Keith Lusher Jr For those of you who are waiting for the Causeway and Slidell Bridges to turn on as far as speckled trout go, you may be missing out on some fantastic shoreline fishing in Lake Pontchartrain. Typically the shoreline from Bayou Liberty all the way up to the Tchefuncte River literally heats up before the bridges do. This shoreline is primarily a mixture of sand and shell which allows the water to warm up faster than the deeper waters along the bridge. Water temperature is a big factor around this time of year as the trout are seeking out any warmer water. Baitfish plays a big factor also. The Tchefuncte River, Bayou Castine, Bayou Cane, Todd’s Bayou, Bayou Lacombe and Bayou Liberty all spill out along this shoreline. These freshwater sources play a huge factor in where the bait is going to be.
Hayes Revault found this big red in the shallows along the Mandeville Shoreline. Target the shallows along the shoreline but instead of focusing on the bank, try and pay attention to the first drop-off where the water dips from 2 ft. down to 5 or 6ft. Captain Charlie Thomason of Bayou Charters says that anglers all too often fish inland because that’s where they think the fish are. “As fisherman we are so oriented to structure that we become bank fisherman because that’s what we have always done - but I find that I catch way more speckled trout and redfish when I fish position my boat in close to the shoreline and fish out into the deeper water instead of pounding the bank,” Thomason said. Another benefit to fishing the shoreline is the accented tidal range. All the tributaries that feed into the lake on the North Shore are tidal. This means that the waters that go in and out of the rivers are affected by the tides in the lake. These rivers and bayous offer numerous choke points which emphasize water movement. Take advantage of these choke points on days with a less than average tide range and you should be able to find moving water.
Saltwater License Hike
Rep. Stuart Bishop of Lafayette has introduced a bill to the current session of the Louisiana Legislature that would increase the state’s saltwater license from $5.50 to $13.00. If approved, the total cost of obtaining a saltwater license will come to $22.50 since anglers are required to purchase a basic fishing license that currently is set at $9.50. The 136% increase will be specifically used to create an at-the-dock fish counting program redfish, flounder, and speckled trout. Opinions are being voice on both sides of the argument. Northshore resident and avid Lake Pontchartrain angler John Duncan says “I think this is just another money grab on the side of the state. They are taking money away from the recreational fisherman so that they can monitor what we catch. Then they are going to set more restrictions because of their findings- that our money went to pay for. It’s a lose-lose situation for us recreational folks.” Others on the other side of the argument think it’s a good idea. Slidell angler Beau Badeaux thinks that the increase is needed in order to protect what we have. “I think it’s going to be going towards a good cause. If it’s anything like the fish counting program that the state enacted for red snapper- it will be a good thing. People have to remember that we live in what is probably the best state for fishing in the country. If it takes me forking out a few more bucks, then it’s worth it to protect this great resource that is right at our doorstep,” Badeaux said. While the bill states that the money will be dedicated to a fish-counting-program, there is nothing to stop the state from raiding the set aside monies. In 2011 the Legislature redirected monies specifically designated for the Artificial Reef Development Fund. $26.6 million was drained from the fund and has yet to be repaid.
