By Keith Lozott Contributing Writer
For the past four years I have made the trek to Louisiana to fish for redfish in the marsh around Delacroix and Hopedale. The only difference this year is that I decided to take an extra trip during the summer on top of our fall trip. What really stuck out to me this summer trip was how awesome the boat ride was going through the marsh from spot to spot and the initial thirty five minute ride just to get there. When I launched the boat on the first day I had a feeling of ease come over me knowing that I really knew where to go, what to look for, and that the days to come were going to be a blast no matter what we caught.
I felt my senses open up and it allowed me to take in the overwhelming beauty of the Biloxi Marsh. You idle through a no wake zone for a few minutes and then press the throttle down jumping on a plane and start watching the marsh fly by you. The grass starts off taller because of the freshwater near the lodge and then tapers down to smaller grass once we get closer to saltier water. The ride has turns, bends, blind ninety degree turns, and straight runs loaded with all kinds of wildlife to see. You see pelicans, terns, spoonbills, some white pelicans (colder months), a bunch of alligators (warmer months), sharks (further out), and this crazy rodent the nutria that lives in the marsh grass and small islands. I think the beauty of the ride is enhanced by the upcoming fishing no doubt, but seriously pay attention to the entire experience of the day and I really think you will enjoy yourself even more. I find myself liking the preparation of the day and the cleanup after the day is over as it completes the full experience of the trip.
Now for the fishing: I have said for years that the marsh does not disappoint, and this time was no different. I had to try my tried and true patterns that have worked in the fall and I will say they hold up in the summer as well. Dead end creeks seem to have reds in them depending on the water levels. If you have some water, they are there to be sight casted to and caught. I still use a D.O.A. root beer chartreuse Paddle Tail rigged weedless on a 1/16 oz Owner Keeper hook and pretty much nothing else. My buddies have their go to baits, and they crush it as well; so, I would say whatever you’re confident in will get the job done. We did come across another pattern when we found some moving water flowing out of ponds into a small bayou (flow through creek) and caught a bunch of reds, and big trout (for Louisiana) at the mouth of the ponds.
When you get a chance at fishing in Louisiana do not say no!!! GO!!!
Keith Lozott The Fishing Realtor