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?
I can wrap my creel report up real quick: DNF on opener 4 BW second Saturday; Drove to launch and turned around second Sunday (water over road) 1 BW third Saturday
Keep punching holes in em! Great report.
Cursed from the start, lease partner overslept, need to get gas, 100 fishing boats in line - dekes hit the water at 6:55. Results: 1 BW, 2 Gallinule. I feel like I can publicly say 'dare ain't no teal in Delacroix'!
I agree with not giving precise locations on any population of teal. Just giving a general report on private land of 'plenty' or 'none' isn't necessarily harmful. Public land is a different animal, and I understand why someone who is successful doesn't wish to divulge any secret locals or tactics. But if that is the case; then why get on whatever social media platform and give a report at all? Just soak it in and be satisfied that you put in the work and were successful. With that said; hope the water is down and the teal show up for tomorrow! We gon give it a try again, with or without any 'reports'.
I see nothing wrong at all on shooting on the water. Sometimes teal come in so close that you have to let them land and then we will take our first shot on the water as long as we don't risk sinking dekes.. Then try to pick off the others after they take flight. Keep doing what you doing Baw! BTW: your calling sounded pretty good to me. What brand call was that and was it a Teal specific call?
I concur on the Mossy Oak Bottomland pattern. I use it mostly for deer hunting but have worn it in the duck blind too! Also agree on the ol school pirouge hunting and its advantages over SD blind boats. No question you will do better especially in the big season. Lastly, I agree that teal are pretty dumb and you could probably wear a white T shirt and stand up and kill a few IF they are around.
Enjoyed the video as always! Something that I took note of from your two videos: On day one you had ol school woodland camo shirt and it actually blended in better than the other patterns the guys were wearing. Even the mesh back hat the big guy was wearing blended better. I would never have thought this. I always use the MarshGrass pattern, but it clearly did not blend as well.
We hunted Delacroix Saturday AM. DNF. Hell, we didn't even reach for our guns at any time. We saw exactly 7 teal on two flocks. We watched my lease partner reap the benefits of both those flocks. They killed 3. In fact, that's the most I heard anyone say they had at the Serigne's after the hunt. Slim pickings in Delacroix and heard very little shooting in general. I think Delacroix, Reggio and Carnarvan were stonewalled this opener for some reason. I did hear great reports from the PLH area.
Yeah, I cut my teeth catching croakers in Lake P too. Occasionally my Dad would go with 'the men' as my Mom called them, somewhere 'offshore' and catch monster croakers. They called them Bull croakers back then. Anyway, I have often wondered what ever happened to the croaker stock? It was a very reliable fish stock that even a Yankee could confidently go out and catch with basic gear and didn't even need a boat. Abigail, when the weather settles and the water clears, you should be able to catch fish anchored at Unknown pass in Lake Cat. Just anchor up either side of the train bridge, depending on which way tide is going. Fish the bottom with either live or dead shrimp on the bottom. Or if your boat is worthy; I'd suggest you run out to Half Moon Island and work the shoreline all around the island with corks (I like Voodoo shrimp, tipped with dead shrimp). Good luck and keep them interested!
The old lady at Jeanfreau's on Hwy 90 used to sell live grass shrimp. She would scoop them and fill a cat food can flush for $3. Wish it was still as easy and cheap as that.
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.
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.
Well, whats the word on the Lower St. Bernard/Plaq parish marshes post Zeta? i saw some pics from Delacroix and it's a damn mess down there. I saw a few pics with substantial piles of marsh grass all over the road. I hope the marsh didn't roll up like carpet like Katrina. Hoping we have something left to hunt this season.