News Breaker
Monster yellowfin landed from 24-foot bay boat
Even though he’s still a young man, it’s a pretty safe bet Aaron Cortez will never get a bigger birthday present than the one he caught midday Wednesday out of Venice.[…]
Fishing
News Breaker
300-pound mako jumps into shark-fishing boat
A pair of New Jersey anglers got more than they were looking recently when a 300-pound mako shark leaped into their boat while they were, well, shark fishing. […]
Columns
Vudu Shrimp
Can an artificial lure — a soft plastic — outfish a natural creature? That day has arrived and it’s like magic, hence lure’s name, thanks to Ken Chaumont of Lacassine.[…]
Inshore Fishing
LDWF investigating fatal boat accident in Flat Boat Pass
One man died and two were injured — one seriously — in a collision yesterday between a 24-foot bay boat and a 28-foot crew boat in Plaquemines Parish near the mouth of the Mississippi River, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said today.[…]
Apex Predator
The Bachelor Fishing Trip Reboot
Last year, my younger brother had his bachelor party in Cocodrie for a fishing weekend with the guys. Since this year I got married, I decided to do the same thing, except my trip was a post-wedding party labeled “The Non-Bachelor Party.”[…]
Inshore Fishing
Oyster shells to be recycled to provide fishing habitat, aid in coastal restoration
For generations, oyster lovers have filed into Acme Oyster House and Drago’s to sample the succulent bivalves plucked from Louisiana waters. Now, those landmark restaurants are joining with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana to help protect Louisiana’s shoreline for future generations.[…]
Columns
An outdoors legacy
On Easter Sunday of this year my father passed away. He was 90.[…]
Freshwater Fishing
Yo-yo fishing heats up at Cypress Bayou Reservoir
Some of the best fishing in the state is located just 15 minutes north of Bossier City at a place called Cypress Bayou Reservoir.[…]
Inshore Fishing
LDWF investigation of Breton Sound bull-red kill continues
The mid-May die-off of bull redfish in Breton Sound is still a mystery to state fisheries managers, although they said menhaden boats are not suspected in the incident.[…]
News Breaker
Federal snapper fishing regs adjusted after lawsuit
Score another major victory for Louisiana in its continuing battle with federal officials over red snapper management in the Gulf of Mexico.[…]
News Breaker
Federal fall snapper season in the offing, LDWF official says
During a year in which state and federal fisheries managers have stood toe to toe over red snapper management, some good news was revealed today — federal officials have apparently promised an estimated 4 million pounds of snapper will be released later this year to provide for a fall red snapper season.[…]
Bass Fishing
10-pound bass caught at Calcasieu River
Lake Charles angler Johnny Watkins has had his best spring ever in terms of catching huge bass — a couple of 9- pounders, as well as some 8s, 7s and 6s on Toledo Bend.[…]
Ask Captain Paul
Freemason Island
Dear Capt. Paul:
I’m trying to locate the coordinates for Freemason Island.[…]
Columns
ABC means ‘all about crabs’
The blue crab is one of the most-fascinating creatures in coastal marshes. This is one creature whose scientific name (Callinectes sapidus) completely describes it.[…]
Bass Fishing
Blade Runner — How to pimp your spinnerbait
Flashy appearance and bold profile may define the spinnerbait’s basic appeal, but there’s a lot of room for tactical tweaking and creative development — particularly with the blade setup.[…]
Contents
Big Bait, Big Fish — Make huge swim baits to catch monster bass, reds and specks
The thought was first planted in Mike Herrmann’s mind back a few years ago while on a bass-fishing trip. It was one of those occasions when something important happened, something that rang an inner bell and registered deep in his memory, only to have that memory fall asleep until another similar incident awakened it.[…]