Target specks and reds in the bays
“Hooray for October,” my old friend Capt. T-Man Cheramie (985-677-6294) said. “The biggest threat of tropical storms has passed, the weather is cooler, the humidity is lower and the fish are on the prowl.”
T-Man has fished the Sulfur Mine area for 50 years ,and this month he starts focusing on the deeper ponds that surround it for marauding reds and hungry specks.
“The news is mostly all good,” he said. “The trout and redfish are hungry, and the numbers and sizes are real good. They’ll hit gold spoons, soft plastics, topwater baits, and of course, live shrimp and minnows. And a new bait shop opened up in the old gas station in front of Basson’s Launch, so that’s an added bonus.”
The only issue T-Man cautions anglers about is the dredging going on all around the mine.
“They’re filling in some areas and dredging out others, so just be cautious and aware when you run,” he said.
Otherwise, he suggested fishing the mouths of the bayous in the big lakes and bays for specks, but don’t be surprised to find reds in the mix. Try live bait or soft plastics under a cork fished around Lake Raccourci, Lake Chein, Lake Felicity and Little Lake, he said.
Cheramie’s favorite tactic is to toss topwater baits in the early mornings, on overcast days or late evenings off points with current — and wait for the explosion.
“Reds and big trout will slam dunk your Top Dog Jr. or She Dogs, and nothing is as exciting as topwater action,” he said. “Right now through November is prime time for the topwater bite.”
To increase your chances for a great day on the water, choose to fish days with less wind, and look for signs of bait in the water or birds diving on the surface. Don’t pass up the birds, he said.
“If you specifically want to target reds then try any of the deeper ponds around the big lakes or around the Sulfur Mine,” he said. “Just soak a live minnow or dead shrimp under a cork tossed up near a point or cut or cove. Give it a few pops and wait a couple minutes, and they’ll find it.”
