That time of the year again: Fishing!!!!!

Gravelface

Gravelface

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Nov 8, 2005
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Today was such a nice day, I kept my son home and went out to the swamp. Stayed on the shore because crutches and boating do not mix well.....

Completely forgot to take pictures, but have a sunburn to remind me of the memories. And a few pounds of fillets to make me feel better! Oh yes....I will be out there just a "few" more times!

Anyone else blew the dust off their gear and caught anything?
 
The daughter is already bugging me to get my license and get the reels out. I hear the catfish are good at our local pond.
 
Got a few trout the other day J, but nothing special! Hoping to set the new PA largemouth bass record this summer...LOL ;)
 
I hope to make it out after Knob Creek. I am hearing reports of Walleye being caught on the lake.
 
Hey Gravelface,

I'm in Baton Rouge and my dad is coming down next week, maybe Monday and Tuesday or Tue/Wed to go fishing. This will be our first time out this year -- work and life has just gotten in the way too much.

Anyway, I figured we were a little late into the bass spawn ( I know it was finished by this time last year ) but just getting into the sac-a-lait and bream.

Any recommendations on where to go? I think we were looking at going to Lake Verret one day and maybe the Spillway the other day. The Spillway is so damn finicky though, with the fish being so nitpicky about the water level and whether it is rising or falling.

We don't get to head out too often and I would be eternally grateful if you can give me any advice that would make for a good day of fishing.

Thanks!

WH
 
I try to get out to Bayou Gaush/Lake Des Allmends when I can, but haven't been this year. Last season it was insane the amount of fish pulled out of there. I heard good things of Verret but never been.

The brother in law and I mostly ride around Manchac area along old 51 in a dinky 12' flat.....

It's nothing great but we usually go home with a few.....loads of gar more than anything else. I agree the spillway is REAL hit or miss, and with so many places down there, it's a hunt every time for the perfect spot. I have a cousin there in Montz that swears by the locks, but I've only pulled a few cats from them. On the north side of airline, I have seen crazy amounts of activity in those ponds right off the roads, but couldn't get a single bite.
 
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Actually, Des Allemonds is a good idea. I lived in Vacherie for about 2 years when I was 11-12. Thats when I really got into fishing. We would go to Des Allemonds and fish in the canals that run back from the landing and destroy the sac-a-lait and bream, and sometimes even hit on a bed of white bass and hybrid stripers or yellow bass. We may have to head down that way just for old times sake, and then head to Verret the next day, even the post spawn for Bass is good in Lake Verret. Generaly, we will start out bass fishing, and then move to sac-a-lait and bream mid-morning.

Damn, I'm ready to get back out on the water.

Thanks!
 
Y"all got some big blue gill down there. Had to look up what a sac-a-lait was. :p
 
Sac-a-lait --- Cajun French for "Sack of Milk"

...........sometimes called White Perch by folks in Northern Louisiana and parts of Texas/Mississippi

Everywhere else, generally referred to as Crappie

Arguably, the best tasting freshwater fish out there. Nothing like going out to the Spillway or Lake Verret and loading up about 50-60 in the 3/4 lb -- 2.00 lb range. Take em home, fillet em, and fry em up.

You are right, though. We do have some big 'ole Bluegill down here. Also Redear, Sunfish Bream, Chinquipin, and Goggle-Eye ( also known as Rock Bass or Red-Eye Bass -- damn good fighters when you get a decent sized one on light tackle ) In fact, I'd argue with many a bass fisherman ( I love bass fishing myself ) that pound for pound, a big bull bream or Goggle-Eye is just as hard, if not a harder, fighter than a bass is.

I got in on a big bed of Bream and Goggle-Eye last year and my dad and I must have pulled 50-60 out of there that weighed at least 1 1/4 pounds each. When you can't fit your hands around them to hold while you take the hook out, you know you're in good shape and about to have some fun.

Damn, I'm ready to get out on the water.

Good luck to all the fishermen out there!!
 
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The itch is getting strong. I may have to take my fishing pole down to Knob Creek and do some night fishing for cats.:p If you ever want to have fun you will have to come up to the north and fish for Northern Pike. They put up a heck of a fight and taste amazing.
 
Right now they're doing the walleye run on the river. Just seeing everyone out in waders or even getting all their gear out to their vehicles is making me want to dust off all my fishing gear. There is nothing better than fresh caught fish :D
 
Just got my license today. Hope to get out tomorrow. Gonna take my Swamp Warden if I do.
 
leatherman said:
The daughter is already bugging me to get my license and get the reels out. I hear the catfish are good at our local pond.
Click to expand...

I'm jealous of all the things I head about those Southern catfish, it seems impossible to find them here in Canada.
 
This was one of the best bass I got last year! Not huge by any means, but she was FAT. You have some great pictures lying around somewhere too J! If anyone else has any good pictures, throw 'em up. Its good to get all fired up before the season starts ;)

attachment.php
 
Another day in the marsh....

Great day fishing. Kept 5 gar, landed one cat....which is strange cause I never seen them in this area and fishing only 12"-18" from the surface and they are generally bottom fish.

I "almost" landed a giant cat, it felt like a kraken, and fought like one too. I thought I was on Wicked Tuna for a couple minutes. Drag zipping out and finally right at the shore it surfaced. Wouldn't fit in the net and I don't care if you call me a sissy.....I'm not sticking my hand in its mouth. As I reached down with my leatherman, it snapped off. Much pouting and cursing ensued.....
 
Snaaaaaake! :p

[video=youtube;Uy_8hB3s3ig]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy_8hB3s3ig&NR=1&feature=endscreen[/video]

I beg to differ, you aint never to drunk to fish!
 
Been out a few times so far. Got a dozen Walleye to my name so far this season between 14" and 17.5", but only one keeper so far at 19.5" (lake has a 18" minimum).

The BEST news is that my 9 yo daughter caught her fist 'eye ALL BY HERSELF last Friday afternoon!!! :cool: :thumbup: She was verticle jigging a 5/8 oz. Clown-colored Rapala Jigging Rap (more commonly used through the ice) in ~30 FOW, when the fish slammed the lure on the drop. Unfortunately, the fish was *just* shy of the limit at 17 7/8" so it had to go back. She was dissapointed that we had to throw it back since it was SO close, to the limit but that's how it goes and was a good lesson for her in following the rules/regs. I explained to her that if we kept it, not only would it be wrong, but if we got caught it would be a BIG fine!

First_Walleye.jpg


I don't know who was more proud, me or her! :D The kids were only out with me for a couple hours and this was the biggest fish of the evening/night. I only managed to catch 3 more in 7 more hours... :grumpy:
 
To bad she didn't get to keep it but good for you on teaching her the rules. It is always a good time to teach the younger generation about fishing.
 
Found $70 in gift cards to Academy!!! Some 50lb braided line, regular monofilament, new LARGE net, weights, hooks, 2 new reels, corks, and only went $40 over budget!!!!

Next time I want a casting net.....never tried one, but figure could be loads of fun!!!!
 
Oh! Cast netting is a hoot! Did a lot of it back in the day and it can be very rewarding. :)

Start small, then go to the bigger nets. Those bigguns are a mess if you dont have the technique down. Yea, first hand experience. :p
 
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