June is one of the very best months of the year for Shell Beach and Hopedale fishermen, according to Capt. Mike Callahan.
Callahan’s dad was a charter fisherman and hunting guide, so he grew up with a fishing rod in his hands. He previously fished mostly the Leeville to Grand Isle area, but made the move to the Shell Beach area and started his own guide business three years ago.
“This area has it all,” he said. “You can hide from the winds and find some fish under most conditions somewhere out here. The big decision is where to go. There’s just so many options.
“In June, the one place that produces fish with the most consistency is the MRGO Long Rocks. And let me tell you, the action has been excellent throughout May, and June will be more of the same, and probably even better.”
Callahan said the reason it should be even better is because the spring transition is over and the trout have moved out of the marshes into the bigger waters.
“This is when the rocks produce the best and over the longest period of time,” he said. “Once the July heat sets in, the trout will still show up out there but only for a brief hour or so in the early mornings, and then they’re gone for the day into deeper water.”
Under the birds
Callahan said it’s also a great time of year to fish any of the big oyster-laden outer bays and on out to Breton Island and all the islands and structures in between.
“All those areas will hold trout and reds and drum and sheepshead,” he said. “You can also fish under the birds this month. I know a lot of people like to do that and you can catch keeper-sized trout under them, but you’ll have to cull through hardheads and gaff-tops and undersized trout to do it. But it is a lot of fun catching so many fish so fast, and you can put fish in the box under the birds. When they’re biting they will literally hit any bait you throw in the water.”
For bait, Callahan said he always brings live shrimp and starts every trip fishing them under a popping cork. But once the fish start biting, he’ll switch to any plastic shrimp imitation lures. He said he personally likes the Marker 54 and Four Horsemen shrimp in any color but especially clear, and preferably with a chartreuse tail.
“If I have a customer who particularly wants to target redfish this month, I’ll fish the rocks along Lake Borgne, the backside of the Dam in Hopedale or the Long Rocks, which do produce a good number of reds,” he said. “Live or fresh shrimp under a cork is the best bait.”
Capt. Mike Callahan’s Borgne on da Bayou Fishing Charters can be reached at 985-276-7878.
