Louisiana Sportsman

The author has been practicing since late last month, and typically shoots 20 arrows per session in exercises designed to simulate hunting scenarios he might encounter at the Atchafalaya Delta WMA.

Public Rambling: Now’s the time for scouting

August 21, 2018 Ricky Aucoin

Let’s get ready to RUMBLE! It’s officially time to put in the preseason work. Get up, get going and get out to your favorite hunting spot for some scouting.[…]

Total duck numbers are down by 13 percent from 2017, but the total of 41.2 million birds is still 17 percent higher than the long-term average.

Duck numbers down in 2018

August 20, 2018 From News Reports

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday released its report on 2018 Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, based on surveys conducted in May and early June by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service.[…]

Josh and Jamie Gaspard both with the wicked-looking lancetfish they caught on Wednesday, Aug. 15 about 120 miles out of Fourchon in the Green Canyon.

Dragon-like catch shocks Louisiana guide

August 20, 2018 Ann Taylor

It’s been a very strange year for Capt. Jamie Gaspard of Pure Adrenalin Fishing Charters out of Grand Isle and Fourchon.[…]

Chris Holmes, executive director of the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association, shows off a nice red he caught sight-fishing in marshes north of Buras during the Marsh Media Bash at Cajun Fishing Adventures.

Sight-fishing bonanza for reds out of Buras

August 20, 2018 Patrick Bonin

If you’re a sight-fishing fan, Friday afternoon was one of those special days when the planets aligned and conditions were perfect in the marshes along the east side of the Mississippi River between Buras and Pointe a la Hache.[…]

Capt. Boola Landry likes to target big bull reds like this one with purple or chartreuse soft plastics on a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader a couple of feet under a 4 Horsemen popping cork.

Run with the bulls in Venice

August 19, 2018 Capt. Martha Spencer

Inshore action out of Venice has been consistent this summer, and may be one of the best parts of the state if you’re looking to battle bull redfish.[…]

Bass like this one caught by Jerry Mitchell make an August Red River bass run worth the effort.

Cool off with ‘bass on the rocks’

August 18, 2018 Kinny Haddox

The hot summer weather got you down? Well, why not cool off with some bass on the rocks — Red River south style.[…]

A plastic boat and plastic lures make a good combination for catching a mess of panfish. Reliving childhood memories, Robyn Bordelon shows off a hefty basket of hand-sized fish just like she caught when she was a child.

Plastics for panfish

August 18, 2018 Chris Holmes

Many kayak anglers dream of catching giant fish from their small plastic boats. However, going in the completely opposite direction can be even more fun. Imagine catching scores of tiny, delicious fish — using nothing more than worms and a cane pole, or lightweight spinning gear.[…]

Skeeter's Steve Crowell landed this bull red working a popping cork around a bait slick off Buras' California Point.

Bull reds swarming east side of Buras right now

August 17, 2018 Andy Crawford

We left Riverside Marina about 6:45 a.m., cutting through the ribbon of marsh on the east side of the Mississippi River and heading out to the open water off California Point.[…]

Bull reds swarming east side of Buras right now

August 17, 2018 Andy Crawford

We left Riverside Marina about 6:45 a.m., cutting through the ribbon of marsh on the east side of the Mississippi River and heading out the California Point.[…]

Capt. Marty LaCoste likes throwing double-rigged Matrix Shad lures in green hornet, avocado and purple haze for August specks.

Slow but steady

August 17, 2018 Joel Masson

August can be a slow month for speckled trout fishing, but in the Dularge area this month, local guide Capt. Marty LaCoste expects it to be really good.[…]

Louis Laville of Baton Rouge caught this 4 ½-pound bass in June while fishing with John Dean.

Nighttime is the right time at Toledo Bend

August 16, 2018 John Dean

Getting bites during the heat of the day in August could be a challenge for bass anglers at Toledo Bend.[…]

Pogy prudence

August 15, 2018 David A. Brown

Prior to a recent mangrove snapper trip, Capt. Ross Montet loaded up with fresh pogies he cast-netted in the West Delta. He started in open water, but found he was chasing fast-moving schools that were outrunning his net in the 10- to 12-foot depths.[…]

A jig is a very effective spotted bass bait because it casts well and quickly reaches bottom.

Keep the party going

August 15, 2018 David A. Brown

Spotted bass are an aggressive, competitive lot; but even a robust school sees peaks and valleys in its feeding. When this happens, you certainly have the option of giving them a rest and returning later. However, Bassmaster Elite pro Gerald Swindle would first try a little spot stimulation strategy.[…]

This bluegill taken by Greg Babin may be small, but could be a big winner in a species-related contest.

Tippets

August 15, 2018 Catch Cormier

August is the last full month of “SweatFest 2018,” the festival nobody likes to celebrate. While a combination of hot water and high tides make for tough fly fishing, late summer does offer a few unique opportunities.[…]

Rio Grande chichlids are an invasive species that has spread throughout the southeast. They are beautiful and tasty little creatures, but they compete with native fishes and therefore, by law, cannot be returned to the water alive after being caught.

Be on the lookout for Rios

August 15, 2018 Chris Holmes

Rio Grande cichlids are an invasive species that has spread throughout the metropolitan New Orleans area. Found in fresh and brackish areas, they are becoming a more common catch by anglers fishing for bream and sunfish. Rios are more aggressive at defending their territory, and the concern is they could possibly totally displace native bream. […]

New gear reviews

August 15, 2018 Chris Holmes

Reel Steady Rod Stabilizer

Designed to add stability to heavy offshore fishing rods, the Reel Steady is a great addition for kayak anglers who need all the help they can get. Be it snapper or tarpon, fighting these bruisers from the seated position of a kayak makes handling heavy rods even more difficult.[…]