. Hazardous if you go off the ledge. I am willing to pay to launch at any private launches along the hwy, just for duck season, as my lease is near that area. Thanks and good luck.
I just picked up a recurve 175# crossbow. It came with short aluminum bolts and said that carbon 20' bolt with 100gr broadheads are recommended for hunting. I got a few carbon bolts and was wondering what makes the broadheads different for crossbows. I have plenty broadheads that I use for my compound bow and wondered if I could just use them on the X bow bolts? The x bow supposedly shoots at 240FPS, so, its not rocket fast. Any advice would be appreciated.
We caught a small Mangrove Snapper while fishing the Rocks on the MRGO last weekend. I have caught quite a few on the rocks in the intracoastal near Boh Bros. pre-K; but none since the MRGO closure. I hear they are catching striped bass and even black bass in the hot water canal and industrial canal post-K. I wish it would have been 12', cuz his happy arse would have taken an ice nap! Fun seeing them show up though. The week before I caught a bluefish and a grunt (not pinfish) on the Rocks too; strange indeed.
I have fished the tressles 3 times so far this past few weeks. Every trip was evening. We have caught a total of 3 specks, 1 white trout and almost boated a small flounder. We go 100% plastic, no sea crickets (saw people with live still not catching). I cannot put a finger on why we have not at least caught a few more. I know how to jig the bridges, but we cannot find a bite! I will say that the water does not seem to have any salinity what so ever and yesterday there was some green, plankton looking stuff all in the water. Other than that; I don't know why the fish aren't there. The tide was incoming on 2 trips and falling yesterday. Must be the freshwater?
I have fished the tressles 3 times so far this past few weeks. Every trip was evening trips. We have caught a total of 3 specks, 1 white trout and almost boated a small flounder. We go 100% plastic, no sea crickets (saw people with live still not catching). I cannot put a finger on why we have not at least caught a few more. I know how to jig the bridges, but we cannot find a bite! I will say that the water does not seen to have any salinity what so ever and yesterday there was some green, plankton looking stuff all in the water. Other than that; I don't know why the fish aren't there. The tide was incoming on 2 trips and falling yesterday. Must be the freshwater?
Not a bad haul! I was at Academy precisely when that heavy rain came through Slidell, about 9am. Buddy of mine was deer hunting in the area and said he heard some shots at daybreak.
Well, I wish your report was better. But, at least you got out and were safe. Did you launch at the middle river? I would have though several 'replacements' would have shown up since the weekend with this weather.
I assume that high water and wind made the teal bug out; that's what usually happens. I hope they show up with the front for the weekend and the youth hunt.
How you like that new Browning A5? I'm still shooting my old A5; the gun jus keeps firing, the ducks jus keep dying!
I'm pretty sure you can buy them from Gator Tail boats.
Luv it! Gotta get the kids involved to keep this crazy tradition going!
Where did you hunt, big Branch? Not many is Delacroix for us.
Yeah I think I know the guy you are referring to at the Sportsman (heavy beard, nice fella). He recently steered me in the direction of Daiwa spinning reels as the best bang for the buck on light SW and freshwater use. I used to be a big Shimano guy on spinning gear. I will never buy another one. I switched to Quantum Smoke and this Daiwa. Both are very smooth and do not get the 'tight spots' like all my Shimano unit eventually get. On baitcasting reels, I still use my old green Curado all the time (best reel every made); but the new Shimano baitcasters are not to be compared. Again, I have switched to Quantum Smoke and Fishing 13 stuff. I know a lot of guys that like the Lew's reels too. And for those who have never been to the Sportsman's Warehouse; do yourself a favor, go check it out. The place is filled with all quality stuff from knives to sunglasses. Their gun department is second to none on selection. And they will let you look at as many guns as you like without giving you that rude kind feeling. And i will say that their staff is 10X more knowledgeable about their wares than Academy employees. The only negative thing I will say is that their pricing tends to be a lil on the high end on commodity stuff like HUK, Columbia, etc... But, they do sales all the time too; so just go check them out.
Silly, I cut my waterfowling teeth on the PRWMA in the mid 80's. In my estimation, there is very little correlation to a swollen/high upper river and higher tide South of Hwy 90. As Villian noted, the South marsh is certainly effected tidally. I have had days when we set up and before we pick up, our decoys are laying on their side. Be careful if you hunt the south marsh when there is a falling tide with a range over 1'. Good luck.
Nice haul there! Villian you may find it humorous that that 'other site' is no longer allowing non paying 'members' to view or participate in their forum. I'm not paying to exchange info; that's what the internet is for.
Nice haul there! Villian you may find it humorous that that 'other site' is no longer allowing non paying 'members' to view or participate in their forum. I'm not paying to exchange info; that's what the internet is for.
Hey Delta, do you have any new reports since the weekend? I am trying to find some encouragement to go give it a go in the AM for a quick shoot. But honestly, I have not heard 1 good report anywhere in the Coastal Zone.
Correction: Tide came up 6-8 inches, not feet. And we killed 17 mixed teal and 1 grey on Sunday.
Delta, we struggled Saturday in Delacroix. It was so windy that the teal could not set up right and we only had a few passing shots. Then we moved to a pothole to get out of the relentless NE wind and shot our 3 Motts. We finished with 5 BW teal and 3 motts Saturday. Crazy thing is that the water was low for us and we could not get where we wanted to be Saturday. Sunday the water came up a good 6-8' and we were able to get situated and the teal fest began just after daylight. And thousands of snipe too! We killed our 3 man limit of snipe on six shots! (24). On ducks, we shot 1 grey and 11 mixed BW and GW teal.
We used the Mojo Saturday and the teal wanted to land on it. Sunday it did not seem as effective, but we had two solid hunts to close out a very good teal season.
I agree completely on the aggressive calling. I have turned several teal this season that were dedicated to landing elsewhere only to stay up and swing into the death zone! I have a Mojo Dove that I will try. I thought about it but never deployed it yet. I have used it with limited success during big season, and had to eliminate it from the spread after the first split. Have not tried it in teal season, but I will tomorrow.
Hopefully this news of success and fresh birds lasts through the weekend.
Villian, a friend hunted Northshore this am and got his solo limit. Said there were 'fresh' birds down.
We did good again this weekend too, but not much shooting around. It's strange, but the few teal around seem to be concentrated in small areas that have something they favor in terms of food. I heard that they were doing better down in PLH over Delacroix and Carnarvan. I think the river's influence down that way has something to do with it. Hopefully we get a nice influx this week and everybody gets some action. I know it's frustrating when someone nearby is hammering them and you are not getting any.
Like an Ole School Bucktail Jig! Can't tell the amount of trout my Dad and I caught on those things before 'Sparkle Beetles' came out! Good for you, thanks for sharing.