The dry weather Combined with the warming temperatures, should be a good combination for Bayou Cane this month. In addition to a great bass bite, the perch and goggle eye bite is getting better. Pay attention to the fronts and key on the hours before the front when the barometric pressure is dropping. I've had a lot of success on Cane during these conditions. Find muddy water mixing with clear water spilling out of the march for active feeding bass. For the kayakers watch ou for alligators as they will be thawing out from last months Artic blast.
Bayou Castine is warming up and the frog-bite is back! Bayou Castine is a picture perfect waterway for throwing frogs. The small bayou is ultra-protected form winds making the waters surface like glass. Concentrate on the small cuts with duck-weed on top and throw Spro-Frogs in green and black into these cuts.
The Causeway should surprise this month as we've seen the spillway closed for 4 years now. Trolling will be an option in March and the jigging should pick up as the weather warms. Matrix on a 3/8 oz. jighead should work but remember to try different locations of the bridge and key in on where you catch your first trout as they usually follow a pattern on the bridge.
Daniel Sissac Roger Sissac
March is here, and as I’m writing this, the daytime temps have been hitting the
80s already - bad news for folks who like cold weather, but good news for fishermen
who like to fish the spawn! Egg production had been initialized by the recent bouts
of warmer temperatures, and bass beds are beginning to be spotted (not the whole
beds, just the frames and mattress - the males are waiting for the females to bring
the sheets, duvet, and three hundred pillows that are not meant for sleeping!) - I
have digressed. The beds will start appearing more plentifully in the next few
weeks, and the best place to look for them is dead-end canals, duck ponds, and any
cuts off the main bayou that may have a flat with access to deeper water nearby.
Plastic worms, lizards, and jigs are some go to lures for fishing the spawn. Bass
get really protective of their beds and will attack anything that crosses it; this
is the reason lizards work well during the spawn. Another enemy of bedding males is
bream. It is this reason that bream-colored lures also work well this time of year.
Keep in mind that there’s only a quarter-sized spot on the bed that will elicit an
attack; if the lure is not on that specific spot, the bass will most often grab the
intruder and simply move it off the bed. The larger females (because they have all
the pillows, duvets, …) will be staging in slightly deeper water not far from the
beds. Spinnerbaits, plastic worms, and jerk baits do well enticing bites from
waiting females; shad, crawfish, and bream colors have been producing well.
Speaking of bream, the catches are getting better. The warmer weather has really
ignited the bite, and bream will start spawning around the same time as bass. Sexee
Shad, crickets, and corn will always put some fish in the cooler. Make sure your
drag is set properly, because catfish also like those same baits.
Ronald Pierre
Bass fishing on the Tangipahoa River system should get red hot in March. This month we should see a big influx of bass move into the shallows. Most bass will either be spawning or in post spawn mode by this time. Anglers should concentrate their efforts on fishing shallow backwaters off of the main river. Areas like Black Bayou, Stinky Bayou, Bedico Creek, Long, and Middle Bayous should heat up with both spawning and post spawn bass. These areas have good habitat that will draw in bass from long distances for the spawn. One major key to these areas is the abundance of grass, such as milfoil, eel grass, water lilies, and alligator grass. This grass is the base of their habitat, and offers bass food, ambush points, and shelter for bass to spawn and guard their young once they hatch. The grass in these areas can be so vast that it leaves anglers scratching their heads on where to start fishing. Areas I like to concentrate on are the inside bends of the bayous. These areas offer shallower, warmer flats that bass love to spawn on. Another key to look for are hard spots within the flats. Hard spots can be anything from an isolated stump, gravel, shells, or brush. Bass will build their nests right up next to these hard spots to spawn. Target these areas first to save time and to cover a lot of water. If you find an area that holds fish in the shallows during this time of year, make several passes throughout the day. Places like this are known to reload with fish as the day progresses and the water warms. Good lures to throw are lighter spinnerbaits that have a lot of vibration and flash, swim jigs, Texas rigged senkos, and soft plastic creature baits. Concentrate on fishing quickly and covering a lot of water early until you find fish. Once you find where bass are located settle into that area, slow down, picking every piece of cover apart, and get in tune with whatever hints these bass are giving up. The smallest subtleties will be a huge factor when piecing together the puzzle during the spawn.
Lawrence Lemoine
Vlean water is in store for Bedico Creek this month, but things can easlily change with a few rainy days. For now, concentrate on the cypress knees that line the shoreline. The bass will be holding close to the wood for warmth and spawing purposes. 6'' black zoom lizards work like a charm in March! The goggle eye bite on the creek is heating up this month. Live crickets under a cork will provide hours of excitement if your looking for a change of pace!
Ronald Pierre
The Amite River in March is by far one of my favorite times of year to fish the river. The Amite River will offer so many different areas, where a bass can spawn, that you can pick and choose the technique that suits you best and still catch fish. Remember that this river has a healthy population of Spotted Bass, and Largemouth Bass that will be spawning during this time, so you can target both in the same day. Largemouth Bass will be moving into the shallow backwater areas off of the main river. Some fish will still be deep because this river takes a little longer to warm up, but a majority of the Largemouth Bass population will be making a push to shallows. They will seek out shallow backwater areas that are protected from the main river current, and north winds. These areas will warm up quickly and offer great habitat for the spawn. Target isolated cover like cypress stumps, docks, brush, down trees, and lilly pad stems. Bass will congregate to those particular pieces of cover to make beds and spawn. Throw lures like square billed crankbaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastic creature baits, and jigs. Spotted Bass unlike Largemouth Bass will stay relatively close to the main river to spawn. They will seek hard cover like rock, shells, sandy or clay banks to make their beds. Most of this river, especially the northern end has a harder bottom and offers everything that is needed for Spotted Bass to spawn. Things that stand out to me on the northern end of the river are bluff walls, sand bars, and rock banks. These areas offer prime spawning habitat for Spotted Bass. They use these areas to help break up the current from the main river flow. The Bluff walls, sand bars, and rock lined banks will also have isolated cover on them like stumps, rocks, and laydowns. Target his type of cover because it will draw in big numbers of Spotted Bass in March. Lures to throw are finesse jigs, square billed crankbaits, and jerkbaits when the water is clear.
The Rigolets will soon be getting better with the warmer water and the arrival of live shrimp. Water temps in Lake Pontchartrain and Borne are getting into the upper 60’s so Rigolets won’t be far behind (stays colder longer due to depth and West Pearl flooding). Hopefully the West Pearl River will go down quick if we get a break in the rain patterns and let the water clear up. All the favorite spots will start producing fish so get out to be the first to find the fish. Lake Borgne Train Bridge, 4X Bayou, Hwy 90 car bridge, and the Hospital Wall. Lake Catherine will pick up with the arrival of the bait. Try openings from Millers Ditch, Unknown Pass and Bayou St. Catherine. Look for birds diving and points with tide lines for signs of feeding fish.
Patrick Engrran
March is here and the bass are beginning to move onto beds. With the last full moon being the end of Feb coupled with a warming trend the spawning cycle is off to an early start as some have already started the cycle. Even with the river high the fish will find safe places to lay eggs out of the current and protected from the water making a rapid disappearing act. Marsh ponds and any dead ends will hold the majority of the spawning population but any place where the current is blocked could have a bed. With the high water look for beds a little deeper if the water is really clear. Fish will know they need to protect their eggs from falling water and make beds in spots they feel secure will hold water. The back water areas and oxbows will have fish stacking up at the mouth and just inside waiting for whatever triggers them to move in and start the process. There are numerous thoughts on spawning and enough articles written to fill a library. Some say the biggest fish spawn first and some believe bigger fish spawn shallower or deeper. I think each fish is different and have unique triggers that make them go. Focus on back waters and any area with no current that won’t be left dry when the river falls and you will find fish. Areas that have a hard bottom, no current and will remain a foot deep if the river falls quick will have fish spawning. Do some looking and catch some fish, they will be spawning till April but March is prime time especially on new and full moon cycles. Get out and enjoy some pleasant temps to catch and release some huge bass so they can complete their cycle and give us some fish to enjoy for years to come. Tight Lines and good luck.
March on Ponchatoula Creek can be feast or famine. the spawn is in ful effect now and bass should be out of the deeper waters and into the shallows. Creature baits are always a good choice during the spawn. On warmer days look for bass busting shad on the surface in the main channel of the creek. Anglers should be able to locate catfish in March and catch good numbers whether by pole or trot-lines. Basically any bait will work. Stick to the deep channels and be patient. Always keep an eye on the rainfall around the creek as the water will muddy in a hurry!
This is a critical month for Lemo's Reef. The reef out of Madisonville provides phenomenal fishing in the spring and fall seasons and when it turns on, it really turns on! Monitor the water temperatures and reports. Matrix Shad in Shrimp Creole is always a great bait. Check the water salinity often as that will dictate if the reef produces or not this March. If it's under .3 you'll have a hard time catching trout.
Todd Oalman
Yippee! Spring is here and the fishing is terrific. The good bass fishing of February will continue in March. The rising Pearl river will push crawfish into the bayou. Look for this to create a feeding frenzy. Bass, catfish, yellow bass, sac au lait and lake runners will seize the opportunity to gorge. Best artificial baits will be crawfish and bream colored. I like to use weedless floating worms and spinnerbaits in the Spring for bass. The other species can be caught with grass shrimp, crickets or small crawfish fished a couple of feet under a cork. This is a great month for a mixed bag. Look for clean water and fish the weed lines and structure. On the saltwater scene, stay up to date as to where the river water from the spillway opening is and fish accordingly. Look for a few fish to be caught at the mouth of the bayou near the rocks when the wind allows you to venture out. Occasionally, a redfish or trout can be caught in the Fritchie marsh area. Good fishing to all.
George Seibert
Typical February temperatures are turning warmer in March. After sunrise the trout will be on the flats waiting for bait fish. The red fish are no longer in the deep holes. Look for them in the ponds and near the shoreline. Fishing should be focused on bayous and tributaries draining out into the lake. Don't pass up the rigs or Shell reefs with this warmer weather.
Try the LA Marsh area from 9 mile east, all the open bays where water is coming out of byus and passes will be holding fish. Never pass the chance to fish the diving birds if you spot them, just be ready to deal with the gaff tops that no doubt will start getting active. GPS MAPS should make it easy to explore this area of open bays and hundred of islands with tides moving around the ends. Most of the area has 4-6 foot depths that are not a problem for larger fishing boats(see the Miester) and bay boats to navigate with out worrying about running aground,!!! BUT !!!!, use common sense, don’t go barreling between two Islands less than 50 feet apart, lots of islands were ,not to long ago, long stretches of land. Live bait is a good idea.
Well we should be over the hump so to speak when it comes to winter weather that adversely affects fishing in this region. Day light hours are getting longer. Air and water temps are going up. All these things combined help create one thing we are all looking for, HUNGRY FISH. The past couple of weeks we have been in the deep freeze and fishing pretty much was at a stand still. The past 3-4 days of warm weather may change that. Activity should be heating up and I believe that any lure you choose will do it’s job and catch fish. I would start in the mornings with top water baits then move to jerk baits. Mirrolure like the 17MR suspending jerk bait and the Heavy Dine sinking bait are excellent choices. Soft plastics like Matrix shad, Bass assassin ae great choices. I don’t think color is an issue. Any color you choose should get you some action. Again patience and persistence will win out. Post your reports. It will help others to know when where and how. Have a great month of fishing.
Taylor Valois
When fishing the trestles this month windy days can make it a challenge. Remember if the water is dirty you want to fish darker/bright colored lures, they cast a better shadow and attract the fish in those conditions. If the water is clean you want to fish a more natural color lure. The thing that most anglers forget is that neighboring areas hold fish just as well during tough conditions, so if you are getting wind beaten I would focus my attention in the Lake Shore Estates/Eden Isles area. As for lures my favorites this month are Chromis Shu Shu Slugs on a 3/8oz-1/2 oz jig head or a Lemonhead matrix on those size jig heads as well. If you are a troller or want to venture in that area a Rat L Trap in a blue chrome color with any of the B2 squids or Shu Shu slugs as trailers. If you are new to the bridge fishing scene, now is the time to start. Just be patient and remember if your lure doesn’t get to the bottom the fish are not getting in your ice chest. Good luck and I’ll see you out there….
John Farley
It’s getting more like spring now with longer days, warmer waters and hungry fish. Bass will start spawning so start looking for them in and around spawning locations. There are no secrets when targeting spawning fish. You can use your favorite plastic worms, jigs, and spinerbaits. Just find that little bit warmer water to find those early spawners. Sac-au-lait are still around but spring rain will get the water moving and they are starting to spawn as well. This is a good time to fish around heavy cover with a small black or white Beetle Spin. You will pick up a lot of blue gills but that one tree where you catch that one Crappie will tell you what tree they like and you can go back, slow down and fish it thoroughly. The other good news is that saltwater fishing is now an option again. Some Red Fish and Trout will start to show up along the shore line in the lake. The numbers will not be big and they will seem to be in a different spot each day but they will be hungry. Popular colors are anything like a Blue Moon, or Shrimp Creole.
Chris Basey
Spring is here on Bayou Liberty and the focus is on those spawning bass. With the fronts coming through, the water clarity will be hit or miss. This year I would suggest heading way up Bayou Liberty to find cleaner water, and more fish on the beds. I would throw spinner baits, or square bills till I see a nice little bedding area. Then I would pick up my Flipping Craw, and see if anyone is home. Good luck out there.
Luke O'Neal
The Tchefuncte River is heating up as the temperatures warm. All across the river more catching is occurring instead of fishing. The recent cool front with rain, muddied the river and shut the fish down for a couple days but they all should be back in full swing once the weather and water clears up. The bass are moving shallow to spawn. Effective baits are top water early in the morning, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and jigs, but my personal favorite is flipping soft plastics. A Texas-rigged crawfish can be extremely effective right now. Flipping to cover or just bouncing it off the banks will work. Fishing is getting better and should continue to increase for the rest of this month. The sac-a-lait bite is also heating up and heading into the shallows. Rig a sliding cork with a small jig underneath and cover a lot of shoreline.