Holly or Rutherford Beach for Tent Camping

In my limited experience(I've driven out to both, had a few beers, and hung out for the day), I'd say Holly Beach. You'll be able to drive further down to get away from the crowds, and judging from last weekend there will be crowds. There's also jetties that run parallel to the beach that may hold fish. Rutherford water was filthy, likely due to how close it is to the mouth of the Mermentau River. Holly Beach was no Destin but was significantly better than Rutherford.

Rutherford has better surf fishing for bull reds because it’s a little deeper close to shore

Just beware that both have had lots of traffic on them lately and the people that frequent those places are a special breed

And if you have never been to either, just don’t get your hopes up too much It’s gonna look like chocolate milk this weekend

Cut mullet or cracked crab for the bulls and a dead shrimp if you just wanna catch something

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the people that frequent those places are a special breed

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Just keep your distance from the locals and hang out.



Rutherford

Try further west towards constance beach. Fishing turns on with these north winds. Not many people.

Couple years ago all the stars aligned and we got out there and I am not saying it looked like destin but it was pretty clear. Trout busting right by the sand. Got on them real good and after a while looked down beach and there were birds galore and a sea of red. Must have been 2 acres of redfish coming down the beach. Big bulls. It was wild.

Went back last year after three days of north winds and didn’t have clear water for some reason

Do y'all think this would be far enough west? Would not going out there until tomorrow night so I'm not sure how much camping on a Sunday night would impact the crowds. I see some rocks start here as well, maybe good for fishing? I'd like to car top my yak too.

I believe it was for gathering not saho.
CPSO should stick to drunks and property crimes down in the parish.
Should be good at that location.

It’s very shallow up to the rocks. There will be troughs on the sides and behind the rocks where the fish hang Don’t her hopes up on trout, gonna be real muddy. But bull reds can be had

That’s a lie. CPSO is not writing tickets for anything other than violations of laws. We have Cajun Riviera Go Topless Weekend next weekend (15-17) on Holly Beach and I spoke with Sheriff Johnson at length Thursday evening.

OP, go down to Mae’s Beach. Get on the beach and head west. You’re going to come to a gate. It’s public beach but a rancher has cows and has permission to have the fence and gate. Close it behind you and drive ‘til you can’t drive anymore. There’s a cut that comes out of the marsh and connects to the gulf.

You can set up surf rods on the beach then walk to the cut and fish it. I’ve caught four man limits of reds, specks and flounder in that cut. If they aren’t biting, wait for the tide to start moving. When they start biting, it will be on. I’ve fished it with live shrimp, dead shrimp, plastics and gold spoons. This is the only place that I’ve ever caught a flounder on a gold spoon.

There’s gar in there too, if that interests you and you know how to fish for them.

Bring an extra ice chest for crabs. My wife loves to crab while I fish. Last time we were there, she put down the string and just started walking the edge and scooping crabs with her net.

ETA In regards to the spot you have picked out on the map, if you don’t have 4wd, you’ll never get there. The sand that was pumped in a few years ago does not pack. Locals call it “sugar sand”. I’ve pulled out several 2wd vehicles (and some 4wd trucks) off the beach.

The sand on all the other beaches: little Florida, Constance, Mea’s, etc. are all hard pack and your vehicle should do just fine there. 2wd’s get by on those regularly.

If you’re bringing the kayak, you can paddle all over that cut if you want. Most of it can be fished from the banks.

Like I said, if they ain’t biting, stop and take a break, check your surf rods, then go back.

If you have a bucket and aerator, grab some live shrimp in hackberry on your way down.

I don’t know which way you’re coming from but take exit 20 off I-10. Do not depend on the ferry being up and running if you’re coming from the East.

ETA- report back!