Louisiana Sportsman

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August 25, 2026

The author takes a selfie with a 4-pound class bass that bit his new creation, a “deep Neko rig,” a 7 ½-inch long Senko he punched in hydrilla in 10- to 13-foot depths on July 20 at Toledo Bend.

Try a Senko in September at Toledo Bend

August 30, 2024 John Dean

Hydrilla beds stacked like they are now around Toledo Bend are thick enough and spread out enough to hold the fish.[…]

LDWF: Red snapper landing estimates through Aug. 11

August 26, 2024 From News Reports

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries released the latest private recreational red snapper landing estimates through August 11.[…]

Big trout will usually be caught in a single area of the water column under a particular set of conditions.

The big trout formula

August 26, 2024 Jon Miller

The factors governing successful fishing for big trout are the right time, the right spot, the right bait and the right presentation.[…]

Big trout, small bait! Mandeville’s Will Plauche is all smiles with this 21-inch speck caught in 10 feet of water.

Don’t sleep on sheepshead minnows

August 23, 2024 Keith Lusher Jr.

Sheepshead minnows will become more of a speckled trout option for anglers as the north winds will begin to blow water out of the marsh.[…]

Fifty-pound braid played an instrumental part in pulling this big bull red out of the pilings and into the boat.

Causeway redfish

August 23, 2024 Keith Lusher Jr.

There’s plenty of time to get out and take advantage of the stout redfish bite at the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge.[…]

The Calcasieu River’s name comes from an Atakapas phrase meaning “Crying Eagle.” (Photo by Terry L. Jones)

The rivers of southwestern Louisiana

August 22, 2024 Terry L. Jones

The Mermentau and Calcasieu rivers both hold fresh and saltwater species and both have interesting name origins.[…]

Raising Cane’s Hotel Sid reef

August 19, 2024 Chris Holmes

Todd Graves of Raising Cane’s, with CCA Louisiana, the LDWF and others, gathered in Grand Isle to dedicate the Raising Cane’s Hotel Sid reef. […]

LDWF to open recreational red snapper season 7 days a week

August 15, 2024 From News Reports

The LDWF Secretary signed a Declaration of Emergency to reopen the recreational red snapper season seven days a week beginning Aug. 19.[…]

The Biloxi Marsh project is located along a 7-mile stretch of the southeastern shoreline of Lake Borgne and the Biloxi WMA in St. Bernard Parish. (Photo courtesy Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority)

Coastal restoration priorities

August 15, 2024 Chris Macaluso

Louisiana should look ahead to when Deepwater Horizon oil spill fines will no longer refill coastal restoration coffers.[…]

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.[…]

Jetboil Flash Cook System

August 9, 2024 Brian Cope

The Jetboil Flash Cook System is the fastest Jetboil on the market, and it’s so compact you can take it anywhere.[…]

Jaxon Plaisance, left, and Piers Picou smile ear to ear while hoisting the 2024 LHSBN Junior Division Anglers of the Year plaques high at the state championship banquet.

Picou and Plaisance earn back-to-back Junior Anglers of the Year titles

August 8, 2024 Don Shoopman

Piers Picou and Jaxon Plaisance weighed in at least one keeper bass in 26 consecutive Louisiana High School B.A.S.S. Nation tournaments.[…]

LDWF accepting applications for two fall Women’s Fishing 101 Workshops

August 6, 2024 From News Reports

The LDWF and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF) are teaming up to present two Women’s Fishing 101 Workshops this fall.[…]

MLF BPT pro Cliff Pace holds a good-sized bass that bit on a CP Craw, one of 12 new soft plastic models offered by his Black Label Tackle artificial lure manufacturing company.

Black Label Tackle’s CP Craw

August 6, 2024 Don Shoopman

Cliff Pace decided midsummer last year to bring out an impressive array of soft plastics for bass anglers to Black Label Tackle.[…]

HUK A1A Performance Crew

August 4, 2024 Brian Cope

HUK outdid itself with the lightweight, super comfortable A1A Performance Crew that wicks away sweat to keep you cool.[…]

Capt. Jonathan Sanchez caught this 2 ½-pound trout while tightlining a glow Matrix Shad in Bay Eloi.

How to tackle Hopedale this summer

August 3, 2024 Rusty Tardo

Capt. Jonathan Sanchez, a charter guide in the Shell Beach and Hopedale area, shares his plans to fish for speckled trout in August.[…]