A week in Louisiana

For as long as I can remember now, Louisiana has been gaining popularity with guides and traveling anglers. The Louisiana marsh is well known for its redfishing. After spending a week there, I now know why. I'm blessed to get to spend a lot of time in the Mosquito Lagoon and spend the majority of my time targeting redfish in shallow water and we have our share of big reds and large schools. With that said, I've never seen the consistent numbers of bigger fish like Louisiana has to offer and if the fish aren't there within a few minutes of working an area, the next spot is likely holding.

The plan was to leave the East Cape Skiffs factory in Orlando at 5 a.m. and arrive in Delacroix, LA before sunset. Surprisingly, we were on the road and headed North on time. It was a long but scenic ride, the terrain went from flat city-scapes of Orlando to cow and horse pastures near Ocala to rolling hills in North Florida to bridges crossing coastal rivers in Alabama and Mississippi and winding 2 lane roads of coastal Louisiana. Finally we arrived in to what would be our home camp, a 3 bedroom house on stilts across the street from a canal. There was plenty of room to park our three trucks trailering 3 VHP Vantages. After getting settled in, we sat down to eat dinner and discuss tomorrow's game plan. After a couple beers, some map studying a gear organizing we called it an early night and turned in.

5 a.m. came early but everyone was moving, you could sense the excitement among our group. The plan was to grab breakfast at a local restaurant, Penny's. The food, service and price was great. Definitely a place I'd recommend checking out, many of the local guides would be there in the morning, sharing a table and breakfast with their clients. As a guide, I found this interesting. Typically I meet and say goodbye to my clients at the ramp. I like observing other guides in other locales and how they conduct their business. I've learned a thing or two doing this. If you are going to head out to Louisiana, I'd recommend hiring a local guide. Fishing the marsh can be overwhelming, there is so much water to fish and the marsh isn't like a Florida shoreline. Check out East Cape's website for a listing of guides. Do your research and book any one of these guys and you'll be happy.

3 Vantage VHP's lined up and ready to GO. Photo credit: Wes Hollingsworth.

After Penny's it was time to head to a ramp in Hopedale and get out on the water. The 15 minute car ride from Penny's to the ramp felt like it took forever. Driving into Hopedale, you still see carnage from Katrina. Submerged commercial fishing boats and  semi-trailers upside down liter the banks of canal on the side of the road. A constant reminder of mother nature and her power.


Our first day on the water, we were greeted with light cloud cover and breezy conditions. After a long run to our first spot, the boats split up and we all went our own way. The plan was big fish in skinny water. It didn't take long to bring some big fish to the boat.

Pete Gulbrandsen of Pine Island, FL with his personal best to date. I don't think he stopped smiling the entire trip.

I've seen my fair share of big fish and been lucky enough to tangle with a few of them. I got "buck" fever a few times on this trip. Seeing a pod of three blackdrum tailing hard in 3 feet of water apparently got the best of me. The crazy thing about Louisiana is that you're going to see that same sight a few more times throughout the day.  If you're into sight fishing big fish, Louisiana needs to be near the top of your lists of areas to visit and fish. The fish aren't pressured anywhere near as much as the redfish I fish.

Kevin Fenn, Owner/Operator of East Cape Skiffs sights a bull redfish with its back of of the water working a bank. 

Kevin holding up one of the larger fish caught during our week in the marsh. Photo credit: Bo Sutton

With the sun dipping lower, we decided to make the 25-30 mile run back towards Hopedale and get ready for tomorrow. The plan was to for everyone to meet up at a predetermined spot and make the run back together. On our way to the meet up spot, we see Wes Hollingsworth, of South Carolina, sitting on the casting platform on his skiff. We motor up and see Wes supporting a nice redfish on his lap. I'd later find out that this was Wes' first redfish on fly. What makes it even better was the hunt, he was blessed to watch this fish tail along a bank from about 50 yards out. After talking with Wes that night at dinner it was obvious that he was officially hooked on fly fishing.

Congratulations Wes. I know there are going to be many more pictures like this be taken.

The next day we were greeted by significantly cooler temperatures, higher winds and dense fog. Not ideal for sight fishing but we were here to fish. After breakfast, we launched the boats and began making the run out to enjoy whatever awaited us in the marsh.

Wes Hollingsworth and Kevin Fenn doing what they do. Five days with these two will guarantee you some laughs.

Even though we were dealing with less than ideal conditions for the remainder of the trip, the theme remained the same.... Quantity and Quality. I spent the day on Paul Volkerson's, of V Marine, skiff. Paul and I have fished together before and we always have a good time and seem to get into some big fish. Here are a couple shots from Paul and I's day together.

Paul with a nice fish on topwater

The release

An "average" fish for where we were fishing. Photo credit: Paul Volkerson of V Marine

After a long day of clouds, wind and some rain, the skies finally opened up and we were given a picture perfect sunset for the run back to Hopedale. 

Running back to Hopedale, a feeling of disappointment settles in. No matter how hard we fished, it seemed there was never enough time in the day and our week seemed to fly by. Leaving Louisiana left us all wanting more bow time and a couple more days to spend exploring this incredible fishery.

Here are a few randoms from the week.

Paul landing a healthy Louisiana redfish.

Bo Sutton, of Orlando, with a red he sight fished off a point.

Walker Forrest, of South Carolina, with his big fish of the trip.

It's good to be home and back to fishing the lagoon. The water levels are still up but cleaner water is showing up in more and more spots. Sight fishing is going to be really good for the next couple of months. Be sure to revive your fish adequately and handle them with care. Stay tuned for more content.

Capt. Jesse

www.FlyinHighCharters.com

407-448-2017