No boat? No worries along Hwy. 1 between Leeville and Grand Isle
Every month, Louisiana Sportsman runs informative articles about fishing this bay or that marsh or running offshore to hit the rigs.
But what if you don’t have a boat?
Not to worry, because there are speckled trout and redfish to be caught in December alongside Hwy 1 between Leeville and Grand Isle. Metairie resident Gary Burghardt has been fishing there for 37 years and is happy to share some tips.
What to look for
At first glance, it can be a bit overwhelming deciding where to fish off Hwy 1 because there is water everywhere. There are, however, certain things to look for.
In the wintertime, deep water can be the key. According to Burghardt, one of the best deep spots is known as the Snake Pit.
“It’s about a mile and a half past the turn at Fourchon on the right headed towards Grand Isle,” he said. ”There’s a lone telephone pole about 20 feet from the highway standing in the water. Also, the culverts that pass under Hwy 1 have some pretty good depth to them.”
In addition, be on the lookout for moving water.
“What you want is movement in the water, whether it’s from the wind or tide,” Burghardt said. “As long as there is a little movement, the fishing should be good.”
Where you need to fish in the moving water depends on your quarry.
“If I am fishing for redfish, I tend to fish by the marsh grass, but for trout, I fish the open waters,” Burghardt said.
What to use
For roadside fishing, Burghardt depends on a seven-foot medium action rod and an open-faced reel loaded with monofilament line.
“I am a live bait man all the way,” he said. “If I can get live shrimp, I use them for the trout. When I fish for reds, I like cocahoe minnows.”
With both baits, Burghardt uses a Carolina rig to fish on the bottom. His setup is a 1-ounce barrel sinker attached above a three-foot leader with a #2 Khale hook.
“If I use plastics, I prefer the Matrix Shad in the ‘Lemon Head’ color with a ¼-ounce jig head,” he said. ”I also like to fish in the early morning with a topwater bait [such as] the Heddon Super Spook Jr. in bone color or the Rapala Skitter Walk in mullet color.”
Be safe and courteous
Hwy 1 is a busy two-lane road, so be careful when fishing.
“Park off the road enough so your vehicle doesn’t get hit,” Burghardt said. “If you bring children with you, please keep a tight watch on them. It only takes a second for them to place themselves in danger.”
Burghardt’s last piece of advice is to pick up after yourself.
“When you leave, take your trash with you,” he said. “Littering is disrespectful to other sportsmen, the environment and future sportsmen. Always take your trash with you!”
Where to stay
In 2021, Hurricane Ida devastated Grand Isle, and it has taken some time for the area to bounce back. Fortunately, Grand Isle State Park reopened in June and is a convenient place to stay for those fishing Hwy 1.
The park has 49 pull-through premium camping spots with water and electricity service. These sites can accommodate both RVs and tents, and one site is ADA compliant. There is also one glamping tent.
Grand Isle State Park has a popular fishing pier and 14 camping sites on the beach, but these are not yet all opened. Check befofe you go to make sure. The beach, however, is open and visitors can fish in the surf.
