[Devin]

“Once the tide started falling we found a good spot and got some every cast action but they were all undersized.”

I think that really says it all.

And this fishing report is a good one because it confirms what should be happening, in the places it would make sense for it to happen.

I would be interested to see what happens when the tide is doing it’s thing.

Great report, thanks for posting!

[Devin]

Also, I wonder why so many people default to heading-up (HU) on their GPS units?

We read maps north-up (NU).

I understand why one would use HU. In a place with lots of twists and turns, it’s easier to tell if you need to turn left or right.

But with NU it’s easier to determine your location in relation to everything else.

I’ve noticed HU-only guys never use NU.

Also, do I miss having an analog compass on the dash. Might have to go back to that. Such an easy reference.

[Devin]

Also, is your Garmin connected to a compass? For slow steerage?

[Devin]

What a beautiful morning!

Sounds like an epic fishing trip, too. I really enjoy running out that way.

When I used to fish Breton Sound religiously, I’d be out there well into September.

But if you don’t want to make that run and only have time for a short trip (IIRC, your boat is in a slip at Shell Beach), maybe consider Doulut’s, Bayou St. Malo, Martello, Violet Locks, etc. on a hard falling tide.

It’s getting to be that time.

[Devin]

I’ve got more to unpack here.

But for now, I think you should go fishing if you can.

Some TOW is better than no TOW.

[Devin]

I saw a report elsewhere that someone waylaid the bass pretty good, and it appeared that they were off the river and passes and back in some marsh on the east side of the river. If I had to guess, the back levee canal not far from the Ballandock structure.

Great report, thanks for posting!

[Devin]

Welcome back.

Not a bad planning post. I can see you put some effort into it, outlining islands from 2004 (or, at least, that’s what that looks like).

I certainly have some thoughts to lend you, so let’s get started with those islands.

In my experience, sometimes they are there, usually they are not.

Usually they’ve been pounded flat by erosion and storm surge and they’re just gone.

But sometimes they can still be there. Sometimes an oyster lease sits there and cultch has been added on top.

So that’s something worth comparing against.

Of course, you can check them the old fashioned way with a Carolina rig and just plain fishing it, but graphing goes much further. I’m assuming you’re running 2D on a short puck or thru-hull?

After that, I see some spots are obvious existing points and tidelines, but am not sure what spots like 23, 8 and 15 are. They look randomly selected in the open, and I cannot help you with those.

There could be some trout in this area. I don’t have any reports from it, I just don’t know, but in September I’ve seen them in places closer than this. So there’s a chance.

The thing is, white shrimp usually start their migration much further inside and don’t progress to this point until later on.

And if I knew that the white shrimp were running, I would expect to find them much later in the day when that tide is absolutely ripping out.

Bayou Frenepiquant can have some good water moving through it and around it.

If it were me, and I had to fish this area, I would be doing it understanding that I am starting from scratch.

You didn’t post an intro, so I don’t know much about you. My guess is that you’re trailering your boat? Or is it in a slip at Shell Beach?

If you do find deeper water, how will you know? What’s the heaviest jighead you plan on throwing?

Lastly, a healthy criticism on your planning post: maps are made to be read north-up.

Hitting “R” on GED resets tilt and compass.

Good luck.

[Devin]

The conditions are about perfect to hit the Long Rocks.

[Devin]

[Devin]

I love questions.

Wish people asked them more often.

1. Yes, always freshwater rinse. Your motor will thank you.

2. Yes, but it’s only a tool in the toolbox. And a lousy one at that.

This article explains why.

The worst thing about mapping chips is that they lead you to believe certain water is safe to navigate.

Then, *bang*.

You rip off your lower unit.

And if you watch that video linked above, then you’ll see at 1:26 (or in attached screenshot) how that canal was NOT marked, there was NO indicator those rocks were there.

There was only one thing that has identified those rocks to date: what I teach inside 101.

I’ve been a SeaTow commercial more than once and – each time I was – it was because I did not do what I teach.

I did not do my navigational homework.

I’ve used a Humminbird Lakemaster Louisiana Delta card for eight years. The imagery is from ~2014, so it may as well have been drawn with a crayon.

And “up-to-date” mapping chips won’t save you either, no matter what manufacturers claim.

I’ll put it this way: I have a new (to me) boat on the way with THREE Helix units on it and I have not bothered to get a mapping chip for them.

If you do your GED homework, the stock map will work fine.

If you can find one for $50 and it makes you happy then, sure, get it.

But you’d be dumb as a rock to free-navigate off of it, Venice or not. lol

[Devin]

Okay, thank you.

I’m just trying to get inside the head of inshore anglers.

That gives me a better idea as to what content to make.

[Devin]

I could believe that.

My understanding is that Cypress Cove is under new owners who want to do something more with the place.

Which would be great, because it’s already a pretty good marina.

I wish the same people would buy Beshel’s and fix it up.

[Devin]

What weight?

With spinning tackle?

How did you know you hit the bottom?

Thank you.

[Devin]

Someone recently reported not seeing many boats out there, so you may be good.

Good luck!

[Devin]

You can bring wire leaders if you want. Catching spanish macks can be fun.

But I know when I am targeting trout I could not possibly care less about spanish mackerel.

So if I get bit off three times in a row, then that’s probably all that’s there, and it’s time to move to the next spot.