Marsh Man Masson

For me, the peak of summer comes near the end of its second month, during the annual Faux Pas Lodge Invitational Fishing Rodeo, headquartered at Venice, near the mouth of the Mississippi River. It’s an event that attracts some of the best anglers in the region, who compete to catch the largest speckled trout, tuna, wahoo and more, but I’ve never actually entered the rodeo.[…]

This time of year, falling river levels serve as Mother Nature’s Kirby to suck bass out of their hiding places way back in Louisiana’s legendary swamps. The fishing is often downright epic.[…]

Catching trophy-sized speckled trout on topwater lures is no less exhilarating than hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth to win game seven of the World Series. There’s just something about hearing the staccato rhythm of a clacking plug being interrupted by a cupped slap and frothy explosion. It turns the knees to jelly.[…]