Fishin Game Report: Trout, trout, and more trout at Lafitte!
Frank Davis / Fishing Expert
If you got a fishing trip planned for this weekend, I’m here to tell you
first-hand that Lafitte is the place to go. And my guide today, Capt. Phil
Robichaux, says that the area at the intersection of Bayou Dupont and The Pen is
the hotspot.
Video: Watch the Story “Frank, if you’ve been hankering to catch yo’sef
a mess of fine trout, I can definitely put you in the right neighborhood,”
Robichaux anxiously explained. “There’s no doubt in my mind that if weekend
fishermen follow the advice we give ‘em they’ll haul in at least—at least!—30
trout for a party of 4, considering that most of them are average fishermen. The
veteran, more experienced angler, however, can get that number up closer to
ceiling limit!”
To increase your chances of a full catch, Capt. Phil suggests the following:
1—Get out on the water and be where you want to start fishing by daybreak
or a little before. This weekend promises to be nothing short of outstanding!
2—Since artificial baits are all it takes right now to put you into the
action, you can skip buying “live” or “market” bait altogether.
3—Almost any color combination will do, but you can hedge your bet and
increase your success possibility by starting with either a factory-rigged
Speculizer or a quarter-ounce lead head jig fitted with either a black and
chartreuse sparkle beetle or a white plastic Cocahoe tail fished about 19 inches
under a popping or chugging cork.
4—Tight-lining on the bottom is another technique the veterans are using
right now. Simply tie on a quarter ounce, unpainted, round, lead head jig,
attach either of the aforementioned artificial lures to it, and bounce it gently
off the bottom by using a constant, continuous retrieve. Strikes produced by
this procedure are vicious!
5—Most of the trout you catch will be keepers, averaging about 14 inches.
On the whole, only about 5 percent of the catch is throwbacks right now.
6—Because the weather isn’t cold enough yet to force the trout into tight
clusters, which still allows them to scatter widely across open lakes and bays,
don’t be reluctant to move to a new spot whenever the bites slow or cease. In
other words, the fish are moving. . .so you need to be moving with them.
7—Keeping the last point in mind, fishermen with trolling motors on their
boats will do tremendously better than anglers without them. The difference is
obvious.
8—And if all this sounds climatic, as Al Jolson usta say “You ain’t
seen nuttin’ yet!” Just you wait until the trout make their annual trek into
the pipelines and wintertime canals!
“All the standard tactics are working now,” said Fishing Guide Beau
Weber, Jr. “Concentrate on the deeper areas in the lakes and bays; focus on
deeper and warmer centerline channels where game fish can effectively pursue
baitfish; look for the last remaining vestiges of post-summer diving seagulls;
try to spot mid-winter slicks that pop up indiscriminately and serve as
confirmed areas of fish population; and never, ever pass up placing a cast or
two over a shell reef or mud flat.”
Finally, if you’ve waited all year long to give yourself a very special
Christmas present, which translates as scheduling a charter trip with one of the
members of my TV guide team, you need to get that in the works. . .like last
week! Because even at Yuletide, private charter trips remain popular (and very
booked!). So call your favorite guide right now to have your name put on the
books.
By the way, if you want to fish Lafitte and charter with either Captain Phil
himself or with any of his pro guides (like Capt. Beau or Capt. Mike), simply
call 504-689-2006 or 504-881-3758 ASAP. And if such a trip isn’t yet on your
Christmas list, maybe you might consider writing yet another letter to Santa!
Till next week, from Golden Meadow, have a great Saturday and Sunday. And be
courteous out there!
Tight lines and good times,
Frank Davis
