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Be flexible to fill trout limits
Capt. Tommy Pellegrin always has a plan in mind when he leaves the dock. But he said he’s ready to zig and zag because, well, stuff happens.[…]
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Fishing
July’s Best Bets
How: Even though it is hot, the fishing on Toledo Bend has been good. Early mornings and late evenings are the most productive — and the most comfortable. Bass are hitting topwater baits fishing shallow early morning and evenings, but as the day wears on, they are heading deep. Throw drop-shot rigs, Texas-rigged plastics and deep-diving crankbaits.[…]
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Treble hooks hold tight
Capt. Tommy Pellegrin uses slip corks because they make it so easy to cast.
He uses slip corks because they make it so easy to cast, even working over deep water.[…]
Inshore Fishing
Tippets
Early July should be great surf fishing for speckled trout. Try poppers starting at first light. An hour after the sun rises, switch to Clouser Minnows or other baitfish patterns. An intermediate or sink tip line will help get the fly down in the trough areas where the larger trout are feeding.[…]
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Beating the barrier islands
When conditions are slick enough to allow you to work the beaches on the barrier islands, ice chests can quickly fill with solid trout throughout the summer.[…]
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How to tie a uni knot stopper
Tying a uni knot stopper is easy and quick, once you get the steps down.[…]
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Why sliding corks are best
After the early morning topwater action dies out, it’s pretty much a sure bet Capt. Tommy Pellegrin will turn to live shrimp.[…]
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Tip of the day
Jeff and Nick Poe recommend using electric trolling motors as sparingly as possible. In fact, neither of them use one much because they believe it spooks the fish. […]
Inshore Fishing
June’s Best Bets
Where: Delacroix
What: Bass, with trout and reds as a bonus[…]
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Why the Poes know
When I first envisioned a comprehensive article to make sense out of all the lure options available to speckled trout fishermen, it became obvious I needed the help of someone who really knew his stuff.[…]
Redfish
Tippets
For contestants in the CCA STAR Fly Division, June is the best tournament month to catch big trout on a fly. At first light, use large poppers. As the morning progresses, move toward submergent flies such as Seaducers, Deceivers and articulated baitfish patterns. Casting an intermediate sinking line will produce more strikes.[…]
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How to rig a drop-shot
Perhaps the most popular way to rig a live shrimp for fishing the bottom is a Carolina rig. It’s been a staple setup for years, and there are still many people who use it today.[…]
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Other options for specks
The Lake Pontchartrain Trestles isn’t the only place Capt. John Falterman fishes in June for speckled trout. On calm days, he likes to run out to some of the near-shore rigs, particularly if he’s struggling at the Trestles that day.[…]
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Want reds? Head here
One of the most underrated areas in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin is Lake Catherine. Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne receive a lot more pressure throughout the year, but Lake Catherine produces a lot of redfish this time of year, according to Capt. John Falterman.[…]
Bass Fishing
A river runs through it
Todd McElveen and Steven Schilling are hooked on the Bogue Chitto River. McElveen called it “one of the prettiest rivers you want to go on.” Schilling said, “It’s like a hidden gem.”[…]
Bass Fishing
A tricked out boat
Todd McElveen’s river boat started out life as a 16-foot Xpress welded jon boat. But it didn’t stay that way, getting highly modified to adapt it for use in shallow rivers with a jet drive outboard motor.[…]