Louisiana Sportsman

James 'Cowboy' Fernandez, who co-founded Sure-Shot Game Calls and helped develop the first double-reed duck call, passed away last week in Beaumont. The world champion caller was 86.

Inventor, founder of Sure-Shot game calls passes away

August 24, 2018 From News Reports

Sure-Shot Game Calls co-founder and world champion caller James “Cowboy” Fernandez passed away last week in Beaumont, Texas at the age of 86.[…]

Whitetail deer program manager Jonathan Bordelon (left) and private lands biologist Justin Ebarb inspect plants browsed by deer during a late June survey.

Summertime prep for fall hunting

August 24, 2018 Keith LaCaze

A line from a Mark Chesnutt song goes: “It’s too hot to fish, and too hot for golf and too cold at home.” I have an amen for his estimation of the current fishing and golf conditions, and am happy to report good weather at home.[…]

West Indian manatees migrate from Florida across the northern Gulf Coast during summer months. If you see one, contact the LDWF so they can track the mammals' movements and respond promptly if one is injured.

LDWF cautions boaters to be aware of manatees

August 23, 2018 From News Reports

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has placed caution signs at boat launches throughout South Louisiana advising boaters to be aware of West Indian manatees. […]

Agents cite alleged alligator violators

August 23, 2018 From News Reports

Enforcement agents on patrol near Catahoula cited two men for alleged alligator violations in St. Martin Parish on Aug. 19.[…]

If you want to consistently bag a buck like the author’s, pay attention to the little details.

Time is short

August 22, 2018 Bill Garbo

My goodness, where has the time gone? In another month, SEC football games will be playing live on television, and the opening of archery season for deer will be less than 30 days away.[…]

Josh Chauvin shows off a couple of big bullfrogs he speared caveman-style during daylight hours this summer.

Apex Predator: Daytime bullfrog spearing

August 21, 2018 Josh Chauvin

Hunting massive bullfrogs during the daytime is one of my favorite summertime activities. After shooting many frogs with my bowfishing rig, I wanted to take the experience to the next level: So this year I went after them caveman-style with my throwing spear.[…]

Total duck numbers are down by 13 percent from 2017, but the total of 41.2 million birds is still 17 percent higher than the long-term average.

Duck numbers down in 2018

August 20, 2018 From News Reports

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday released its report on 2018 Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, based on surveys conducted in May and early June by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service.[…]

A plastic boat and plastic lures make a good combination for catching a mess of panfish. Reliving childhood memories, Robyn Bordelon shows off a hefty basket of hand-sized fish just like she caught when she was a child.

Plastics for panfish

August 18, 2018 Chris Holmes

Many kayak anglers dream of catching giant fish from their small plastic boats. However, going in the completely opposite direction can be even more fun. Imagine catching scores of tiny, delicious fish — using nothing more than worms and a cane pole, or lightweight spinning gear.[…]

Many clubs encourage all family members to participate.

What about rules?

August 15, 2018 Capt. Steve Himel

For a club to operate smoothly, there should be clear rules in place that reflect the wishes of the members, and above all, they must be fairly enforced for everyone. […]

This father-and-son team both took a buck in the same morning. Many clubs are geared toward family participation.

Organizing your own hunting club

August 15, 2018 Capt. Steve Himel

If you think you have what it takes to organize your own hunting club, here’s how to get started.[…]

Pogy prudence

August 15, 2018 David A. Brown

Prior to a recent mangrove snapper trip, Capt. Ross Montet loaded up with fresh pogies he cast-netted in the West Delta. He started in open water, but found he was chasing fast-moving schools that were outrunning his net in the 10- to 12-foot depths.[…]

Rio Grande chichlids are an invasive species that has spread throughout the southeast. They are beautiful and tasty little creatures, but they compete with native fishes and therefore, by law, cannot be returned to the water alive after being caught.

Be on the lookout for Rios

August 15, 2018 Chris Holmes

Rio Grande cichlids are an invasive species that has spread throughout the metropolitan New Orleans area. Found in fresh and brackish areas, they are becoming a more common catch by anglers fishing for bream and sunfish. Rios are more aggressive at defending their territory, and the concern is they could possibly totally displace native bream. […]

New gear reviews

August 15, 2018 Chris Holmes

Reel Steady Rod Stabilizer

Designed to add stability to heavy offshore fishing rods, the Reel Steady is a great addition for kayak anglers who need all the help they can get. Be it snapper or tarpon, fighting these bruisers from the seated position of a kayak makes handling heavy rods even more difficult.[…]

This chunky 3-pounder couldn’t resist a white swim jig and trailer after it struck at and missed a black Spro frog on the previous cast.

Frog follow-ups

August 15, 2018 Kinny Haddox

Frogs can’t do it all by themselves. But fishing frogs in combination with other lures is the most productive plan of attack. That’s especially true when a bass blows up on a frog, but misses it. When that happens, Tyler Stewart has three very specific baits he follows up with.[…]

Kaleb Kellum hoists a feisty bream while his dad, James, looks on. A simple cane pole and a box of worms are all that;s necessary for a great day of catching some hard-fighting panfish.

August’s Best Bets

August 15, 2018 Chris Holmes

Saltwater

Where: Grand Isle: Caminada Pass, Barataria Pass and Elmer’s Island beach

What: Bull reds and jack crevalle in the passes, and trout on the beach[…]

Tyler Stewart is busy landing largemouths in the heat of summer on a topwater frog.

They built a better frog

August 15, 2018 Kinny Haddox

Frogs are becoming more popular fishing lures because they are a more realistic representation of a real frog, said professional fisheries biologist Mike Wood. In other words, they’re building a better frog.[…]