Don’t ignore smaller wells in the area, guide says
Capt. Rory Rorison (504-439-1680) said Bay Eloi has woken up from a long slumber and is producing trout in good numbers.
“Our annual run of speckled trout is on full throttle, and all you need is a decent day to boat a box full,” Rorison said.
The guide said he’ll focus on three main targets:
1. The rigs, platforms and wellheads — “All the structures in Bay Eloi potentially hold fish,” Rorison said. “The larger structures are good bets, but don’t ignore smaller wellheads because some of them are surrounded by a good shell bottom that holds fish.
“The best bet is to anchor above the structure so you can toss toward it, in front of it and let your bait trickle towards it.”
He said the farther structures are in 8 to 10 feet of water, while the nearer ones in about 6 feet.
“Live shrimp is, by far, the best bait, but we do still put fish in the boat on plastics,” Rorison said.
He said to fish under a cork and free-line a shrimp with just a split-shot. Or you can try a bottom rig.
“But be prepared to hang up some if you fish the bottom,” Rorison said. “Give a spot 15 minutes to produce. If you don’t get anything in that period of time, move. And keep moving until you find them.”
2. Dead Man Island — “There’s not a lot left of Dead Man, but it has a big subsurface footprint that holds bait and attracts fish,” the captain said. “Sneak in toward the island quietly, either drifting or trolling, and cast live shrimp under a cork.
“When you bump into fish, set your Power-Pole or anchor or Cajun anchor and see if you can put some numbers in the boat. When 10 or 15 minutes passes and you haven’t had a bite, resume drifting or trolling.”
Rorison said to be sure to fish both toward and away from the island, because the underwater reef extends out for 100 yards or more.
3. The reefs in Lake Eloi — “When you get those marginal days, when the wind is blowing harder than you anticipated, try the lee shoreline side of Lake Eloi, over any of the numerous oyster reefs,” Rorison said. “You’ll see more white poles than you can count, and sometimes you’ll see birds diving out there among them.
“We’ve put plenty keeper trout in the boat already this season from under the birds. They saved more than one fishing trip for me.”
He said to drift or troll around the poles and fish live shrimp under a cork.
“Anchor when you catch them; move when the action stops,” Rorison said.
