Inshore Fishing in Shell Beach / Hopedale / Reggio in Southeast Louisiana
Lon Porter
3 person limit of spec with Capt. Nunez himself of Fishing Magician Charters of Hopedale, LA.
Exceptional day with Capt. Nunez the fishing magician.
I went fishing with my partner LeGrande in Hopedale on Sunday 62611 with Capt. Johnny Nunez of Fishing Magician Charters. It was an early start, we were greeting by Capt. Nunez @4:30 AM at his boat slip, we said our hello’s and loaded our gear for the morning charter. We quietly eased out of the slip and motored lazily up to Campo’s for some fresh bait. Capt Nunez is greeted like family, while we watch as Campo’s opens up for business for the day, meanwhile we stocking up on fresh live shrimp, they weren’t the biggest shrimp I’ve seen but they weren’t the smallest either. They were lively and kept well during our trip. Minutes later we where off heading for our destination, it was still pretty dark so we were moving cautiously waiting for the sunrise and a little light to help navigate by. Soon enough we were flying, the skyline greeted us with a gorgeous view of the morning sky. Remnants of hurricane Katrina are evident by the eerie view of full grown tree skeletons in the hundreds maybe thousands standing tall along the coastline. The cool refreshing breeze of the morning was invigorating. Soon we shifted gears from cruising speed to a light motor as to not spook any of the inhabitants as we inched our way towards the shoreline and we set anchor. I was shown how to rig up using a popping cork and a light maybe 3/8oz. egg sinker tied to a small swivel, a short 2 ft. leader and hook. We hooked the shrimp in the head and cast out towards the shoreline. Instantly I had a fish take my cork down, I tightened the line and jerked my rod hoping for a solid hook set, forgetting for the moment that I was using circle hooks which don't work by jerking the rod for a hook up, instead they are designed to hook fish in the corner of their mouth by just applying steady pressure. I reeled in knowing my bait was gone, I re-baited my hook and cast it out again, I waited a few seconds and jerked the cork to make a splash and gurgle sound which works to attract the fish to your bait, another second and my cork disappeared, this time I tightened the line and lifted the rod while reeling in and I had my first fish of the day, spunky little spec maybe 14-15 inches long perfect size for frying. The next hour or more the fishing continued, baitfish were all around us constantly being pushed to the surface in big schools. Dolphins started showing up in tiny pods, they would roll and play on the surface constantly blowing air from their blow holes making a very distinct and loud sound within a few yards of the boat at times, chasing all the nearby fish away. The tide was still not moving, the wind was maybe at 1mph or dead calm and the fishing was good. Considering no wind and little breeze, with no tide movement we were catching fish on almost every cast, it was magic and I speculated on how Capt. Nunez got the nickname the fishing magician. We pulled up anchor maybe three or four time all morning and each time we would immediately catch fish, after a while when it either slowed down or we stop catching trout, we would just moved a few yards and we would start catching trout again. It was around 8:00 - 8:30 when we limited out on trout, it was beginning to get hot and we all agreed to call it a day. My thanks to Capt. Nunez for an exceptional day, we had plenty of trout filets to take and enjoy, we beat the heat and enjoyed his warm personality and 1st rate accommodations. We are definitely coming back.
June 27, 2011 at 12:02pm
Great report, looks like yall had an awesome time. I can't wait to fish with Cpt. Nunez this weekend, I hear he's the best in the business!