Louisiana Sportsman

April 28, 2026

It is hard to beat fishing a frog in areas where the grass seems impenetrable. Easy to cast and work, frogs are retrieved across the top of the grass, in open pockets in between and along the edges. Bass are suckers for a good frog presentation, but others species such as reds and trout can also be caught in some areas.

Kayaks are perfect vessels for fishing heavy summer vegetation

July 9, 2020 Chris Holmes

When the grass is thick, it is hard to beat throwing a weedless frog lure or similar weedless baitfish imitation from a kayak for a bass or redfish.[…]

Although live shrimp are hard to beat for summer trout, artificial lures are also highly effective. Steve Neece found these nice trout tight-lining a jighead/plastic tail while working his way along a rock jetty.

Summer speckled trout are a kayaker’s joy

June 2, 2020 Chris Holmes

Speckled trout are great targets for Louisiana kayak fishermen when summer arrives. There is no better time than now to chase trout in the kayak.[…]

James Kellum assists his son Kaleb empty the final trap of their kayak crawfishing adventure. With the overnight set of a few traps and use of a few nets, they made a nice haul for a family crawfish boil.

Mudbugs, kayaks and kids

May 19, 2020 Chris Holmes

Activities like crawfishing from a kayak can be relatively inexpensive and productive. James and Kaleb Kellum go on crawfishing adventure in their kayaks.[…]

“It’s a big one, it’s a big one.” Many bass anglers have made that cry only to disappointedly find out the beast bass they thought they hooked is a lowly choupique. Hard fighters, these ancient creatures are good for sport, but their table fare is marginal. They make for a fun fight in a kayak.

Louisiana waters are full of options for kayakers

April 16, 2020 Chris Holmes

Increase your kayak fishing skills by trying your hand at catching some of the less popular fish species Louisiana has to offer.[…]

With a 10-fish creel limit and no size restrictions in most state waters, bass are popular in Louisiana as both a gamefish and for taking a few home for dinner. However, some areas have lower creel limits as well as minimum/maximum lengths and/or protected slot limits. Check LDWF regulations for specific area regulations.

Chase bass in plastic boats

March 20, 2020 Chris Holmes

With bass available in almost all areas of Louisiana except the extreme coastal regions, kayak anglers are finding unlimited areas to fish.[…]

Chris Weaver’s kayak looks like a nerf missile launcher as he comes in from a successful winter day of fishing blue cats in Lake Pontchartrain. Weaver finds it easy to carry the noodles in two large scoop nets and has the nets available for landing fish once the noodles are set out.

Winter catfish from a kayak

February 17, 2020 Chris Holmes

If you pick your days and dress appropriately, chasing blue catfish in Lake Pontchartrain can make for a great day of fishing.[…]

Adding a little flash and vibration ups the ante when trying to draw winter strikes. Specialty jigheads come with small spinner blades attached that spins even on the slowest moving baits. This redfish jumped all over it despite bitter cold conditions.

Winter kayak fishing: sleep later, fish slower

January 13, 2020 Chris Holmes

Change up your tactics when it comes to fishing from a kayak this winter. Slow down the presentation of your bait and fish later in the day.[…]

Southern winters provide great kayak fishing opportunities. However, proper planning and gear are necessary to ensure a safe and productive trip.

No need to winterize that kayak

December 21, 2019 Chris Holmes

There is no need to put away the kayak for the winter, as there are plenty of fish to be caught and generally the waters are much less crowded.[…]

Pelicans frequent the MRGO Dam to gorge on the schools of bait. They descended on this redfish as an angler attempted to reel it in. The angler won both battles.

Kayakers have great access to MRGO structure

November 1, 2019 Chris Holmes

Point your kayak towards the rock dam on the MRGO in Hopedale. It has easy access and consistently provides great fishing opportunities.[…]

Whether trolling, jigging, or casting and retrieving, the Rat-L-Trap is an effective bait for big fish like big reds and jack crevalle.

Young angling expert loves Rat-L-Traps when it comes to bull reds

September 25, 2019 Chris Holmes

Next time you’re looking for some kayak fishing excitement, tie on a Rat-L-Trap and go rattle up some bull redfish. Here’s some tips.[…]

Steve Savoy uses his trusty pirogue to silently get up close to bass hanging tight to tree-covered shorelines. Tossing unweighted, weedless jerk baits, provides heart-stopping, in your face action.

Jerkbaits are great weapons for kayak anglers

September 16, 2019 Chris Holmes

On a recent trip to a freshwater lake, Steve Savoye showed a technique he uses to get up close and personal hunting bass in his trusty pirogue.[…]

RTB kayak anglers gather at Wake Side marina for last minute preparations before the shotgun start of the tournament.

Kevin Schexnaider is champion of Ride the Bull 10

September 3, 2019 Chris Holmes

The Ride the Bull 10 Champion was Kevin Schexnaider of Erath. He caught his 26.8-pound bull just a few minutes after the tournament began.[…]

Steve Neece recently caught this sailfish in Delray Beach, Fla., fishing with Deep Blue Kayak Fishing Charters. Steve is an Elite Angler in the BCKFC Master Angler program. With the addition of his sailfish and a shark he caught on the same trip, he is one species away from attaining Master Angler status.

Are you a master kayak angler?

August 13, 2019 Chris Holmes

The Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club offers a unique event allowing members to challenge themselves to successfully catch a wide variety of different species.[…]

After a few runs, the crabs start to add up. A plastic top on the basket helps keep them shaded from the sun and keeps them from climbing out as it gets full.

Kayak crabbing

July 9, 2019 Chris Holmes

Kayaks are usually the last vessel that comes to mind as a crabbing boat; however, with a little planning, they make it easy and exciting.[…]

Flounder Pounders

June 17, 2019 Chris Holmes

We caught up with a few flounder pounders that consistently bring flatfish to their kayaks. By following their advice, you can increase your success rate.[…]

Kayaks are great platforms for trolling for trout. Give this underutilized technique a try to load your stringer with specks any time of the year.

Kayak anglers towing the line(s)

May 23, 2019 Chris Holmes

An often-overlooked but highly successful technique for catching trout from a kayak is trolling. This is the perfect time of the year to do it.[…]