Louisiana Sportsman

Homer Humphreys, left, and a happy client with a chunky Lake Bistineau bass.

Follow the water for Bistineau largemouths

September 27, 2018 Kinny Haddox

When bass anglers approach a lake they haven’t fished in a while, their first question usually has something to do with what the fish are hitting.[…]

Capt. Lane Zimmer likes to fish the edges of grass beds for October specks out of Lafitte.

Don’t dismiss Lafitte

September 27, 2018 Joel Masson

Lafitte is commonly known for relatively small trout — but this fall could be quite different, according to Capt. Lane Zimmer. He said a tough year last year could benefit the area this autumn, which means anglers will spend more time throwing speckled trout in their ice chest than on the measuring stick.[…]

Wendell Hebert of New Iberia and his son, Mason, had plenty of redfish to clean after their trip to Marsh Island with Lydia-based Smokin’ Reels Charters.

Monster reds at Marsh Island

September 26, 2018 Don Shoopman

Hot weather has redfish right where many Acadiana fishermen want them this summer — in the deep holes of bayous inside Marsh Island. And the good news is they’ll still be there in September.[…]

Jeff Bruhl targets speckled trout this time of year in Bayous Liberty and Lacombe, and occasionally catches some hammers fishing grass beds on the Lake Pontchartrain shoreline.

Trout tough – but still doable

September 19, 2018 Joel Masson

If you asked avid Louisiana trout anglers what their favorite month for targeting specks was, you’d be hard-pressed to find a single one that said September. However, that doesn’t mean trout can’t be caught — and after a long hot summer, one of the best places to catch during the transition is Bayous Liberty and Lacombe.[…]

Capt. Keith “Herk” Bergeron said free-lining live croakers is a good way to catch trout deep.

Grand Isle — Still hot in September

September 6, 2018 Rusty Tardo

My old friend Capt. Keith “Herk” Bergeron said there’s still plenty nice trout to catch this month, but you’ll have to fish deeper for them.[…]

While many river bass are around a pound or two, fall is an excellent time to land Ouachita lunkers like these.

Bass follow bait on the Ouachita

September 5, 2018 Kinny Haddox

It’s been a crazy year on the Ouachita River. Spring flooding pushed waters far out of the river’s banks. Then a summer drawdown by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for repairs on the Columbia lock and dam drew the river down to a 40-year low. The drop emptied many smaller tributaries, brought D’Arbonne Bayou back to its channels and cut off most river lakes.[…]

There’s nothing like throwing topwaters into a school of reds during a feeding frenzy.

Chasing reds in Cocodrie

September 4, 2018 Joel Masson

Redfish in South Louisiana are plentiful 12 months out the year, and there are as many ways to catch them as lures to use. As with almost any fish, though, there’s no more fun way to catch a bull red than on a topwater lure.[…]

Whether you call them white perch, crappie or sac-a-lait, that’s a nice fish Jeff Collins is about to put on ice.

No bull about Boeuf River crappie

September 3, 2018 Kinny Haddox

The Boeuf River’s name comes from the French, and means beef or bull. The Bouef won’t win any beauty contests or make it on many peoples’ Top 10 lists, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great place to fish — and that’s no bull. […]

Capt. Casey Kieff said live shrimp under a popping cork will catch trout this month, as will gold spoons for reds in the upper Biloxi Marsh.

Biloxi Marsh: Trout in transition

September 2, 2018 Rusty Tardo

Despite lingering warm temperatures, September’s trout transition is already underway, according to Capt. Casey Kieff.[…]

Trout typically become scattered this time of year, but redfish more than pick up the slack.

Focusing on reds

September 1, 2018 Joel Masson

Mother Nature unfortunately doesn’t always cooperate for fishermen, and that forces anglers to change their patterns this time of year, according to Hopedale guide Capt. Charlie Thomason.[…]

Although trout fishing has been tough this summer in Buras, a falling Mississippi River combined with the annual migration should result in more specks hitting ice.

Buras fishing ‘will be off the chart’ this month

August 27, 2018 Andy Crawford

Redfish have been the star of the Buras stage throughout the summer, but this month should add speckled trout to the mix for anglers heading to the fishing village south of New Orleans.[…]