[maturin]

Two thumbs up there. Redfish are the “most political fish” in LA since the gill net wars of the late ’80s/early ’90s. Let me tell you, if you think the redfishing is subpar now: you should have seen it when the purse seiners and gill netters were targeting the breeding stock to meet the crazed blackened redfish demand in the mid/late ’80s. That certainly got a lot of peoples attention- think GCCA. Great choice to illustrate a point, because it resonates with many of our none too bright legislators ( or to the ones who haven’t been bought off by the menhaden fishery, anyway).

Bycatch from pogey fishing is nothing new. Several of my college dorm mates in the late ’70s were natives of Port Sulphur who worked the pogey plant there (Zapata?). In any case, their job was to pick out large bycatch (redfish, jacks, tarpon, etc.) to keep the line operating. Besides being regaled with tales of huge sportfish in the catch, several confessed to “if you really needed a break, just let one of them 10 ft sharks get through”.

[maturin]

“I make the set and holy cow, these fish might actually pull more line than a redfish pound for pound. Blazing fast and an awesome fight. “

True that. I’ve never seen another fish other than bonefish light the afterburners like they do in shallow water, throwing a rooster tail from the leader/tippet. And then run you way into the backing before they decide that they’re caught. Congrats on the catch.

[maturin]

I’m out of my depth on the value for current models for specific technical applications. I will say that in my experience G Loomis rods (both fly and conventional) have been of top tier construction. Before the Shimano acquisition their warranty was unbeatable. I had a spastic young lab step on a a crankbait rod between the 2nd and 3rd guide that I used to throw Rattletraps at redfish replaced by G Loomis at minimal cost over 20 years ago and a 8wt bonefish rod fed into ceiling fan in the Bahamas similarly replaced even before that. Not so sure they’re so accommodating now. I do have some more recent spinning and casting rods designed for inshore fishing that are made from nice components and perform well for their intended use, I haven’t had cause to use the “Xpeditor” any cause warranty, and don’t want to at $100-150 a pop. That said, they are solid rods made with good components at a price that approaches bespoke custom rods. I only buy them on sale. I do find them to have better cork and be more durable then Waterloo/Castaway/AllStar etc., but it’s not a tremendous difference.

If you like the way it feels, go for it. I have a 7’6″ “smallmouth special” from the early ’90’s that has caught a boatload of reds on a variety of baits that is still going strong. That sucker can fling a Baby One Minus into the next zip code.

[maturin]

A tip of the hat, fishing with little kids- even those who spew in the back seat.

God bless you, I’ve gone through two generations of that and spent decades dealing with post operative nausea in children. Here’s some free professional advice on mitigating the yakking in the car seat for kids 2-6, providing there’s no metabolic disorders or known drug allergies: kiddy Dramamine (25 mg dimenhydrinate chewable tabs, available in any drug store or Target). Half a tab at bedtime before the fishing trip, half before you leave the house. Works like magic and they won’t be chumming if you spotlock in a bit of chop. Can repeat according to instructions on the package as the day goes on, but not usually necessary.

[maturin]

Although as Devin pointed out, most of the snowpack has receded in the Ohio River Valley where most of the water that flows through the lower MS river is derived. But that area is predicted to get quite a bit of rain. Bottom line: She comin’

[maturin]

Thanks. I hope the irony of TigerDroppings being a potentially valuable source of info compared to Facebook is amusing not only to me. An online lunatic asylum vs. a predatory platform that targets preadolescents and imbeciles or those who prey on preadolescents and imbeciles. Too harsh, I know. The marketing people at our company hate my antisocial attitude towards social media.

I’ll take Mike Lane’s site or the old LA Sportsman site anyday. I’ll work with what I find here or with my own sources. Too busy to fish anyway- which means I’m too damn busy.

[maturin]

Thanks for the response.

[maturin]

“If I’m around, I may attend. I’ll probably be out of town, however.

It’s too bad that the event is out of Hopedale Marina, as I can see some real hammers coming off of rocks or cane stubble in Venice. Unless someone wants to make that Mad Max run on a calm day….”

I’m not above making a run to Venice or the Islands in the right conditions, but if all the snow/ice on the ground in the Ohio River Valley melts at once we might be in for a rude river come springtime.

In any case, my intention is to be there.

[maturin]

I’d suggest you also consider Suzuki. I have a 2010 4 stroke, 4 cyl DFI90 hp on a 1984 17 ft Boston Whaler that my kids and grandkids have rawhided up and down the river for 15 years. I think the current motor is the same basic design as my 2010 and is little lighter than the new Yamaha 4 stroke. As for my motor, it pulls way stronger than the 3 cyl Yamaha 2 stroke it replaced- night and day difference. And it is infinitely more reliable than the original carbureted Merc before that. Nothing but routine maintenance over the years and it’s good on gas.

Bottom line: we’re blessed to now live in an age of uber reliable outboards. Pick whichever of the three you feel is the best value for you, and if you’re lucky a boat dealer that has people worth a flip at rigging and is not a complete price gouging POS. Although we live in an area where there is a high percentage of boat ownership, the service after sale and tech ability is sorely lacking compared to some markets not so far away.

[maturin]

Nicely done. Brings back memories. Hats off for perservering.

[maturin]

Nicely done. In a kayak with “the whip”. Respect! I’d say that’s a banner day.

[maturin]

Strong work on a >12ft river. In a former life I’d have been booking out of the (then easily navigable) Tiger or Red Pass and all points north to look for specks. Live and learn.

[maturin]

How has it been? You’d have to ask someone who has time to fish… In seriousness though, extra busy at work and with grandkids in sports plus hunting season hasn’t left much opportunity to get out on weekends, and on weekdays I drive across a frequently slick calm lake wondering why I’m on the bridge instead of under it. I did make an epic 130 mile run from Madisonville to the eastern Biloxi Marsh hitting almost every spot going and coming from Lemo’s reef to the Cement Rig, to the trestles, and the hospital wall , to the hole in Bayou Marron to name a few with a couple of rat reds and a trophy class (lol) sheepshead (all on jigs) to show for it. Not the first speck. There’s nothing for humility like humiliation. I did complete the break in of my new motor, so that’s one box checked. I’ve completed the course and lived vicariously through the guys who had the time and wherewithal to capitalize on the freakishly low river in Venice and the long shrimp run in the lake, glad to see someone capitalizing on it. I’ll be out there more often soon. Thanks for asking.

[maturin]

Let’s hope they are right- this is awesome if you have the time or inclination to get downriver. Because when all that snow that’s been dumped recently in the Ohio River Valley melts it’s going to come to a screeching halt in about 14 days. Notice how the 28 day forecasts are all at the very bottom of the unusually wide margin of error, especially at the upriver sites like Cairo, Illinois.

https://www.weather.gov/lmrfc/experimental_28day_mississippi_plot#

[maturin]

I took it to mean Octave Pass off Cubit’s Gap just above Pilottown.