Has anyone done Louisiana DIY? Cabin fever is at an all time high and I need to chase some fish. Generally I make long weekend trips down to y’all’s neck of the south, but would like to try something different this go round.
I’ve been told it’s not possible to chase the big reds down there without a guide. I say that’s BS.
Have a Carolina Skiff 17 so I can cover some water. I have been down there once years ago but wasn’t able to get out on the water so I know south of NOLA is where I need to be.
Any advice from someone who has done it would be much appreciated!
fished out of Venice La with a guide two years ago, it is a huge area but with good electronics I dont see why you couldnt find fish. Mostly brackish water with flats and marshes.
Pulled my boat down to Venice for 4 days, stayed at the venice motel. Primarily fished marshes and flats east/southeast of Venice.
Vastness of water was a little overwhelming at first so we focused on the breakoffs of the main channel where there was some current hitting points. A few locals were kind enough to point us in the right direction. Once we found fish we pretty much worked that same general area all 4 days. First day was a little slow until we figured it out about 2 pm and then had 3 really good days 30+ fish, and yes they harbor some big redfish as well as black drum.
The trick is catching fish close to the Marinas. A blind monkey can slay the reds 25 miles down, where all of the passes enter the ocean. The thing is, no matter how much Venice looks similar to our area…it isn’t. Do not underestimate trillions of gallons of freshwater coming down through there. Even when the river is low it’sa ton of water. The guides know that salt water is heavier and the reds/trout will be at a given depth. I went down as a newbie and did pretty well. I talked to many people, and did many hours of research. PM me if you want.
The trick is catching fish close to the Marinas. A blind monkey can slay the reds 25 miles down, where all of the passes enter the ocean. The thing is, no matter how much Venice looks similar to our area…it isn’t. Do not underestimate trillions of gallons of freshwater coming down through there. Even when the river is low it’sa ton of water. The guides know that salt water is heavier and the reds/trout will be at a given depth. I went down as a newbie and did pretty well. I talked to many people, and did many hours of research. PM me if you want.
Fished the biloxi marsh in december 2014 with the greatest guide ever rocky thickston sight fishing for big reds it was beautiful and a lot of big reds. we fished out of uniondale, la.