Jeff Bruhl After a dry fall, December’s forecast looks to be wetter. Mild temperatures the past few months have not locked the fish down to normal late fall patterns. However, the fishing has been very good for the gulf coast and south Louisiana the last month and should continue into December.
Northshore
The lower Pearl River and along the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) areas are holding plenty of marsh bass. Ponds and bayou around Chef Pass to small bayous around the lower Pearl, the area has a good supply of grass and bait. On warm days, slow roll a spinnerbait of the bank. However, as the water temperature drops, a Havoc 6 inch red shad bounce down the middle of the bayou will get attacked rather quickly. For ponds and drains off the ICW, try flukes and spinnerbaits. Another option is to break out a flipping stick and probe mats along the river and bayous.
Other rivers like the Tchefuncte are clean and clean. A good rainfall would help to stain the water and produce more strikes. Shaky heads, suspending jerk baits, and spinnerbaits are good choices for area bayou and river. As the water temperature drops, anglers should probe laydowns and other wood cover for fish.
Basin
December can and often is a good month to fish the Atchafalaya Basin. First, the numbers of angler decrease due things like hunting season and holidays. Second, the jig bite picks up. Finally, the trees can be a good place to good wind winds get high as a front passes through the area. Reports are steady across the region. From numbers of bass in the marsh to quality catches on both sides on Stephensville. The first thing to watch for during December is a rise in the river. Rains above Louisiana can cause the river to rise. Next, crawfish begin to emerge from the ground so have a jig rod close at hand. Spinnerbaits and plastics are good options, too.
Lake Pontchartrain
The trout bite has exploded around the corridor of the Wall (Chalmette Hurricane Protection) and eastern Lake Pontchartrain. As the shrimp moved out of the marsh, the trout were around to hammer on them. Many anglers including myself had great trips in November catching trout along the ICW and shorelines of Lake Pontchartrain. As December’s cold grips the area, the trout should move to deeper water. Deep passes, along the Wall, and the rocks of the MRGO (Mississippi River Gulf Outlet) are a few options for trout anglers this month. Just bring a few quarter and three eighth ounce head with your favorite plastics to those area for some action.
Northshore
The lower Pearl River and along the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) areas are holding plenty of marsh bass. Ponds and bayou around Chef Pass to small bayous around the lower Pearl, the area has a good supply of grass and bait. On warm days, slow roll a spinnerbait of the bank. However, as the water temperature drops, a Havoc 6 inch red shad bounce down the middle of the bayou will get attacked rather quickly. For ponds and drains off the ICW, try flukes and spinnerbaits. Another option is to break out a flipping stick and probe mats along the river and bayous.
Other rivers like the Tchefuncte are clean and clean. A good rainfall would help to stain the water and produce more strikes. Shaky heads, suspending jerk baits, and spinnerbaits are good choices for area bayou and river. As the water temperature drops, anglers should probe laydowns and other wood cover for fish.
Basin
December can and often is a good month to fish the Atchafalaya Basin. First, the numbers of angler decrease due things like hunting season and holidays. Second, the jig bite picks up. Finally, the trees can be a good place to good wind winds get high as a front passes through the area. Reports are steady across the region. From numbers of bass in the marsh to quality catches on both sides on Stephensville. The first thing to watch for during December is a rise in the river. Rains above Louisiana can cause the river to rise. Next, crawfish begin to emerge from the ground so have a jig rod close at hand. Spinnerbaits and plastics are good options, too.
Lake Pontchartrain
The trout bite has exploded around the corridor of the Wall (Chalmette Hurricane Protection) and eastern Lake Pontchartrain. As the shrimp moved out of the marsh, the trout were around to hammer on them. Many anglers including myself had great trips in November catching trout along the ICW and shorelines of Lake Pontchartrain. As December’s cold grips the area, the trout should move to deeper water. Deep passes, along the Wall, and the rocks of the MRGO (Mississippi River Gulf Outlet) are a few options for trout anglers this month. Just bring a few quarter and three eighth ounce head with your favorite plastics to those area for some action.
