The colder-than-usual weather this winter came in a short, concentrated burst of frigid, bone-chilling cold that shocked man and beast and fowl and fish — all of which are unaccustomed to such temperatures.
Capt. Jay Auseve (985-637-4964) said it delayed the usual start of the Grand Isle trout season, but not by too much.
“Nature is resilient,” he said. “It rebounds.
“We were eager to see the trout show up again after they vanished with the cold, but they’re showing up now and they’re hungry.”
Auseve said April is when the trout get real active in Four Bayou Pass, and all the passes.
“Coup Abel, Barataria Pass, Caminada Pass… they’ll all produce fish this month and next,” he said. “And the action should really turn up along the beaches when the winds give you a window to fish out there, and at the traditional spring hotspots like Queen Bess.””
Auseve said live shrimp is the best bait, but if its unavailable, then plastics should do the trick.
“Fish shrimp imitation baits such as the DOA or TKO or Vudu in natural or glow colors, tight-lined or fished under a cork, or H&H cocahoes in chartreuse or opening night colors fished the same way, single- or tandem-rigged,” he said.
“One of my favorite things to do in the spring is to throw topwater baits or the slow-sinking twitchbaits, and enjoy the thrill of a big trout or redfish exploding on those lures.””
Auseve said redfish have stayed active and plentiful in the marsh throughout the winter, and now they’re patrolling along the beach in big schools, devouring whatever is in front of them.
“Look for birds along the beach,” he said. “If you see them hovering and diving, it’s most likely a school of reds under them. Throw gold spoons or soft plastics and enjoy the fight.”
