Keith Lusher The August Fishing Forecast has been published at NorthshoreFishingReport.com and leading the list of top rated spots is the Salt Bayou area in Slidell. Todd Oalman gives it a rating of 5/5 and says the W-14 Canal that runs along Highway 433 is where the marsh bass are this month. “Right now the bass are holding to the run-outs and along the weed-lines. The best baits are weedless floating soft plastics,” Oalman says. Todd reminds anglers that it’s the hottest part of the year right now and to try and get an early start to beat the heat. “Make sure to try and get out there as early as possible. As the sun warms up, the bass transition off of the banks. Switch over to a Texas rigged worm in Tequila Sunrise or the Victory Red Shu-Shu Slugs,” Todd says.
Bayou Lacombe
Mike O’Brien fishes Bayou Lacombe almost every day and gives the bayou a 3/5 rating. He reminds anglers to not let the heat slow you down in August. “The typical high temperatures for this time of year may be slowing the anglers down more than the fish. Steady if not spectacular results can still be expected - Just bring a good hat and plenty of liquids. The best bets for bass have been during th early morning and late evening hours. A good number of quality fish have been taken on top-water baits like Chug Bugs, frogs, and buzz baits. As they move away from the shoreline, crank-baits have been effective near the drop-offs,” O’Brien says. Not only are the bass biting in Bayou Lacombe but the perch action is fast and furious. “Bream and goggle-eye are taking small poppers on top early and jigs tight-lined off the banks as the sun gets higher. Work the grass and pads along the main bayou near any cuts and canals especially when the water is down,” he says.
High Water
I had a chance to talk with North Shore fishing expert Jeff Bruhl about the affects of the above average rains we’ve seen this summer. Jeff says the high water has defiantly impacted the fishing but right now it’s all about finding baitfish transitioning into deeper water. “Schools of shad are beginning to migrate out of the rivers so the shad patterns are great choices. Crank-baits and white colored spinnerbaits are good choices to start a trip. Top-waters baits like white frogs or poppers fill in the gaps,” Bruhl says. With the rain causing the water to be muddier than normal. Jeff suggests using slow moving dark colored jigs in these adverse conditions.
Saltwater Fishing
August is perhaps the worst month to fish Lake Pontchartrain but anglers do have options to the east. George Seibert fishes Lake Borgne often and gives the area a 3/5 rating. “The fishing in Lake Borne generally slows down due to the extreme heat of the day and the trout having moved to the outside waters. Some trout, redfish, flounder and sheepshead are still being caught. If you’re going to fish Lake Borne, the eastern half, has a somewhat high salinity. From Malheureux Point to the Creole Gap - the level is 6 ppt to 15 ppt. The shoreline of the Biloxi Marsh is also good. If nothing is happening in the lake, cut through Three Mile into Bay Boudreaux and fish those Islands. There are plenty of shell reefs and that's were you will find the trout,” Seibert says. George reminds anglers that live shrimp is the ticket this month.
Bayou Lacombe
Mike O’Brien fishes Bayou Lacombe almost every day and gives the bayou a 3/5 rating. He reminds anglers to not let the heat slow you down in August. “The typical high temperatures for this time of year may be slowing the anglers down more than the fish. Steady if not spectacular results can still be expected - Just bring a good hat and plenty of liquids. The best bets for bass have been during th early morning and late evening hours. A good number of quality fish have been taken on top-water baits like Chug Bugs, frogs, and buzz baits. As they move away from the shoreline, crank-baits have been effective near the drop-offs,” O’Brien says. Not only are the bass biting in Bayou Lacombe but the perch action is fast and furious. “Bream and goggle-eye are taking small poppers on top early and jigs tight-lined off the banks as the sun gets higher. Work the grass and pads along the main bayou near any cuts and canals especially when the water is down,” he says.
High Water
I had a chance to talk with North Shore fishing expert Jeff Bruhl about the affects of the above average rains we’ve seen this summer. Jeff says the high water has defiantly impacted the fishing but right now it’s all about finding baitfish transitioning into deeper water. “Schools of shad are beginning to migrate out of the rivers so the shad patterns are great choices. Crank-baits and white colored spinnerbaits are good choices to start a trip. Top-waters baits like white frogs or poppers fill in the gaps,” Bruhl says. With the rain causing the water to be muddier than normal. Jeff suggests using slow moving dark colored jigs in these adverse conditions.
Saltwater Fishing
August is perhaps the worst month to fish Lake Pontchartrain but anglers do have options to the east. George Seibert fishes Lake Borgne often and gives the area a 3/5 rating. “The fishing in Lake Borne generally slows down due to the extreme heat of the day and the trout having moved to the outside waters. Some trout, redfish, flounder and sheepshead are still being caught. If you’re going to fish Lake Borne, the eastern half, has a somewhat high salinity. From Malheureux Point to the Creole Gap - the level is 6 ppt to 15 ppt. The shoreline of the Biloxi Marsh is also good. If nothing is happening in the lake, cut through Three Mile into Bay Boudreaux and fish those Islands. There are plenty of shell reefs and that's were you will find the trout,” Seibert says. George reminds anglers that live shrimp is the ticket this month.
