Columns
Rate that buck
Well, we once again find ourselves at the close of another year and headed straight into the clutches of what passes for winter here in the Deep South. […]
Statewide LA
Field Notes
Save money, prevent backlashes by spooling less line on baitcasters
Prairieville angler Adam Cook uses fluorocarbon on almost every reel he owns. The fact that it virtually disappears under water is a huge factor.[…]
News Breaker
January’s aerial waterfowl survey similar to December numbers
January’s wintry weather has prevented the completion of this month’s aerial waterfowl survey, but preliminary numbers released by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries indicate just about the same number of birds in the state as last month.[…]
Catfish
Bayou catfishing
Catfish are available in almost all freshwater areas of the state. Regularly caught in lakes, bayous and rivers, these fish provide great food and sport. However, they also provide an opportunity for kayak anglers to catch some true giants.[…]
Catfish
New gear reviews
Kayaks are increasingly seeing double duty as great waterfowl hunting boats. While some kayaks are available in camouflage, the vast majority come in solid, often bright, colors. But Yak Gear has solved the problem of hiding you and the ‘yak from a duck’s great vision.[…]
Columns
January’s Best Bets
This little lake in the Kisatchie National Forest near Alexandria is a hidden gem for kayak anglers. Motorized boating isn’t allowed, so the 46-acre lake doesn’t get much attention from bass anglers that fish in power boats.[…]
Field Notes
How to prevent, remove wind loops from spinning reels
I have a lifelong hatred of spinning reels, mainly generated by the loops that often form in the spooled line and create real messes.[…]
Bass Fishing
Top 3 winter bass baits
Wintertime bass fishing can be tough, and that can cause anglers to look for all kinds of gimmicks and off-the-wall tactics to get bites.[…]
Bass Fishing
The Super Sally
For many anglers, especially in the South, there have been epic trips with lots of unforgettable “Sally Time.”[…]
Sidebars
Artillery hold is key for dead-on accuracy
Achieving the greatest accuracy from an air rifle requires some changes in one’s typical shooting habits. Instead of holding the rifle with a firm grip, you have to use the loosest grip possible and allow it to recoil freely. […]
Fishing
Tippets
It’s rainbeaux trout time. In December, Baton Rouge Recreation (BREC) stocked several of their ponds with rainbow trout. By now, they’ve discovered that aquatic bugs and minnows have more food value than marshmallows. […]
Ducks
Late-season duck calling tips
As many manufacturing processes trend toward computerized, assembly-line production techniques, there are still some things best done the old-fashioned way — like Faulk’s Game Calls. […]
Sidebars
Riceland Custom Calls
Calling white-fronted geese can be a challenge, but quite often a quality call can make all of the difference.[…]
Other Hunting
What you’ll need
The gear for a basic coon hunt isn’t that complex, Chris Jones said. You need plenty of well-charged lights — including a headlamp, a flashlight and a spotlight. (Running out of light on a coon hunt would be akin to leaving the plug out of your boat when fishing.)[…]
Other Hunting
Coon cans and can’ts
In Louisiana, there are only three animals you can hunt all year round: coyotes, feral hogs and raccoons. For that reason, hunting raccoons isn’t very heavily regulated.[…]
Other Hunting
My first coon hunt
By his count, Chris Jones and his friends have introduced more than 30 young hunters to the fine art of coon hunting. Now, he can add one 65-year-old to the list. […]