LAFB Elite | Inshore Fishing Courses Designed For Louisiana › Forums › General Inshore Fishing Discussion › What happened to the bass? › Reply To: What happened to the bass?
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“along that same line of thought…do you think it’s possible we’ll start seeing 6-7lb+ trout in the pontchartrain estuary now that the freshening has been over for a few years?”
I hope so. That would be great. But I still think that trout are struggling to get back to where they were because Louisiana folk at large kill everything they come across. The proof in the pudding for me was last year when everyone complained of the 11.9″ throwbacks then the limit changed and it turned into 12.9″ throwbacks. Well, river water, freezes, “porpoises” and discard mortality limit don’t select for length, but we do.
If/when people catch a four pounder, they usually kill it. Well, that’s a surefire way to make sure it never gets to be an ounce heavier.
But maybe with the Saltening and the new limit we can get back there or get back there faster. It depends on which day you ask me. Some days I’m optimistic, other days not so much.
The thing here is that I don’t know what happens after a Freshening of the magnitude we experienced because I never lived through one before. And all the old timers really only talk about the usual “we used to count the coolers we caught, not the fish” and “there was more land”, blah blah blah. There’s some old fart somewhere who distinctly remembers the last time we had a freshening (whenever that was, I don’t recall off the top of my head) and could shed more light on it. Maybe Kenny Kreeger Sr. or Dudley Vandeborre or Chink Sumas. But if anyone does they have not written it down somewhere.
I know it’s been a few years, but in that same few years the fishing still sucks compared to what it used to be. If you go catch 20 trout with two people today, that’s a good box. If I only caught 20 trout by myself pre-Freshening then I would have said the day sucked, or it would have been a “grind”, a massive cold front hit the day before, my arms were taped behind my back, or whatever.
“I’m hopeful that with the increased awareness of releasing 20″ trout / size and creel limit changes / higher salinity, we’ll start seeing them. I’d much rather catch an 8lb trout in my back yard than have to drive to Texas or Florida.”
Me, too! That would be amazing. It could happen.
While the general mentality of Louisiana folk is “fill the box”, the RO20 movement, CPR, etc. is pretty much new and has to have a positive impact. All we can do is hope.
Also, quick disclaimer: there’s nothing wrong with keeping fish to eat.