The easiest and closest launch is at the southern end of the Hwy 11 bridge. Take I-10 east and get off at the Hwy 11 exit towards the bridge. Don't get on the bridge, but go left at the base of the bridge and you'll see the launch area. There's a nice sandy area to launch and room for parking off the road. Many of us 'yakers launch there.
You'll be right at the Hwy 11 bridge, a stone's throw away from the Twin Spans and about a half mile or so from the train trestles.
There's a bait shop on Hwy 11, but not sure of their status.
You could always duck off I-10 at the I-510/Chalmette exit and go to Fisherman's Friend bait shop. It's behind the hotel at the blinking light on Paris Road.
The ponds near HWY 11 between the levee system and the rocky shoreline will have reds, drum, and a few bass, and go virtually untouched because its almost impossible to get into by boat. Its also much safer. Although I see quite a few yaks along the bridges, with the waves, strong currents, and boat traffic, it's really not a safe place to be.
And, as you just found out, the bridge fishing is very hit and miss....mostly miss.
YT
YT
NORTHEND TRESTLES: I launch at where Tite's used to be, right at the base of the northend of Hwy 11 Bridge.
SOUTHEND: I launch at 'Triple Beach', the sandy area at the very south end of Hwy 11 Bridge, on the west side of Hwy 11. Convenient parking, nice beach area, close to all three bridges - I-10, Hwy 11, Trestles.
On Saturday I did pretty well at the Trestles - limit of five puppies that I adopted from the Trestles Animal Shelter and a self-imposed limit of five big Sheepshead.
If you launch at Triple Beach, paddle straight across to the Trestles, go under to the west side of the Trestles and then bang a right, fishing all the way to the Train Bridge itself. Flounder, Puppies, Sheepshead, Specks, Redfish are all available - the ultimate Cajun Slam!
Mark
100FFC
You say you don't want to cross the twin span, but you don't say if you're on the north or south side?