Sidebars
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.[…]
Sidebars
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.[…]
Sidebars
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.[…]
Sidebars
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.[…]
Sidebars
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.[…]
Bass Fishing
Fish catchin’ stuff
This is tough fishing.
In the blink of an eye, an angler has to see the sweet spot in a pocket around structure, shoot a lure into it and immediately begin his retrieve, all while the current is trying to spin the boat one way or another and hustle it down river.[…]
Bass Fishing
Learn to read the water
Not all water on the Bogue Chitto River is equal. Probably 80 percent of it is less than 1 foot deep and featureless, making it fishless as far as bass are concerned.[…]
Bass Fishing
Time your trips to the Bogue Chitto River
When it’s hot, it’s hot. When it’s not, it’s not.[…]
Bass Fishing
Bird brain
So, you pull into a pocket and you want to see it empty, right? Well, if we’re talking other boats, then yes; solitude is golden. However, the right kind of company can be just what you want — and that means birds.[…]
Inshore Fishing
Can you keep bull sharks?
While many people, in Andy Jones’ experience, fish for alligator gar and bull sharks for the excitement that comes with catching hard-fighting fish with mouths full of big teeth, both species are indeed edible and in fact, delicious.[…]
Inshore Fishing
What’s to use for alligator gar bait?
Striped mullet, that’s what.
This isn’t a finesse, artificial lure fishery. Gar and sharks are big, pug-ugly brutes that are looking for mouthfuls of meat.[…]
Inshore Fishing
Step-by-step: How to clean an alligator gar
Alligator gar are encased with an almost impervious layer of scales made of true bone. Here are 8 steps for how to clean them.[…]
Sidebars
Correct gear essential for deep-water jigging
When fishing the reefs around Lake Pontchartrain, deep-water jigging is definitely the most rewarding way to catch speckled trout.[…]
Sidebars
Seabrook, Bonnabel worth a look, guide says
To fish the reefs in Lake Pontchartrain, Capt. Ty Hibbs generally launches out of Seabrook, which gives him several good areas to hit before he tries the reefs.[…]