Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana Fishing Report Today

Artificial Lure here, and it’s August 16th—let’s talk Gulf of Mexico fishing, Louisiana style. We’re in the dog days of summer, but folks on the water haven’t let the heat slow them down. The bite’s holding strong for everything from specks to reds, and offshore anglers are finding big opportunities.

First, the weather: sunrise hit just after 6:30 a.m., sunset follows close to 7:51 p.m. today. Temperatures early were sticky—upper 70s but rising fast—and you can count on a typical August afternoon cooking up high humidity and possibly some scattered storms off the coast, so keep an eye to the west. Winds are light this morning from the southeast, less than 10, making for slick runs to the nearshore rigs and islands.

Today’s tides are running moderate—NOAA’s Grand Isle forecast shows a high at 6:58 a.m., dropping to a low around 12:30 p.m. The tidal coefficient, per Tides4Fishing, sits about 60, which means a good bit of water movement without being extreme. That’s perfect for speckled trout and redfish to feed up along the edges and broken marsh[7][10].

Now, for the catch report: Louisiana Sportsman and Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana Daily Fishing Report say redfish have been thick inshore, with plenty of slot reds coming from marsh drains and bay points. Early bite’s strong, fading as temps rise. Speckled trout have been a little more finicky, but folks targeting oyster reefs near Fourchon and the outside islands at Breton and Chandeleur are landing solid boxes—think 15 to 18-inch fish, with a few brutes pushing 24 inches mixed in[1][6].

Offshore, the bluewater crowd’s been hitting cobia, king mackerel, and more blackfin tuna than we usually see in mid-August. National Fisherman reports the red grouper numbers are up, with catch limits increased for the year. There’s been scattered mahi around weedlines 12 to 25 miles out, and deep-drop folks are finding yellowedge and tilefish if you’re provisioned for the haul[3].

Best lures this week: topwaters and walk-the-dog plugs at sunrise are drawing explosive takes from both trout and reds in skinny water. Switch to soft plastics—Matrix Shad in “shrimp creole” or “lemonhead” colors—once the sun’s up, working over shell and grass beds with a light jighead. If you can get live shrimp, you’re golden; otherwise, try cut mullet for reds, and pogies or croaker fished deep for trout when the water’s clear[2][6].

A couple of hot spots: Breton Islands are lit up this week, with both specks and reds feeding around the surf line—get there for first light and fish the sandbars and cuts. Down at Grand Isle, Caminada Pass is producing solid flounder on the drop-offs along with steady speck action at the bridge pylons. Don’t sleep on the outside of Timbalier Bay—it’s holding bigger trout on moving tides.

Quick tip: look for active birds—terns and gulls are pointing the way to feeding schools all along the coast right now. And if you’re offshore, watch those weedlines for tripletail floating under debris.

Thanks for

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Sun’s just coming up over the Gulf, and if you’re like me—Artificial Lure, proud Louisiana angler—you’re either already on the water or itching to get there. Today, August 15th, the Gulf of Mexico and its Louisiana marshes are in prime fishing form.

**Weather & Tides:**

Forecast calls for mild winds out of the southwest, around 5 knots, and seas calm at just a foot or less—ideal for small craft whether you’re skiffing the marsh or running out of Venice. We’ll see a mix of clouds with a passing shower possible, but no big storms in sight. Sunrise hit at 6:13 AM, and sunset will be at 8:03 PM, giving us nearly 14 hours of daylight. Tide coefficient is riding high at 79, with high tide at 2:10 PM and low just after midnight, so expect stronger currents and active fish, especially around marsh edges and bay passes according to Tides4Fishing.

**Fishing Activity:**

Redfish are thick as thieves in the grass flats and oyster beds out Venice way. Locals are calling them “Louisiana pumpkins” for their color and fight this time of year. Plenty of recent reports show anglers putting double-digit reds in the box before lunch. Speckled trout are chasing bait in the back bays early and late, especially around channel markers and deeper oyster reefs. FishingBooker charters out of Lake Charles and Venice are reporting solid catches: multiple anglers limiting out on trout and redfish most mornings. Flounder are showing up on sandy bottoms in Lafitte and Barataria with a handful caught gigging at night.

In Lafitte, Captain Jason Shilling says his guests are filling coolers with specks and reds, with bonus black drum and sheepshead showing up on cut bait along the bayou. Out of Lake Charles, charter guides are reporting drum and flounder mixed in with the trout and reds—early trips are producing best, especially on days with moving water.

**Best Lures & Bait:**

For redfish, bring live shrimp or crab under a popping cork, and don’t ignore a Gulp! swimming mullet worked tight to the marsh grass. Matrix Shad soft plastics in “shrimp creole” color on a 3/8-ounce jighead have been reliable for trout, especially at first light or just before dusk. A live croaker or finger mullet will get the bigger trout to bite—Captain Troy Wetzel says the fall mullet run brings hot action, so if you can get your hands on lively mullet, rig it under a popping cork and hang on tight.

Cut menhaden and mullet are good bets on bottom rigs for black drum and sheepshead, and don’t forget gigging for flounder after sunset—find a sandy pocket and use a strong light.

**Hot Spots:**

- South Pass near Venice for reds and big specks in the morning when tide is moving.

- Barataria Bay edges and marsh drains—look for outgoing tides pulling bait, and the gamefish won’t be far behind.

- Calcasieu Lake near Lake Charles, where guides are finding reds stacked along oyster bars and trout around deeper cuts.

- Lafitte’s winding bayous for mixed bags, especially drifting live shrimp near grassy

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Artificial Lure here with your Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana fishing report for August 13, 2025. Out the gate, we’ve got that thick August air—highs pushing the upper 80s, light southwest winds 5 to 10 knots, and seas running nice and easy at 1 to 2 feet overnight, according to the National Weather Service Marine Forecast. Sunrise clocked in at 6:13 a.m., with sunset stretching out to 8:03 p.m., giving us a hefty day to work those lines.

Tidewise, today brings some movement worth capitalizing on. Tides4Fishing reports a low at 12:15 a.m. and a strong afternoon high around 2:10 p.m. for Cocodrie, with a tidal coefficient riding near 79 this morning. That’s prime current—expect active fish feeding as water pushes bait around, especially late morning through mid-afternoon.

Fishing activity’s been solid up and down the marsh, bays, and rigs. According to Louisiana Sportsman, Cote Blanche, Barataria Bay, and Lake Pontchartrain are seeing late-summer bites heatin' up. Highlights this week go to redfish and speckled trout near the passes and outer marshes. Serigne’s Fishing Charters down in St. Bernard say their boats are seeing mixed boxes—redfish, black drum, specks, even some sheepshead for those working around structure or oyster reefs.

Best bet for lures right now: tie on Matrix Shad or Vudu Shrimp under a popping cork for the trout and slot reds. Early morning or dusk, bounce gold spoons and weedless soft plastics through the grass edges for those brutish marsh reds—Flats Class on YouTube swears by bright chartreuse or natural colors on a 1/4 ounce jighead for that murky marshwater bite. When things slow up, don’t be shy to break out a live shrimp or cut mullet for black drum and sheepshead on the bottom, especially close to pilings and rocks.

Recent reports say some bigger red grouper are being boxed offshore, as the National Fisherman magazine noted that the feds even bumped up catch limits, so targeting reefs 20–30 miles out with squid-tipped bucktail jigs or big soft plastics is worth a shot. Closer in, shrimp trawlers working out of Cocodrie and Grand Isle are also pulling up lots of bycatch—think snapper, tripletail, and the occasional cobia, so shadow the fleet and toss live croaker or pogies near the rigs.

Hot spots? Today, you’ll wanna check:

- Caminada Pass just West of Grand Isle—morning outgoing tide is pulling bait, the trout and reds are nosing in hard.

- Rigolets Pass near Lake Borgne—late afternoon incoming tide has been money for slot redfish and big trout.

- Marsh drains south of Hopedale—focus on points with grass and current for mixed redfish and flounder action.

As August deepens, remember to chase shaded water, moving tides, and structure holding bait. Hydrate, cover up, and keep that cooler close—you’ll need it for the double-digit stringers going out this week.

Thanks for tuning in to your Artificial Lure Louisiana saltwater fishing report. Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest and always keep your drag set loose! Thi

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Artificial Lure with your Sunday fishing report for August 10th, coming straight from the heart of the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana.

Sunrise cracked the horizon at 6:25 AM this morning, winking over calm seas and temperatures hovering close to 81°F at dawn. You can expect it to heat up quick—mid-90s by noon, with a steady southern breeze picking up in the afternoon. Sunset tonight is marked at 7:54 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to chase a bite.

Now, let’s talk tides. North Pass charts have tidal coefficients reading around 67 at first light, dropping to about 62 midday and easing off to 57 by sunset. That puts us right in the sweet spot for average tidal swing, which means good water movement and active fish—especially in those classic solunar periods right at sunrise and sunset, so plan your casts accordingly.

Fish action’s been solid this past week. Offshore boats are still bringing in regular limits of red snapper, especially around the nearshore reefs, with bonus cobia rolling through. Inshore, speckled trout are biting hard out at the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway and the marshes behind Shell Beach. Early risers yesterday put 20–30 trout in the cooler before breakfast. Over near Venice, big bull reds are running closer to the jetties and outer bays, with several over 30 lbs reported.

Tarpon anglers—Venice’s Delta is your hot spot right now. Breakaway jigs in the classic Coon-Pop style are still the best bait according to local reports from Louisiana Sportsman. If you want that big silver king, throw live mullet or big menhaden, but don’t sleep on a chartreuse plastic—sometimes it’s all about the flash.

For snapper offshore, squid and cigar minnows are catching well, but don’t overlook a Black Bart Lures Rum Cay Candy in blue-yellow—local captains swear by it for quick bite action, especially for tuna and white snapper.

Best lure for morning trout has been anything in the matrix shad or lemon head color. Tide-activated fish seem to be holding to shell points and deep holes along the causeway and Biloxi Marsh spoils. Rig’em under a popping cork for best results.

Live shrimp under a popping cork remains the ticket for slot reds up in Delacroix and Hopedale. If you’re working the outer marsh, try gold spoons and spinnerbaits mid-morning when the sun’s high—those reds can’t resist.

Hot Spots for today:

- Venice Jetty: Bull reds and tarpon stacking in with bait swarms—go early before the boat traffic bumps them deeper.

- Lake Pontchartrain Causeway: Speckled trout hitting hard at dawn on matrix shad, plus bonus sheepshead around the pilings.

- Breton Sound Islands: Still steady for mixed trout, reds, and white drum. Early topwater bite if it’s overcast—chug bugs and skitterwalks have been picking up the difference.

Fishing overall is ranking a strong 7 out of 10—steady bite, good conditions, and plenty of variety. Don’t forget, with the midday heat, it pays to hydrate, stay shaded, and work deeper drop-offs when the sun’s right overhead.

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Artificial Lure here with your Gulf of Mexico Louisiana fishing report for Saturday, August 9, 2025. It's prime summer angling season, and conditions are lining up for another memorable day on the water.

Sunrise hit at 6:24 AM, and sunset’s expected at 7:53 PM. Weatherwise, expect partly cloudy skies with light winds out of the southeast around 6 knots, air temps rising from the mid 70s at dawn to upper 80s by afternoon—ideal for beating the midday heat. The current tidal pattern shows a slow-moving incoming tide through most of the morning, peaking early afternoon before falling again. That’s perfect for inshore and nearshore action, especially around marsh edges, bays, and the barrier islands.

Offshore, federally permitted snapper boats are still seeing great action. Red snapper are running steady on the nearshore reefs, with a few cobia popping up for lucky anglers targeting larger baits. The big news just in: the National Marine Fisheries Service has increased 2025 catch limits for Gulf red grouper “to boost harvest opportunities for commercial and recreational fishermen,” so expect better odds for grouper out deep near oil rigs and rocky reefs. It's a golden opportunity, as this action will run through the end of the year according to National Fisherman.

Inshore, redfish and speckled trout are taking center stage. Red Alert Fishing Charters reports good numbers of reds cruising the grass beds outside Delacroix and Hopedale, and some true bull reds prowling the passes on big mullet and cracked crab. Specks are scattered, with best catches coming early over oyster reefs east of Pointe à la Hache and Breton Sound, where the tide's movement keeps bait stirred up. Live shrimp under popping corks or soft plastics with a chartreuse tail are taking most of the trout. Some boaters are getting into black drum and mangrove snapper mixed in around pilings and structure.

For bait, live shrimp and finger mullet are gold standards. If you can’t score live bait, Berkley Gulp and Down South Lures in plum/chartreuse are hot right now. Offshore, bigger baits like menhaden chunks, squid strips, and butterfly jigs are deadly for grouper and snapper. Cork rigs and popping corks with noise makers are luring white bass and specs in the slightly deeper lakes, with Holding the Line Guide Service noting aggressive topwater action with popping corks and MAL Heavy lures bringing 40+ fish days for anglers willing to cover water.

Recent catches show mixed bags. Charter boat reports from Venice to Grand Isle are seeing limits of red snapper, a few keeper grouper, scattered cobia, and decent amberjack. Inshore, boats are reporting 8–15 reds per trip, often with bonus black drum and sheepshead. Waders and kayakers near Elmer’s Island and Four Bayous Marsh are picking up slot reds on gold spoons and live shrimp, with specks stacking up early in the flow.

Hot spots to hit today:

- Breton Sound reefs for speckled trout and slot reds

- Nearshore rigs off Grand Isle for red

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Artificial Lure here with your Friday morning fishing report for Louisiana’s slice of the Gulf of Mexico, August 8th, 2025. The day’s already heating up fast, but we’re riding a fresh high tide—peaked around 8:20 this morning near Grand Isle, with low tide swinging in closer to sunset at just before 8 o’clock, so you’ll want to be on the water during those moving periods. The sunrise gave us a golden start at 6:07 AM, and sunset won’t hit till just past 8. Weather’s classic Louisiana summer—steamy, humid, with light southerly breezes, and plenty of sun baking the marshes and open water.

Let’s get down to how the fish are biting. It’s that midsummer mix right now. Speckled trout are still holding strong in Lake Pontchartrain—a rare treat for August, since most years, the bite would’ve faded by now, but reports from the Pontchartrain Conservancy say quality trout, many busting past the 20-inch mark, are still being hauled in. Redfish are moving thick through the outer marshes and up along shell banks, drum and sheepshead are stacked on deeper reefs, and the occasional jack crevalle or tarpon is making a blitz run, especially as you push out towards Chandeleur Sound and the open Gulf.

It’s quantity and quality—anglers are regularly posting nice boxfuls. Louisiana Sportsman’s August issue highlights big drum caught on the fly down in Hopedale, and group limits being landed by crews working marsh cuts and current lines. Cypremort Point State Park is also getting attention for easy launching and reliable action—especially for reds and summertime trout.

As for what’s working: speckled trout are hitting live shrimp under popping corks, especially around bridges, edges, and any oyster-laden drop-off you can find. Soft plastics in glow, chartreuse, and purple colors are steady producers—especially Matrix Shads and Vudu Shrimp. Topwater lures at first light get vicious strikes, but you’ll want to switch to jigheads with Gulp! or Down South plastics as the sun climbs. Over on open beaches and passes, Spanish mackerel are running—break out the silver spoons and Gotcha plugs for them and the aggressive summertime jacks. For pompano, banana jigs tipped with sand fleas or peeled fresh shrimp are the top ticket right now, and don’t be shy about using cut bait for redfish and drum.

If you’re catfishing the big rivers or brackish marsh, B’n’M Poles are getting love from local anglers for their sensitivity and backbone—perfect for dragging crankbaits or presenting good stink bait. For bluegill and panfish when the salt gets too much, scale down to 1/8-oz jigs and tight-line the grass beds.

For hotspots today, circle these on your chart:

- Lake Pontchartrain’s eastern shorelines—especially near the bridges and Rigolets.

- Grand Isle passes, especially around Caminada and Barataria Pass, as tides push bait in and out.

- Cypremort Point and the deeper cuts near Oyster Bayou for easy redfish and drum action.

Remember, the fish are most active around that tidal swi

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Artificial Lure here with your Louisiana Gulf Coast fishing report for August 6, 2025—and what a steamy bite it’s been, folks. Sunrise ripped the horizon at 6:12 AM, painting those marshes gold, and sunset is set for 8:10 PM giving us nearly 14 hours of good daylight on the brackish water. The tide’s lively today with the tidal coefficient around 79 down in Cocodrie, meaning there’s plenty of water movement—ideal for ambush predators and active baitfish. High tide brought strong current late morning, midday shifts were moderate, and by sundown the movement’s settling but still solid, so you’ll want to plan your sets and drifts around those changes, especially on the flats and in the bayous.

Weather’s been classic summer—humid with a steam-bath feel. Winds this afternoon are light out of the south, no more than five knots across Lake Pontchartrain and the coastal marsh stretches from Port Fourchon over to Atchafalaya River. Seas are flat, maybe touching a foot outside the passes. That means both bay boats and kayaks have been able to roam wide; but clouds could pop a late isolated thunderstorm, so always keep your eye on the horizon—waterspouts and gusty squalls can sneak up fast, as the National Weather Service out of New Orleans reminds us.

Hot water and full sun have kept fish wary midday, so the early morning and evening windows have been productive. Redfish are tailing up shallow at dawn—classic Gulf bronze, ranging slot to a few upper slots, with some brutes nosing the grass lines. Live shrimp under a popping cork is working, and if you swing artificial, small weedless gold spoons or dark (olive, black, or purple) paddle tails fished slow over potholes and around oyster bars are producing. That Strike King Saltwater Ploppin Cork has gotten some shoutouts, drawing reds and the occasional speck out of the grass with its rattle.

Speckled trout action’s decent on the deeper edges of the bays and inside cuts—midweek saw a few limits off Fourchon and Point Aux Chenes, sizes mostly 15-18 inches but a handful of 20-inch class trout have been caught and released (a good idea as larger trout are mostly breeding females). Smaller soft plastics in natural or glo colors rigged on 1/8 oz. jigheads are getting strikes. Live croaker under a slip cork is old school and still gold, especially on moving water near passes. If you’re fly casting, tan or white shrimp patterns and small topwater bugs are getting attention for sight-casting to both reds and trout.

Sheepshead are thick around the rigs and pilings, taking chunks of fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs. Black drum are lurking, too—peel a dead shrimp and let it soak on the bottom. Off the edge, the snapper bite has waned a touch as most anglers have picked off their easy limits closer to the full moon, but deepwater wrecks still holding decent reds and the odd mangrove in the mix.

Hot spots that have lit up this week: the marsh edge north of Pointe Aux Chenes for redfish (especially at high tide in the g

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Artificial Lure here, coming to you straight outta south Louisiana with your July 7, 2025 Gulf of Mexico and Louisiana fishing report. Summer's got its full grip on the bayou, and so does the bite. We’re talking steamy temps, fiery fish, and some feisty tides—just what you’d expect for July on the Gulf.

Let’s get into the nitty gritty: the tide out around Grand Isle today’s running strong, with a tidal coefficient hitting 70 in the morning and climbing to 75 by sunset. These are big moves, y’all—means there’s plenty of water shifting, bait stirring, and predators on the prowl. Major fish activity should pick up around both sunrise and sunset, as today’s solar transit hit right at 1:01 PM, so your best action is in those dawn and dusk hours according to Tides4Fishing.

Weather-wise, the National Weather Service outta New Orleans reports a light west wind at 5 to 10 knots, seas sitting about a foot or less, and a chance of spotty thunderstorms, mostly in the morning and after midnight. Not a bad day for the skiff or the kayak, but keep an eye out for those summer squalls that pop up fast.

Sun came up at 6:08 AM and will hang around till 8:05 PM, giving you over 14 hours of daylight to sling baits and soak some lines.

Now, the fish. Offshore, it’s billfish mania—Sport Fishing Championship tallied 166 billfish releases and counting this week. If you’re trolling for blue marlin or sailfish, focus on deep blue water off the river’s mouth or the rigs south of Fourchon; rigged ballyhoo, big plastics, or skirted lures in blue/white have been hot.

Inshore, the bite’s been as hot as the blacktop at noon. Trout and redfish are stacking up around the cuts, passes, and shell points. Grand Isle, Caminada Pass, and Fourchon beaches: all seeing steady limits of specks, especially on moving tide. Live shrimp’s king as always, but if you want to go artificial, today’s best bets are chartreuse or white soft plastics under popping corks. Early and late, break out your topwater plugs for big blowups—think Spooks and Skitterwalks.

Bass anglers up north in the freshwater are still talking about the Bussey Brake and Caney Creek action—MLF’s Heavy Hitters tour saw bass over 9 pounds just this past week. Flipping green pumpkin jigs, white spinnerbaits near shad spawns, and working a drop-shot over bluegill beds got it done. For the bayou bass, try a jerkbait or Texas-rigged creature bait along the cypress knees and brush piles—just like the pros do.

If bream’s your game, set up with a crappie stick, #2 red Tru Turn hook, cork, and a little piece of worm or cricket—could be the ticket to a cooler full of bluegill and shellcracker.

Hot spots this week: Grand Isle beaches at sunrise for trout, Caminada Pass for specks and reds on a falling tide, and the Fourchon jetties for that mixed bag of trout, redfish, and the occasional flounder. Offshore, hit the Midnight Lump or any of the shelf rigs for tuna and billfish.

Thanks for tuning in to your local scoop with Artifici

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Artificial Lure here with your July 6, 2025, Gulf of Mexico and Louisiana fishing report. Summer’s in full swing, y’all, and the bite’s been as hot as the humidity—so let’s get you dialed in for success on the water.

Sunrise was at 5:51 this morning with sunset rolling in around 7:44. That gives anglers a solid window for early morning and late evening action, just when the fish are most active. The predicted tide for Weeks Bay and Vermilion Bay shows a high at 8:02am and low at 8:23pm, and that means plenty of moving water through prime fishing hours. As always, your best odds are around those changing tides—especially with this much daylight to play with.

Weather’s cooperating nicely: expect light south-to-southwest winds around 5 knots, waves 1 foot or less, and a slight chop—perfect for running across the bays and marshes. There's only a slight chance of pop-up showers or thunderstorms toward the evening, so keep an eye on the sky but don’t let it keep you off the water. According to the National Weather Service, conditions are stable and summer-predictable.

Fish activity has been excellent this week. Over in Barataria Bay, the estuary’s producing classic summer variety. Speckled trout are thick along the beaches from Fourchon to Grand Isle—Louisiana Sportsman says Capt. T-Man Cheramie’s been putting folks on big numbers in the surf and along the jetties. Early birds are catching limits by 9am, with fish averaging 16 to 20 inches. Redfish have been cruising grass edges and oyster reefs, especially on the outgoing tide, and there’s been a few bull reds mixed in. Keepers are coming from both inside marshes and just outside along the passes.

For numbers and variety, Cypremort Point is a no-brainer. Drum, flounder, and sheepshead are showing up around rock piles and deeper cuts. Down toward Grand Isle, the surf bite is turning on just after dawn—targeting those first and last hours of sunlight gives you the best shot at the bigger trout.

On the lure front, the top baits this week have been soft plastics in natural colors—think shrimp and baitfish imitations fished under popping corks. When the water’s a little murky, chartreuse tails are producing extra strikes. Topwaters like the Heddon Super Spook and Rapala Skitter Walk are fooling big trout at daylight—don’t be afraid to walk them fast. For reds, gold spoons and 3/8-ounce jigs with a Berkley Gulp! Swimming Mullet have accounted for dozens of fish in the marshes.

If live bait’s your game, shrimp and croaker are still king, especially under a cork near current lines and deeper cuts. Bull minnows are catching flounder around marsh drains and shell banks.

Hot spots you shouldn’t miss:

- Grand Isle surf and Caminada Pass jetties for early morning trout and reds.

- Barataria Bay’s northeast shoreline and the oyster reefs around Bay Laurier for slot reds and drum.

- Cypremort Point State Park piers and deeper cuts for mixed bag action—perfect for families or filling a cooler.

July’s rolling

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Artificial Lure here with your Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana fishing report for Sunday, June 22, 2025. Let’s dive right into what the water’s giving us today.

Weather’s shaping up classic for summer in Louisiana—humid, with plenty of sun peeking through scattered clouds. Expect a light south-southwest breeze and temps cruising from the mid-70s at sunrise to low 90s as the afternoon bakes on. Sunrise kicked off at 6:01 a.m., with sunset winding down at 8:07 p.m., giving you a nice long window for chasing that early or late bite. Tides are running moderate today, with a decent incoming flow late morning, topping out around midday—prime time for those feeding fish to move in shallow.

Speckled trout are the main story lately, stacked up thick in Shell Beach, Hopedale, and across Lake Borgne. Reports from Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana Daily Fishing Report and Captain Experiences say anglers are landing solid numbers, especially at first light and just before dusk. Most fish are coming off oyster reefs and grass beds, with some mixed in around marsh drains as the tide rises.

Redfish? They’re hot right now. Louisiana Sportsman and recent field reports show folks sight-casting in the Biloxi Marsh and catching slot reds along the cane edges and in the ponds. Flounder have shown up in better numbers too—look for them around the mouths of bayous and in the deeper pockets off flats.

Offshore, boats heading out past the rigs have done well on red snapper and the occasional cobia and tripletail since snapper season opened up. Live bait is king offshore, but folks jigging big plastics near structure are getting hooked up.

Best baits and lures this week: For specks, you can’t go wrong with live shrimp under a popping cork, but if you’re throwing artificials, topwater walk-the-dog baits like Heddon Spooks and the MirrOlure She Dog have been deadly at daybreak, according to Capt. C.A. on Flats Class. When the sun gets high, switch to soft plastics in glow or opening night, rigged on 1/8-ounce jigheads. For redfish, spinnerbaits and gold spoons are working great in the stained water. The Z-Man spinnerbait holds up to the big hits and can be thrown tight to the cane without snagging. Kicker Crabs and Gulp! shrimp are also top picks for sight-casting in the marsh.

Can’t forget your live bait—shrimp, croakers, and minnows are all working well right now, especially for the larger specs and reds, as baitfish continue to spawn and draw predator fish in from deeper water, as reported by The Shoofly Magazine.

Hot spots: Check Shell Beach and Hopedale for a mixed bag of trout and reds, with bonus flounder around the drains. Lake Borgne is firing for topwater trout at sunrise, and Biloxi Marsh is a sure bet for sight-fishing reds. Venice Marina is a top jump-off for offshore snapper and cobia runs.

Don’t forget, crowds are heavy but fish are spread out—don’t be afraid to explore away from the fleets for your own honey hole.

That’s your local update from the Gulf—tight lines

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