Louisiana Sportsman

Skip navigation

CLOSE X

June 1, 2026

Live shrimp are a top bait for many coastal fish species. With a proper set up, a kayak can easily accommodate carrying an ample supply of live shrimp for your trip.

A kayaker’s guide to fishing live shrimp

May 22, 2026 Chris Holmes

Head out on your next kayak fishing trip with a supply of live shrimp and your odds of success increase greatly.[…]

Topwater fishing around the spring and summer full moons provides the opportunity for catching nice-sized speckled trout. Kayaks work great to get you stealthily near the fish and in on the action.

Topwater fishing for spring trout

May 17, 2026 Chris Holmes

Kayak anglers that do not use topwater lures are missing out on some of the most exciting kayak fishing there is.[…]

Bass are great fish to pursue in a kayak no matter your skill level. Prevalent across the state, there is surely a bass fishing spot near where you live. Armed with one rod and a small assortment of tackle, Mark Smith brought this 8-pound bass to the kayak.

Dust off that kayak

April 7, 2026 Chris Holmes

Now is the time to dust of your kayak and get out there. The weather is warming and great springtime fishing is here.[…]

As the transition from winter to spring begins, trout start heading to the outer reaches of the coast.

Kayakers will find fish active and scattered in March

March 15, 2026 Chris Holmes

Spring provides Louisiana anglers with comfortable kayak fishing conditions and great action. Now is the time to get out there.[…]

This big roe-laden female bass was caught on a wacky-rigged Senko worm. After a couple photos, the fish was revived alongside the kayak and successfully released

February kicks off some great bass fishing

February 8, 2026 Chris Holmes

Don’t let February keep your kayak off the water. Fish days with milder conditions and there is a good chance you will wear the bass out.[…]

Coastal Louisiana has miles and miles of rock jetties. Used for erosion control and channel marking, this year-round fishing habitat can be especially productive during the winter.

Winter kayaking essentials

January 12, 2026 Chris Holmes

Winter is in full swing here in the Deep South, but thankfully, kayak anglers can still find a few days where they can have success and fish safely.[…]

Using a small assortment of hard and soft plastic baits slowly trolled behind the kayak, Eric Muhoberac was well on his way to a limit of nice speckled trout.

Trolling and drifting are excellent techniques for winter kayak fishing

December 21, 2025 Chris Holmes

Two techniques that all kayak anglers should employ this time of year are trolling and drifting. Kayaks make excellent platforms for both.[…]

Rock jetties quickly absorb heat from the sun and transfer it to the nearby water. A temperature change of just a couple degrees higher can trigger feeding along the jetties. Trolling or casting a popping cork are productive ways to catch trout along a jetty.

Trout anglers can enjoy comfortable kayak fishing this month

November 13, 2025 Chris Holmes

There is no better time of the year for kayak anglers to pursue limits of speckled trout across the coast of Louisiana than November.[…]

You never know where the bulls may be on Grand Isle. Travis Puls was fishing in the pass, but close to one of the rock jetties when he hooked this bull. Large schools of bulls travel all around the island and can be found nearly anywhere.

Bull reds on the beach

October 25, 2025 Chris Holmes

Grand Isle is a one-stop shop for bull reds right now and they can be found almost anywhere along the island.[…]

Celeste Valotta shows off some of the nice trout and reds that were caught on a recent mothership kayak trip to the Long Rocks out of Hopedale. This is a great summertime fishing area, but is out of reach for kayak anglers without the aid of a powerboat.

Kayak anglers can hitch a ride

September 14, 2025 Chris Holmes

If you are an angler with a kayak and a powerboat, you are missing out on some great fishing adventures if you don’t combine the two.[…]

This hand-sized bluegill is quite handsome and fought like a fish 10 times its size. Filleted and pan fried, they are some of the tastiest fish you can eat.

Take a back-to-basics kayak trip

August 11, 2025 Chris Holmes

A back-to-basics kayak trip every now and then reminds us of why we took up kayak fishing in the first place.[…]

While most marsh reds will be smaller slot-sized fish, don’t be surprised when that unexpected bull inhales your offering. Remember, the new regulations prohibit keeping any redfish over 27 inches.

Reliable redfish

July 7, 2025 Chris Holmes

Don’t let the brutal summer heat keep you on the couch. Kayakers can find some grass and seek out the redfish hiding within.[…]

Unique by its own nature as a live-weigh, catch and release bull red kayak fishing tournament, Ride The Bull also offers a costume contest. Perennial contestant and multi-time winner, Brad Valtierra travels from Texas and goes all out each year to participate.

Unique kayak fishing tournaments

June 16, 2025 Chris Holmes

Tournaments came naturally to kayak fishing, but many of these events have found unique ways to up both the competition and the fun.[…]

Big bull sharks are common and hard fighters. Recent regulation changes have greatly increased the opportunity for kayak anglers to catch and keep bull sharks, as there is no longer a size or creel limit in Louisiana waters.

Louisiana kayakers have a wide variety of lesser-known species to target

May 13, 2025 Chris Holmes

The vast bounty that is Louisiana fishing provides ample opportunities to catch a wide variety of less popular, but equally fun species.[…]

This post-freeze speckled trout was healthy and hungry. While photos and sightings of dead fish appeared across the coast, this early spring fish shows no signs of any adverse effects.

Steady spring fishing action

April 21, 2025 Chris Holmes

This is a fantastic time of year to kayak fish all across the state. While weather conditions can vary, there are generally more good days.[…]

This big female bass couldn’t resist a plastic worm dragged slowly near her nest. Spawning bass often have reaction strikes to protect their eggs from predators.

The best time for bass fishing

March 10, 2025 Chris Holmes

Nest fishing for bass, while controversial in some circles, can provide kayak anglers with a unique opportunity to sneak up on big fish.[…]