Catfish
Gearing up
Although they caught catfish in about equal numbers, the two men had different philosophies when it came to choice of rods and reels. […]
Freshwater Fishing
Catfish
What’s for dinner, Mr. Whiskers?
The preferred bait for all of Rudy and Larry Roussel’s catfishing were Canadian nightcrawlers, often called “cold worms” in bait shop lingo. […]
Catfish
When to go and why
“I only fish for catfish in Lake Des Allemands at the end of March, all of April and the beginning of May,” said Rudy Roussel firmly.[…]
Catfish
Know your limits
Louisiana’s limit for catfish is very liberal, 100 per person for channel, blue, and flathead catfish combined, and no limits for bullheads, locally called “pollywogs” or “mud cats.” […]
Catfish
One fishes, the other cooks – both like catfish
Rudy and Larry Roussel live in St. James Parish, along the Great River Road that follows the east bank of the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.[…]
Freshwater Fishing
Tippets
April offers some of the best fishing of the year for both fresh and marsh species. Tough decisions ahead.[…]
Freshwater Fishing
Water-access bill scheduled for House debate on April 17
A bill that would guarantee public access to Louisiana’s tidal waterways is scheduled to be debated on the floor of the state’s House of Representatives next Tuesday, April 17 at 2 p.m.[…]
Columns
Trout fishing 101
One common question I get from newbies is, “Where and how do I fly fish for rainbow trout?”[…]
Crappie/Bream
Last call for crappie
Stuart Baum loves turning the last calendar page from March to April.[…]
Catfish
Des Allemands fat cats
It was a massacre.
Fish blood, poop, and slime covered the deck of the boat and the interior of the ice chest.[…]
Columns
Gaspergou are everywhere
As common as gaspergou are in Louisiana and the United States, few people realize how unique this freshwater species really is. Virtually any waters that connect with the Mississippi, Pearl and Mobile river systems and all the Great Lakes except Lake Superior are home to the species — 27 states.[…]
Crappie/Bream
Move with the fish for D’Arbonne crappie
Earlier in the year, crappie on Lake D’Arbonne moved from the 30-foot channels to the 12- to 15-foot flats, then into the shallows to spawn. To catch fish after the spawn, you just need to follow the fish right back out.[…]
Crappie/Bream
Search salvinia for springtime crappie
Spring crappie techniques are generally pretty standard — single-poling, jigging trees, spider-rigging and the like. But sometimes you can meld crappie methods with a bit of a bass approach and pick up a mess of crappie faster than you imagined.[…]
Crappie/Bream
Tippets
This month, redfish enthusiasts welcome the return of thick grass in coastal ponds. The grass not only attracts small crabs and baitfish, it also maintains clarity. And that means great sight-casting opportunities.[…]
Freshwater Fishing
Guess who’s coming to dinner?
Having spent a lifetime eating my way across the watery landscape of Louisiana, I’ve eaten a lot of fish that were delectable, a few fish that were really close to inedible and quite a few fish that were good if you knew what you were doing in the kitchen — and bad if you didn’t.[…]
Freshwater Fishing
Rigging crawfish the Kelley way
Mike Kelley doesn’t like to dip for “ditch crawfish” as do many fishermen who use mudbugs for bait. “They are on the small side and you can’t get them early in the season,” he explained.[…]