By Keith Lozott Contributing Writer
As I’m writing this article, I’m on day 4 of my 2021 Delacroix, Louisiana fishing trip that I planned a couple months in advance. I started by “trying” to make sure my trailer was in good shape and road trip ready. I changed the axle, the hubs, and serviced everything professionally. Even with all that preparation and money spent, the worst still happened. MY right side trailer tire completely came off with the bolts sheering off clean from the hub. I was able to keep the trailer from jack knifing and I was able to safely get off the road. Before getting off the road, I watched the tire and rim roll behind me at a high speed, was able to maneuver out of its way, and watched it pass me in the middle of I-10. An RV was just behind the tire and missed hitting it as the tire went at least a quarter mile down the highway and rolled off the road to never be found. It was an incredible experience and one that will be etched in my memory for the rest of time.
Luckily, no one was hurt, the runaway wheel didn’t cause any accidents, and we started to plan how to safely get back on the road. I am a member of TowBoat U.S. and they offer an unlimited trailer towing option that really paid for itself. I know what you’re thinking! Why didn’t I have a spare hub and the tools to try and fix the trailer? I figured everything was new and properly installed so why bring a spare hub. That thought process proved to be wrong in a big way. The bottom line is, when traveling prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and your trip will go off without a major hitch.
Once we finally made it to Delacroix the weather smacked us in the face for the first 4 days with high winds and storms. We did try to fish and managed two redfish in a shallow pond on the first day and some trout on day three. The locals love trout fishing which consists of deeper water jigging with heavily weighted paddle tails. My lure of choice was a D.O.A. bayou tiger colored paddle tail on a 3/8 oz. jig head. The weather is looking good for day 5 and 6 so the redfish better watch out for us and my root beer chartreuse paddle tail, spinner baits, and spoons. To be continued, hopefully with redfish stories!
Keith Lozott
The Fishing Realtor