river-rat

My grandfather and Dad were both serious bass fisherman and began taking me at an early age. At first they would take me fishing for bream and sac-a-lait (that's what we call crappie in south Louisiana). When I was 12 years old my grandfather gave me a Pfleuger baitcasting reel and told me when I could cast without backlashing he would start taking me bass fishing. Also, I had to be able to hit a target consistently. This was before I had my first Ambassadeur 5000 free spool reel. I had to learn how to rely on my thumb only. I still set my baitcasters without the centrifugal brakes and/or magnets. So much of what I know about shallow water fishing came from them.

I've got everything put away and tied down. Now it's just a matter of waiting for Ida to arrive some time tomorrow. Everyone in it's path please be safe.

I'm partial to Chartreuse/Black Back/Orange Belly, Chartreuse/Green Back/Orange Belly, and Tennessee Shad. I can tell you that the Bandit Lures Louisiana Shad color has been extremely effective in the Henderson Swamp area for many years. I've caught some huge stringers on this lure.

I just got back home from Eunice LA about an hour ago with 5 lbs. of boudin. I'll put boudin from Eunice up against boudin from anywhere else. Just sayin. That's a fact jack! ? Thankfully I'm married to a full blooded Cajun lady from Eunice that can flat out cook. I'd rate it less than 1. Probably about a 1/4 rating. ?

If Ida stays on the current projected track the eye will pass about 10 miles to the west of my home in Baton Rouge. I have a whole-house generator so I'm not worried about power. We have family that will most likely stay with us. I went shopping yesterday and bought plenty of food and supplies to get ready.

I usually have a 3/16 and 1/4 oz. rigged on the deck, but I will not hesitate to go heaver. For example, in the Atchafalaya Basin this time of year a standard Brush Hog with a 1/2 oz. tungsten weight is very productive even though the water depth doesn't exceed 5'. I'm trying to generate a reaction strike with this presentation.

It depends on where I'm fishing. For example, in the Atchafalaya Basin or Bayou Black Marsh it would have to be a Gene Larew 4" Salt Craw in Black/Blue Glitter/Blue Claws. I can use it on a Texas Rig, Rage Rig, or as a jig trailer. At Toledo Bend or Sam Rayburn it would be a Zoom UV Speed Worm in Watermelon Red. Like Catt I also would dip the tail in chartreuse dye.

It was impressed on me at a very early age that casting accuracy was paramount to success when fishing shallow water targets. I still practice casting for at least 15 minutes a day in my backyard when I’m not on the water fishing. I feel like I’m still accurate in casting to visible cover out to about 45-50 feet. Since the vast majority of my fishing is in shallow water, casting accuracy serves me well.

I'll use any of these: Bitter's Bait and Tackle 10" worm Zoom Ol' Monster Culprit 10" worm

I always start with a Texas Rig or Flipping Jig to start the day.

Being raised in south Louisiana, I drink CDM Coffee & Chickory in the morning and Community Dark Roast for my afternoon cup.

An Al Foss Shimmy Wiggler was one of my grandfathers favorite baits. As a kid I also used an Arbogast #2 1/2 Hawaiian Wiggler (also know as a Sputterfuss) quite a bit.

I would absolutely be punching. Like Catt said, there is no reason to change from the Ol' Monster. It might take some time to get the hang of it, but it's well worth the effort.

I use a Gene Larew 4" Salt Craw year round either as a jig trailer or Texas rigged. Currently in the Atchafalaya Basin a black/red glitter craw worm is one of my most productive lures.

I've used it as a trailer on a 1/4 oz. white spinnerbait. I cut about 3 1/2 inches off of the end and thread it on the hook shaft. It seems to work well when the fish are feeding mostly on shad.

Where I fish in south Louisiana, I've relied on Bandit's Louisiana Shad, and Bagley's Tennessee Shad for years. In some of the Mississippi River oxbows I fish, Sexy Shad has also produce well.

Like Catt, I never stopped using the Silver Minnow. I've been throwing it since the mid-60's and still keep them in my boat. The areas I fish have heavy vegetation and it's a perfect compliment to a frog.

I returned yesterday from a fishing trip to upstate New York. Over a two week period we fished the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, and Lake Champlain. I went with my brother and nephew who fishes the B.A.S.S. Elite series. The fishing was incredible. We caught fish every day. I caught my first smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleye. There is no telling how many 3-4 lb. smallmouth we caught during the trip. We also caught eleven smallmouth that topped 5 lbs. during the trip. The highlight of the trip was the 5.77 lb. smallmouth I caught in Lake Ontario (pictured below). We also caught quite a few largemouths on Lake Champlain. I’m already planning a trip for next summer. I can understand how smallmouth fishing can be so addictive.

Arbogast Hula Dancer and Smithwick King Snipe

Cordell Redfin, Smithwick Rogue (either in chrome/black back) - really any floating jerk bait. Also, I like a Devils Horse, buzz bait, or a popper.

I began using a weightless standard Brush Hog when I ran out of Flukes one day and caught fish on them. Since then I have continued to use it with success.

In south Louisiana where I mainly fish, a floating jerkbait will work year round. I fish them either slowly on top with light twitches or a steady twitching retrieve under the surface depending on the mood of the fish. In either case, most hits occur after you let the bait rest on the surface for a few seconds after each series of twitches. I use both the plastic (Smithwick Rogue; Cordell Redfin) and balsa (Bagley Bang-O-B; A.C. Shiner) models. At this time of year I especially like them from dawn until the sun gets up over the trees.

I fish them like any other Texas rigged worm. I use a 3/16 or 1/4 oz. slip sinker and 17# test line. I'll drag it, hop it, or swim it on the bottom. I haven't tried it weightless but I'm sure it would work.

Being married to a full-blooded French speaking Cajun lady from Eunice, LA, I can assure you that Cajun food is not over-rated. That little lady can flat out cook.

I use a Rapala Loop Knot for floating jerk baits (Smithwick Rogue; Cordell Redfin, etc.) It's easy to tie and I've never had it fail. I tie direct for every other topwater bait I use.