Constricted to inside the pass by two long rows of rocks, water flowed from the estuary into the Gulf. At the end of the jetty, the water swirled around the last rocks in a mushrooming effect.
More than shifting currents disrupted the water surface. About 20 yards off the rocks, jumping baitfish desperately tried to escape the snaggled-toothed predators attacking from below. Above the water, winged predators swooped low to snatch anything they could in this daily never-ending life and death struggle.
Built to mark channels or redirect currents, jetties create entire ecosystems for any fish species dwelling in coastal Louisiana waters. Algae and other plants grow on the rocks and concrete blocks, providing food for small fish and other creatures. Crabs, shrimp and small fish hide in the crannies to escape predators on the prowl.
“Around the Venice area jetties we catch a variety of fish, including redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead, black drum, mangrove snappers, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and other species,” said Mike Frenette with Redfish Lodge of Louisiana (504-782-0924, Laredfish.com). “I’ve hooked tarpon while fishing for reds and specks.
“In January 2025, I hooked a tarpon that came straight up alongside the boat and jumped two or three times before we lost it. It probably weighed about 55 pounds. I’ve even caught gag grouper and king mackerel at the jetties.”
When fishing the Venice area jetties, Frenette must contend with tides and the awesome Mississippi River flow. The river normally runs high, swift and cold in the spring while carrying snowmelt from across the continent.
“High water forces redfish downriver,” Frenette said. “The jetties are a perfect place for them to feed. They hide by the jetties in deeper water with higher salinity levels and gorge on all the baitfish coming down the river.”
Jetties hold baitfish
Jetties squeeze water through restricted spaces. At the tip, the flow spreads out. Currents scour holes when whipping around the tips. That flow washes back around the outside rocks. Shrimp, crabs and baitfish collect in eddies created by the backwash or drop into holes. Boat cuts in some jetties also create places that hold fish.
“In May, we usually start catching big trout along the rocks in front of Grand Isle,” said Cole McCarty with Grand Isle Outfitters (318-732-2515 or 985-258-6615, grandisleoutfittersla.com). “We usually find the biggest trout closer to the end where the tide can roll around the rocks. Big female specks from 4 to 7 pounds will be in that deeper water. Around the last rocks at Caminada Pass is a great place to fish. I like to throw plastics, like Baby Boom Boom Shrimp. I also like Marker 54 baits and Matrix Shad.”
McCarty and Matt Fuertes own a bayside lodge on Grand Isle. Besides Caminada Pass, they frequently fish rocks at Fourchon, Pass Abel and Belle Pass for trout, redfish and other species.
On most jetties, people only see a few rocks protruding from the surface, but considerably more structure exists underwater. Most jetties form a pyramid shape with rocky tiers extending some distance from the apex. The deeper the water, the wider the bottom.
“Jetties are a giant manmade reef,” McCarty said. “The jetties always hold a lot of bait. The rocks are safe havens for shrimp, pogies, croakers and other baitfish and big trout know it. Sheepshead and black drum love hard structures. We also catch Spanish mackerel, bluefish, jack crevalle, flounder and sharks around the jetties. In the spring of 2025, we hammered the pompano around the rocks with small jigheads tipped with dead shrimp.”
Bigger fish
Jetties not only create structure, but also form chokepoints that concentrate fish, especially in places like Calcasieu Pass south of Lake Charles. Calcasieu Ship Channel drains a huge estuary that has produced double-digit specks and numerous trout in the 5- to 9-pound range.
“In May, we start to get a good run of big trout at the jetties,” said Kirk Stansel with Hackberry Rod and Gun (337-762-3391, www.hackberryrodandgun.com) in Hackberry. “There’s always redfish around the jetties. May is a real good time for shrimp. Mullets and menhaden are also coming around the jetties at that time. Bigger fish come to feed on the bait. The pass is the only way that anything can come out of the estuary. Everything must go between those rocks.”
To the west, the Sabine River forms part of the Louisiana-Texas border. Sabine Pass connects Sabine Lake to the Gulf. Sabine Lake produces double-digit trout and big flounder. At the pass, two rock jetties extend more than four miles into the Gulf.
“Sometimes, trout suspend around the rocks and could be anywhere in the water column,” Stansel said. “I throw soft plastics near the rocks and let the bait fall on a tight line. I like a Lil John and Down South lures on a ¼-ounce jighead. On windy days, I use a 5/16- or a 3/8-ounce jighead. In deeper water, I sometimes use a ½-ounce jighead, especially with a strong tide. In clear water, I throw lighter colors like glow or chartreuse. In off-color water, I like darker colors such as avocado or black. In clear water, I like to work a MirrOlure MirrOdine suspending bait.”
Falling tide vs. Rising tide
Since tides pull bait from the estuaries and everything must pass between the rocks, many anglers fish inside the rocks or just outside the tip during a falling tide. They fish outside the rocks during a rising tide. Knowing that a falling tide pulls baitfish, crabs and shrimp from the estuary, big redfish, sharks and other predators face into the flow waiting to grab whatever comes to them.
“In general, I fish the inside on a falling tide and the outside on the rising tide, but that depends on the tide, wind and water clarity,” Stansel said. “When I go to the jetties, I look for water clarity and bait. I’m going to fish the cleanest water because trout prefer pretty water. I like to fish the points the best. They are natural ambush spots for fish.”
Trout move around more than many other fish. Trout commonly chase bait in open water some distance from the rocks. Specks could roam at any depth and sometimes smack baits as soon as they hit the water. If so, use the lightest jighead possible or try a topwater temptation. Topwaters typically produce larger trout.
Redfish, drum and sheepshead hold closer to the rocks. Sheepshead especially like rocks because they relish chomping barnacles. Redfish hit various lures, including soft plastics, spinnerbaits, spoons, crankbaits and topwaters.
“We fish for redfish just like for trout, slowly on the bottom, but I might use a bigger trailer, probably a 3.75- to 4.5-inch trailer,” Frenette said. “For redfish, we position the boat about 20 yards from the rocks and cast towards them. We hop the bait back towards the boat slowly. We sometimes mark fish with our electronics and vertically jig for them if they hold in one spot.”
What to use
Most people anchor at a good spot. Some anglers fish jetties like they would shorelines, using electric power to slowly cruise along the rocks casting to likely spots.
“Try to picture where the rocks end,” Frenette said. “That’s where we need to put the bait. I throw a 3/8- or ½-ounce jighead tipped with a Strike King Rage Menace or a Flood Minnow soft-plastic trailer about 5 feet away from the rocks. Cast it out and let it get to the bottom. Be patient and work the bait slowly. Lift the rod up. Then, let the bait sink down. Make a slow hop along the bottom.”
To avoid losing too much tackle, many anglers fish popping corks sweetened with a live shrimp or baitfish. With a live shrimp, people might catch anything swimming in Louisiana waters. Toss the rig a couple feet away from the rocks. Let the tide carry it naturally. Pop it occasionally.
Bull reds and monster drum like deeper waters near the jetty tips. They also want natural baits. They can’t resist a crab. For the biggest fish, hook a whole fresh crab to a Carolina rig. Keep the top shell attached, but crack it to let juices ooze out. Hook small live crabs through the back near the rounded swimmer fin and fish them on a free line.
A crab half also makes an outstanding redfish and drum temptation. Break the claws off and toss them into the water for chum. Remove the top shell and break the crab into halves. Run a hook through the meaty part so that the point exits out a leg hole.
A free line sweetened with a live mullet, pogie or cut bait attracts redfish, but could also entice sharks, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and other predators, possibly cobia. Sharks regularly feed in shallow waters and patrol jetties looking for prey. For Spanish mackerel and bluefish, throw anything shiny and work it fast.
Warm air mixing with a chill coming off river water can create dense fog. Also, high rivers carry floating logs and other debris. Take it slow and keep safe. When fog turns too thick wait a while to leave the marina.
