Ask Captain Paul
GPS recommendations and mapping for kayak fishing
Dear Capt. Paul:
I recently bought a used Garmin GPSMAP handheld to use in my kayak so that I can find my way into and out of the marches, as I fly fish.[…]
Fishing
Fishing
Yes, Louisiana does have other bass
A large segment of Louisiana’s freshwater fishing community has become obsessed with black bass, almost to the exclusion of interest in other fish.[…]
Fishing
Chicot, Caney hold February’s brutes
Most of my attention for the first of this month will be focused on fishing and winning the 2010 Bassmaster Classic on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Ala.[…]
Fishing
3-Step Specks
Nearly 40 years of guiding has taught Capt. Stu Scheer with Cocodrie Inside Charters at least one thing — February is without a doubt the worst month of the year to fish out of Cocodrie.
It’s not so much that the trout disappear; it’s just that they very rarely bite well during February. The problem with the February trout bite is the prevailing conditions. If Mother Nature is feeling a little bitchy, she will bring you to your knees.
On the other hand, during those few days that she decides to smile upon you, the trout fishing out of Cocodrie this time of year can be pretty darn good.
[…]
Bass Fishing
Giant hawg caught in Calcasieu River
The BIG news as of the new year on the Calcasieu River was a 9 ½-pound bass caught by a bass club fisherman during a tournament on Jan. 5.[…]
Bass Fishing
Prespawn Patrol — Tips for bass fishing success during the prespawn
Pickles and ice cream, donuts with lots of sprinkles, Cheese Whiz and anything with chocolate — pregnancy cravings are a fact of life, for a soon-to-be mom eating for two (or more).
Expectant bass might not crave anything odd, but they’re all about packing their bellies for their forthcoming spawn. Learn where and how to locate these fish and you can, ahem, “expect” your own delivery of rod-bending fun.
First, consider the basics of where they’ll spawn. Creeks, coves, backwater canals. Pretty much any shallow habitat with good sunlight and some type of cover will do.[…]
Contents
Cover: February 2013
It’s time to brush the dust off the boat and catch some fish! Learn where and how to catch bass, speckled trout, crappie and more.[…]
Bass Fishing
Make connection on prespawn bass
With any prespawn bait, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Greg Hackney said fluorocarbon is essential during cold spells.[…]
Features
Cold on top — Catch winter specks on topwater baits
When others head to deep holes in Pointe-aux-Chene’s sulphur mine, Capt. Gordon Matherne heads to the shallows to catch topwater speckled trout.[…]
Inshore Fishing
How to set the hook on a topwater bait
The trick to sinking the hooks on a topwater into a fish’s mouth isn’t the same as when fishing a jig. In other words, don’t jerk the snot out of it when a fish picks up the lure.[…]
Contents
Secrets of a sac-a-lait master – How to catch more crappie
He called it “venture fishing.” I called it a few choice words I can’t write here. But before me lay an extremely, thick tangle of small, long branches sticking atop the water from a submerged, major artery of a tree.[…]
Freshwater Fishing
Top Chicot Lake crappie tactics
Another location on Glynn Lavergne’s rotating itinerary is Chicot Lake — 2,000 acres of flooded cypress/tupelo located north of Ville Platte within the interior of Chicot State Park.[…]
Freshwater Fishing
Best crappie tackle and lures
Part of Glynn Lavergne’s secret to success with slab crappie has to do with the very sensitive tackle he uses to entice these sac-a-lait.[…]
Contents
A labor of love — How the New Orleans Big Game Fishing Club began
Louisiana is blessed in all things that come from the water. Its reputation as a seafood-producing and consuming state is unequaled.[…]
Contents
Good Vibrations — Spinnerbaits offer another option to catch speckled trout
After picking up the third speckled trout in a row on a spinnerbait, I looked at Ken Chaumont and said, “This ain’t coincidence anymore.”[…]
Contents
Fourchon Meat Haul — Catch boxes of sheepshead by fishing the rigs just off Louisiana’s coast
The call to Doc Fontaine seemed perfunctory, a mere formality — almost pointless. After all, traditionally, mooching a Grand Isle camp for a weekend in February ain’t too hard.[…]