Easiest pickings of the year for specks and reds
October gives us Delacroix at its finest, said Fishaholic Charter’s Capt. Nick Rando (504-281-8287).
“It’s on fire,” Rando said. “It is absolutely my favorite month of the year. The September slump is long gone. The transition months can be challenging as trout stay on the move, and their appetites run hot and cold.
“Every year they make their annual trek from the big outside bays where they spawned back into the fringe and mid-range bays and lakes. Eventually, as the colder winter weather arrives they’ll move deep inside.
“But for now the trout are going to park and hang in the usual mid-range hotspots.”
He said this is when you want to fish Bay Lafourche, Grand Point Bay, Pointe Fienne, Bay Jack Nevette, Oak River Bay, Bay Crabe and even Lake John.
“And you can also catch plenty fish in areas like American Bay, Island Bay and Battleground Bay,” Rando said. “All that area will be teeming with trout in October.”
Rando said that, if the weather doesn’t cool down too much in October, you’ll still be able to catch fish in Black Bay.
“The key for trout is to find clean, moving water in any of these mid-area lakes and bays,” he explained. “Look for prominent points with good current lines around it, and fish there.
“Live shrimp under a cork is always the best bait, but not always absolutely necessary in October. I’m having great success with the Vudu hrimp in the natural, Cajun pepper or magic colors, and with Matrix shads in shrimp creole, lemonhead or the magneto colors — all fished about 2 to 3 feet under a cork.”
As the fall deepens, trout will move into interior waters.
“By November and into December, the trout get into Little Lake, and that becomes a free-for-all,” Rando said. “The action becomes crazy.”
If you want to chase redfish this month, use live or dead shrimp under a cork on a Kahle hook with a split-shot about 6 inches above the hook and toss it up as close to the grass as you can get it, he said.
“The reds are going to be tight to the grass in the ponds off Sun Lagoon, Shell Lake, Lake John and the Bayou Fongera area,” Rando said. “You can also catch reds with Matrix Shads in the magneto color on a ¼-ounce jighead under a cork.
“Cool weather, brisk air, trout and reds on fire and in closer — what’s not to love about about October?”