Weekend Locks for Nov 16-17

Well, It seems all the worry about last week’s storm was just that - worry. The water didn’t come up as much as expected, and it wasn’t nearly the washout we were warned it would be. Now, let’s get back to normal and get back to fishing!

Bayou Bienvenue

We are looking at a beautiful weekend with tides over 2 feet in range.

Add to it that the tide will be falling all morning on Saturday and Sunday, and you're looking at some real potential in the marsh.

I’ve got some classified information for my Saltwater Lock.

This is from a charter captain who’s going to be out of town this weekend, so he told me to - “Take it and knock yourself out” - so I will.

Start out at Bayou Thomas at the ICW early! The tide will be falling right out the gate.

Keep an eye out for birds and locate cuts and intersections where the water is choked and pushing hard.

Stick and move! If there’s no baitfish or shrimp being chased on the surface, then don’t waste your time. From there, you have 2 options.

Option #1

Head out into Lake Borgne and fish the northeastern shoreline.

The winds are forecasted to be under 10 MPH, so you shouldn’t have any problem. All those cuts will have water pushing out hard from the falling tide.

Fish all the way to Bayou Bienvenue, then cruise Bienvenue for birds. Then, work your way down the ICW back to Bayou Thomas.

It’s cool enough now that you don’t have to waste your money on live shrimp. The amount of trash fish in the marsh right now is insane.

Stick with the basics. Matrix on the bottom on a 3/8 head. If you want to fish a cork, switch on over to the Marker 54 Jerk or Glide, whichever works best for you.

Option #2

Head up the ICW towards the Wall. Poke your nose around different areas of the Wall and the main channel of the ICW near the Wall.

It may not feel like it outside, but it’s Nov 15 on the calendar. Somebody’s gotta be the first to kick off things at the Great Wall.

Live shrimp on a drop-shot rig is going to find the fish, but after you find them, you can switch over to plastics.

Watch out! Those blue cats will eat you alive using shrimp in the ICW.

Poole’s Bluff

Last weekend’s lock is this weekend’s lock. Poole’s Bluff continues to provide bass, and decent-sized ones at that.

Last week it was important to get out there early with high’s in the 80’s, but this weekend looks to be cooler so the bite should last longer into the morning.

I still recommend an early start so you can take advantage of the hot buzzbait bite!

Launch at the end of Poole’s Bluff Rd. off of Hwy 21 in Sun, and head north. Pound the bank with a white buzzbait and cover a lot of water.

Cast all the way up to the bank and reel all the way back to the boat. Some bass are blowing up near the boat so don’t short-change your casts by lifting it out of the water early.

Choose a loud buzzbait if possible. Prototype Lures makes one where the blade clicks the head with every rotation.

If you miss a blowup on the buzz, grab a follow-up rod with a sinking bait.

A Wacky-rigged Mister Twister Comida stick bait or any natural colored stick with work.

Upcoming Articles

Just a quick ask from me to you. I have numerous articles coming up for Louisiana Sportsman Magazine, Slidell Independent Newspaper, Outdoor Hub, and Northshore Fishing Report. If you feel you can help me out with the following features, I’d love to hear from you.

• Catching blue cats in Winter

• Using a spoon to catch winter redfish

• Geoghagen Canal Winter specks

If you’re interested, just reply to this email. Or, if you know anyone locally who is knowledgeable about these topics, please share this email with them. Thanks!