Louisiana Sportsman

August 31, 2026

For many decades, bass in south Louisiana were only found in freshwater lakes and canals having been driven from the coastal marshes due to saltwater intrusion. However, due to the effects of natural and man-made river diversions combined with hurricane protection projects, the waters are switching back to brackish and the bass have spread throughout the area.

Kayaking for green trout

February 22, 2021 Chris Holmes

Coastal kayak anglers have a relatively new, green target: largemouth bass, aka green trout can be caught alongside redfish and trout.[…]

When the water is cold and low, post-up where you can fish the outside turn of a bayou. The tide scours the bottom here and the water is deeper and concentrates the fish.

How to have successful winter kayak trips

February 8, 2021 Chris Holmes

If you’re cold, they’re cold. Adapt to changing conditions and fish accordingly. Look for deeper water and fish slowly.[…]

Sheepshead: Don’t overlook these fish

January 10, 2021 Chris Holmes

The most-underrated saltwater fish in Louisiana has to be the sheepshead. The good news for kayak anglers is that they are hard fighters.[…]

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.[…]