Fishing And Lodging In Louisiana

The following are excerpts from a New Orleans fishing article writtenfor the Times-Picayune newspaper by outdoors editor Bob Marshall. The complete copy of the article can be found in the February 16th,2002 issue in the Sports section. Bob Marshall can be reached at rmarshall@timespicayune.com.

 In his 45 years, Sidney Bourgeois has caught a lot of bass. By his
own account he practically grew up with a fly rod in one hand and a
pirogue paddle in the other, slowly exploring the banks of the many
canals and bayous in the marshes in his native Lafitte.

(T)wo weeks ago the temperature pushed above 70 degrees, the wind laid down and an overcast covered the sky.

"We couldn't resist; it was perfect conditions for bass," said Bourgeois. "So we just figured we'd give it a go - not expecting anything."

An hour later they were in the midst of the best bass fishing they had seen in two years. Joe was even catching his fish on a fly rod popping bug.

"I was using plastic worms and plastic lizards, some spinners and then those broken back minnows," said Sidney. "It was great fishing."

Fishing Guide Service Louisiana Tips:
Sidney Bourgeois, Joe's Landing, Lafitte
"Bring live bait, that's the No. 1 key to success in the summer," said Bourgeois, whose anglers fish from northern Barataria Bay to the Grand Isle beaches. "I'm not just saying that because we sell the stuff. It's just proven you'll catch more trout - especially big trout - with live bait in the summer.

"Now, we sell cockahoes, but if we're out of those, I'd use a cast net and get some shrimp or pogies, croakers - anything live. It makes all the difference in the world, at least in the summer. It always has."