Paddles 'N Puddles Archives - Louisiana Sportsman

After a few runs, the crabs start to add up. A plastic top on the basket helps keep them shaded from the sun and keeps them from climbing out as it gets full.

Kayak crabbing

Kayaks are usually the last vessel that comes to mind as a crabbing boat; however, with a little planning, they make it easy and exciting. […]

Flounder Pounders

Chris Holmes

We caught up with a few flounder pounders that consistently bring flatfish to their kayaks. By following their advice, you can increase your success rate. […]

Kayaks are great platforms for trolling for trout. Give this underutilized technique a try to load your stringer with specks any time of the year.

Kayak anglers towing the line(s)

Chris Holmes

An often-overlooked but highly successful technique for catching trout from a kayak is trolling. This is the perfect time of the year to do it. […]

This bass was caught in east Pointe-a-la-Hache working a LiveTarget Hollow Body Mullet across the top of grass beds.

Kayak fishing on the edge

Chris Holmes

Here’s how kayakers can find hungry bass and redfish skirting the waters of the muddy Mississippi. […]

Real kayak anglers, real reviews

Chris Holmes

Louisiana Sportsman reached out to several kayak fishermen with various levels of experience to get some personal reviews of popular models. […]

Some days it is best to stay home and organize your gear. But if you choose your days carefully, you can find some excellent kayak fishing during February.

It’s a secret in the kayak fishing world

Chris Holmes

February may be the best kept secret in kayak fishing. If you pick the right days and conditions, the fishing can be absolutely fantastic.
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When the temperature and the water levels drop, look for reds packed into tight schools in deeper cuts and dead end canals. Position yourself in the middle, and slowly work your bait up the ledges to find where they are holding.

Winter have you down?

Chris Holmes

Pick the right days — and enjoy a great cold-weather kayak trip out of Delacroix. […]

The Salty Chicks gathered for a group photo after a successful mothership trip to the marsh in Point Aux Chenes.

Female kayak angers have dream weekend

Chris Holmes

Seven female kayakers on an overnight outing and kayak trip from the launch in Point Aux Chenes. […]

Big water locales perfect for kayaks

Chris Holmes

Louisiana has several great freshwater fishing lakes that offer a variety of species like bass, bream and catfish. Also, don’t forget the excellent crappie fishing (white perch in North Louisiana, sac-a-lait in the South). […]

‘Fall’ for trout

Chris Holmes

Fall is finally here. The trout are on the move back into the marsh, and that’s great news for kayakers. The shorter days are coupled with shorter paddles, there’ no need for live bait and great catches of speckled trout await. Oh, and did I mention the pleasant weather?

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Steve Neece caught this big bull on a Gulp Swimming Mullet

Riding Barataria bulls

Chris Holmes

Kayak anglers are always looking to catch big fish out of their tiny boats. In coastal Louisiana, bull redfish easily fill the bill. They are hard fighters and regularly weigh up to 40 pounds. Plus, bulls are easy to catch in the right locations — and there’s no better time than the present.

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Plastics for panfish

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. And kayaks are a great platform for pursuing these colorful, hard-fighting fish that can be found in all but the extreme coastal areas of the state.

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