It’s Almost Here
My favorite time
of the year is almost here! Football season has started, humidity is dropping,
and the temperature is a tad lower in the morning. That’s right, Fall fishing
is right around the corner. I look forward to kayak fishing in the fall every
year.
In my opinion, Fall
fishing is the best time to be fishing out of a kayak. The temperature is more
tolerable, humidity begins to drop, ponds clear up in the marsh, and most
importantly the fishing close in is on fire! Redfish are in every pond tailing
and trout are making their way into the marshes across Southern Louisiana and
all I want to carry with me is my fly rod and top water lures. There is nothing
more exciting catching top water trout and redfish all in the same pond system
and so close to your launch location.
Before the Fall
weather moves in I start to prepare my tackle for the season. I pack away my
corks and jig heads and pack up a simple box of top water lures and popper
flies. Also in this box I will have some gold spoons, maybe some inline
spinners, and a couple twitch baits. My favorite lures to throw are Texas
Tackle Factory Gun Dog Dummy top water in black or speckled trout pattern.
These top waters walk the dog just right, have a perfect sound pitch, and the
trout and redfish just crush them. For spoons, I like a weedless gold spoon or
an inline spinner with Texas Tackle Factory Hackberry Hustler in
purple/chartreuse. I will throw the Dummy for trout and others for redfish.
There are many
great launches where top water trout and redfish can be found close to the
launch for kayakers. One of my favorite spots to fish in the fall is Hopedale
and Delacroix, La. The three launches I most frequent and very close to
productive areas are Campo’s Marina, Pip’s, and Breton Sound Marina. All three
of these launches are within sight of pristine fall fishing and depending on
weather conditions one location will be more favorable than the other.
When I make my way
from the launch I am on one mission, heading to the marsh. I am not worried
about open water but interested in points entering the marsh and the ponds
within. Look for moving water around the cuts into the marsh or nervous water.
You want to work these points hard as trout will be hanging around getting fat.
I like to work my top water around the banks and the cut itself looking for
that fat trout. You will not catch plenty trout but the chance of a large trout
crushing your top water lure are in your favor. Sometimes presentation is key
and you need to try different methods to trigger that crush that is wanted.
Maybe they want a fast walk-the-dog motion or a slow twitch walk like an
injured mullet, experiment and your rewards will be bountiful. Do not overlook
little clumps of grass around the entrances of the cuts either. Many times I
have caught a fish or two hanging around the grass. Once I move into the ponds
I will throw top water as well but also will throw the inline spinner for the
redfish. The inline spinner works great when grass is present right below the
water line or throwing back into small cuts. If the water is high in the grass
this is when I will use my weedless gold spoon to punch back in the grass. When
the water is high those reds will get deep in the grass and feed on a buffet of
food and you have to get in there to compete.
Remember, fall is
also duck hunting season. Be courteous and remember hunters may be back in the
ponds. If you hear shooting, let them hunt and stay out of the ponds. The last
thing you want to do is ruin another sportsman’s hunt by paddling into the pond
they are working. We can fish all year when they only have so many days out the
year to enjoy what they love to do as well.
1.
Hopedale
Lagoon: Very easy launch at Pip’s Marina with access to Hopedale
Lagoon. Work the opening to the lagoon with your top water lures for trout
early before boats start moving through. Work the shorelines with top water
looking for tailing redfish and trout that run the banks. For certain redfish,
paddle across the lagoon to the marsh and work, work, work. If the redfish are
in there you will see the tails or bait getting blown up!
2.
Breton
Sound Marina: Very clean launch and quick access to a large marsh
system. Work the points into the barge canal and into the marsh for trout. The
inside of the marsh is very productive for fat redfish using top water and
spinners.
3.
Campo’s
Marina: I head across behind the rocks and work a top water for trout
in the broken marsh. This is a great area to find big trout and redfish along
the rocks and on the flats leading to the marsh.
These are just
three areas I like to frequent in the fall but use the same techniques for
others as well. Lake Pontchartrain is a prime example and you may find me on
the South shore working the marsh close to Hwy 11 throwing top water lures as
well. This is another great area for some trophy trout and reel screaming bull
reds.
I hope everyone has
a great fall fishing season and get to enjoy the top water bite as much as I
do. This time of year I try and throw my top water all day. Anyone that has
caught a large trout or redfish on top will know why!
One last pointer:
Do not think you will not catch trout in shallow water. Last year I ran across
one of my best top water trout trips in water less than 3’ deep. As fast as you
could cast out large trout all over 16” would inhale the lure. This was a spot
that had little grass clumps on a flat that lead to a pond system. The water
looked nervous and it paid off to pay attention to the surroundings.
Remember to work
those points, cuts, and clumps! Watch for moving or nervous water and throw
that top water!
Paddle away!
Barrett Jones (Swamppro)
