August brings low stages to the mighty Mississippi and Atchafalaya. Combine that with any tropical activity in the Gulf, and the result is high salinities and a pelagic invasion.
Look for large Spanish, kings, mangroves, bluefish and jack crevalle along the beaches or even in lower bays. You’ll also find schools of bull reds concentrating along beaches and passes. Don’t be surprised to see pods of Redzillas in interior bays, as well.
For all these species, large seaducers, deceivers and EP flies are the meal ticket. Recommended tackle ranges from 9-weight to 12-weight, with an intermediate or sinking line. The retrieve needs to be fast — fish like Spanish and kings feed at 15 mph.
A wire bite tippet is required. If the fish avoid the wire, try a double tippet of heavy fluorocarbon, but be prepared to replace it often.
It’s been a slow summer for white trout due to the low salinities on the coast, but expect hordes of them to invade this month. Most will be 10 to 11 inches — a good keeper size. Cast 1/50-ounce clousers, and let them sink to the bottom in passes and tidal cuts. Then strip.
Night fishing is great this month, and a cool alternative to “SweatFest 2013.” Under lights, skim a clouser on the surface and catch specks, or dead drift your clouser and catch white trout.
White bass will be active in the Red River and in live oxbows of the Mississippi. Spinner flies, such as the Pistol Pete and the Tom Nixon Spinner, will help bring home a nice stringer.
