Louisiana Sportsman

June 1, 2026

White trout school and hold deep during cold winter days. The red sores on this fish’s belly is a tell-tale sign that it was holding on the bottom. Dead shrimp or artificial lures on a drop-shot rig is a great way to load up on some hefty whites.

With colder temps, anglers should focus on deeper waters

February 18, 2025 Chris Holmes

Kayak anglers should consider chasing white trout. With colder water temps, they generally school up and hug the bottom in deeper waters.[…]

The Hopedale Rock Dam spans the width of the MRGO and has rocks along the bottom extending a couple hundred feet from the face of the dam. It is a great area for kayak fishing in the winter.

The Rock Dam in Hopedale is the ultimate winter fishing spot for kayak anglers

January 25, 2025 Chris Holmes

There are those places that seem to be just made for kayak fishing. The Rock Dam in Hopedale is definitely one of them.[…]

This small bass was released after falling for a slow-moving jig/plastic tail combo. Working lures slower in the winter and setting the hook anytime something feels different is the key to catching lethargic fish.

Get out, be safe, catch fish

December 13, 2024 Chris Holmes

Winter kayak fishing can be safe and productive as long as common sense is used in deciding when the conditions are right.[…]

Fall is a great time for trolling speckled trout. Trolling covers a lot of water and helps locate where the trout are holding. With the new reduced creel limits, trolling helps kayak anglers put together their 15-fish limit in short order.

Fall fishing is a kayak angler’s delight

November 24, 2024 Chris Holmes

Kayak anglers delight in the fact that trout and redfish have ganged up in the marshes and water temperature keeps them close inshore.[…]

Fishing with experienced friends or a kayak fishing guide is a great way to get a taste of kayak fishing to see if it’s for you. Grant Roberts had a blast and said he will definitely be back for more.

Introducing someone to kayak fishing

October 7, 2024 Chris Holmes

Capt. Eric Muhoberac guided two new kayak anglers, Sterling Scott and Grant Roberts, to the Myrtle Grove area to chase some redfish.[…]

For some down-sized thrilling fishing action, an ultralight spinning combo and a tiny Beetle Spin is hard to beat. A simple cast and retrieve action is all that is needed to trick these colorful, feisty and tasty little demons.

Paddling for panfish

September 9, 2024 Chris Holmes

Whether you collectively call them sunfish, bream, bluegill or panfish, chasing these tiny fighters in a kayak is an absolute blast.[…]

This shark chomped down on a large chunk of ladyfish and gave James Vellum an epic kayak battle. Once the shark was subdued, it was brought alongside the kayak before the line was cut several inches from the mouth.

Kayakers should prepare for up-close encounters with sharks

August 10, 2024 Chris Holmes

If you kayak fish in coastal Louisiana, whether on purpose or by accident, you will likely encounter sharks.[…]

With a typical saltwater bay boat passing in the background, this nice blue catfish was caught on a Gulp! in the MRGO near the Hopedale dam. While trout and redfish are still caught in the area, the change in salinities since the dam was installed has caused an influx of freshwater catfish.

Don’t discount catfish

July 12, 2024 Chris Holmes

Catfish provide great sport and have become common catches for kayak anglers fishing in all the traditional saltwater areas.[…]

Christopher Bassil brings his first place redfish to the net in the Southeast Louisiana Kayak Fishing Club’s Kids Pole Challenge. The little Zebco Splash spincast combo and a gold spoon got a workout, but did the trick on this upper-slot redfish.

Join a kayak fishing club

June 13, 2024 Chris Holmes

If you are looking to learn about kayak fishing, improve your skills, or meet new friends, try joining a kayak fishing club.[…]

Cast nets are great for catching your own live bait. They can easily be learned to throw from land or docks. However, if using in a kayak or wading, it takes a bit more practice to get proficient, but it can be done.

Shrimp are what’s for dinner

May 6, 2024 Chris Holmes

Kayak fishing provides some challenges for anglers wanting to keep a healthy supply of shrimp or other live bait along for the day’s trip.[…]

Plopper-type topwater lures combine the best of hard body topwaters and a buzzbait. The tail prop gurgles and leaves a bubble trail as the lure is retrieved across the surface.

Break out the kayak and tie on the topwater lures

April 8, 2024 Chris Holmes

Whether you kayak fish inshore saltwater or freshwater species, now is the time to break out the topwater lures.[…]

Mothershipping kayaks out to the rigs off the coast of Louisiana opens up a whole new world of kayak angling adventures. A wide variety of fish species abound and these pristine waters are sure to provide a trip to remember.

Kayakers take on the Gulf with extra care

March 11, 2024 Chris Holmes

When you want to take your kayak fishing to the next level, get some friends together and plan a mothership offshore trip.[…]

Seasoned anglers know their favorite winter trout holes. Usually marked by deep water and perhaps a steep drop-off, trout gang up in these areas when the water is cold.

February kayak question

February 11, 2024 Chris Holmes

Kayak fishing lends itself to winter fishing, as anglers are moving slower and tend to give an area more time to produce before moving on.[…]

This angler was lucky that he fell out of his kayak during the summer and had many people nearby. However, doing so alone, during the winter, could have disastrous consequences. There is no need to avoid most kayak fishing during the winter, but common-sense precautions must be utilized.

The fish are biting, but kayakers should be prepared

January 11, 2024 Chris Holmes

Kayak fishing in the winter can be fun and rewarding, but common sense must be applied. Carry some type of emergency bag.[…]

Trolling a variety of lures with the kayak is a great way to catch fall trout. A simple jighead and plastic tail combo is one of the easiest and deadliest lures to troll. Adjust your line, jig weight and kayak speed to keep the lure barely bouncing the bottom as you move along.

Suited for kayaks

November 12, 2023 Chris Holmes

The trout have moved into the marsh as they transition to their fall patterns and kayak fishing is particularly suited for these times.[…]

Fil Spencer kept this bull red on a lip grip and only briefly removed it from the water for a photo before quickly reviving and releasing it.

New regulations won’t hinder exciting Louisiana kayak tradition

October 12, 2023 Chris Holmes

Will proposed new regulations end the iconic Cajun Sleigh Ride, a highly revered right of passage for coastal Louisiana kayak anglers.[…]