Louisiana Sportsman

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April 28, 2026

Paddle up a winter redfish

December 23, 2021 Chris Holmes

A big, winter redfish can be a real opportunity — and a challenge — for kayak-bound Louisiana anglers this month.[…]

Get live shrimp ready

November 19, 2021 Chris Holmes

Fall has arrived, and so have the speckled trout. Areas where they were scarce in the summer are now jam-packed. […]

September is time for kayak cast and blast

September 3, 2021 Chris Holmes

Camouflage kayaks are available and ready to serve double duty as fishing and hunting vessels for a cast and blast this month.[…]

Summer kayak fishing = hot fun

August 6, 2021 Chris Holmes

With a little planning, you can safely and comfortably fish the peak of the hot Louisiana summer and catch some great fish, too.[…]

Kayakers can go farther, stay longer

July 9, 2021 Chris Holmes

Wendell Dietz built a small house boat in order to maximize his fishing time and extend his kayak fishing range.[…]

Capt. Eric Muhoberac tricked this nice red and others while drifting a plastic cocahoe tail under a popping cork. As the lure floated along the outside edge of the grass bed, the fish came out of the grass for the strike.

Kayakers can mix it up in Hopedale

June 20, 2021 Chris Holmes

The kayak-fishing habitat in Hopedale is as diverse as the available species. Hopedale is filled with a mix of fresh and saltwater fish.[…]

Trout start heading out to the coast and barrier islands in late spring to spawn, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still find some in the coastal lakes and marshes.

May: A Kayak smorgasbord

May 14, 2021 Chris Holmes

While good kayak fishing can be had year-round in coastal Louisiana, May could be the best month for comfort and variety.[…]

Trolling with a kayak is a great way to fool speckled trout in the spring.

Don’t forget trolling as a spring kayak-fishing technique

March 26, 2021 Chris Holmes

Pedal power and trolling motors make trolling a winner for spring kayak fishing. It is fairly easy to learn and can be highly productive.[…]

For many decades, bass in south Louisiana were only found in freshwater lakes and canals having been driven from the coastal marshes due to saltwater intrusion. However, due to the effects of natural and man-made river diversions combined with hurricane protection projects, the waters are switching back to brackish and the bass have spread throughout the area.

Kayaking for green trout

February 22, 2021 Chris Holmes

Coastal kayak anglers have a relatively new, green target: largemouth bass, aka green trout can be caught alongside redfish and trout.[…]

When the water is cold and low, post-up where you can fish the outside turn of a bayou. The tide scours the bottom here and the water is deeper and concentrates the fish.

How to have successful winter kayak trips

February 8, 2021 Chris Holmes

If you’re cold, they’re cold. Adapt to changing conditions and fish accordingly. Look for deeper water and fish slowly.[…]

Sheepshead: Don’t overlook these fish

January 10, 2021 Chris Holmes

The most-underrated saltwater fish in Louisiana has to be the sheepshead. The good news for kayak anglers is that they are hard fighters.[…]

Using a variety of lures helped put together this nice bass stringer on a cold December day. Covering the water column with lures with different actions, at different speeds, can trigger strikes from otherwise cold, lethargic bass.

Cold-weather bassin’ can be a kayak angler’s paradise

December 18, 2020 Chris Holmes

Kayak bass anglers from many parts of the country have shut down for the winter, but not Louisiana anglers. Louisiana bass bite in the cold.[…]

Using dead shrimp is a highly effective way to catch redfish. A popping cork with a jighead and plastic tail tipped with a piece of shrimp tricked this multi-spotted redfish.

You want to catch fish? Get some dead shrimp

November 16, 2020 Chris Holmes

Artificial lures are all designed to act like something real, but none are ever better than the real thing.[…]

Don’t overlook topwater action when chasing redfish. This small wake bait worked over submerged grass had the reds fired up. They may miss it a time or two, but if you can resist overacting and pulling it away, chances are they will take another shot at it.

Goldilocks kayak fishing

September 24, 2020 Chris Holmes

Louisiana kayak anglers are blessed with year-round fishing availability, but October generally makes for pleasant days on the water.[…]

The ultimate social distancing. These kayak anglers head out together, but separate, on a calm morning engulfed by a beautiful Saharan dust infused sunrise. Corona virus? What Corona virus?

The COVID pandemic has pushed kayak sales much higher

August 21, 2020 Chris Holmes

An unexpected effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a huge uptick in sales of kayaks. People are turning to outdoor activities.[…]

Panfish, kayaks go well together in Louisiana waters

July 30, 2020 Chris Holmes

Chasing panfish is best in the early morning or late afternoon, which is great for kayak fishing on hot, summer days in Louisiana.[…]