N.O., LA USA

The NY TImes today has an article on a "new" dead zone on the Orelgon coast. This zone is not caused by El Nino, or nitrogen from farming (as in Louisiana) but by changes in local weather patterns. Nutrient rich water is flushed up from the depths, causing a plankton bloom, which depletes the oxygen saturation, killing fish, crabs, etc. This wiped out prime salmon, halibut and rock cod fisheries for about 50 miles of coast in southern Oregon. Yet another state is feeling the effects of the delicate nature of coastal eco systems being changed, with disasterous effects.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/06/us/06coast.html

Sunday, August 6, 2006 @ 7:30:56 AM

New Orleans, LA USA

NOAA just announced the prediction of a LARGER than normal "Dead Zone" off the coast this year. Read it ar:
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2006/s2669.htm

The LA Times 5 part series on "The Altered Oceans" published its 5th and final part today. It has references to Louisiana waters.
www.latimes.com

The eco system of the Amazon rainforest appears to be at a "tipping point". It is in it's 2nd year of drought. Research shows that 3 years of draught could cause a major change in the eco system, with the tree canopy dying, and the Amazon basin changing qualitatively in nature, perhaps to a savanna. That could put the oceans into a permanent "El Nino", which would have drastic implications for south Louisiana.
http://www.climateark.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=58635

Thursday, August 3, 2006 @ 11:06:56 AM

New Orleans, LA USA

FYI: The LA Times has a front page series  called "THE ALTERED OCEAN", which amongst other things cites the proliferation in Louisiana of:
:
"It has the tongue-twisting name Pseudo-nitzschia (SUE-doh NICH-e-yah). A fraction of the thickness of a human hair, this javelin-shaped, single-cell organism slides through seawater on a coating of mucus and churns out domoic acid, a neurotoxin."
one paragraph later:
"Scrutinizing core samples from five locations in the Gulf of Mexico, they found thick layers of microscopic silica shells of Pseudo-nitzschia that coincided with a deposit of nitrates and sediment that had flowed down the Mississippi.

The evidence is preserved in strata that resemble a layer cake. It shows that Pseudo-nitzschia didn't proliferate until the 1950s, when grain farmers began widespread use of chemical fertilizers."

Anyone interested in the long-term health of the world's oceans is urged to log on, and read the series.

www.latimes.com

Sunday, July 30, 2006 @ 11:05:30 PM

Slidell, LA USA

To Tarpon Tom, I hope your secret spot isn't the hole this year. It has silted up about 25%. Only the dinosaurs are patrolling it right now. The big fish will show up in a couple of weeks. Fished the last three days without any sightings of silver. Heading to the passes and railroad bridges for the next trips.(like the old days).             

Friday, July 21, 2006 @ 11:58:55 AM

New Orleans, LA USA

IT IS A PHYSICAL IMPOSSIBILITY FOR FISHING TO GET ANY BETTER THAN IT WAS THIS MORNING!!! After a fairly rough weather day on Saturday, I was back at them again today with picture perfect conditions (hazy and overcast with a 1' chop). Connie Jerdee of Picayune, MS was aboard with her good friend Kirk LaHaye and his son, Nicolas, of Poplarville, MS. To say that fishing was good would be an understatement. IT WAS AS GOOD AS IT GETS!!! We anchored around a small rig in Breton Sound and INSTANTLY got into a frenzied trout bite. It was as fast as we could cast with 14-18" trout immediately attacking our live baits fished carolina rigged. The fish were flying every which way and at 8:09 a.m., number 100 hit the ice. This was a fun group with lots of razzing and cutting up between casting, setting hooks, fighting fish, and unhooking. The rigs and wells in Breton Sound are teeming with hungry specks right now. There is no need to crowd anyone out. If there is someone at your favorite rig just move to the nearest structure and I guarantee that you will find them. The bite is early and live bait fished on or near the bottom is the ticket to easy limits. Anchoring off the structure and fishing either back toward it or paralell to it has been working. It is that simple right now. The fishing is the best that it has been all season, and I have days available all this month. I can go this week or next, so give me a call soon if you would like to go. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Monday, August 8, 2005 @ 4:28:16 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE TROUT AND SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE SHRIMP!! This morning we were the shrimp, and Mother Nature was a 10 lb. speckled beast hot on our tails. Today was day two for Sherman Markowitz of Spring, TX, but it was not to be. When I left the house this morning the radar was clear, so off we went dark and early into Black Bay to find it smooth as glass. There were a few big storms off to the East, so I kept it close anchoring near an island just out in the bay. As soon as the first glimpses of daylight dawned, our shrimp were dancing out of the water and 2 to 3 lb. trout were leaping out after them. It looked like were in for another good one when all heck broke loose. It came at us from the SW. Lightning, wind, and torrents of rain moved in on us in no time flat. We picked up anchor and made a beeline for the dock staying just ahead of it. We got back to the dock relatively dry. Once we stepped off the boat, the skies opened up and a lightning show unlike any that I have witnessed before humbled us into a show of respect for the powers of weather. We were disappointed but that's the way it goes sometimes. I only charged the guys for the fuel and wrote this one off. Our final tally for 15 minutes of fishing was 4 trout in the 2-3 lb. class, a drumfish (released), a bull red lost at boatside, and 3 guys with a good idea of what it is like to be a piece of live bait in the middle of a school of feeding trout. Hopefully this weather will straighten out, so we can get back on them tomorrow. The weather is the only limiting factor right now. The fish are there, so let's go. I have a couple days at the end of this week as well as days open next week. Give me a call and we will go (as the predators). Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Tuesday, August 2, 2005 @ 2:43:15 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

THE HOT BITE IN BLACK BAY CONTINUED THIS MORNING! Here's a quick one. Sherman Markowitz has his buddy in for two days of fishing, and today was day one. We started right where I left off yesterday. The fish were practically jumping in the boat, although carolina rigged live bait is all they wanted. We were well on our way to filling the box when the mother of all summer squalls kicked up with an awesome looking waterspout. Well needless to say the wind kicked around and shut our bite down. We waited the storm out and when things settled, we made a short move and got on them again until the sun came out and began to cook. With 50 fat trout (14-21") in the box, the guys told me to head for the barn. Live bait fished on the bottom around a rig in Black Bay did the trick once again. We are back at it again in the morning, and I will report what we find. The rest of this week looks awesome weatherwise, and I have availabilities, so give me a call soon to get in on some of this fast fishing. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Monday, August 1, 2005 @ 4:04:47 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

IF YOU ARE NOT FISHING RIGHT NOW, THEN YOU ARE MISSING OUT ON SOME OF THE BEST FISHING OF THE SEASON. THE SPECKLED TROUT ARE PRACTICALLY JUMPING IN THE BOAT RIGHT NOW!!!! When the winds are down and we can get out into Black Bay, filling limits of fat speckled trout is about as easy as it gets. This morning I had Robert Hunter and his 15-year-old son, Jay, (who never caught a speckled trout before today) of Macon, MS out to haul in some fish. We got out into Black Bay dark and early to find the bay smooth as glass. I anchored off the end of a popular rig on the northern side of the bay and INSTANTLY got into the fish. Live bait fished deep under a cork or carolina rigged as well as tightlined curly-tailed Saltwater Assassins (chart./diamond) were aggressively attacked by trout in the 16-22" class. In no time at all, the guys filled their limit. The bite slowed to a crawl by mid-moring, so we headed for the barn with a fat box. At one point it got so crowded around the rig that I thought I was at Seabrook; boats were bouncing off each other while anchored WAY too close to one another. All the shenanegins did not seem to bother the fish one iota as every boat was hauling in fish hand over fist. The second half of this season looks as though it is going to far outshine the second half of last season in which we had an exorbitantly high Mississippi River to contend with. The river is down and the fishing is as good as it gets. All of the typical late summer rigs and wells in Black Bay seem to be holding fish right now. Everyone that I talk to is hammering them. The bite is EARLY though. They are feeding for two to two and a half hours at most first thing in the morning and then again at last light. Look for your fish EARLY around the older rigs in Black Bay. Anchor off and cast back to the structure. Try fishing deep as it seems that they are holding from the bottom up to a foot or two off the bottom. Live bait is a good way to get them started and then switch to the jig for some fast no rebaiting action. I hope this helps. This whole week looks great weatherwise, and I have days available after Tuesday. DO NOT MISS OUT! Give me a call soon to book your day. This is what you have been waiting for. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Sunday, July 31, 2005 @ 4:07:52 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

It was fast fishing again this morning out in Black Bay in spite of the heavy NW wind. Wanting to get after some bigger fish than I had caught yesterday, I started to head to the east with Tom and Joanne Adams of Shreveport, LA. Just past the Wreck, we were in solid 3'ers. No sense in taking a beating just to search out some big fish; so I decided to head for a little protection, I ducked in behind an island on the south side of the Black Bay/Breton Sound boreder and anchored up. It took three drops of the anchor to find the honeyhole, but when they turned on, it was as fast as you could cast. Live bait fished under a Cajun Thunder cork, plastic under a Cajun Thunder cork, and tightlined curly-tailed Saltwater Assassins all were INSTANTLY gobbled up. The trout were mostly schoolies going 12-18" with throwbacks mixed in, but it was FAST! Tom and Joanne threw their limit in the box and told me to head it for the barn, so they could get back to Shreveport. It was a lot of fun fishing with these two avid outdoorspeople. The wind did not allow me to get out into the sound to find the bigger fish, but there are plenty of school sized fish to be had around the islands and rigs in the more protected waters of Black Bay. Look for your fish on the lee side of the structure/island when the wind blows. As soon as it lays, I am heading out to Breton Sound to find the bigger fish, and I will report what I find. If you would like to go this week while the fishing is on fire, then give me a call to book your day. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Sunday, July 24, 2005 @ 5:58:59 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

THE EXCELLENT FISHING IN BLACK BAY/BRETON SOUND CONTINUED THIS MORNING. I had 8 boats out for the Allfax group and every boat limited or had near limits. The fish were a little smaller than the fish the past few days, but they were plentiful. It did not matter where the boats fished today; the big rigs, the small wells, the islands, and the reefs all produced copious amounts of trout. Live shrimp fished on the bottom or under a cork produced equally well as tightlined plastic. The fillet knives were still buzzing when I left the camp two hours ago. I would like to thank all the captains that helped out with this big group as well as Brian, Marc, and Mac of Allfax for putting this together. Brian puts on a great spread every year with a chef and plenty of libations. This is one of the FUN trips of the year. The fish seem to be active everywhere right now. All of the typical late summer patterns are working. The fish bit right through the morning (as I find the smaller fish will feed later into the day than the bigger trout), so crack of dawn departures are not absolutely necessary, although it is a good idea to get an early start to beat the heat. I have all of next week available right now, and the weather looks GREAT, so give me a call if you would like to get in on this hot action while it lasts. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Saturday, July 23, 2005 @ 6:09:01 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

Today was another pretty day of catching pretty fish with an early arrival back at the dock. Charlie Borrello of Vicksburg, MS had his brother and 3 nephews out to haul in some fine trout. We pushed up on an island first thing this morning and cast out into Black Bay. Before we could explain to the kids how to set the hook, the corks started to sink. It was fast and furious for a solid hour and a half before the NW wind kicked up ever so slightly and shut down the bite. Charlie has been fishing morning and evening for the past several days as well as "entertaining" at the camp, so it was no surprise when he told me to head it for the barn with 57 in the box once the bite shut down. Everything was taken on live bait fished 2-3' under Cajun Thunder corks. The trout were solid 16-22" fish. The shallows around the islands on the very western edge of Black Bay are teeming with trout right now. The bite is early and fast but does not last throughout the morning. If you are in an area holding fish and get out early, I guarantee that you will fill the box with fat trout this weekend. I still have a couple of days next week available if you would like to get in on this hot bite. Give me a call to book your day. Thanks again for all the e-mails and be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Friday, July 22, 2005 @ 4:55:14 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

Oh what a difference a day makes. Yesterday was a near repeat of Tuesday's terrible fishing. Bryce Turnage and his dad drove in from Meridian, MS and opted to take a chance even though I did not think that the fishing was going to be any good if we were not able to get out into Black Bay. Unfortunately, I was right. We had just a few reds, trout, and drumfish to show for our efforts. Well today was a horse of another color. Jay Scarborough of Biloxi, MS had his dad, Bill, of Diamondhead, MS along with their good friend, Bubba Williams, of Jackson, MS out for a good old trout slam. We headed out dark and early and found Black Bay slick as glass. I knew we were in for a good one right off the bat. I stopped at a big rig in Breton Sound and got into the fish immediately. It was still dark out and the trout were on a tear. Live shrimp fished 2-3' under a Cajun Thunder cork was the ticket. The fish were all mixed in size ranging from 14-21" with only two or three throwbacks. At 7:30 a.m. we had 60 in the box and Bubba informed me that this was the first trip he had taken since getting his new pacemaker installed. When he laid down on the front deck to take a rest, I checked to see if he was doing alright, and he said everything was great, but he was just a little winded. Rather than push on for the limit, the guys told me to head it for the barn in order to beat the heat. With fat smiles and a dirty box, we headed in. The fishing is great as long as we can get outside to them. Look around the rigs in Black Bay and Breton Sound for your fish. Today I tied up to the structure and fished the back side of it in order to get out of the strong tidal flow, but try anchoring off and casting back to it if tying up does not work. It seems that everyone caught them today, so it should be easy this weekend. I hope this helps. I have several days available next week that are going to book up, so give me a call soon if you would like to go. Thanks for all the e-mails and be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Thursday, July 21, 2005 @ 6:43:00 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

TERRIBLE DAY OF FISHING FOR ME TODAY!!!!! I was part of a five boat trip this morning and found the bay and the fishing to be ROUGH. Let's just say it was one of my worst trips ever. I am embarrassed to say what we caught. The other boats fared almost as poorly as me. They are not all glory trips. You just mainly hear about the good ones, but not from me today. A big thanks goes out to Ray Chagnard of Chag's Sporting Goods in Metairie, LA for including me on the trip. Ray was top boat today. I just wish I had a few more to show for my effort. Oh well. These things happen. We enjoyed our day on the water all the same. I am going to make the call in the morning as to if we are going or not. If we do go, good or bad; I will post what we do. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Tuesday, July 19, 2005 @ 7:34:07 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

I am sorry about being a little remiss in posting reports as of late. The back to back storms shut me down for a few days, but I was back at it this past week. Fishing has ranged from good to poor to great. On Friday I had the Scott Keifer group out to get on an early morning fast trout bite. These guys are pretty laid back and are not looking for quick easy limits, so it is always fun when the bite is on. We started by and island in Black Bay and the fish were on. Trout in the 18-20" class were hammering our baits. It was going well when the desperados moved in. We were fishing in 2-3' of water, so when the boat traffic got heavy, the fishing died for us. The guys were unfazed, and we made a short move and got into bull reds as fast as we could get our lines in the water. Redfish in the 15 to 20 lb. class were attacking anything that we threw in the water. The armada that we had just left spied our action and quickly moved in on us again thus shutting us down. Not a problem for my guys as they are not greedy. We then got out of Dodge looking for a little privacy and came across some huge schools of fish feeding on the surface in a frenzy. I initially thought that they were big redfish and set up a drift ahead of the fish. The gang threw out and were soon fast to jackfish in the 15 lb. class. I normally do not target these things, but Scott and company were more than game to put up with their powerful runs and dogged battles, so we played around a little bit before heading for the barn with 47 trout in the box and one redfish that we kept. (The others were all released.) Saturday I had the Mike Fussell group of Covington, LA and found the fishing to be extremely tough for me. I did not get a bite where I fished the morning before. We ran around and got into a brief feed around a rig in Breton Sound, but it did not last long. We headed in after a hard effort with our tails between our legs. (These trips happen from time to time.) Yesterday was another story altogether. Charles Redfearn of New Orleans booked a trip to bring his dad and three brothers out. We headed back out to Breton Sound to fish a different area than the day before and hit paydirt at the first rig that we stopped at. The fish were flying in the boat as fast as the guys could get their lines in the water. The trout were boiling the surface not 5' from the boat, and we were just dangling our baits next to the boat and hooking up. The fish were all school sized going 14-16" but they were plentiful. We also caught and released 2 redfish in the 12-15 lb. range. By 9:30 a.m., the guys had enough, so we headed for the shack with 84 trout in the box. Everything was taken by fishing live shrimp 2-3' under Cajun Thunder corks about 50 yards off the rig. The fish yesterday were holding off the rig not right up near it. It has been a little up and down lately and the fish have gotten a little smaller than what we were catching a couple of weeks ago, but they are there to be had if you put a little effort into it. I would like to send a big thank you out to Mike Lane and his wife, Allison, along with about 30 of my friends for surprising me yesterday after my trip with a birthday party for my 40th year on this earth. Thanks again; I was taken completely by storm. I am at it the rest of this week but have availabilities next week and throughout August. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Monday, July 18, 2005 @ 5:46:28 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

We took a pummeling in the sound this morning. I had Billy Slatten and gang of Covington, LA out dark and early to find a strong westerly wind in Black Bay. The area that I have been catching my fish the last few trips was dirty and not fishable on a hard west wind, so we headed out into Breton Sound. We got to a big rig that I like and anchored off in a good 2 to 3' chop. We immediately got into the trout hand over fist. Live bait fished deep under corks and tightlined tandem Saltwater Assassins were INSTANTLY attacked as soon as they hit the water. It was going well and looked to be an early day when we got SLAMMED!!! The storms moved in on us and the wind swung around to the NW. We got soaked and needless to say the bite stopped cold. We waited it out, and when the rain stopped, we began fishing again only to have the ladyfish move in on us with a vengeance. It was fast as we could cast. This quickly got annoying. We waited through them hoping that the trout would come back but they never did. We picked up anchor and moved to another rig not too far off and got into the trout again fast and furious. It looked like we were back in the saddle again when round two of the wind and rain came through. This time it was even harder than the first storm. Again the bite ended immediately. We waited it out making a few moves but only caught one here and there. The wind was really wailing at this point, so we decided to brave the ride home directly into the chop. Our tally for a bouncy wet morning of fishing was 40 trout and 2 bull reds in the 20 lb. class. The trout were all nice going mostly 1-3/4 to 4 lbs. If this west wind ever lets up, then look for your fish around the older wells in Black Bay. The water may be stained tomorrow as it is still howling from the West right now and is predicted to continue through tonight. Sunday may be your better day. The first two weeks of July are wide open right now, so call soon if you would like to book a day. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Friday, July 1, 2005 @ 7:27:41 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

The storms tried but they did not get us. Ron Massey of Destrehan, LA had the boys out to put a hurtin' on some big Black Bay trout. As we headed out dark and early, the lightning was popping all around us. As I crossed Lake Campo a light rain cut my visibility to nothing. We were beginning to have second thoughts, but the rain quit. We pressed on and got out into the bay. It was calmer than I expected. (1-2') We pressed on and stopped at the trusty rusty wellhead that I have been working and the fish were there. It was instant action from the word go. We had to make a slight shift when the tide changed, but the trout only got more aggressive. The strange thing was that there were wicked storms around us for 360 degrees, but we were under the lone blue patch of sky all morning. The trout attacked anything that we tossed their way. Tightlined tandem rigs with Saltwater Assassins, freelined live bait as well as live bait fished 4-5' under corks worked equally well. The fish were all fat going mostly 1-3/4 to 4-1/2 lbs. We ran out of ice chest room , so the guys dumped the drink chest and filled that as well. Around 10:00 a.m. our only window of escape was closing fast, so we beat feet with 112 trout and a lone 30 lb. redfish (bound for the wall) in the boat. We stayed completely dry until we got 100 yards from the dock when the skies opened up and drenched us. Oh well. The action in Black Bay remains steady. A typical summer pattern is in effect right now. The way the tide was running I anchored off the structure first, but readjusted and tied up to the well once the tide switched direction. You will have to determine which is best on a day to day basis. The fish are there, and they are solid. Give me a call to book your trip. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 @ 5:45:55 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

I am sorry for being a little remiss in posting reports as of late, but I have been on the water every day an am a little worn out. I have getting into bed for 6:00 p.m. every night and busy doing something every waking moment btween wakeup at 2:11 a.m. and bedtime at 6:00 p.m. No complaints here though. Anyway, fishing has been up and down for me these last four days with the last two being up. Saturday try as I might to get out before the mad rush of all the rodeo fishers, I was not able to get back to the spot where I hammered them on Friday before another boat had set up shop right in the spot, and this was at five minutes to five in the morning!! Oh well. We struggled on Saturday. Sunday we almost called it at the dock with numerous storms all around. After waiting over an hour and a half we decided to give it a go. We got out to my little island and caught two fish right off and then the wind picked up with a vengeance along with the thunderboomers. We struggled on Sunday as well. Yesterday I had a fun group of guys from the Poplarville, MS area out and decided to go a different route. Giving up on the islands, I gave an old rusty wellhead in Black Bay a try and struck paydirt. The trout were hungry and plentiful. Both live bait and and tightlined plastics were aggressively attacked by trout in the 2-4 lb. range before the tide quit and the bite shut off. We ended the day with 54 FAT trout and 2 reds in the 18-20 lb. class. Highlight of the morning was when one of the guys hauled in a 20 lb. red on a double rig with a 2+ lb. trout trailing along on the second jig. These guys were loads of fun to fish with. This morning I headed out dark and early with John Lippincott of Hattiesburg, MS and another fun group of fishermen. We started right by the same rusty wellhead and found the aquarium active once again. It was and INSTANT hit from either a trout, redfish, sailcat, or ladyfish on anything that we tossed in the water. Live bait fished 4-5' under a cork or tightlined tandem rigs worked equally well. The action was fast with redfish chasing our hooked trout right to the boat and everything under the sun breaking water and splashing around the boat. The guys were into double and triple hookups when the skies opened up all around us. The winds went from nil to a steady 15 mph as if someone threw a switch. We were in a solid 2 to 4' chop and naturally the bite ended immediately. The guys saw what was approaching and were satisfied with the 47 FAT trout and 4 redfish in the box, so they decided to head for the barn a little early. In hindsight, we should have kept those other reds that we turned loose to make room for all the trout that we were well on our way to catching. Oh well again. We stayed dry and the guys went back to MS with 6 or 7 gallons of fillets. The older rusty wellheads in Black Bay have turned on. These past couple of days I have been tying up and fishing out away from the structure. Both live bait and artificials have been working. The fish have been solid ranging from 18 to 24". It looks as if a typical summer pattern has settled in on us. (Older wells and rigs in Black Bay producing trout on live bait and jigs early in the morning.) The fishing should be great as long as the wind allows us to work it properly. I have plenty of open dates in July if you would like to book that your own Black Bay/Breton Sound speckled trout trip. The fish are really solid and nice sized this year. Thanks for all the e-mails and be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Tuesday, June 28, 2005 @ 5:02:05 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

This morning I had the Charlie Borello group out to fish in the Jesuit Rodeo. We got out bright and early and INSTANTLY got into the trout hand over fist. The bite was fast and furious on solid fish in the 18-23" class. By 7:30 a.m., the bite slowed to a crawl. We fished a little longer and only put a fish in the box here and there. The guys wanted to resume where they left off at the camp the night before, so we headed for the dock early with 64 trout in the chest. Everything was taken around a nearshore island with live bait fished 2- 1/2' under a cork. This was the first calm day that I had fished in awhile and the fish responded in kind. Look for your fish around the islands at the very edge of Black Bay just outside of the outer bays. Fish live bait under a cork early  to fill the box with solid trout. It is real easy right now. I hope this helps. Thanks for all the e-mails and be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Friday, June 24, 2005 @ 5:57:50 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

Yesterday was another great day of fishing for Will Stanford of Baton Rouge, LA. Will was out with me on Tuesday and had such a good time that he drove back in on Wednesday morning with a different crew to get in on some more of the full moon trout action. This time he brought Angela Guidry, Ray Hargroder, and David Olinde along to pull on some fat trout. Once again we started bright and early with a livewell full of bait. The chop was very light first off but built to solid 2-3'ers in short order. We got right on the trout just outside of one of the outer bays around an island. The fish were mixed at first but steadily grew in size. The guys kept me busy netting fish and unhooking with a little untangling thrown in to keep me on my toes. After the bite slowed, we moved to another little island and got into the fish again before heading for the barn around 11:00 a.m., so everyone could get back to Baton Rouge at a decent hour. Our final tally was 66 trout ranging from 16" up to 23" with most in the 19 to 21" range. All solid. Once again Angela outfished the boys. She does great every time that she comes and is thinking of leaving the guys at home and coming down with all girls for a morning of hauling. Live bait fished 3' under a cork did the trick. We anchored alongside an island and cast right next to the land. The fish were in 3 to 4' of water. The fishing was fast for awhile and then would back off for a minute or two and then pick right back up. Sitting tight was the answer to filling the box with some pretty trout. If you are getting some bites, do not be in a hurry to leave. The pattern is to sit and take it on the chin right now. The water has been stained and fairly rough, so take what you can get and before you know it, you will be sitting on a fat load of fish. I hope this helps. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Thursday, June 23, 2005 @ 10:08:35 AM

New Orleans, LA USA

My original group for today and tomorrow had to reschedule, but I picked up another gang willing to go these couple of days in their stead, and we loaded up the box with some pretty trout. Will Stanford and gang from Baton Rouge, LA hit Black Bay with me and Luna this morning bright and early to find it choppy once again. We ducked behind an island just outside of Oak River Bay and immediately began to haul in some fat 4+ lbers. Live bait fished 3' under a cork did the trick. As the morning wore on, the action slowed, so we made a short move and got into them again. It was slow and steady at this point, but the fish were BIG. By late morning, we could not fit another fish in the box. We ended the day with 54 trout and two big reds. We did not have but a couple of trout that went under 20" this morning. The close islands are holding a few fish. The action is not Wam Bam A Slam, but it is steady enough to put a solid box together. With the upcoming moon approaching, the trout are big. If you find a spot that is producing a few fish, then sit it out and take it on the chin. The fish these past couple of days in the choppy conditions would come and go., but it stayed steady. By putting our time in, we filled the box. We left them biting today to get the fish cleaning done. If it ever lays (like it is forecasted to do every day), then we should be fat with trout. July is wide open right now, so give me a call soon if you would like to book your day. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Tuesday, June 21, 2005 @ 5:41:02 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

Here's a quick one. This morning I had the Lucy Ory crew out to rock and roll in Black Bay and pull on some fat trout. We headed out bright and early to find the bay roiled up in a 2 to 3' chop. We perservered and got into the fish right away. It was a steady pick on trout in the 18-23' range, and we sat it out slowly filling the box. One of the girls started to get a little seasick and with an approaching squall, we decided to head for the barn with 40 fatties in the chest. Everything was taken in Black Bay around an island in the western area outside of Oak River Bay. Live bait fished 3' under a cork did the trick. If this wind ever dies, we should be able to put a hurting on some sow trout. Until then, we will just have to enjoy a little rock 'n roll. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Monday, June 20, 2005 @ 8:16:53 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

I had the girls out this morning to put the hurtin' on a few Breton Sound trout. Scott White of Baton Rouge, LA brought his wife, Lola, and their good friend, Rondi Jacob, down bright and early to haul some fish. We started right where we left them yesterday and began putting some big fish in the box right off. It looked like it was going to be another early day when they shut down. We began bouncing around in a stiff NW breeze and finally found them stacked up. They were not as big as the fish that we had earlier but they were solid 14-18" fish. We switched to tandem rigs and put the hurt on them. We boxed 73 nice trout before the girls started to feel the effects of the sun and threw in the towel. What a fun group to fish with. The girls held their own and can fish with the best of them. Once again I found my fish in a different place than the day before. There has been no set pattern that I can discern. Everyday I have been fishing somewhere new. I wish that I could pattern them better for you (and me), but it has been a new hunt everyday. Just keep at it, and you will find them. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Wednesday, June 15, 2005 @ 5:53:33 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

Here's a quick twofer. Yesterday I had the Bill Slatten group of Covington, LA out bright and early for a hammerfest on some trout. We bounced around the rusty wellheads until we locatd the motherlode of specks and whites. We started with live shrimp on carolina rigs but quickly switched to double rigs once we got into them. The specks were thick, but the whites were just plain stupid. Normally I would leave when the white trout take over, but the guys wanted to fill the box, so that is exactly what we did. What a meat haul. We ended the trip with 60 specks form 14-23" and an untold number of white trout. Today I had the Charlie Borrello group in from Vicksburg, MS to put the hurt on some FAT specks. We started around a rig in Breton Sound that has been producing lately but could only muster 15 trout. We made a short move and anchored off a small well, and began loading the box. The guys had a little trouble putting them in the boat first off but quickly got in a groove and began to load 'em up. The fish today were larger than yesterday's with most in the 20-23" class with a handful going smaller and a handful going larger. Everything today was taken by fishing live bait deep under corks. Our final tally once again was 60 on the nose. This year has been a little strange to say the least. I have not been finding my fish in the same place two days in a row. If I had to guess, I would say that it is the lack of bait that has the fish on the move. They are there if you put a little time in to find them though. Some days it is a slow steady pick and on others it is an all out slamfest. A lot of people have been e-mailing me looking for spots, and to tell you the truth, I do not know where I am going to fish from one day to the next. Just keep plugging away at it, and you will find them. I hope this helps. I have next Thursday (6/23) and the following Monday and Tuesday (6/27 & 28) open as well as plenty of July dates. Please feel free to give me a call soon if you would like to go. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Tuesday, June 14, 2005 @ 4:26:43 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

Yesterday (Fri.) I had Dan Howarth along with his 11 year old daughter, Allison, and his good friend Chapman Stout and his 11 year old daughter, Madison, of San Antonio, TX out to battle some reds. With the marine forecast being what it was and storms popping up all over Black Bay and Breton Sound, the prudent thing to do was to stay in the marsh a look for redfish. Well that is exactly what we did with great success. We fished a typical summer pattern. Anchoring just off a cove adjacent to a point in an outer bay, we hit paydirt immediately. Live bait fished 2-1/2' under a cork was the ticket. The girls did fantastic. Young Madison put four in the boat before anyone else had a fish! She caught her limit and began tossing the rest that she hooked back. She was tossing them back before her dad had even hooked up! It was an absolute blast to watch the girls battle these feisty fish. The girls kept me busy at every moment, and it was no trouble at all to box the 20 fish limit along with a lone trout and drumfish. The reds went 18-26" and were as aggressive as I have ever seen them. If the weather is looking too rough to head outside for the trout, at least there is a back up plan in the marsh. Once this weather settles, I will be back out after the trout. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Saturday, June 11, 2005 @ 8:06:03 AM

New Orleans, LA USA

It was an easy morning of fishing in Breton Sound today for the Joe Ring group of Natchez, MS. It was smooth as glass, so off we headed deep into Breton Sound first off. Fishing by a small rig, live bait fished every way possible was INSTANTLY attacked by a waiting trout. The fish were so aggressive that we put tandem rigs on and started wearing them out two at a time. It was not long before we had a 125 fish limit in the box along with a lone redfish and a handful of spanish mackerel. The trout were all mixed in size going mostly 16 to 18" with a few in the 22 to 23" class. It was a typical summer pattern with the fish holding on one corner of the rig. It seems that lately the fish have been on the downcurrent side. I usually prefer the upcurrent side, but it is their game, so I must play by their rules. Thoroughly check out a structure before giving up. More than likely, if you have some baitfish around and a good tide, they are around the rig somewhere. I hope this helps. I do not know what this weather will do, but it ought to continue to be on fire once we can get back outside to the fish. I only have four dates left available this month, so give me a call soon if you would like to go. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Thursday, June 9, 2005 @ 4:36:39 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

David Caire of Tylertown, MS had his two boys down this morning for a bouncy ride out into Breton Sound. The predicted 5-10kt winds never materialized, but it was worth the bounce. We fished a rig out in the sound with live bait deep under corks and had steady action with big trout. We totaled out with 40 trout and a lone redfish. The trout were big with most everything going over 3 lbs. and a couple in the 6 lb. range. The fish would come and go as if they were circling the rig. We would hook up a couple back to back and then we would wait. Just about the time that I would touch the starter, the fish would come back. It was steady enough to stick it out and fill the box with trout. The wind really began to howl in the late morning and shut down the bite. With the storms approaching, we decided to head for the barn. The pattern seems to be typical of late spring/early summer. The rigs in Breton Sound are holding some real big fish. Waiting them out on a windy day is the ticket. Do not be quick to leave if you are picking away at them. On a choppy day, this may be as good as it is going to get. Live bait fished deep is the ticket right now. I hope this helps. The dates that I have available due to a last minute cancellation are Friday and Saturday the 17th and 18th of June. Give me a call soon if you would like to go. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Monday, June 6, 2005 @ 5:00:15 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

I gave the trout a break these last two days. Yesterday I was part of a two boat trip with Capt. Jeff Dauzat of Fin and Feather Guide Service. We headed out bright and early, and got on a few trout, but these guys from Texas were hankering for something that really pulls. With a dozen trout in the box, we headed into the marsh and got on the reds. It was steady and we put 18 reds in the 23-25" class in the box before heading for the barn. This morning I had "men of leisure" John Hawkins, Peter Haspel, Brehm Bell, and David Baria from all over MS in to haul in some redfish. You know those men of leisure do not like to rise so early, so we headed out at the late hour of 6:30 a.m. We fished a middle bay and got right on the reds. It was two and three on with all I could do to net fish and untangle lines. The fish were all solid and ranged from 18 to 28". The guys easily filled their limit and tossed a handful of drumfish in the box as well. Everything both days was taken by fishing live bait 2' under a cork. As always, it was a great time fishing with John and Co. even if his PARTNER, Eric, missed the trip. The reds are scattered all over the middle and outer bays right now. Just find the mullet, and you have found the fish. The redfish are cruising along the edges of the mats of mullet. The pattern is simple: just anchor off a point that has the mullet on it and cast shrimp 2' under a cork into the mullet and hang on. I hope this helps. I will be back after the trout this coming week, and with the new moon, it ought to be on fire. I had a last minute cancellation for next Friday and Saturday and am available to go, so give me a call soon to book your day. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Friday, June 3, 2005 @ 11:53:46 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

I made a quick trip this morning with Teresa Plattsmier and Sue Glorioso of Metairie, LA. We got out out early and the seas were 1 to 2', and the bite was on instantly. The fish were all 1-3/4 to 4 lbs. The seas built to 2 to 3'ers and the sharks moved in. They began taking the trout off our lines and the bite quickly ended. We tried to wait it out, but they did not return. We made a move to another rig, but the seas had built to solid 3 to 4'ers and it quickly became uncomfortable. The girls were happy and requested to head in early with 39 fat trout in the box. Everything was taken by a popular rig in Black Bay on live bait fished deep and tightlined Opening Night Saltwater Assassins on 1/4 oz. jigs. The fish have started to get active. We only need the weather to get straight, and we should be knee deep in trout with this upcoming new moon. Look for your fish in the usual areas in Black Bay. It seems that certain corners of the rigs have been holding most of the fish. The fish are not all around the rigs, but if you search, then you should be able to locate where they are holding. I hope this helps. I just had a last minute cancellation for this coming Monday, so I am available to go. It is the day of the new moon and ought to be an outstanding day for loading the boat with big trout. Give me a call soon if you would like to book it. It will book up. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Wednesday, June 1, 2005 @ 8:03:59 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

A little bouncy but well worth the ride! Sunday morning I had the John Brunini group in from Jackson, MS to haul some trout. It started out looking a little iffy with a serious lightning show. There was a moderate wind and no rain, so we opted to stick our nose out to see what the bay looked like. We got out and it was only 1 to 2'ers so out we went. We bounced around the nearshore islands catching a handful here and there. The water was a little stained, and I wanted to head out to find some better water. Better water and a load of trout is what we found. I anchored near a rig in Black Bay and the corks immediately began to sink. Live bait fished deep either under a cork or freelined was the ticket. The action became fast with steady double and tripleheaders. The fish wewre all solid 2-4 lbers. The wind picked up around mid-morning and the 1 to 2' chop quickly developed into 3 to 4'ers. The bite slowed but remained steady. The seas were steep, so we decided to head for the barn around noon with 65 fat trout and a lone 12 lb. redfish. The fish are scattered in Black Bay right now, but there are good numbers to be had when you find the right section of the rig to fish. Just keep looking until you find them. The guys were an absolute blast to fish with, and I look forward to Johnny White Chocolate's return in a few weeks. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Monday, May 30, 2005 @ 12:13:11 AM

New Orleans, LA USA

A bouncy day in Breton Sound proves successful. This morning I had Adam Wirth of New Orleans along with Clark Heebe and Patrick Berigan of Abita Springs, LA out to bounce a little and haul a lot of big trout. The 5 to 10 kt winds predicted for this morning were more like 12 to 18. This made for a little rough going. The west wind has not been good for me in the marsh, so we headed out hoping for the forecast of light winds to be true. We got out into the sound to find solid three to four footers. After positioning the boat in the lee of a rig, we began to slowly but steadily box trout in the 3 to 5 lb. class. Live bait fished under Cajun Thunder corks did the trick. The action did not last all morning, so we began to head in with 19 trout and a redfish in the box. I decided to try one stop on  the way in, and it was loaded up with big trout. We began to haul meat and the guys put it to them. The fish were all solid going 2 to 4 lbs. We fished for another hour and a half before heading to the barn with 66 trout and a lone redfish. The fish made us look for them in the choppy water, but once we found them, it was on. A small well in Black Bay was the magic spot for us today. The fishing has been strange this spring, but there are plenty of big fish to be found if you put your time in. Black Bay still has some very fresh and dirty water in it, but the fish are there. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316  

Monday, May 23, 2005 @ 7:19:01 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

Here's a two day report. Yesterday I had the Scott Keifer gang out for some hardy laughs on a windy day. The wind blew hard out of the west putting a damper on my marsh pattern. We worked hard running all over, even out into the sound once the wind layed, but could only manage a handful of fish. I believe we had 18 trout, two reds (one around 30 lbs. released) and a flounder. Today was a different story altogether. I had the MMC Materials, Inc. group of Vicksburg, MS out to do some serious fish haulin'. With the winds nonexistent, I headed straight out into Breton Sound and put 16 big trout in the box before it shut down completely. The tide would not move at all. We bounced around trying to find some moving water to no avail. I headed back into Black Bay and pushed the boat up on an island that is on the very edge of the marsh and the bay and that was all she wrote. It was as fast as we could get our lines in the water, With a hit coming INSTANTLY on EVERY cast. Four and five fish were on constantly with trout flying over the sides from every direction. Live bait fished 2' under Cajun Thunder corks and tightlined Saltwater Assassins did the damage to 90 trout and 6 big reds. The fish were all nice sized with most going 1-3/4 to 4 lbs. and one or two solid 5 lbers. thrown in for good measure. We ran out of ice chest room, and the guys refused to dump the beer so as to fill the beer chest with fish, so we headed for the barn with sore arms and fish tales for years to come. The fishing is on fire right now in Delacroix. As long as the weather holds, the fishing ought to stay consistent. Look for your trout on the very inshore edge of Black Bay. It looks as the fish are starting to slowly leave the marsh and stage near the close in islands around Oak River Bay. Both live bait and jigs are working. I hope this helps. I still have a couple of dates available in June, so give me a call soon to book your day. Things have finally fallen into place. Do not miss out. This is what we have been waiting for. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Sunday, May 22, 2005 @ 5:55:21 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

Report from Saturday, May 21

The 30 pound redfish got tangled in 2 crab traps before I landed it--just as the sun was rising!  I hope that you will be able to see the pictures at the Captain Brian's Bayou Adventures website.

Although we only landed around 20 specs, Captain Brian worked his behind off on a very tough day--a strong West wind.  The wind was too hard for us to get to the rigs, but that's where the fish were--at the rigs.  The wind finally laid down in the late morning.  When other guides might have kept their boats close to shore to get home faster, Brian chugged all of the way out to the far rigs to give us a shot at some bigger trout.  

The morning feeding frenzy at the rigs was over by the time we got there, but we still picked up a several 2-3 pound suicide trout and a nice redfish.  At the end of the day, it was we, not Brian, who finally asked to head back in.  Brian was ready to stay out at the rigs to pick up as many fish as we wanted, for as long as it took.

I know that Captain Brian was disappointed that we couldn't limit out yesterday (and, come to think of it, this is the first trip EVER in 6 years or so with Brian that we didn't catch everyone's limit on the boat!), but yesterday clearly passed the "knucklehead test": if I had spent the day on the boat of one of my knucklehead friends--even under good conditions--I wouldn't have caught as much as I caught with Captain Brian.  And any trip with Brian is very relaxed and very fun, since he is such a good guy.

In between casts, Scott, Eddie and I did what you do on fishing trips:  reminisced about prior fishing trips and busted the chops of friends who weren't on the boat.

You would have thought that our no-showing, poor-casting, trash-fish-catching, foul-hooking buddy Paul would have caught the most flack (I think he has gotten over when we disclosed his engagement plans [before his now-wife knew of them] in a fishing report on Rod 'N Reel.com), but it was really Mr. "Drink Some Water, Honey" Cal M. who took the most lumps.

After calling it quits from dating his now-wife, Catherine, a desperate Cal, realizing his mistake, showed up unannounced at her house while she was fixing dinner for another date.  After bursting into Catherine's house, in the middle of the other guy's date, Cal told the other guy:  "hey, would you mind waiting outside for a little bit? Catherine and I have a few things to discuss."  He then dropped to one knee and propoased marriage to Catherine in the middle of her other date.  Stunned by Cal's bravado, Catherine told Cal that she would think about it.  Ever the romantic, Cal showed up at Catherine's house at 5:30 a.m. with flowers and champagne to hear her answer.  Upon receiving a "yes", urban legend has it that an excited Cal said "That's great, babe, we'll talk later.....but I have to leave now to make it to the golf tournament that I'm playing in today."

Our fishing remembrances included:

(1) The trip when Captain Brian got our behinds out of bed really early so that we were at the rigs before sunrise.  When the sun came up, we murdered the 3-4 pound trout and filled out our limits just as the fish stopped biting--and just when the other boats arrived at the spot.  The fish were so big that we needed a second cooler.

(2)  The trip on a magical 80 degree day in February when we nailed our limit of specs by 10, then went out for redfish, then lay in the sun on Brian's boat in the marsh until 4 or 5 in the afternoon drinking beer and talking trash.  Once again, it was we, not Brian, who thought it was time to get home.

(3)  The trip on an "iffy" weather day, when we started out on the boat, with the weather looking perfectly safe to stay out on the water.  Brian looked at the weather patterns and recommended that we turn back and cancel the trip (with Brian not getting paid as a result)--not because it was dangerous, but because Brian didn't think the fishing would be very good.  (A VERY cool thing for a guide to do).

(4)  The trip when every fish hook in the Times Picayune Sports section was "empty" but Brian found us our limits of trout by drifting over the oyster beds in February.

Yesterday proves an unfortunate axiom of fishing:  bad weather beats good fishing most of the time!  But we all thought it was just as good of a fishing experience as when we have previously loaded up the boat to the limits.

Sunday, May 22, 2005 @ 1:53:54 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

We fished all over and finally found the motherlode this morning. I had George McIntosh and Glenn Neel of Lucedale, MS along with their good buddy, Mannie Seale, of Houston, TX out to load the boat with fat specks. We started around an island in Black Bay but only found dirty water and no tide. We then headed out into Breton Sound to fish a rig but only managed a handful. We then worked our way back into the marsh and found them as fast as we could get our lines in the water. Carolina rigs fished in 12' of water did the trick on 93 trout from 1 and 1/2 to 4 and 1/2 lbs. The guys were a blast to fish with and very good fishermen to boot. There are large numbers of trout still in the marsh. If I had to guess, I would have to say that all the freshwater in Black Bay has them backed up in the inner areas. This saves on fuel bills (if only I had not run out into the sound to check it out this morning). The front coming through tonight may keep us inside tomorrow, and I will report what we do. Look for your fish in the deeper bayous and pipelines (the Twin is loaded up). Fish live minnows on carolina rigs and you should have more trout than you can eat in month. I still have a few days open in June. Things are falling into place, so give me a call soon to book your day. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Friday, May 20, 2005 @ 5:32:08 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

We mixed it up today. Jimbo Green of Meridian, MS drove in this morning with his dad to search Black Bay for some specks. We started out early around an island on the very south side of the bay and found dirty water, but the trout were feeding in it. It was slow but steady with the fish coming and going. Once it died completely, we headed into the marsh to fish the bottom in 12' of water and found the specks stacked up. It was a hit on just about every cast. The guys had a long ride ahead of them, so we quit right at 50 trout and left them biting. We had a few up to 4 lbs., but the majority were solid 16-18" fish. Out in Black Bay, we fish minnows under a cork and in the marsh carolina rigs were the ticket. The water out in Black Bay is still pretty stained with low salinity levels, but there are still plenty of trout in the marsh to fall back on if it does not come together outside. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Wednesday, May 18, 2005 @ 5:56:08 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

It was a musical day today in the Delacroix marsh. Actually it was a break from music for the deans and employees of the Loyola College of Music. Reid Wick of New Orleans had Dean Ed Kvet and Associate Dean Tony Decuir along with Stewart Becnel out for a windy morning of fishing. There was no chance of getting out into Black Bay much less Breton Sound to get after the big trout that we have been on lately, so we kept it close to the dock. Our first two stops only produced 3 fish, but on our third drop, we hit paydirt. By fishing carolina rigged minnows in 6-10' of water, we got hit as soon as the bait hit the bottom. We had a little trouble feeling the bite and dropping back on the hit with all the wind, but the guys stuck it out and managed to box 41 nice trout and a couple of flounders. There were quite a few throwbacks mixed in with our fish, but the ones that we threw on ice were all solid 14-19" fish. The fish are there if we could only get the wind to get out to them. In the meantime, there are plenty of fish still backed up in the marsh to keep the rods bent. Look for your trout in the marsh along the ledges and dropoffs of the deeper bayous. The fish are holding in 6-18' of water in the inner areas. Carolina rigged minnows is the ticket. The fish today would have clobbered a tightlined jig, but the wind was too brutal to work the bait properly. When the wind dies, I will be back out in the open water targeting the big trout and will report more this week. I hope this helps. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Monday, May 16, 2005 @ 7:37:58 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE!!! Today was day two for the Mike Scott group of Newnan, GA. It was a little choppy first off, so I decided to keep it a little closer than I had gone yesterday. I stopped at a small island at the very edge of Black Bay in some very dirty water. I did not expect to get on a very fast bite, but the corks with the live minnows began to sink. I was relieved to be getting a few bites in a 3' chop and very stained water. We sat it out and the fish would come and go. Sometimes we went as long as ten minutes without a bite, but the guys were willing to stick it out, and the fish slowly but steadily came over the rail. Sitting it out seemed to be the right ticket, because we ended the morning with 61 trout up to 4 lbs. The fish are not all over Black Bay right now. The water is very stained and there are very few shrimp around, but there are fish to be caught if you put a little time in. The pattern, near as I can see it, is to sit it out once you get a little action. I do not believe that there are too many places right now where you can sit in one spot and wear them out. There are still a bunch of fish  way up in the inner areas of the marsh in Delacroix right now. It looks like we are about a month behind last year, but it is still worth the effort if you put your time in. Everything today was caught with live minnows fished 4' under corks. One and two here and there, and before you know it, the box will be filled. I hope this helps. I have a couple of days open next week, and I am on some good fish, so give me a call if you would like to make a trip this coming week. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Saturday, May 14, 2005 @ 6:51:13 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

The fishing in Black Bay has been tough for the past couple of days, but out in Breton Sound the big trout have turned on. Yesterday I had the Paul Harris group of Gulfport, MS out. After looking for and not finding any clean water in the nearshore areas of Black Bay, we headed out into the sound and fished a rig in 20' of water. The trout were there, and by fishing live bait deep under corks and tightlined Saltwater Assassins on 1/4 oz. jigs, we boxed 44 trout up to 4 lbs. This morning I had The Mike Scott group of Newnan, GA out in similar conditions. Without any real clean water in the areas that I like in Black Bay, I headed back into the sound and found the trout right where we left them yesterday. They were a little bigger than yesterday's fish with ony a couple under 2 lbs. The rest were all solid 2-4 lbers. with one or two pushing 5 lbs. By fishing live bait deep under corks, we tallied out at 51 trout this morning. The trout were slamming our baits on every cast when we left, but the guys had enough after the wind kicked up. I have seen absolutely no birds, and the water is still stained in Black Bay, so your best bet is to head more toward the Ship Channel in Breton Sound to find the clean salty water. Live bait fished deep under a cork is the way to go. Things are starting to look good for the area. I just wish that I was seeing some shrimp. I believe all the freshwater this spring has kept the shrimp offshore. Time will tell. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Friday, May 13, 2005 @ 7:28:04 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

I made a short afternoon trip on Tuesday with Richard Guidroz of New Orleans. We stayed in the marsh and fished carolina rigged minnows and put a nice box of 43 trout up to 4 lbs. together. We worked all along the Twin Pipeline in 10-18' of water and had steady action all afternoon. the fish would come and go, and we had to make a few moves, but there are decent numbers of nice trout in the marsh still. Just look for your fish along the slopes and ledges of the deeper areas around the Twin Pipeline. Carolina rigged minnows is the way to go for the late afternoon bite. I am booked through the weekend but have a couple of days available during next week, so give me a call if you would like to make a trip. With the weather moderating, the fishing ought to really turn on. Do not miss out. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 @ 12:29:08 AM

New Orleans, LA USA

Yesterday afternoon was day two for Jim Hayes of Meridian, MS. We left the dock around 1:00 p.m. in the howling SW winds. We started right where we caught the trout the day before with the plugs, but could only put 6 in the box on the MirrOlure Catch 5s with another 10 missed or lost. We made a move to the deeper area where I have been doing well with the carolina rigged minnow and found the wind direction blowing so as to make it tough to anchor properly, but we managed a little bite and started to put a few in the box fairly steady until the anchor pulled. Jim said that he had enough trout from the day before and if I wanted to scout around a bit, then that was o.k. with him. We then headed towards the outer bays and fished a deep bayou that is usually good this time of year, and found the water to be fairly stained. We gave it a go just the same, and to my surprise the trout were thick and hungry. Carolina rigged minnows were the ticket once again. Around an hour before sunset, Jim had said that he had enough and was ready to head in, so we left them biting with 39 trout, 1 red, and a flounder in the box. The trout were really mixed in size going 14-20". The trout seem to be scattered all over the Delacroix marsh right now. Look for your fish in the deeper areas with minnows fished on the bottom. I really believe that we could have gotten them to bite a jig yesterday if the wind was not howling the way it was. This front may knock things back a day or two but should pick right back up this coming week as the winds moderate. I will be off the water for a few days to repower my boat. If anyone is looking for a 225 Mercury EFI 2002 that runs great, then give me a call. EFIs are no longer being made, so give me a call if you are looking for a very reliable motor. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Saturday, April 23, 2005 @ 10:31:05 AM

New Orleans, LA USA

Thursday Afternoon Report: I had Jim Hayes and Jimbo Green of Meridian, MS out for some fun in the interior areas of the Delacroix marsh. We left the dock around 1:00 p.m., loaded the well with minnows, tied my new favorite plug (MirrOlure's Catch 5) on each of our rods, and got right on the fish. It was hot without a cloud in the sky, but the trout immediately went nuts over our plugs. The fish were all over the twitchbaits with many hits coming just three feet behind the boat. The action slowed after a while but the fish would come and go. Jim gets the prize for losing the most 3 lb. fish and plugs. After it slowed up on the plugs we switched to minnows fished three feet under Cajun Thunder corks. The fishing picked back up, but about an hour before dark it slowed, so we made a short move to a bayou off of Oak River and got back into the action with corks, carolina rigs, and the plugs. These two guys are great fishermen and an absolute pleasure to fish with. We ended our afternoon with exactly 50 trout (14-19"), 7 reds (16-26"), 2 flounder, and a bass. Once again, the fish were all taken in the interior of Delacroix. The pattern as I see it is to anchor about a cast off a heavy grassline where a flat slopes down into deeper water (from 3 down to 9') and cast slow sinking twitchbaits (MirrOlure Catch 5) and live minnows under a cork along the edge of the grass. The fish will come and go. You will get 3 or 4 in a row, and then they will back off for 4 or 5 casts before coming back through. The trout are feeding on very small croakers that are moving along the grasslines. There are also plenty of fish in the Oak River area that are easily taken with carolina rigged minnows. The fish in the deep are a little smaller than the fish on the flats though. I hope this helps. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Friday, April 22, 2005 @ 1:31:22 AM

New Orleans, LA USA

With the trout fishing being so hit and miss lately in Delacroix, I decided to make a solo scouting trip yesterday to try and get a handle on things. I fished hard from daybreak until late in the afternoon. The salinity levels in Black Bay are too low for the spawn to take place on this upcoming moon, so I searched in the interior marsh. I had a slow morning of it, until I located a school of nice fish along a grassline in an inner bay. The fish were all nice going mostly 18-21". Most of the fish were taken on my new favorite lipless sinking twitchbait: MirroLure's Catch 5. Yesterday was the first time that I fished with this bait, and instantly fell in love with the way it swims. The bait sinks slower than Mirrolure's 52M, but has the action of the Top Dog line of baits. It is perfect for working over heavy grassbeds as long as there is at least six inches of water over the beds. This bait is going to be deadly when the fish show up in the shallows around the islands in Black Bay. You simply 'walk the dog' as if you were fishing a topwater, and the bait darts and twitches form side to side. The water was crystal clear and I saw every take. I noticed that the fish turned on a little more in the latter part of the day. I had brought some minnows and just before I left to come home, I was getting hit on every cast on a carolina rig in a bayou just off an interior bay. I could have limited, but decided to head for the barn after a long day on the water with 20 fat trout and a flounder. The fish were all females, but their eggs were hardly developed. The river is going to have to come down some before Black Bay can get salty enough for the first spring spawn to take place. There are some scattered schools of nice sized trout in the marsh to take up the slack until then. I hope this helps. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Wednesday, April 20, 2005 @ 2:46:48 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

Yesterday I had Robert Keys and gang out to fish some super secret fishing spots. These spots were so so secret that the fish did not even know about them. Needless to say, the fishing yesterday was absolutely terrible. I have all the usual excuses: too much wind, too much tide, too dirty water; but the bottom line is that I could not get on the fish. The fishing in Delacroix right now is a little tough. When this wind lays it will be easier to figure a pattern. When I do, I will let you know. I wish that I had something better to report, but that's my story. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Monday, April 11, 2005 @ 1:44:56 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

Knowing that the fishing is going to shut down for a couple of days after this approaching front passes, I made a solo trip Thursday afternoon. The wind was up, and the trout fishing has been less than spectacular, so I was looking to just get enough for dinner. I headed out just after noon, and by 3:30 p.m., it appeared that I had better make different dinner arrangements. I looked all over the place, but could not get a strike. The water was dirty most places and the tide was flying in. I made a move toward deeper water (Oak River) and immediately caught two trout. Nothing else followed, so I decided to try another area just off of Oak River and head in if no one was home. I anchored in about 5' of water and cast back into 3'. I got hit on my first cast but missed the fish. Five more casts and I missed another one. I now knew that there were a few fish around and decided to work the area over with a little persistence. I was fishing a Chart./Diamond Saltwater Assassin paddle-tail rigged tightline on a 1/4 oz. jig. I would cast out  and steadily retrieve the bait, but the trick was to reel fast for five or six turns of the handle and then just stop and let the bait fall. The hits would ONLY come when the handle was not turning and the bait was fluttering down. Once I figured this out, I got hit on just about every other cast. It was still tough to hook the fish and I missed quite a few at first. As the sun got low in the sky, THE FISH WENT NUTS!!! It quickly became a frenzy with an aggressive strike on every cast, but they still would only take the bait once the handle was stopped. It went on like this into the dark with the fish feeding into nightfall. I easily filled my 25 fish limit and added two reds to the box as well once I figured out the pattern. It was a little work figuring them out, but it was a classic example not giving up and reaping the rewards. The fish were mostly nice sized going 14-16" with a couple pushing 20". This next front is going to set us back a few days, but it should help get the outside action heated up. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Friday, April 1, 2005 @ 2:20:38 AM

New Orleans, LA USA

Yesterday afternoon I had three generations of Freys, Jack, Jeffery, and Charlie, of Covington, LA out to wail on some bull reds. The strong winds out of the west had muddied and drained all the water in the marsh, so we headed out to the edge of Black Bay and by anchoring aound one of the islands, we found them. The fish were real brutes with several pushing 30 lbs. Shrimp and minnows fished directly on the bottom as well as a 1/4 oz. tightlined jig rigged with a Saltwater Assassin paddle-tail did the trick. The fish would come and go but it was steady. We easily filled our 4 fish limit and added five others that were in the slot. The wind picked up late in the afternoon, so we headed to some more protected water in the marsh. The water was filthy but we gave it a shot just the same. I told the guys not to get too excited due to the conditions and that it looks like our catching was done for the day. WELL ONCE AGAIN I WAS WRONG! As soon as the corks hit the water, they would instantly go under. At first I thought that they were catfish, but once the drags began singing, I became confused. It was a school of drum like I have never seen before. Four to six lb. drum were in a frenzy and taking our baits as if we were in a trout feed. I had never seen drumfish act this way. The guys were not complaining as they hauled them in hand over fish. Every fish was released, since they had enough fish with the box full of reds. A fun time was had by all to say the least. The water was back up, but it was still pretty stained when we left to head in. In another day or two, if we do not get anymore hard westerly blows, the water should clean up and the fishing will get back to normal. It looks like we are going to be in for an early run of trout in Delacroix. The fish have started to show up outside and the shrimp have already come into the marsh. I am booking up, so give me a call soon if you would like to book your spring trip. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Wednesday, March 30, 2005 @ 12:21:24 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

The fishing in Delacroix has been a little hit and miss as of late, so I have been bringing my clients out into the open water to pull on some bull reds. On Saturday I had Bob Rue of the Sarouk Shop in Nerw Orleans out along with a couple of his out of town guests. We headed straight out into Black Bay and got into the big reds around a couple of different islands. We easily put our four fish limit in the box and began catch and release. The reds were taken on shrimp fished either directly on the bottom or 3' under a cork as well as on green Saltwater Assassin paddle-tails rigged tightline on 1/4 oz. jigs. Yesterday I had the Paul Davis group out to tangle with a few big reds. We headed back out to where I had left them biting the other day but found the area to be vacant of fish. We bounced around looking but were only bothered by stingrays and sheepshead. I moved to a rig in Black Bay and that is where we found them. The reds would come and go but we easily put our 4 fish limit of over 27" fish in the box as well as 3 others that fell into the slot. Paul also boated a 35 lb. drumfish that was released as well as plenty of smaller drum. We left once the sheepshead became too annoying. A great time was had by two great groups of people. The trout in the marsh have scattered and are in the transition period. It may be time to start looking for them with a carolina rigged minnow. The winds look a little tough for tomorrow, and my guys are not sure that they want to fight strong winds out of the west, but I will report what we find if we go. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Tuesday, March 22, 2005 @ 3:18:35 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

Well they all cannot be insta-slam trips, and today's proved the point. I was part of a two boat trip with Capt. Jeff Dauzat of Fin & Feather Guide Service. The guys were in town for a conference and could only go today. Knowing what we were up against, they opted to go rather than call it off so off we went this morning in solid 15-20 kt. NW winds. To make a long story short, we drifted and drifted and drifted some more casting Saltwater Assassins on 1/4 oz. jigs and the pickings were slim. My boat ended the morning with only 8 trout and a flounder. Once the winds lay, the fish ought to turn back on, but this is March, and you have to take the weather on the chin. I wish that I had something better to report, but that is what I found. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Thursday, March 17, 2005 @ 5:53:53 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

The speckled trout were practically jumping in the boat this afternoon. I had to make an early trip out to Opelousas, LA to drop something off and then back to put my boat in the water after some routine maintenance. Well with the weather so absolutely perfect and a little time on my hands, I headed out solo at 3:30 p.m. I stopped in a middle bay without a touch. The water was very low, so I figured that the fish may have been displaced out towards more open water. I stopped along a shoreline in an outer bay in 3' of water and IT WAS ON!!! The drift was perfect. I cast tightline 1/4 oz. jigs with Opening Night Saltwater Assassin paddle-tails, and the trout were tearing them up. It took me all of three short drifts to put my limit of 25 in the box. The fish were nice sized going 14-21" with most in the 15-16" range. I drifted in 3-4' of water and cast downdrift and steadily (no twitch) retrieved the bait. The fish were very aggressive with plenty of arm-jarring hits. When I drifted into a little deeper water (6-8'), the bites stopped. The trout were chasing baitfish on the flats. It looks like the move toward the open water has begun, and you should to start looking for your fish in the outer bays. I hope this helps. I have days available these next couple of weeks, so give me a call, and if the weather allows, we will go. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Thursday, March 10, 2005 @ 10:17:26 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

Here's a twofer. Yesterday I had a late afternoon trip with Scott McMickle of Atlanta, GA. He was in town with a couple of his podners for a convention and were able to escape for a few hours late yesterday afternoon. We left the dock around 2:30 p.m. and headed to a middle bay to find that the pattern of last week had changed. The easy afternoon limits were not to be and work was ahead of us. We drifted and picked away at them before I decided to make a move to a shallow bayou and stick the anchor. The fishing got good in the latter part af the afternoon, and we steadily hooked up. The method was simple. We basically cast tightline 1/4 oz. jigs with Opening Night Saltwater Assassins out and steadily retrieved the baits without any type of rod action. We did not keep a fish, so I do not have an exact number, but I would say that we were in the 35 to 40 fish range. This morning I had Don Maille his wife, Barbara, their son, and partner out to work the fish over. The little bayou that produced yesterday did not pan out, so we began to drift the 4 to 7' depths of the middle bays. We started putting 3 to 4 fish in the box on long drifts. We worked the area over and over and slowly but steadily put fish in the boat. The pattern was the same as the day before except that the fish showed a slight preference for the purple shrimp worm. The Opening Night Assassin did its damage as well. The fish seemed to turn on a little better toward the end of the morning. Our last couple of drifts produced 7 to 8 fish in a short little area. We ended the day with 48 trout in the 12-17" class and a lone flounder. We are in a typical late winter/early spring pattern right now in the Delacroix area. Do not look for that quick hit; it is more than likely not going to happen. Thirty to sixty fish trips with a lot off effort is about right. You will need to beat an area over and over in order to put a few fish in the box. The fish are scattered in small groups and are high in the water column in the 4-6' depths. I find a slow to medium steady retrieve is best when the fish are scatterd in March like they are now. The middle and outer bays are where you want to be. Things will get better, but until then you will have to put a little effort into it and earn them. I hope this helps. I still have plenty of spring dates open for the upcoming spawn, but I am booking trips every day, so give me a call soon to assure your day. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Saturday, March 5, 2005 @ 8:08:53 PM

New Orleans, LA USA

Kirk Songy and his son, Matt, of Houston, TX along with Daniel Songy and his son, Adam Joe the Speck Catchin' Pro, of St. Rose, LA were out for a windy afternoon of speck catching yesterday (Sat.). We left the dock a little before 11:00 a.m. and headed right to where we loaded up the other day only to find that the wind was too strong to work the area properly. I then headed to another middle bay that was a little more protected and threw it on a drift. We IMMEDIATELY started to box a few trout. We would drift several yards and pick a few before hitting a dry spot and then pick a few more. It went on like this until it started to get crowded with boats. All the traffic really scatterd the already scattered schools of fish, so we moved on. We bounced around picking up a few fish everywhere we stopped. We even saw good ole Capn' Vann putting the finishing touches on his limit of fat trout. Once the boat traffic began to thin out in the late afternoon, we headed to where we were first catching fish and found them to be quite aggressive. The trout were jumpimg on the lines, and we fished until dark putting exactly 60 in the box. The fish were pretty today with most going 14-16" along with a few smaller and a few bigger and only a handful of throwbacks. We threw a mixture of chart. beetles and Opening Night Saltwater Assassin paddle-tails rigged tightline on 1/4 oz. jigs. The pattern today in all the wind was to drift; cast with the wind; and steadily retrieve the bait back to the boat keeping it off the bottom. No twitching or action was needed to get bit. The trout were very aggressive with many bites coming a foot or two from the boat and mere inches below the surface. The fish seem to be real active in the middle bays in the late afternoon. The later it got these past two trips; the better the fishing became. Look for your fish in the middle and outer bays in 4-9' of water. Although I did see a few boats catching on anchor yesterday, we only caught a few while sitting in one spot, so you may need to drift unless you happen upon the motherlode. The fish want the bait just cast out and reeled in. Once you find the retrieve rate that they want, the haulin' will begin. If you catch a few fish on a drift, even if it is just 2 or 3, then make that drift again. Some drifts you will only catch a couple of fish while on others you may catch 8 or 9. You will need to put your time in, but it is worth the effort in the end. I hope this helps. If you would like to experience how this works firsthand or would like to get in on the big spawning trout out in Black Bay/Breton Sound this spring, then give me a call to book your day. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Sunday, February 27, 2005 @ 8:07:45 AM

New Orleans, LA USA

Jim Hayes and Jimbo Green of Meridian, MS drove in late Thursday morning to try and fill the freezer. The guys needed a bunch of fish for a fish fry or two and asked if we could go out and haul some meat. We left the dock sometime after 10:30 a.m. and got to our first stop in the Bakers Bay area and found the trout practically jumping in the boat. Once we started drifting, we noticed trout leaping out of the water everywhere in pursuit of small baitfish. They were popping all over the place as if it were summer. On our first casts, we all INSTANTLY hooked up with nice trout. We drifted along and steadily put fish in the box. We would go for five minutes with a bite on every cast and then go for a couple of minutes without a bite. After doing this same drift over a few times, we had put 52 trout in the box before the wind picked up and the tide slowed thus shutting the fish down. We made a quick move to a little bayou that runs into Bakers and dropped the anchor. The fish were all over the top again in a frenzy, and it took us slightly more than fifteen minutes to finish off our 75 fish limit. The fish were nice sized going mostly 14-16" with a few in the 17-18" range and one solid 3 lber. We had maybe 4 or 5 throwbacks all afternoon. Everything was taken by tightlining both single and tandem 1/4 and 3/8 oz. jigs with either an Opening Night or Chart./Diamond paddle-tail Saltwater Assassin. I made one cast with a cork and nailed an 8 lb. redfish. The trout are in a solid transistional pattern right now and are gorging themselves on minnows. They are moving a lot, so you will have to move around until you find them. When you do find a bunch, it may not be all that hard to sink the boat with them. Look for your fish in 3 to 8' of water. They will be high in the water column, but it seems as if a tightline presentation is working better than the cork rigs, but this will change from day to day. Several times I tried to drop the anchor when we drifted into a good mess of fish only to have it shut down as soon as I did this. When I got into a little deeper water, the action was best on the anchor though. Again, this will change from day to day, so try different patterns until you hit upon the right formula. The passage of this front may slow the action a bit, but as soon as the winds lay, the fish ought to get active again. You should definitely start looking for your fish around the eastern areas of the middle bays and out toward the outer bays from now until spring. I hope this helps. If you would like to get in on some of this late winter/early spring fishing or would like to book a day for the upcoming spring spawn out in Black Bay/Breton Sound, then give me a call soon. Be safe. CAPT. BRIAN EPSTEIN BAYOU ADVENTURES, INC. 504-284-3316

Friday, February 25, 2005 @ 12:29:31 AM