Keith Lusher Jr When it comes to sac-au-lait, finding a pattern can often be a daunting task. But seasoned anglers know exactly what to look for even in the most unpredictable conditions. I recently had the pleasure of making a trip to Tchefuncte River with Jeff Bruhl to see if we could put a few Sac-au-lait in the boat. The theme of the day seemed to be finding a pattern. Jeff Says normally around this time of year you can figure out a pattern quick and find isolated groups a sac-au-lait in the dead-end canals, but the fish seem to be scattered with the recent cold weather. “The perch start spawning around the beginning of April but with this cold winter we have had it’s going to push it back a little bit later. It’s hard to find a pattern right now. They might be shallow or they might be deep. You just have to figure out where they are right now.” Jeff said. As we approached our first spot I could hardly wait to get my line in the water. I casted near a dock that jetted out from a beautifully manicured lawn and Jeff casted nearby but his cast landed in the shade underneath that same dock. I think I watched his cork more than my own on that cast and sure enough, the cork dipped just underneath the surface and Jeff set the hook and swung the fish into the boat. We had our first fish of the day and a small piece of the pattern was established. We continued to fish that same dock and almost every cast that landed in the shade yielded fish. Bruhl said if the sun is bright enough it will force the fish to seek shade. “On a bright sunny day they are more than likely going to be up under the shade. They aren’t going to be out in the open where the sun is shining. That’s why you fish these docks at certain times of the year and other time you fish the shoreline,” he said. Jeff explained the reason for the light sensitivity. “Sac-au-lait have big eyeballs and anytime they can get their eyes behind a piece of shade they are going to do it. It can be a shady area the size of a broom stick, they’re going to try and get out of that light.”
Jeff Bruhl catches a sac-au-lait underneath a dock on a dead in canal We continued fishing the docks with plenty of success but the bite tapered as soon as the sun started to set. It was time to pick up on a new pattern. We made a run south of Interstate 12 and while on the main river I noticed the difference in the color of the water. There are numerous tributaries that feed into the Tchefuncte and it’s important to know where the cleaner water is in the spring because of all the turbulent weather that occurs. “There are three rivers that flow into this river. You have the Bogue Falaya, the Abita River, and the Little Tchefuncte and they all empty into the main river. It all depends on the rain that falls in certain areas. One might be a little muddier than the other so you have to move around until you find some quality water. When you find good water it’s more than likely will find the fish.” Bruhle said. As we turned off the main river into a narrow canal, I noticed the water clearing up. Jeff says these dead ends are what you need to target. “With the water the way it is it’s important to find these dead end canals where the water doesn’t have a chance to get as muddy because it’s so far off the main river.” As we fished the dark, stained water, we came up empty and I thought our luck had run out. Just then I turned to see Jeff trying something new. He was throwing a 1/8 oz. Road Runner down the middle of the canal. Within a few casts he set the hook on a beautiful slab and a new pattern was established. “Sometimes you have to switch things up and try new depths and different lures,” Bruhl said. I took his advice and Jeff and I finished off the day catching slabs 12 ft. of water.
The Northshore is loaded with sac-au-lait and now is the time to start targeting them. Whether it’s in rivers or some local ponds, you are sure to have plenty of success if you put in the work. Many anglers argue that it is the best tasting fish you can eat and for those who have never tried them, you’re missing out on a real treat!
The Northshore is loaded with sac-au-lait and now is the time to start targeting them. Whether it’s in rivers or some local ponds, you are sure to have plenty of success if you put in the work. Many anglers argue that it is the best tasting fish you can eat and for those who have never tried them, you’re missing out on a real treat!
