The Save Our Lake Rodeo was setup for boats and kayaks. Kayaks and boats competed for the same divisions but also had a separate kayak division. Last year I landed the largest black drum of the tournament to take 1st place drum and 2nd place Kayak Kahuna. I wanted to be up on that board again this year.
This year I wanted to paddle my new Hurricane Skimmer 128. This is one of Hurricane Aquasports newest kayaks. It is 12'8" long and weighs about 45lbs. This is a great kayak for any kind of fishing. Fast, light, tracks well, and comfortable.
At safe light I paddled away from the beach at the foot of the Hwy 11 bridge on the South shore of Lake Pontchartrain. I wanted to work the shoreline first o try and find a nice trout and make my way towards the rail road trestle bridge maybe 2 miles away. After throwing topwater for some time I could see the trout were not along the shore feeding so I made the paddle to the trestles for deeper water and to look for trout suspended along the bottom. I first tried working the rock piles along the shoreline and then paddled along the bridge structure. Looking at my Raymarine Dragonfly, which shows video like soundings never saw fish I was looking for. This Dragonfly from Raymarine did show a sailboat resting on the bottom about 1 mile out along the trestles. You could easily see the outline of the hull and part of the mast. This was interesting but no fish! I then decided to move towards the marsh. I started working sand spits and indents with a Texas Tackle Factory Shiney Hiney head and cork rig. I knew if a red fish was near by it could not resist the cork popping and that furry chartreuse head and shrimp body. Still, after pop and pop of the cork, no fish! I then paddled to one of my favorite trout cuts into the marsh and was surprised what my Dragonfly showed. At the mouth of this cut the depth got to over 14' and this was between a sandbar leading to the marsh and 4' leading to the lake. Now I know why I have always found trout around this cut. I kept watching my Dragonfly and my eyes lit up close to the sand bar. On the up side of the hole I could see fish holding on some structure. Finally!!! I see something worth casting for. I back out of the cut slowly and start making casts with the same Texas Tackle Factory setup. After about 5 pops the cork shoots to the deep. I pull to the bank and net a beautiful big redfish. Excited, I start casting more and work the hole but never get another strike.
Time to paddle in and hope I have a decent fish for weigh in. I figured with one red fish all is lost. We had beautiful weather and I knew someone would get on someone would get on some good fish.
I picked up my kids and we headed to weigh in to be very surprised. My redfish took 2nd place over all and 1st place Kayak Kahuna! I ended up winning a rod and reel combo, a couple plaques, and some other goodies. I was very happy with the outcome for one fish.
