Louisiana Sportsman

June 1, 2026

Using a variety of lures helped put together this nice bass stringer on a cold December day. Covering the water column with lures with different actions, at different speeds, can trigger strikes from otherwise cold, lethargic bass.

Cold-weather bassin’ can be a kayak angler’s paradise

December 18, 2020 Chris Holmes

Kayak bass anglers from many parts of the country have shut down for the winter, but not Louisiana anglers. Louisiana bass bite in the cold.[…]

Using dead shrimp is a highly effective way to catch redfish. A popping cork with a jighead and plastic tail tipped with a piece of shrimp tricked this multi-spotted redfish.

You want to catch fish? Get some dead shrimp

November 16, 2020 Chris Holmes

Artificial lures are all designed to act like something real, but none are ever better than the real thing.[…]

Don’t overlook topwater action when chasing redfish. This small wake bait worked over submerged grass had the reds fired up. They may miss it a time or two, but if you can resist overacting and pulling it away, chances are they will take another shot at it.

Goldilocks kayak fishing

September 24, 2020 Chris Holmes

Louisiana kayak anglers are blessed with year-round fishing availability, but October generally makes for pleasant days on the water.[…]

The ultimate social distancing. These kayak anglers head out together, but separate, on a calm morning engulfed by a beautiful Saharan dust infused sunrise. Corona virus? What Corona virus?

The COVID pandemic has pushed kayak sales much higher

August 21, 2020 Chris Holmes

An unexpected effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a huge uptick in sales of kayaks. People are turning to outdoor activities.[…]

Panfish, kayaks go well together in Louisiana waters

July 30, 2020 Chris Holmes

Chasing panfish is best in the early morning or late afternoon, which is great for kayak fishing on hot, summer days in Louisiana.[…]

It is hard to beat fishing a frog in areas where the grass seems impenetrable. Easy to cast and work, frogs are retrieved across the top of the grass, in open pockets in between and along the edges. Bass are suckers for a good frog presentation, but others species such as reds and trout can also be caught in some areas.

Kayaks are perfect vessels for fishing heavy summer vegetation

July 9, 2020 Chris Holmes

When the grass is thick, it is hard to beat throwing a weedless frog lure or similar weedless baitfish imitation from a kayak for a bass or redfish.[…]

Although live shrimp are hard to beat for summer trout, artificial lures are also highly effective. Steve Neece found these nice trout tight-lining a jighead/plastic tail while working his way along a rock jetty.

Summer speckled trout are a kayaker’s joy

June 2, 2020 Chris Holmes

Speckled trout are great targets for Louisiana kayak fishermen when summer arrives. There is no better time than now to chase trout in the kayak.[…]

James Kellum assists his son Kaleb empty the final trap of their kayak crawfishing adventure. With the overnight set of a few traps and use of a few nets, they made a nice haul for a family crawfish boil.

Mudbugs, kayaks and kids

May 19, 2020 Chris Holmes

Activities like crawfishing from a kayak can be relatively inexpensive and productive. James and Kaleb Kellum go on crawfishing adventure in their kayaks.[…]

“It’s a big one, it’s a big one.” Many bass anglers have made that cry only to disappointedly find out the beast bass they thought they hooked is a lowly choupique. Hard fighters, these ancient creatures are good for sport, but their table fare is marginal. They make for a fun fight in a kayak.

Louisiana waters are full of options for kayakers

April 16, 2020 Chris Holmes

Increase your kayak fishing skills by trying your hand at catching some of the less popular fish species Louisiana has to offer.[…]

With a 10-fish creel limit and no size restrictions in most state waters, bass are popular in Louisiana as both a gamefish and for taking a few home for dinner. However, some areas have lower creel limits as well as minimum/maximum lengths and/or protected slot limits. Check LDWF regulations for specific area regulations.

Chase bass in plastic boats

March 20, 2020 Chris Holmes

With bass available in almost all areas of Louisiana except the extreme coastal regions, kayak anglers are finding unlimited areas to fish.[…]

Chris Weaver’s kayak looks like a nerf missile launcher as he comes in from a successful winter day of fishing blue cats in Lake Pontchartrain. Weaver finds it easy to carry the noodles in two large scoop nets and has the nets available for landing fish once the noodles are set out.

Winter catfish from a kayak

February 17, 2020 Chris Holmes

If you pick your days and dress appropriately, chasing blue catfish in Lake Pontchartrain can make for a great day of fishing.[…]

Adding a little flash and vibration ups the ante when trying to draw winter strikes. Specialty jigheads come with small spinner blades attached that spins even on the slowest moving baits. This redfish jumped all over it despite bitter cold conditions.

Winter kayak fishing: sleep later, fish slower

January 13, 2020 Chris Holmes

Change up your tactics when it comes to fishing from a kayak this winter. Slow down the presentation of your bait and fish later in the day.[…]

Southern winters provide great kayak fishing opportunities. However, proper planning and gear are necessary to ensure a safe and productive trip.

No need to winterize that kayak

December 21, 2019 Chris Holmes

There is no need to put away the kayak for the winter, as there are plenty of fish to be caught and generally the waters are much less crowded.[…]

Pelicans frequent the MRGO Dam to gorge on the schools of bait. They descended on this redfish as an angler attempted to reel it in. The angler won both battles.

Kayakers have great access to MRGO structure

November 1, 2019 Chris Holmes

Point your kayak towards the rock dam on the MRGO in Hopedale. It has easy access and consistently provides great fishing opportunities.[…]

Whether trolling, jigging, or casting and retrieving, the Rat-L-Trap is an effective bait for big fish like big reds and jack crevalle.

Young angling expert loves Rat-L-Traps when it comes to bull reds

September 25, 2019 Chris Holmes

Next time you’re looking for some kayak fishing excitement, tie on a Rat-L-Trap and go rattle up some bull redfish. Here’s some tips.[…]

Steve Savoy uses his trusty pirogue to silently get up close to bass hanging tight to tree-covered shorelines. Tossing unweighted, weedless jerk baits, provides heart-stopping, in your face action.

Jerkbaits are great weapons for kayak anglers

September 16, 2019 Chris Holmes

On a recent trip to a freshwater lake, Steve Savoye showed a technique he uses to get up close and personal hunting bass in his trusty pirogue.[…]