Specks, redfish are at the starting line to race toward interior waters
According to veteran Charter Captain Nick Rando (504-281-8287), September begins the annual fall transition, when trout start the trek from their outside spring and summer spawning grounds into the large outer bays and lakes. It’s a cycle that repeats itself every year. The outside waters are higher in the salt content the fish need for spawning. But this month an old, innate instinct kicks in, drawing them towards the interior waters.
Rando said the transition also means the fish will be scattered, so anglers will have to to do the old stick-and-move tactic to put together a good box.
“You’ll still be able to find some good fish at the usual summer spots,” Rando said. “Stone Island, Iron Banks, the Compressor, the Black Tanks, the Wreck and all the way out to Breton Island. The rigs and structure in Bay Eloi holds fish, and the Long Rocks are consistently producing good catches of mixed fish.
“You probably won’t limit anywhere, but you can pick up a few here and a few there, stick as long as they’re biting, and move when they stop,” he said.
Big fringe bays
Rando said he’ll also search the big fringe bays this month, looking for birds and for good current lines around points.
“I can tell you I’m seeing more bait in the Delacroix waters right now than I’ve seen in a long time,” he said. “As I run through the bays, I see shrimp jumping all over, so any minute we’re going to hear of great action on both specks and reds. I expect it to crank up in areas like Lake Campo, Oak River Bay, Bay Crabbe, Bay Lafourche and all along the edges of Black Bay and over to Four Horse Lake.”
Rando said since the waters are so full of white shrimp right now, the trout and reds will be gorging on them. That means you’ll want to stock up your baitwell with the live ones before leaving the dock.
“I’ve also been catching a lot of fish on those Boom-Boom Shrimp, fished about 3 feet deep under a 4-Horsemen cork,” he said.
He said reds should also be patrolling the interior, where gold spoons, spinnerbaits and live shrimp under a cork will attract the bite.
September is looking good, so let’s hope and pray for a quiet tropical season.
