re: Chandeleur islands

Don't limit yourself to any one style of fishing. Those northern Chandeleur islands are a very diverse area. I did one of these trips years ago and it was one of my most memorable experiences. A few of the different things I tried:

- we fished open water around 15 feet deep off one of the islands and caught trout, reds, grouper, spanish mackerel, and even a small hammerhead shark

- I had just started gold spoon fishing back then, so I had my friend drop my off where there were some marshy cuts into one of the islands, and I just walked the edge of the marsh. It was full of reds, and I limited on reds in no time at all

- There was one island that looked like it was literally made of crushed sea shells. There was a big very shallow pond in the middle, and it was the first place I ever saw reds tailing. Very fun sight fishing them in such a shallow pond

- One day we pulled the skiff up onto land on the marshy side of an island and walked a couple hundred yards to the other side that was a beach and did some surf fishing on the gulf side. It was the biggest feeding frenzy I've ever seen. A few of us combined for over 150 white trout. You'd cast and your cork would go under from the casting momentum and just wouldn't resurface cause a fish was on already. I ran out of plastics in my pocket so I tore off a piece of rag and put that on the jighead, and they would still hit that instantly. Then I just casted an empty jighead and they even hit that. I've never experienced anything like it.

Just exploring the islands was fun, and my best fishing was always on foot rather than in the skiff. At night we'd throw a couple lines out from the big boat with something large for bait while we drank beer, and we got a few big hookups that would end up breaking the line before we could land them. We ended up with over 300 fish. They cleaned them all on way back in, which you're not supposed to do - but obviously it's too impractical to clean that many fish after you get back to the dock and people have long drives home. The captain told us that once or twice a year the wildlife agents would stop them and confiscate all the filets. But they wouldn't hit the same boat more than once a year. Just filling their own freezers.

For years I tried to get up a group of guys to do another trip like that, but you know how that goes - everyone says they are in until it's time to commit to a weekend and put up the money.

TJG, just saw your reply. $2 hundo a night per person. They had a good breakfast, lunch, and dinner for us, beer iced down waiting for us. My buddy helped get them set up and scheduled a bunch of trips to stay with them, but he ixnayed that due to the owner. The two guys we had were great, great customer service and looked out for their customers, but the owner left a lot to be desired from what I heard. If it were those turning things, I would say it was worth it. But the stories from the few trips with the owners involved, I wouldn't spend the money with him.

Well boys! Today is the today we head out! I am very very excited!

Anyone heard any fishing reports from down there? I have a bunch of different artificial, spoons, popping corks, top waters, cold beers, vodka, and cigars. I think I have everything

ETA: Also got my two awesome counterfeit coolers

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Green hornet matrix shad and anything pearl colored.

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GOT EM!

I booked a trip for 2 weeks from now.

talked to the guide yesterday, he said they are catching big trout right now.

good luck, post results when you get back

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anewguy

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Results?.....

I am going to tell you this but you are going to owe me. Bring your own flourcarbon first. But here is the secret few people know. Go to Academy today or order these as soon. As possible. Mirrorlure 51-MR-EC in Texas Chicken color (6) mirrordines 3 large and 3 small in Texas Chicken color pattern and finally mirror lure glass minnows in Texas chicken pattern (19-MR-EC) If you really want to destroy your fellow fisherman bring some pogy scent to put on them. Really Dick move though as you will limit out before they get started.

When you are only guest that limits our day after day and everyone thinks you are great fisherman you can thank me.

Bring that and do what your guide tells you and post picks. Also bring tons of bug spray and I use rubber surgeons glove to keep my damn scent off lures etc but I like to be done before 9 am

Buddy went two weeks ago and slaughtered them on plastics. Guess he didn’t need electric chicken

Baw went 10 days ago. People still posting tips. I think he fell in or played tag with a shark.