[RyanValentino]

I receive the emails. If I take the survey via email, no call. If I miss the email, receive a call that takes a couple minutes. Part of their job and important data for managing the fishery.

[RyanValentino]

It’s not too small. But consider having a couple different sizes of soft plastics in the box. “Match the hatch.” If you’re fishing under lights with lots of tiny bait fish in the area, go small. If you’re fishing for February lunkers, go big. Etc.

[RyanValentino]

Damn!! Appreciate the tag again, but this is typically the weekend I hit Grand Isle with coworkers. Will keep in mind in case something changes though.

In other news, coworkers and I are talking about a Venice trip 10/17 weekend. Planning post will be forthcoming, and I’ll be happy to live-share intel with anyone also down there if that solidifies.

[RyanValentino]

Good job putting a plan together and seeking feedback. My two cents:

1) You’re right. Tough tide. Definitely prioritize choke points and anywhere the E/NE wind will push water when you’re making decisions on the water.

2) I think your plan is somewhat susceptible to the “time vampire.” Prioritize spots/what you really want to do, and pivot on the water if necessary. My vote would be to save the trestles for about another month. You could find fish there, but I think your chances are better at the other bridges you selected due to tide and transition timing. Also, with this front pushing through, Lake P could be rougher than comfortable – tomorrow is kind of a gotta go to know type of forecast imo.

3) Consider consolidating reds 1-3. If the spot looks promising, continue working the shoreline. If not, bail.

4) Consider poking up into Little/Mud Lake (mouth of Pearl River). You have the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone here. I think you have chances for reds on the shorelines, and the river mouths are prime fall tidal highways where shrimp push out – see if you see any birds working, or try off the points on the bottom regardless.

Hope this helps. Good luck, and looking forward to your report! I’ll be fishing the area in October for sure.

[RyanValentino]

Glad to see day 2 went well also!

[RyanValentino]

Nice! And very interesting. So trout were in the coves up shallow? Caught on under a popping cork? Did you see any shrimp popping near the grass?

[RyanValentino]

Excellent! Glad yall are having a good time!

[RyanValentino]

I believe #1 is called Unknown Pass – other’s jump in – the local pass names are something I’ve been wanting to confirm.

Definitely worth trying in a bass boat. Record the water level at the Rigolets gauge when you pass through for your future reference. I scraped the windshield of my bay boat at that pass on one of those east wind days when the rigolets gauge was between 2.7 and 2.8′. If memory serves, #2 has a little bit less clearance with a low pipe hanging from the bridge, but I was still able to get under in a flat boat during normal water conditions.

You should have that pass in your back pocket as an alternative to Chef or Rigolets as running St Catherine is much nicer if wind kicks up than Pontchartrain or Borgne.

EDIT: Lol – watched Shooter’s video after original post. Don’t know unless you try. I found the limit in both boats too lol.

• This reply was modified 4 months, 2 weeks ago by  RyanValentino.

[RyanValentino]

Sounds awesome! Highly interested but doubtful I can make it after taking this week off from work. Will see how things at work look on Tuesday and report back. Don’t hold a spot for me though. Thanks for the tag and coordination regardless!

• This reply was modified 4 months, 2 weeks ago by  RyanValentino.

[RyanValentino]

“The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.” -John Buchan

That quote sums up the primary reason to keep going back.

There is also a competitive aspect – self vs nature, self vs other, etc – that plays into it. Testing and finding your own limitations. Making decisions and living the implications.

Experiencing nature is a major aspect though there are less costly ways to experience it.

I’ve thought about this a lot while duck hunting, especially while sitting in freezing rain. The hope of “could today be the day” keeps me going back. The fulfillment of success based on choices I made when hunting public land versus a private spot is ultimately the motivator though. Think fishing wide open water versus the neighborhood pond. The pond is a nice-to-do; the open water is a calling/urge.

[RyanValentino]

Fingers crossed they stay away! Make sure you have a spare maintenance kit (or at least oil and oil filter) on hand for the Generac.

[RyanValentino]

Already seeing multiple opinions on different features, so you’ll clearly have to weigh out pros and cons for the different choices.

I was interested to see Devin’s comment about production model aluminum boats having issues after 3-5 years. When I get my next boat, I’d be thinking seriously about aluminum (Avid, Xpress, Excel, G3, etc.) because I feel a lot more confident running around unplanned in my flat bottom aluminum boat than my fiberglass bay boat (though admittedly the gatortail versus traditional outboard has a lot to do with that too).

The primary thing that I’d add to what has already been discussed – look CLOSELY at maintenance access and risks. I stay a little puckered running around in my 2010 bay boat due to its something like 8 plastic thru hole fittings with no valves, and the bilge area is a PITA to access for any type of work.

[RyanValentino]

[RyanValentino]

Can’t swing it this time guys. Bummed to not catch y’all in person. Hammer ’em! Looking forward to the post-trip reports and stories.

[RyanValentino]

My vote is no on the T-top. With Rigolets as a primary fishery for you, you have multiple bridges to contend with. And having a casting obstruction is a pain in itself. I agree with the earlier comment – if you want some shade for family during the heat of summer, invest in a bimini that you can take on/off as needed.