September offers anglers plenty of options for fishing Bayou Bonfouca
September is here and with the turn of the calendar, fishing will get more exciting on Bayou Bonfouca this month. The temperatures should start dropping, more-so toward the end of the month, but many changes will be taking place. As the month progresses, the less severe heat will allow bass to start holding on the shoreline longer throughout the days; this makes it the ideal time to begin fishing the area between the bank and the grass line. I probably sound like a broken record about this, but once you start catching fish this way, you'll understand why I keep mentioning it. A soft plastic, such a worm or fluke, thrown to the bank and reeled quickly over the grass line will produce some explosions that will get those of all ages hooked on this method of fishing. The fish will hit like this year-round if conditions are favorable, but it seems more consistent during the fall. This is the perfect time to bring children or grandchildren fishing, because once they see that first explosion, whether they catch the fish or not, it will excite them and set off a spark that will grab their attention. Color doesn't seem to matter as much as speed. If you find that all the fish are missing the lure, slow the retrieve a little to give the fish a chance to catch it. Also, if you're not getting many blowups, let the lure sink once it reaches the outer edge of the grass; many casts have been saved by doing this. If this is not your style, a Carolina-rigged soft plastic or a suspending jerk bait should produce some quality fish. Bass will start fattening for the approaching winter, so a shad-colored jerk bait should be your first choice.
The Bream are still biting well, and the best times to catch them are three days before and after the full moon. Sexee Shad and crickets are the top producers. Catfish also like those baits, so make sure your drag is set.
Lastly, September will see speckled trout start moving into Bonfouca. This usually coincides with the movement of shrimp, and reports of shrimp have already come in and been confirmed (I personally saw them). The best places to look for trout will be closer to the lake, unless we get a few storms move through that'll push some saltier water further into Bonfouca. There are several "cuts" that will hold fish as they wait for shrimp to come out the marsh (best on a falling tide), but I think the most important things for which one should look are clean, moving water, and grass. Shrimp will try to use grass to hide, so trout will cruise the grass lines looking for any shrimp that may venture outside the safety of it. D.O.A. and Vudu shrimp make excellent choices to throw, but one lure that can't be discounted (or beaten in my opinion and experience) is the Berkley Powerbait Swim Shad. There have been many times when this lure has out-fished shrimp imitators, and even live bait! -Daniel Sissac
Lastly, September will see speckled trout start moving into Bonfouca. This usually coincides with the movement of shrimp, and reports of shrimp have already come in and been confirmed (I personally saw them). The best places to look for trout will be closer to the lake, unless we get a few storms move through that'll push some saltier water further into Bonfouca. There are several "cuts" that will hold fish as they wait for shrimp to come out the marsh (best on a falling tide), but I think the most important things for which one should look are clean, moving water, and grass. Shrimp will try to use grass to hide, so trout will cruise the grass lines looking for any shrimp that may venture outside the safety of it. D.O.A. and Vudu shrimp make excellent choices to throw, but one lure that can't be discounted (or beaten in my opinion and experience) is the Berkley Powerbait Swim Shad. There have been many times when this lure has out-fished shrimp imitators, and even live bait! -Daniel Sissac