Lagniappe from the Bayou

Headed down to New Orleans on Thursday night for a weekend of fishing the Louisiana marshes for giant reds with my buddy Capt. Christian Yergens of Shallow Water Expeditions. Had three days planned, and favorable weather, albeit cold and windy, forecasted for about half of that time.

Capt. Yergs at the helm

Day 1:

Cold and windy, just as NOAA had predicted. We let the sun warm the flats a little before heading out into the marsh. Shrimp po boy for breakfast, and then a half hour run through the creeks and canals that the area is littered with. Fished a new area and found plenty of slot fish that were built like footballs. Mainly cruising the mud flats, not a ton of tailing going on due to the cold temperatures. Not too many big fish around either, but we did catch reds up to 17 lbs and even a small black drum around 10 lbs or so.

Day 2:

Today's forecast looked a little better so we headed out earlier to take advantage of the calm winds. The temperature still did not break 55 all day, but we had some better sunlight that came and went in shifts. On our first flat were plenty of tailing slot fish, along with a few big fish showing. I blew a shot on a large redfish, but then rebounded when this 35lb black drum showed itself tailing.

Shortly thereafter, Christian was able to feed this 22lb redfish.

The winds picked up substantially in the afternoon and we got a good workout on the way home until we hit the canals.

Day 3:

Third and final day was supposed to be like day one, but instead the sun decided to show. This helped visibility and air temps quite a bit, and we were able to witness a good bit more activity than the previous two days. We fished a different area and did well early with a 23lb red on the first flat. Then we moved into a different bay where big schools of black drum and sheepshead were out sunning themselves. I caught a sheepshead about 8-10lbs on a big redfish fly, and Christian pulled a big red out of a group of 6 or so reds that were mixed in with some drum. Shortly thereafter, we moved over to another spot where we found a good number of "big" fish working the bank. By "big", we mean 30lb+. I fed a huge one fairly early, only to have it break me off during its first run to deeper water. As time drew near for us to leave so I could make my flight home, we found a couple more big reds moving around and I led a cruiser by a few feet and let the fly drop to his level. Once in position, I stripped a couple of times and watched the broad head of this large fish turn on the fly, follow it, and then eat about 10 feet from the bow of the boat. This fish made quite a few runs before I could finally turn it on its side and bring it to hand.

Weighed in at 36lbs on the 60lb boga grip. Hell of a way to end a great trip to the marsh.

Turkey Day redfish

Got a chance to slip out on the water during the holiday break, and I extended my thanksgiving to all the redfish that decided to put on a show for us today. I was fishing with my friend Travis from Birmingham, and we decided to give it a shot despite the morning storms. After sitting through a heavy shower at the boat ramp, the radar looked clear and the bay had turned to glass, so we headed out to the flats. I had originally wanted to check out a few different spots, but we ended up just poling in circles for a few hours due to the fish that were tailing all around us the entire morning. I guess the lingering clouds gave the fish some level of comfort, because they were standing on their heads just grubbing around for a morning meal.

9/27 Panhandle

Slipped out on the bay this morning to enjoy the fall weather. Despite the fact that there was a Redfish Cup tournament going on out Pensacola and there were quite a few boats racing around the bay, it was a pleasant morning. Was fishing solo, had great sunlight, 5 mph N winds, temps in the 70's, and a decent tidal flow. Saw a handful of fish, and fed 2 from the platform with my fly rod while poling the boat at the same time. Didn't come tight on the first fish, but got the second one to the boat and released it after a quick photo.

The tournament boats were not shy, nor were they hesitant to use their 200 horse power motors on the flats. I actually became very impressed that they catch fish at all, after watching them run full throttle across the flats, shut down, and start fishing. Then doing it all over again after 15 minutes. But somehow they post numbers. I guess "to each his own" applies, but I certainly do not understand it.

While most boats were busy doing this;

I was busy doing this:

Something old, something new...something SILVER

Carolyn and I tied the knot last week down at WaterSound Beach and then headed straight to Belize for our honeymoon. We enjoyed nice weather all week, along with good tides and plenty of bonefish.

We arrived on Ambergris Caye via a Tropic Air puddle jumper and flew directly over the many flats and channels that made their way through the maze of mangrove islands. After landing, we drove through town to where we were staying - immediately noting that it helps to know your fish species when navigating the streets of San Pedro.

Tarpon St.Permit St.

We started our marriage out on the right foot by taking a flats trip on the first day of our honeymoon. We fished with George Bradley on his panga and were in schools of young bonefish all morning. They were tailing and mudding as they fed through the rising tide. Gotcha flies and my 6wt rod were the ticket.

The highlight of the day was when Carolyn set the hook on her first saltwater fly-caught fish, which resulted in as many runs as smiles.

Carolyn, bonefish, and guide George BradleyWe caught 9 bonefish between the two of us on the first morning, and even got a short glimpse at a few permit that were working a channel edge.

I fished with George again on Friday, this time searching for the elusive permit. Though we only saw one cruising the flats in a hurry, we found plenty of bonefish again, and I caught 10 that day in just a few hours' time. George Bradley is the man to fish with for anyone traveling to Belize. (Tel 011.501.226.2179, Email roxsam@btl.net)

We found some juvenile tarpon rolling in the lagoon on the back side of the island

Belikin, the beer of choice in Belize

On Wednesday, we went reef fishing and snorkeling. We caught some little snappers in the morning, barbecued them for lunch on a nearby beach, and then went snorkeling at the Hol Chan marine preserve where we were joined by a large nurse shark and many more interesting types of marine life.

Mutton, grey, and mangrove snappers

It was hard to leave the shady beaches and colorful waters to come home.

8/14 Skinny skinny

Fished with my dad and Carolyn's dad this morning under overcast skies and a full tide. We've had storms the last 2-3 days and the water was pretty churned up, despite the heavier push of new tide water during the morning incoming swing. After some searching, though, we found some clearer water and a few willing redfish tailing up in the skinniest of skinny waters. Congrats to Big Phil on his first sightfished redfish.

before...

...after...

PSJ

Had a pre-wedding fishing trip with two of my best friends from home this past weekend. Matthew and Bucky drove down and we met over in Port St Joe to fish for a few days. Though we had late season tarpon on our minds, we came prepared for a variety of species.

Day 1: We fished over in Crooked Island Sound and ended up getting on some tailing reds during the morning since the beach front was pretty rough. With the outgoing tide, the reds were tailing hard in the thick eel grass. We managed two reds and some trout as well.

Matthew w/ redfish, pre-sun burn redfish breakfast

me w/ tailing red

In the afternoon, we put the boat on the trailer and headed over to St. Joe Bay. Its the middle of scallop season and there were boats everywhere. Still, the lush grass beds and clear water over there are pretty awesome. We finished the day with some fresh oysters on the half shell at the Indian Pass Raw Bar, then headed back to the Dixie Belle for some shut eye.

St. Joe Bay grass flatsBack Country on the roost

Day 2: We had much better weather and headed out to CIS in search for tarpon. Though its the tail end of the tarpon season, we were able to see a bunch and have some decent shots at singles and doubles migrating through. Matthew had one fish nose the fly to the boat and turn at the last moment, but that was the closest we got. In between tarpon, however, we got into some rather large spanish mackerel on the fly.

In search of silver...Bucky and Matthew, pretending to be friends

nice Spanish mack on fly

Day 3: Bucky and Matthew had to head back today, so we sat on the hook for a few hours hoping to have a few more shots at tarpon. We saw a few, but for the most part it was slower than the previous day. We took out about 11:00 and everyone headed their respective ways. Great weekend in some beautiful waters.