Louisiana Sportsman

April 29, 2026

Species spotlight: Blue marlin

May 26, 2022 Brian Cope

The blue marlin is one of the most highly sought after gamefish on the planet. They can reach great size, and their meat is excellent.[…]

Species Spotlight: Sailfish

April 15, 2022 Brian Cope

Sailfish are members of the billfish family and fisheries biologists believe they are the fastest swimming fish in the world.[…]

Species spotlight: Ladyfish

March 31, 2022 Brian Cope

Ladyfish are long, cylindrical shaped fish that are found along inshore waters along the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico.[…]

Species spotlight: Greater amberjack

February 21, 2022 Brian Cope

Most catches of amberjack are incidental catches by anglers targeting snapper and grouper while bottom fishing with cut bait.[…]

Barracudas are among the ocean’s most-vicious predators; they’re found inshore, offshore and everywhere in between.

Species Spotlight: Great barracuda

November 26, 2021 Brian Cope

The great barracuda is among the ocean’s most-vicious predators; they’re found inshore, offshore and everywhere in between.[…]

Spanish mackerel are a pleasing addition to any nearshore fisherman’s November catch. (Photo by Dan Kibler)

Species Spotlight: Spanish mackerel

November 5, 2021 Brian Cope

Spanish mackerel spend much of their lives in open waters, and are spread out from New England to the Yucatan Peninsula.[…]

Species Spotlight: Cobia

September 24, 2021 Brian Cope

Cobia are pelagic, living most of their lives offshore, but they enter estuaries occasionally. And they will eat just about anything.[…]

Big king mackerel are often referred to as “smokers” for their ability to “smoke” line off a reel.

Species Spotlight: king mackerel

August 17, 2021 Brian Cope

The king mackerel is a speedy, sharp-toothed brawler and a favorite of many anglers along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.[…]

Florida pompano are a surf fisherman’s dream fish: aggressive, hungry and a good test on light tackle. Just don’t cast too far. (Photo by Brian Cope)

Species spotlight: Florida pompano

July 18, 2021 Brian Cope

Florida pompano are part of the jack family and are the smallest of pompanos, being dwarfed by African and Cayenne pompanos.[…]

Dolphin, aka Mahi-Mahi, are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico and the south Atlantic Ocean. They are aggressive, fast-growing and fast-swimming predators that are a favorite of anglers.

Species spotlight: Mahi-Mahi (aka dolphin)

June 27, 2021 Brian Cope

Colorful, tasty mahi mahi, aka dolphin, are among the fastest swimming and fastest-growing species you’ll ever run into.[…]

This bluegill was caught in a swampy area off of a major river, a common place to find these fish throughout the south.

Species spotlight: Bluegill

May 21, 2021 Brian Cope

Bluegill are a favorite among almost every angler, and these sunfish are found everywhere and revered where they’re found.[…]

Angler Drew Gregory was targeting largemouth bass when this longnose gar hit a spinnerbait in the tailrace below a dam, a common area for this species to search for prey.

Species Spotlight: Longnose gar

April 29, 2021 Brian Cope

Longnose gar are found almost everywhere. They are one of the most prehistoric fish swimming in North American waters.[…]

Species spotlight: Shellcracker

March 23, 2021 Brian Cope

The redear sunfish, aka shellcracker, chinquapin or yellow bream, is identified most easily by the colorful edge around it earflap.[…]

Blue catfish in this size range make fine table fare. Many anglers prefer this size for eating over larger ones. (Picture by Brian Cope)

Species spotlight: Blue catfish

February 19, 2021 Brian Cope

Blue catfish are highly adaptable and live in almost any type of freshwater; lakes, ponds, creeks, swamps or rivers.[…]

Capt. Ronnie Daniels with a red caught while fishing the Biloxi Marsh. (pictured by Brian Cope)

Species spotlight: Redfish

January 22, 2021 Brian Cope

Red drum, commonly referred to as redfish, are one of the most popular species of saltwater fish throughout the southeast.[…]

Unbroken horizontal lines along their sides distinguish striped bass from other bass species. (Picture by Brian Cope)

Species spotlight: Striped bass

January 4, 2021 Brian Cope

Striped bass are targeted by thousands and thousands of anglers. They are not in the same family as largemouth or smallmouth bass.[…]