cliffhall
Forum Replies Created
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Absolutely legendary experience and group of dudes. Yall definitely made the LAFB Elite community proud.
In other news….let me know if y’all see any teal while running around down there.
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This reply was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by
cliffhall.
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This reply was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by
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Where’s the live stream?!?!? I’m sitting on the edge of my seat over here.
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This feels like back in the day when you would get really excited about a great movie coming out on the weekend. Idk if I’ve ever been so pumped to be a spectator and live through you guys.
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Oh boy, this will be one for the ages.
Unfortunately, I have some clients scheduled for Friday evening that I can’t cancel on. I may be able to come down after that and fish with you guys on Saturday, though. I understand if you’d prefer to give that spot to someone who can make the whole trip.
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I feel like I could write a book on this question but I’ll save you guys the pain of having to wade through that. As a mental health counselor and over thinker, this question is often on my mind while I’m on my boat.
Shooter’s points summed up my thoughts on this well but I’ll elaborate a bit:
I like that the fish don’t give a frick who you are. For most of my life duck hunting was my primary passion. Even outside of the 60 day season I’d think about it 24/7. That passion redirected as duck hunting in LA got worse and worse and it became more about how much money you had to gobble up duck leases vs how competent or passionate you were for the pursuit.
About 6 years ago I started taking the duck boat and kayak around hopedale, Delacroix, and Bievenue to chase redfish, bass, trout or whatever else would bite. At some point, and I can’t pinpoint to exactly when, speckled trout completely took over my mind. Things like “plan redfish” went out the window and it was a “chase trout or die trying” mindset. I became addicted (I think fishing addiction could actually be a diagnosable condition under process addictions in the DSM-5).
I love that trout generally follow set rules and patterns but that they will also occasionally do whatever the frick they want. I’ve said it on here before but chasing trout is like playing chess in a blender in a tornado.
I love that as good as I’d sometimes like to think I am I can have a day (or multiple days) where they completely humble me.
I love that this pursuit runs you into some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. There’s just something about trout nerds that I love and appreciate.
I love that the trout don’t discriminate. An old man in Reggio can smoke the trout in a 14ft aluminum flat, barely held together by duck tape, while 5 googans set sail in a 400k boat and get skunked.
I love that it keeps me out of trouble and sane. I am an introvert whose job requires me to have deep conversations all day. I NEED to get in the outdoors occasionally and pursue pattern-able creatures who can’t talk.
I could go on and on but there’s just something about hunting and fishing for me that just FITS. I’ve never been able to explain it but when I’m fishing I can lock into some flow state that is inaccessible in pretty much every other area of my life. It’s just who I am and I don’t know if something that deep and spiritual can even be fully articulated.
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Combining that with this cooler morning and you have the recipe for going Six to Midnight.
Fortunately, I’m only a few tools away from being able to confidently navigate the river. Looking forward to experimenting down there with you guys.
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That’s awesome! I love your tarpon experience hierarchy…..I can relate to that. Best believe you are gonna get one on your skiff one day and it’s gonna be the most amazing feeling.
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Happy birthday, @Boyce
What are we buying ourself as a present this year?
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How far are you away from Grand Isle? It may be worth traveling to Hwy 1 this late fall and winter if you are primarily looking for big fish. My neighbor caught a 5.5lber there last year and I know for sure he’s not dedicating himself to big trout as much as me. Sometimes just going where they are is what’s necessary. I make sure that when I fish areas like Pontchartrain, bievenue, or hopedale I’m only comparing myself to other fishermen in those areas on those days. You need to have a resilient mindset to chase big trout so comparing yourself to an appropriate sample is key. Just know that there’s a difference in wanting to catch the biggest trout in YOUR area and wanting to land your PB which may require you to venture out to other parts of the state.
Having said that, I also understand wanting to catch them in YOUR area. That’s ok too. It’s like hunting big bucks…..Kansas boys would laugh at a what’s considered a monster down here. It’s all relative. A 5lber in Vermillion Bay may be worth a 7lber in grand isle, Venice, or the chandeleur island chain. If you are ok with having that mindset then you can grind out big fish in V bay.
I’d also recommend you getting connected with other guys who are targeting big trout there. It can be hard to initially infiltrate those groups but you’d be surprised who you can connect with if you are willing to dedicate yourself and prove your intel worthy. Start doing that now and you may look up in a couple of years and be in the middle of a very formidable big trout network in your area.
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Rest assured I’ll have fomo as I debate the meaning of life while reaching into the deepest and least convenient/accessible part of my bilge area while you guys run into multiple PB’s. If only one or two wrenches fly across my garage into the Sheetrock it will be labeled as a succes.
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I tried every trick in the book but between staying at the beach an extra day this weekend, not getting to my fuel/water separator issue yet, and duck season coming up I’ll need this weekend to knock out chores and stay married. Let me know when the next one is planned and hopefully I’ll be able to contribute to the trout side of things.
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Nailed it
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As best as you can articulate, what did that “Feel” like? I feel so far removed from my favorite types of speckled trout bites that I’ll have to live through you for now.
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Just seeing the words “cold front” makes me giddy. Once I get my fuel/water separator issue fixed ill be bouncing back and forth between the bayous on the North Side of Lake P and Bayou B. Theres always a chance fish show up in either of those spots mid September.
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I would definitely rely on intel from old timers. I think the same way as you when looking for big trout: being near productive areas in spots that do not get hit as hard. Chas Champagne is a big believer in that for Lake P so I do not know why it wouldn’t work in other parts of LA.
I would start by becoming an expert on bait if I was going to learn Vermillion Bay. Where do the Mullet and Poges hangout at different times of year? Im assuming some of those ponds on the SE side of Marsh Island are grassy? If so I would be throwing jerkbaits and topwaters in those ponds and coves come late winter/early spring.
If you want to learn about baits for big trout then go follow Jay Watkins on instagram. He is always pumping out good content on big trout.
