Louisiana Black Drum on Fly

Back at it again today on the Biloxi Marsh. Another day of nice conditions, a little breezier today then the past 3 but we still found a ton of fish. We went to the outside today to go search for some big redfish and started off by catching a few nice 6-12 pound fish on fly. We were throwing a purple and tan cran fly that I have been tying for the past few years and the fish were jumping all over it. After we messed around with the little fish we fished some deeper shore lines to look for the big boys. We got 2 shots at big redfish today and one was a freaking stud. The fish was tailing in about 2 1/2 ft of water and we could see him from a ways off. When we got closer I could tell he was a huge fish, I estimated him to be between 35-40 lbs. Craig made the shot and the fly landed 2 ft in front of the fish. The fish started to track the fly and then it all went wrong. My pushpole hit and oyster and made a loud screetch and the fish bolted, oh well. We still had a great day on the water landing 14 redfish on fly and one monster 25 lb black drum. I’m back out on the water again tomorrow to do some fun fishing. Tight Lines!

Louisiana Black drum caught on fly

Releasing a fly caught black drum.

Louisiana fishing accommodations

Often I’m asked a lot of questions from first time anglers visiting Louisiana. Hopefully I can answer some of the most common questions here in my Fly Water Journal.

Fishermen can fly right into New Orleans International Airport. Rental cars are available at the airport and the drive is only 20 minutes to downtown New Orleans. There are endless places to stay down town. Most of my anglers will stay at the Hilton or the Ritz Carlton but there are tons of them if you do a quick google search for places in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana.

What I like to do is pick up my charters in the morning around 6 am, I will bring them to breakfast at Penny’s Cafe in Violette, LA. We get good food and will pick up sandwiches for the day there.

The best time of the year to fish for a trophy redfish is October through March but the fishing is great year round so I don’t want to pigeon hole myself into those months only. If you want Louisiana seafood you will definately be able to get fresh Blue crabs and oysters if the time of the year is right straight off the oyster boats where we launch. I’m sure if you wanted to ship some home I can help you find a way or you can check a cooler in at the airport. If anglers would like to keep a few fish they can but I recommend they keep only slot size fish; 16-27″.

There are literally tons of fun places to hang out at night in the french quarter; Pat Obriens, etc, etc.

Some good restaurants while you are in Louisiana: Dickey Brennans steak house, Acme Oyster house, Brennan’s Sea Food, G.W. Fins, Drago’s Oysters and seafood, Antoine’s Restaurant and many I have yet to discover. I hope if you are coming to fish with me that this helps you prepare for our fishing adventure.