Trout are there for the taking
Fishing the marsh on a falling tide in November almost isn’t fair for the shrimp or the fish. Shrimp get sucked out of the marsh and are pulverized by speckled trout, while anglers can sit at the mouths of major bayous and sink the boat with specks.
It’s arguably the easiest way to catch speckled trout during autumn, according to Campo’s Marina owner Robbie Campo.
“In the fall, the tide comes in at night and falls out during the day,” Campo said. “There’s nothing better to fish than a falling tide.
“The bait is coming out of the ponds and gathering in front of these bayous where it dumps out in front of the marsh. I would much rather fish a falling tide than an incoming tide any day.”
Campo suggested fishing places like Lake Coquille and Lake of Two Trees.
Campo said live shrimp under a popping cork is bullet-proof.
“I would say 90 percent of the fishermen fish with a popping cork,” he said. “I do get people who like to fish (plastics), and they have success doing that — but live shrimp is the ticket.
“I’m not saying don’t go with plastic; I’m saying don’t leave without live shrimp.”
And a lot of the trout anglers catch inside can skip the ruler, according to Campo.
“I’m not saying you’re not going to catch throwbacks, but you’re going to catch nice fish in the marsh,” he said.
Lake Borgne is thought to be somewhat of a summertime spot, but this veteran angler said it’s deadly productive in the fall.
“On the days when the weather conditions are perfect, fishing Lake Borgne around Proctor’s Point and Lebouf’s Ditch is fantastic for trout and redfish,” Campo said.
For anglers wanting more than speckled trout, he suggested taking advantage of the rocks on the shorelines of Lake Borgne.
“If you’re looking to target a mixed box, the shoreline protection rocks they put in from Proctor’s Point all the way to (Bayou) Grande are good,” he said.
That shoreline holds a lot of life, according to Campo.
“The guys who are out there bowfishing at night tell me there are so many fish there — sheepshead, redfish and drum,” he said.
Campo suggested fishing the rocks with live shrimp under a popping cork.