The forecast for the next few months is above average temperatures and wet. The New Year started very wet with flood advisories for local rivers. If this patterns holds, river fishing will be tough during the winter months. Luckily, the marsh areas around southeast Louisiana are loaded with bass.
Northshore
January in Louisiana runs like a roller coaster of weather. Highs can be in the 80s and lows can fall into the 20s. Usually, January is wet. Anglers have to take it as it comes. Muddy water in the rivers may mean slowing down the presentation. Marsh fishing can be a better option as ponds and bayous stay relatively clean. The Pearl and other rivers along the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain are going to be cold and muddy to start the month. Anglers should break out the jig as bass feed up on crawfish. Drains and backwater areas are top producers this time of year when the tide is falling.
If recent trips around the MRGO (Mississippi River Gulf Outlet) and the ICW (Intercoastal Waterway) are any indication of the future, the bass fishing is on fire from the MRGO to the Pearl. However, the bass are not very big. On most trips, a fourteen inch bass is the biggest I have caught. The number of bass make up the difference. Sixty or more bass in a trip in not uncommon. Add in a few reds for excitement and the place is great for inexperienced anglers and kids of all sizes. Anglers should grab a few beetle spins (1/8 oz. or Beetle Spin R lures) for easy fishing. The place is loaded with grass so any floating work or light Texas rig works, too. Another important note is the Bayou Sauvage National Management Area covers some of the marsh near the ICW. Check on restrictions during January as duck season restricts access during certain hours and days.
Tickfaw and Tangipahoa Rivers (areas to the west) are holding some quality fish. The rebound is in full swing since storms killed the bass. Muddy water will be an issue to deal with during January. Anglers who slow down there presentation will be rewarded. However, during warmer stretches, crankbaits and spinnerbaits with crawfish colors work well.
Northshore
January in Louisiana runs like a roller coaster of weather. Highs can be in the 80s and lows can fall into the 20s. Usually, January is wet. Anglers have to take it as it comes. Muddy water in the rivers may mean slowing down the presentation. Marsh fishing can be a better option as ponds and bayous stay relatively clean. The Pearl and other rivers along the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain are going to be cold and muddy to start the month. Anglers should break out the jig as bass feed up on crawfish. Drains and backwater areas are top producers this time of year when the tide is falling.
If recent trips around the MRGO (Mississippi River Gulf Outlet) and the ICW (Intercoastal Waterway) are any indication of the future, the bass fishing is on fire from the MRGO to the Pearl. However, the bass are not very big. On most trips, a fourteen inch bass is the biggest I have caught. The number of bass make up the difference. Sixty or more bass in a trip in not uncommon. Add in a few reds for excitement and the place is great for inexperienced anglers and kids of all sizes. Anglers should grab a few beetle spins (1/8 oz. or Beetle Spin R lures) for easy fishing. The place is loaded with grass so any floating work or light Texas rig works, too. Another important note is the Bayou Sauvage National Management Area covers some of the marsh near the ICW. Check on restrictions during January as duck season restricts access during certain hours and days.
Tickfaw and Tangipahoa Rivers (areas to the west) are holding some quality fish. The rebound is in full swing since storms killed the bass. Muddy water will be an issue to deal with during January. Anglers who slow down there presentation will be rewarded. However, during warmer stretches, crankbaits and spinnerbaits with crawfish colors work well.
Basin
The big news is the river is on the way up. As the river floods the woods, the bass move in to feast on crawfish. Usually, Lake Verret and marsh areas below Hwy 90 are the best options for action. A jig with a few strands of orange is a local favorite this time of year. As crawfish season kicks off, lures should mimic the reds, orange, and blue of local crawfish. Sac-au-lait and bass reports have been good leading into the New Year so fishing should remain good for the area. If the predictions of a warmer winter holds, the actions should pick up at the end of the month when days get longer. Deadends and grass beds are places to focus during the month of January.
Suspending Jerkbaits
When conditions are right, there is nothing better than a suspending jerkbait bite in the winter. The conditions are colder water temperature (mid 50s or lower), clear to stained water color, and deep water. Fish often suspend after cold fronts. A lure like the Berkley Cutter 110 suspends around 3-6 feet depending on line size. Be far the biggest tip on using on suspending bait is the pause. The colder the weather, the longer the pause. A good rule of thumb is 3-4 seconds to start then go more if needed. Most bites come when the bait is sitting still. Monofilament or fluorocarbon line is another debate anglers have. Fluorocarbon line tends to sink so some anglers believe a suspending bait that slowly sinks is better. Line choice is a personal preference. However, for super clear water, fluorocarbon is a better option.
The big news is the river is on the way up. As the river floods the woods, the bass move in to feast on crawfish. Usually, Lake Verret and marsh areas below Hwy 90 are the best options for action. A jig with a few strands of orange is a local favorite this time of year. As crawfish season kicks off, lures should mimic the reds, orange, and blue of local crawfish. Sac-au-lait and bass reports have been good leading into the New Year so fishing should remain good for the area. If the predictions of a warmer winter holds, the actions should pick up at the end of the month when days get longer. Deadends and grass beds are places to focus during the month of January.
Suspending Jerkbaits
When conditions are right, there is nothing better than a suspending jerkbait bite in the winter. The conditions are colder water temperature (mid 50s or lower), clear to stained water color, and deep water. Fish often suspend after cold fronts. A lure like the Berkley Cutter 110 suspends around 3-6 feet depending on line size. Be far the biggest tip on using on suspending bait is the pause. The colder the weather, the longer the pause. A good rule of thumb is 3-4 seconds to start then go more if needed. Most bites come when the bait is sitting still. Monofilament or fluorocarbon line is another debate anglers have. Fluorocarbon line tends to sink so some anglers believe a suspending bait that slowly sinks is better. Line choice is a personal preference. However, for super clear water, fluorocarbon is a better option.