As of October 11, 2024, the fishing scene in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly in Louisiana, is looking promising. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.
### Tidal and Weather Conditions
Tides are moderate, with a high tide expected around 10:00 AM and a low tide later in the day. Sunrise was at about 7:00 AM, and sunset will be around 6:30 PM. The weather is cooling down, making it a much more enjoyable time to be out fishing.
### Fish Activity
Yesterday saw a good amount of activity in the Louisiana marshes. Our boats did well targeting speckled trout by drifting oyster reefs in 3 to 5 feet of water. The big tide swings helped push bait over these reefs, stacking the speckled and white trout over them. Redfish were also active, particularly in areas with moving water and bait. Bull reds, jacks, and sharks are feeding heavily due to the abundance of bait throughout the Mississippi Sound.
### Types and Amounts of Fish
Speckled trout were plentiful, with many boats returning with good catches. Redfish, including bull reds, were also common, especially in broken marsh areas with shells against the banks. There were also reports of tripletail, although they are becoming less common as the weather cools down.
### Best Lures and Bait
For speckled trout, drifting oyster reefs with live or dead shrimp has been highly effective. For redfish, using Boat Monkey corks against the grass in broken marsh areas has yielded good results. Live or dead shrimp are currently the preferred bait for both trout and redfish.
### Hot Spots
One of the hot spots right now is the Myrtle Grove area, where kayak anglers have been successful in catching redfish. Another good spot is the Louisiana marsh, particularly where oyster reefs are present. The Venice area is also worth mentioning, especially for those targeting bull reds, as September is a prime month for catching them there.
Overall, the conditions are favorable, and with the right bait and lures, you should have a productive day fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana.