The Midway campaign of May 1942, was hard-fought but successful because U.S. Naval Intelligence was able to break the Japanese communications code and decipher their plans.
And Capt. Keith “Herk” Bergeron said there are things you’ll need to know to break the trout code if your Barataria Bay trip is to be successful this month.
• Tide — You need a day with a good tidal range, whether rising or falling.
• Winds — It doesn’t have to be calm, but east winds in the 15- to 20-mph range will make Saturday Island and Manilla Village unfishable.
Bergeron said Manilla Village is best on a northwest or west wind because it gets protection from the land along the Barataria Waterway.
Any strong wind will nix Saturday Island because it’s in wide open waters.
• Water clarity — “This is probably the biggest factor,” Bergeron said. “If you can find clear water out there, the trout will bite. If not, they won’t; that simple.”
• Weather — “Watch the weather and choose days just before a front comes through, or two or three days after the front,” the veteran fishing guide advised. “Don’t fish the day of or the day after a front if you can help it.
“Give the waves and winds time to settle and for the bottom to clear up. Remember: If the water is dirty, you will not catch fish.”
