Jeff Bruhl Weather is a major influence on fishing. It is also an influence on our daily lives. Our hearts and prays go out to the folks in Texas and West Louisiana after the devastating impact of Harvey. This year has been nothing but rain and swollen rivers. The end of August was no exception.
Northshore
Harvey’s path impacted fishing on the Northshore. Rains kept many rivers high. Strong tropical winds pushed tidal water into the Pearl River area which muddied the region quite nicely. However, a few gaps in the weather showed the fishing was still good. Several 15 pounds stingers come from the North Pass area. Tangipahoa River, Tickfaw River, and spots around Manchac are seeing the stringers creep up in weight. Spinnerbaits, flipping plastics, and whopper ploppers are part of the mix to finding fish. Depending on the tropics, it looks like we are getting a week or two of dry weather. Rivers like the Pearl should fall below levels we have not seen for many months. The bass are there but high water has made finding them tough.
Basin
It is the same story over in the Morgan City area. When the conditions get right, some nice fish are coming to the scales. The stage at Morgan City is predicted to go back up to about four feet. Verret and other spots should be better option for the first few weeks of September. For numbers, the marsh below Bayou Black and towards Houma is the hot spot. Anglers should fish weightless plastics, spinnerbaits, and frogs around grass for a fun day of fishing. If the weather turns dry and cool this month, look for the Basin to be red hot. Many of the tournaments this summer were filled with five fish stringers. The numbers are there but try punching, frogs on shady banks, and big spinnerbaits for a big bite.
Delacroix/Chef Pass
Tidal surges can wreak havoc on marsh ponds and bayous. High winds from Harvey pushes grass against your favorite shoreline or makes a hot spot a mud hole. The prescription to fix this is a few days of light winds, a cycle or two of a good tide, and no rain. A recent trip to the Chef area produced only a small percentage of fish compared to other trips. Like Delacroix and other marsh holes, it will take a few days of calm weather to bring the fish back into focus. Thunder Jigs in white colors in clean water, trick worms, and gold spoons are good for marsh bass.
Venice
The roller coaster will go up the early part of the month then hit about five feet (NOLA Gauge) by the end of the month. Reports dropped off for this spot because the high winds make it such a dangerous place to be. Like many tidal spots in Louisiana, Venice can be great one trip and very tough the next. It takes years to learn a vast region like Venice. Areas like Delta Duck can go south quickly of the river drops to fast. Rising water from the river might prevent the water from pulling out of your favorite section of canes. However, the fish are there so save a vacation day for the end of the month or on a good falling tide in October. In the fall, add some orange to a spinnerbait and have some fun in Venice. A blade or a few strands of orange in the skirt is a great tip for anglers looking to whack on a few bass down river.
Northshore
Harvey’s path impacted fishing on the Northshore. Rains kept many rivers high. Strong tropical winds pushed tidal water into the Pearl River area which muddied the region quite nicely. However, a few gaps in the weather showed the fishing was still good. Several 15 pounds stingers come from the North Pass area. Tangipahoa River, Tickfaw River, and spots around Manchac are seeing the stringers creep up in weight. Spinnerbaits, flipping plastics, and whopper ploppers are part of the mix to finding fish. Depending on the tropics, it looks like we are getting a week or two of dry weather. Rivers like the Pearl should fall below levels we have not seen for many months. The bass are there but high water has made finding them tough.
Basin
It is the same story over in the Morgan City area. When the conditions get right, some nice fish are coming to the scales. The stage at Morgan City is predicted to go back up to about four feet. Verret and other spots should be better option for the first few weeks of September. For numbers, the marsh below Bayou Black and towards Houma is the hot spot. Anglers should fish weightless plastics, spinnerbaits, and frogs around grass for a fun day of fishing. If the weather turns dry and cool this month, look for the Basin to be red hot. Many of the tournaments this summer were filled with five fish stringers. The numbers are there but try punching, frogs on shady banks, and big spinnerbaits for a big bite.
Delacroix/Chef Pass
Tidal surges can wreak havoc on marsh ponds and bayous. High winds from Harvey pushes grass against your favorite shoreline or makes a hot spot a mud hole. The prescription to fix this is a few days of light winds, a cycle or two of a good tide, and no rain. A recent trip to the Chef area produced only a small percentage of fish compared to other trips. Like Delacroix and other marsh holes, it will take a few days of calm weather to bring the fish back into focus. Thunder Jigs in white colors in clean water, trick worms, and gold spoons are good for marsh bass.
Venice
The roller coaster will go up the early part of the month then hit about five feet (NOLA Gauge) by the end of the month. Reports dropped off for this spot because the high winds make it such a dangerous place to be. Like many tidal spots in Louisiana, Venice can be great one trip and very tough the next. It takes years to learn a vast region like Venice. Areas like Delta Duck can go south quickly of the river drops to fast. Rising water from the river might prevent the water from pulling out of your favorite section of canes. However, the fish are there so save a vacation day for the end of the month or on a good falling tide in October. In the fall, add some orange to a spinnerbait and have some fun in Venice. A blade or a few strands of orange in the skirt is a great tip for anglers looking to whack on a few bass down river.
