Jeff Bruhl The month of April is when the weather turns the corner. As the month comes in, the Pearl and Atchafalaya will be high. The Pearl will begin to fall to the right level but this depends on local rainfall. The Basin will stay high as it does every spring. However, other spots around the Northshore and south Louisiana will be good this month.
Basin Report
With the Basin at 6.5 FT, it makes bass fishing tough. Bayou Black, Dularge area, and spots along the perimeter of the river are better options. If the river does begin to fall, the magic level is four feet on the Morgan City Gauge. When the river makes it below that level, fishing should be great. It has been several months of little to no pressure on the fish. And the bass have to move out of the woods where anglers can find them. Spinnerbaits, plastics, and buzzbaits are good choices. Always bring a frog of some sort because it is prime frog time in April. Delta Lures Thunder jigs, a vibrating jig, is a hot bait for the area.
Northshore
Northshore fishing gives the anglers many tough choices this time of year. From white perch on the Tchefuncte to bass on the Tickfaw or Warmouth Perch (Goggle Eye) on most bayous and rivers along the lakes, anglers have a hard time deciding what to target. On the bass scene, the Tickfaw and Natalbany Rivers are producing some nice stringers and good numbers of bass. The Tangipahoa is another river making the climb up from the past storm years. A good 13-14 pound stringer is needed to take a purse on a Manchac tournament. The Pearl should fall below 10 feet about the second week of April if the rains taper. That would be another area to check. Buzzbaits, jigs, and topwaters are great April lure to try.
On the topic of panfish, the small fish congregate big time in April on the Northshore rivers. A bottle of Gulp Crickets and a cork is a fun way to spend and afternoon. From the Tickfaw to the Pearl, Goggle Eye spawn in April and May. Add in crappie, bream, redear (chinquapin, lake runners), and other species for some delicious and fun action. Often bass anglers have a hard time keeping the panfish off their jig or plastic this time of year. Usually, the same pockets that had bass will hold spawning perch.
Here are a few setups to catch the smaller variety of fish. First, a waggler (cork, float) style bobber is best for the shy biting Warmouth. Add a small sinker or two and a small hook. Gulp Crickets are easy to use and can be stored until needed. Another setup that is successful is a sliding cork with a bright tail tube jig. Add a crappie nibble to sweeten the deal. Finally, a tight lined road runner or hair jig works, too.
Delacroix/Desallemands/Marsh
April is often better for anglers on the bass front because fish move out of the small, hard to reach ponds and into bigger lakes. The spawn can continue heavily in April but has usually ran its course by then.
Desallemands has had some great reports in the past few months. Like other hurricane ravaged spots, the bass fishing has rebounded. Along with the panfish, bass fishing is good in the main canals and points around the lakes and bays. Bouef is producing sac-au-lait again, too. Thunder jigs, buzzbaits, and soft weightless presentations are a few options.
Delacroix is another option for April bass. From the MRGO to the Crow’s Foot, the reports have been as expected for the hotspot of old. The grass is coming back along with the bass. With some stable weather, the fishing should be great for the month. Frogs, spinnerbaits, and senkos are good options for the area.
Basin Report
With the Basin at 6.5 FT, it makes bass fishing tough. Bayou Black, Dularge area, and spots along the perimeter of the river are better options. If the river does begin to fall, the magic level is four feet on the Morgan City Gauge. When the river makes it below that level, fishing should be great. It has been several months of little to no pressure on the fish. And the bass have to move out of the woods where anglers can find them. Spinnerbaits, plastics, and buzzbaits are good choices. Always bring a frog of some sort because it is prime frog time in April. Delta Lures Thunder jigs, a vibrating jig, is a hot bait for the area.
Northshore
Northshore fishing gives the anglers many tough choices this time of year. From white perch on the Tchefuncte to bass on the Tickfaw or Warmouth Perch (Goggle Eye) on most bayous and rivers along the lakes, anglers have a hard time deciding what to target. On the bass scene, the Tickfaw and Natalbany Rivers are producing some nice stringers and good numbers of bass. The Tangipahoa is another river making the climb up from the past storm years. A good 13-14 pound stringer is needed to take a purse on a Manchac tournament. The Pearl should fall below 10 feet about the second week of April if the rains taper. That would be another area to check. Buzzbaits, jigs, and topwaters are great April lure to try.
On the topic of panfish, the small fish congregate big time in April on the Northshore rivers. A bottle of Gulp Crickets and a cork is a fun way to spend and afternoon. From the Tickfaw to the Pearl, Goggle Eye spawn in April and May. Add in crappie, bream, redear (chinquapin, lake runners), and other species for some delicious and fun action. Often bass anglers have a hard time keeping the panfish off their jig or plastic this time of year. Usually, the same pockets that had bass will hold spawning perch.
Here are a few setups to catch the smaller variety of fish. First, a waggler (cork, float) style bobber is best for the shy biting Warmouth. Add a small sinker or two and a small hook. Gulp Crickets are easy to use and can be stored until needed. Another setup that is successful is a sliding cork with a bright tail tube jig. Add a crappie nibble to sweeten the deal. Finally, a tight lined road runner or hair jig works, too.
Delacroix/Desallemands/Marsh
April is often better for anglers on the bass front because fish move out of the small, hard to reach ponds and into bigger lakes. The spawn can continue heavily in April but has usually ran its course by then.
Desallemands has had some great reports in the past few months. Like other hurricane ravaged spots, the bass fishing has rebounded. Along with the panfish, bass fishing is good in the main canals and points around the lakes and bays. Bouef is producing sac-au-lait again, too. Thunder jigs, buzzbaits, and soft weightless presentations are a few options.
Delacroix is another option for April bass. From the MRGO to the Crow’s Foot, the reports have been as expected for the hotspot of old. The grass is coming back along with the bass. With some stable weather, the fishing should be great for the month. Frogs, spinnerbaits, and senkos are good options for the area.
