Jeff Bruhl With summer right around the corner, fishing has been fair for our area due to heavy rains and high wind. If summer can add some stable weather, the fishing will tick upwards. All the factors are there for some great summer fishing; grass, bait, and a good population of bass. From frog patterns to shad patterns, topwater baits are the fun part of fishing in the heat. Add in panfish and early summer is a good time to be on the water.
Northshore
Like most rivers in the late spring, high rivers are a part of fish this time of year. The Pearl River is no exception. When the gauge hits ten feet at Pearl River, LA, the Pearl will turn muddy across the area. Add in some strong east winds and the fish move into the woods. Good fish were being caught recently as the river fell and local anglers hit the drains as the river fells. As the river rises, the catches decline. Jigs, Texas rigs, and punching cover are top producers when the water falls.
Other Northshore rivers are in the same pattern. However, these river rise and fall quickly because the Pearl is influenced by the water released from Ross Barnett in Jackson. Tickfaw to Tchefuncte, the fishing has been tough but should change as the weather turns hot. Topwater baits on the Tchefuncte are good choices when the river clears up. Other local rivers are better when the rains stops. Crankbaits, frogs, and soft jerks baits are a few options for local bass anglers.
Crappie (Sac-au-lait) fishing has been steady as big white crappie move into the tops or under docks on the local rivers. Anglers can set the cork to four feet to start on cloudy days. If that fails to produce a few bites, try down to eight feet. Shiners are great this time of year but jigs tipped with crappie nibbles produced some nice Tchefuncte fish for me recently. Anglers should factor tides, major periods, and water color when targeting fish on the northshore. Black with fire tail for stained water and blue and white for clear water are good Tchefuncte and other local how spot options.
Basin
The river is above seven feet on the Morgan City gauge. This usually puts the Verret side as top choice for fishermen. Sixteen pound stringers from the Verret side is what it takes to win most events. Shad play an important part of the bass’ diet this time of year. Big spinnerbaits, topwaters, and shad colored crankbaits are a few choices to throw around Cypress trees or shoreline cover. Also, deeper hole or ledges around deeper water also come into play during hot summer months.
Panfish reports from the Verret side are fair. High water makes the bite harder as fish move under cover and are harder to target.
Delacroix/Chef Pass
Flooded rivers make the marsh areas a no brainer. The water is protected and stays cleaner. Although some big bass are there, the marsh is just a numbers game. Frogs early then light Texas rigs around grass are a fun way to approach a trip to these areas. If the water is low due to low tide or west winds draining the area, stick to deep canals with spinnerbaits and vibrating jigs. However, a word of warning, redfish are stacked in the same areas so be prepared to battle a few of them. Hopefully, early summer will lock the fish into a predictable area. Recently, the fish are scattered where one point or drain might produce a fish or two then the next drain has nothing. As summer creeps in the larger ponds are usually the way to go. Poppers, soft jerkbaits, and minus ones are a great arsenal for fishing ponds or bays with scattered grass.
Northshore
Like most rivers in the late spring, high rivers are a part of fish this time of year. The Pearl River is no exception. When the gauge hits ten feet at Pearl River, LA, the Pearl will turn muddy across the area. Add in some strong east winds and the fish move into the woods. Good fish were being caught recently as the river fell and local anglers hit the drains as the river fells. As the river rises, the catches decline. Jigs, Texas rigs, and punching cover are top producers when the water falls.
Other Northshore rivers are in the same pattern. However, these river rise and fall quickly because the Pearl is influenced by the water released from Ross Barnett in Jackson. Tickfaw to Tchefuncte, the fishing has been tough but should change as the weather turns hot. Topwater baits on the Tchefuncte are good choices when the river clears up. Other local rivers are better when the rains stops. Crankbaits, frogs, and soft jerks baits are a few options for local bass anglers.
Crappie (Sac-au-lait) fishing has been steady as big white crappie move into the tops or under docks on the local rivers. Anglers can set the cork to four feet to start on cloudy days. If that fails to produce a few bites, try down to eight feet. Shiners are great this time of year but jigs tipped with crappie nibbles produced some nice Tchefuncte fish for me recently. Anglers should factor tides, major periods, and water color when targeting fish on the northshore. Black with fire tail for stained water and blue and white for clear water are good Tchefuncte and other local how spot options.
Basin
The river is above seven feet on the Morgan City gauge. This usually puts the Verret side as top choice for fishermen. Sixteen pound stringers from the Verret side is what it takes to win most events. Shad play an important part of the bass’ diet this time of year. Big spinnerbaits, topwaters, and shad colored crankbaits are a few choices to throw around Cypress trees or shoreline cover. Also, deeper hole or ledges around deeper water also come into play during hot summer months.
Panfish reports from the Verret side are fair. High water makes the bite harder as fish move under cover and are harder to target.
Delacroix/Chef Pass
Flooded rivers make the marsh areas a no brainer. The water is protected and stays cleaner. Although some big bass are there, the marsh is just a numbers game. Frogs early then light Texas rigs around grass are a fun way to approach a trip to these areas. If the water is low due to low tide or west winds draining the area, stick to deep canals with spinnerbaits and vibrating jigs. However, a word of warning, redfish are stacked in the same areas so be prepared to battle a few of them. Hopefully, early summer will lock the fish into a predictable area. Recently, the fish are scattered where one point or drain might produce a fish or two then the next drain has nothing. As summer creeps in the larger ponds are usually the way to go. Poppers, soft jerkbaits, and minus ones are a great arsenal for fishing ponds or bays with scattered grass.
