Louisiana isn’t called the Sportsman’s Paradise for nothing!
The Louisiana Gulf Coast is home to some of the most diverse range of saltwater fish in the world. You can fish on your own or charter a trip and have a guide show you the best locations. Either way there’s no lacking in choices here, so get your equipment from Eat My Tackle now and let’s get going!
Where to Fish?
A good place to start is at Lake Pontchartrain around St. Tammy Parish, not far from Chandeleur Sound and Lake Borgne. Or you can travel south just a bit further and reach Plaquemine’s Parish where Venice, Empire and Buras give you access to deep water and shallow saltwater fishing. From Plaquemine’s Parish, venture west to reach Cocodrie, LA in the Houma: every angler in Louisiana has heard of the place and it’s one you ought to check out, and chartering a captain is easy too.
Other good locations are the following:
- Docks and piers along bayous and lakes
- Shallow bays and ponds
- Kayak and paddling fishing
- Shallow water rigs and the coast are great for bottom or cork fishing
- Coastal areas
Also check out the following locations:
- Pecan Island & Avery Island (Iberia and Vermilion)
- Morgan City or Franklin (St. Mary)
- Port Fourchon (Lafourche)
- Delacroix (St. Bernard)
What Fish Should You Catch?
If you’re saltwater fishing in the shallows you can get some tarpon, croakers, flounder and speckled trout among others. If you’re doing some offshore fishing at the coast you can target cobia, sailfish, Spanish mackerel, King Mackerel and the Mahi-Mahi, plus many more. You’ll also find a nice variety of snapper here (red, mangrove, lane, white) as well as grouper and trigger fish.
When is the Best Time to Fish?
In Louisiana the best time to fish is anytime! You can find fish in the locations mentioned above all year round, but summer and spring are regarded as the best seasons: springtime lures the fish for spawning while the summer offers the longest window opportunity to fish. If you’re a beginner or this is your first time to visit Louisiana, the spring or summer presents the best opportunities for making a quick catch.
You can still fish in the fall but keep in mind the fish will change their patterns and feeding habits. This makes it a bit more of a challenge if you’re new to saltwater fishing, but if you’ve been around the block for a while you’ll have an idea what fish will be available based on the temperature and the season. Of course you can always hire a guide to help you out.
If you’re going to fish by yourself, make sure you’ve got the proper gear and your boat has safety equipment like a horn, fire extinguisher, life preserver etc. As for the bait you can use artificial lures or live bait, both should work. No matter when you go fishing, make sure to always bring an out of state fishing license, rain gear, insect repellent, sunscreen and water.