FISHING LOUISIANA

Louisiana Saltwater Fishing
for Redfish and Speckled Trout

Bayou Buck’s Redfish Spinners

Bayou Buck’s Redfish Spinner has really impressed me here in Bayou Dularge. I find it to be very effective and instrumental in catching redfish in the south Louisiana marsh as it is designed to do. On numerous fishing trips my crew and I have caught many different varieties of fish on the regular and Jr. size including speckled trout, flounder, blackdrum, sheepshead, redfish and a few largemouth bass. They have exceeded my expectations as a durable and versatile lure that can be utilized in many ways!

My personal all time favorite is working the inline spinners in shallow water on top of oyster reefs. I usually fish in 3 ft. of water or less on the reefs. Most of the redfish I catch are caught blind casting although some of the reds can be sight fished on occasion. I position the boat to make long casts with the wind and reel in with a slow steady retrieve. I find that a short stop & go type retrieve works very well when the reds are finicky. There is nothing more exciting than seeing that big wake pop up behind your lure as you anticipate the strike. If the fish follows the spinner and does not strike quickly, pause the retrieve just for a second (do not let it hit the bottom) and continue the retrieve. You will find the instant you pick up the retrieve the redfish will usually smash the lure!

I also have found them to be highly effective in fishing shallow duck ponds with soft mud bottoms. This is where the bronze-backs live and spend the first 6 years of their life. I prefer to fish the “Jr.” around grass-beds in the ponds. It is lighter and easier to work through the grass and I can work it closer to the surface in really shallow applications. As a bonus, I find the Jr. will catch a larger variety of fish as it appeals to many other species of fish that inhabit the duck ponds.

One of my most successful techniques is to find a good point of land with moving water. Chunk the Jr. on solid land just above the water line and continue to pull it off in a continuous smooth movement. The big reds will usually smash the lure within the first 2 ft. of the retrieve.

Working the inline spinners around structure such as old duck blind frames, stumps, blow-downs, and similar types of debris is highly productive. When working duck ponds look for any irregular features along the shoreline such as coves, cuts, points, or trinasse’s as utilizing these spinners in such locations will pay big dividends.

Pop-N-Prop Corks

I’m not much of a cork man but sometimes a cork becomes necessary under certain types of conditions. I only use corks when the speckled trout are suspended 2-3 ft. down and finicky. Using only artificial lures, if the trout does not initially hit the lure when it hits the water or on the fall, you will most likely not catch the fish as the lure will pass it by as it falls to the bottom. Only the very aggressive trout will hit the lure utilizing this technique.

I have found the Pop-N-Props corks by Bayou Buck will give you the advantage when compared to conventional models. When fishing for trout or reds (especially trout) you want to pop the cork to draw attention. Popping the Pop-N-Prop with its large spinner blade and “klacking” plastic beads will increase the noise and attract more fish. It is a well designed unique system and a must for all live bait fishermen!

Captain Bill Lake / Bayou Guide Service

Tips for Redfish & Speckled Trout

Bayou Buck’s Saltwater Fishing Lures

Fishing with Bayou Buck’s Redfish Spinners

I have thoroughly enjoyed using the Redfish Jr. from Bayou Buck Lures. All of my clients, experienced and novice, have red-fished in shallow ponds like pros using this lure. They love how easy it is to cast into shallow grassy areas, spinning it into the toughest conditions. Most clients have difficulty casting spoons or jigs at redfish in shallow marshes and having the fish chase the lure down. A spoon when stopped has no action, just like a standard jig, it just drops into the mud.
With the Jr. size spinner a slower retrieve will keep the blade spinning and always keep you in the strike zone. This makes for much easier hookup ratios.

Pop-N-Prop Cigar Cork for Redfish & Speckled Trout

The Pop-N-Prop Cigar Cork is a great tool for red-fishing in shallow marshes. I like to rig the Pop-N-Prop with 18 inches of 30 lb. test Ultragreen Maxima attached to a 3/0 Mustad Circle hook. On the initial cast to the bank always pop 2-3 times to draw fish to the bait. Then let it sit for about 5 minutes before popping another 2-3 times. As you retrieve don’t burn it back, just retrieve fast enough for the blade to make noise. If the fish is nearby it will likely run it down. Stop retrieving and let him eat it by dropping your rod tip towards the fish. Once your line tightens up then just rear back to set the hook and fish on!

I have also had much success with the Pop-N-Prop Cigar Cork in locating suspended speckled trout. I have really put this cork to work in the Sulfur Mine this winter. The specks are usually concentrating in 3 to 5 feet of water. I rig the Pop-N-Prop with 3 feet of 25 lb. test Ultragreen Maxima and a light 1/8 oz. Assassin Screwlock Jig rigged with a glow/chartruese Sea Shad Assassin.

On a drift or slow troll make long casts from the boat, popping the cork 2-3 times while picking up slack and not pulling in the cork. Once the slack line is tight then repeat the popping rhythm. When you locate multiple strikes in an area prepare to spear the mudstick.

As always, the key to fishing any artificial lure is to be persistent.

Captain Chad Billiot
Marsh Rat Guide Service