Inshore Fishing
Target best weather days to up fishing odds for trout and reds in Hopedale, Delacroix
The fishing around Hopedale has been a little spotty lately, and the stormy weather has not helped out much. […]
Fishing
Fishing Tournaments
Anacoco angler catches a 13-pounder during Toledo Bend FLW EverStart
In more ways than one, a fog lifted over Toledo Bend on Friday (Feb. 15) for 34-year-old Casey Martin of Anacoco.[…]
News Breaker
Wahoo thick out of Cocodrie
Trolling with anything that resembles bait around the Green Canyon and Ship Shoal blocks will most likely land a wahoo right now, Capt. Tommy Pellegrin said.[…]
Columns
Sheep herding
Mark Sagerholm is an avid kayak fisherman and a self proclaimed “sheep herder.” Sagerholm has developed a great respect for sheepshead — what many Louisiana fishermen consider trash fish.[…]
News Breaker
359 rigs slated for decommissioning, leading scientist says action is detrimental to red snapper plan
The number 359 has taken on a new meaning for some Louisiana anglers and conservationists: That’s the estimated number of Gulf of Mexico rigs and platforms scheduled for removal this year, according to a release by DecomWorld distributed on Jan. 15.
And according to Dr. Bob Shipp, chairman of the University of South Alabama Department of Marine Sciences, that number is way too high because removal of any decommissioned rig is premature, if not blatantly detrimental to reef fish habitat.
“As a fisheries scientist, I think it’s a very big mistake,” he said.[…]
Fishing Tournaments
ALBC adds youth division to tournament offerings
The state’s largest non-professional bass-fishing group has added a junior division to its offerings in an effort to add new blood into the sport of tournament bass fishing, the Association of Louisiana Bass Clubs announced recently.
Participants in the ALBC’s junior division will consist of young anglers 14 to 18 years of age who are enrolled in high school.[…]
Bass Fishing
Poverty Point Reservoir produces second 12-pounder in a week
Ken Chapman of Crowville had initially planned to fish a bass tournament on Saturday, but the 30-year-old angler inadvertently turned off the alarm instead of punching the snooze button.
“Well, guess I’ll be going to Delhi this morning,” the angler said to himself when he did finally wake up.
In retrospect, the angler admitted that was one of the best turn of events that has ever occurred to him.[…]
Columns
Bass Kandi’s Coastal Crippler
Mike “Redbone” Holland of Ragley, who owns Bass Kandi Baits — a Southwest Louisiana artificial lure manufacturing company specializings in soft plastics — and his 11-year-old son Payton were deer hunting the week before Christmas near Kerrville, Texas.[…]
Bass Fishing
14-inch minimum size limit for Atchaflaya Basin bass should go, LDWF says
The 14-inch minimum size limit imposed for Atchafalaya Basin bass following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew will be a thing of the past in a few months if a Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries proposal receives final approval.
And that’s fine with Denham Springs angler Darren Cooper.
“It’s hard to catch 14-inch fish,” Cooper said. “How many fish do you catch in that 13-inch range?”[…]
Bass Fishing
Poverty Point angler lands 12-pound bass
On Wednesday, veteran bass angler and Vietnam War veteran James Bryan of Delhi left his home a mile away from Richland Parish’s Poverty Point Reservoir State Park to do what he enjoys — bass fishing.
That decision resulted in his catching the biggest bass of his life — a fish that topped the 12-pound mark.[…]
Fishing
Plano introduces new tackle satchel
Plano has introduced the Flex ‘N Go Tackle Satchel for the angler on the go. This adaptable system allows fishermen to be prepared for largemouth bass today, striperd bass tomorrow and even your favorite saltwater species for the weekend.[…]
Columns
Sweet-tooth sac-a-lait
At the homestead, the 14th day of February is more than just Valentine’s Day: It also marks the birthdate of my wonderful wife Emelise, often referred to in this column as Mrs. Catch.[…]
Freshwater Fishing
Tippets
We’ve had so much rain this winter that I’m starting to see animals gathering in pairs looking for a large boat. With all this runoff, the big challenge for fly anglers will be to find clear water.[…]
Freshwater Fishing
Upcoming Events
Here’s a list of upcoming events:
Feb. 16-17 — 11th annual Little Mo Fly Fishing Fest, Community Hall, Murfreesboro, Ark. Time: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Saturday), Sunday casting workshop TBA. Seminars, fly tying, casting, food, door prizes and refreshments. Admission: $5. www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com.[…]
News Breaker
2013 Louisiana red snapper to begin March 24
Offshore anglers launching out of Louisiana can begin hauling in red snapper on March 24 this year — more than two months before the expected opening of the federal red snapper season in federal waters.
That’s because a notice of intent to take Louisiana waters out of compliance with federal fishing regulations issued back in June has gone into effect, officials with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries’ said today (Feb. 7).[…]
Freshwater Fishing
White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area fishing permits now available
Lottery applications for fishing permits to the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area are now being accepted, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries has announced.[…]