Louisiana

 
CAJUN COUNTRY

Nestled in southeast Louisiana is Terrebonne Parish, which means "the good earth" in French. It is a very literal name. Here in the Mississippi River Delta is one of the world's richest estuaries, which produces much of the seafood consumed across the country -- shrimp, oysters, crabs and myriad fish. This abundance of sea-life also fuels one of the greatest recreational fisheries in the world. Terrebonne Parish is nearly 50 percent water, providing seemingly endless fishing opportunities. Visit southeast Louisiana and discover one of the last best-kept fishing secrets.

FISHING AT ITS FINEST

Following a summer of guiding in Montana, Capt. Marty returns to his home-waters of Terrebonne Parish in October. The timing is perfect for the sportsman looking for the best that southeast Louisiana has to offer. The weather is beginning to cool, and the fishing is heating up, especially for the BIG redfish … the breeders … the Bull Reds …

While Capt. Marty specializes in fly fishing for these world-class fighters, bait-cast and spin fishermen are also welcome.

Redfish, or red drum, spawn in late-summer/early-fall, when the bull reds move into the marsh after spending the previous 8 months offshore, and congregate in deep-water passes near the coastal marshes. After spawning, the 20-, 30- and 40-plus pound bull reds venture throughout the interior marshes in a post-spawn feeding frenzy, which can last deep into December, heading back offshore once the cold of winter sets in. The bull reds will travel in and out of these coastal marshes throughout the year, but it's during the spawn and post-spawn when they are most abundant in the shallow-water marsh. Mixed in with these beasts are the juvenile redfish that live in the marsh year-round, only adding to the heart-pounding excitement of sight-casting to redfish of all sizes in shallow water, and the adrenaline-pumping action of fighting these bruisers on fly and light tackle.

It's also in the fall that speckled sea trout, a.k.a. "specks," journey into the marsh following their offshore summer spawn. Scores of these silver-sided missiles can be found in and around the marshes that are home to redfish.

Other species available in the same areas include flounder and sheepshead, dubbed "Cajun permit," for its tough bite and tenacious fight.

Black drum of all sizes also fill the same marshes. Like their cousins, the red drum, the numbers of large black drum, also called bulls, increases in the marsh during their spawn and post-spawn period. Unlike the redfish spawn that happens in the fall, the bull black drum spawn in the spring, approximately Feb. 15 to April 15. During this time, scores of these brutes can also be sight-cast to with flies and light tackle. As an
added bonus, bull reds will also be mixed in with the bull black drum in the coastal marshes bordering the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing at this time can produce days filled with battling bull black and red drum, testing the limits of fishermen and tackle.

TRIP COSTS

A day of fishing costs $450 for 1 or 2 fishermen, and $500 for 3 fishermen. Cost includes lunch and refreshments.

Clients are required to purchase a fishing license. A 3-day charter pass, state license #79, valid only when fishing with a guide, is $5 and available at numerous retail outlets in the area. They can also be purchased online from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website. 

GEAR

Rods and reels, flies, tackle etc., are available for client use. For those bringing their own gear, the following recommendations are given.

For fly fishermen, 7- and 8-weight rods are recommended. Reels should have a good drag system, and floating lines are needed for shallow-water sight-fishing. Fly patterns and recipes are available upon request.

For bait-cast/spin fishermen, a medium or medium/heavy rod is best, matched with a reel with a good drag system. Spoons, spinners and minnow patterns are best.

Marsh Madness clients fish from a 19-foot shallow-draft Bay Seaker flats boat.

ACCOMMODATIONS / ATTRACTIONS

Southeast Louisiana is the epicenter of Cajun culture, with a wide variety of sightseeing adventures available. The region features arguably the best cuisine on the planet, and is home to some of the nicest folk you'll ever meet.

Instead of trying to "re-invent the wheel" and attempting to list all of the area's attractions, we recommend calling our local tourist commission at (985) 868-2732. Or visit their website at www.houmatravel.com, which provides a vast amount of information on attractions, restaurants and accommodations.