New Orleans Gulf of Mexico Fishing Report Today

Artificial Lure here, checking in from the Gulf of Mexico right outside our beloved Big Easy, New Orleans. It’s the fourth of November—fall’s setting in deep, and the fishing is cranking up. Let’s get into the day’s report.

Sunrise came at 6:18 a.m. and we’ll see sunset at 5:05 p.m. Today started off cool, with a gentle breeze out the north—about 6 to 12 knots—and mostly sunny skies. Temps this morning hovered in the high 50s but we’ll warm to nearly 70 by noon, making it prime time for a bite. Light jackets early, shirtsleeves by midday.

Tides are working in our favor with a high tide pushing in just after 9 a.m., and the low slacking off around 2:45 p.m. That mid-morning push will have the marsh draining bait, and the predators are set to feast. Water clarity’s good after a few dry days, with the marsh grasses golden and the bayous clear.

Let’s talk recent catches. Across the marsh edges and in Lake Borgne, guides are putting anglers on solid redfish up to 35 inches. Schoolie reds are thick, with some bruiser bulls popping up near Rigolets and Chef Menteur Pass. Speckled trout have been steady over oyster reefs—most of ‘em 13-17 inches, but pods of bigger specs are around deeper cuts. Folks are hauling in limits when the bite’s on, especially during that falling tide. Black drum are working the deeper holes and so are sheepshead, if you shrimp around bridge pilings.

Latest reviews out of local charters are all smiles—some boats reporting 20-30 reds, with catch and release keeping the action honest. Trout counts depend on moving water; on good days, anglers are stacking a couple dozen apiece. Flounder showed up near Bayou Bienvenue, with some fat slabs mixed in. TripleTail and Jack Crevalle are less consistent lately, but don’t be surprised if one bends your rod.

For baits, live shrimp under a popping cork is money everywhere right now. If you don’t have shrimp, mud minnows or finger mullet on a Carolina rig will do you right. But don’t overlook artificials—MirrOlure’s MirrOdine, Z-Man’s DieZel Minnow in Houdini, and Matrix Shad in Lemon Head are slamming specks and slot reds. Topwater plugs are working early, especially in the calm shallows north of Shell Beach—try a Super Spook, walk it slow for that fall blow-up. Scented soft plastics like Gulp! Shrimp on a 1/4 oz jighead make a difference when the water cools and fish get picky.

Hot spots today:

- The Biloxi Marsh is on fire for reds and specks; fish drain mouths at high tide for best results.

- Lake Borgne’s southern shorelines are holding trout and drum—work the broken shell and bayous leading in.

- Rigolets Pass for big red action and maybe a black drum kicker; bridge pilings and deep bends are producing.

If you’re after meat for the skillet, stick to live shrimp. Heading for a trophy, break out that popping cork or toss a big paddle-tail. Watch your tide, match your lure color to water clarity, and don’t ignore the wind line—where the chop meets calm is where the bait st

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Artificial Lure here with your Gulf of Mexico and New Orleans fishing report for Monday, November 3rd, 2025. Sunrise came in at 6:58 this morning and you can expect the sun to dip behind the marsh at 6:37 this evening, giving us about 11 hours of daylight—plenty of time to wet a line.

Weather’s starting out in the mid-60s with a gentle north wind. That’s clearing the water inshore, making things just right for sight-fishing those marsh reds and speckled trout. According to the National Weather Service, surface winds should stay light all day with mild, partly cloudy skies—perfect fall conditions for fishing the marsh, bays, and barrier islands.

We’re on a low tidal coefficient today—about 41, dipping to 37 at midday—which means don’t expect strong tidal swings or fast-flowing currents. High tide peaked early this morning, and it'll start easing down toward slack in midday before a subtle rise in the evening. While the tides are soft, that’s prime time for sneaking up on fish stacked near deeper channels, oyster reefs, and marsh drains. Best bite’ll be at dawn and dusk: lower light, lighter winds, and moving water.

Fishing is definitely picking up with these fall fronts. The last couple days saw plenty of speckled trout action around Lake Pontchartrain and the bridges, where soft plastics under a popping cork are landing solid stringers. Early morning, try a topwater plug like a Rapala Skitter Walk or Heddon Super Spook Jr., then switch to Matrix Shad or Vudu Shrimp when the sun rises. As for reds, look for them tight to marsh edges and drains out by Hopedale and Delacroix. Gold spoons, spinnerbaits, and live shrimp under a cork are the ticket.

Anglers in Venice are still pulling in some hefty bull reds around the jetties and passes—these brutes are hitting cut mullet and crab. A few nice flounder have turned up in current-swept pockets inside the bays; slow-rolling a paddle tail jig right on bottom is the classic tactic.

If you want to tangle with bass, those Atchafalaya spillway drains are holding decent largemouths that are pushing shad—crankbaits on windy banks are getting smoked early, while finesse worms on drops are producing as the day goes on.

Recent catches have included limits of speckled trout in the 14-20 inch range, plenty of slot redfish, and the occasional big drum and flounder mixed in. Some guides are reporting 25-50 trout per boat on a good morning, especially working moving water and oyster shell.

For bait, you can’t go wrong with live shrimp—either freelined or under a cork—but don’t overlook artificial lures today. Water clarity’s good, and that north wind makes for confident fish. Chartreuse and purple plastics are working well. Fresh cut mullet or blue crab chunks are catnip for bull reds at the outer passes and bay mouths.

If you’re looking for a hot spot, check out the bridges on Lake Pontchartrain for specks early, especially along the I-10 and Highway 11 bridges. For reds and mixed bag in skinny water, the drai

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Good mornin’ Gulf Coast anglers, this is your boy Artificial Lure coming at you live from the banks of New Orleans, where the fish are biting and the coffee’s always strong. It’s Sunday, November 2, 2025, and I’m here to get you dialed in for a killer day on the water.

First off, let’s talk tides, because around here, that’s half the battle. Today’s tidal report shows we’re lookin’ at a moderate tidal swing—nothing too drastic, but enough to get the fish moving. Dawn low was just past sunrise, and we’re building toward a midday high, so expect the bite to really turn on late morning through early afternoon, especially if you’re chasing reds and specks in the marsh.

Weather’s cooperating too. According to local forecasts, we’re starting off with a light chill in the air, mid-60s at sunrise (which was right around 6:30 this mornin’), and climbing up to the low 70s by midday with mostly sun and just a light breeze out of the north. Sunset’s set for about 5:15 PM, so you’ve got nearly 11 hours of prime fishin’ time. Just watch for that north wind pickin’ up after lunch—could make the marsh a little choppy, but the open bays and main passes should stay manageable.

Now, let’s get to the good stuff—the fish. The speckled trout bite’s been solid lately, with plenty of fish in the 16- to 20-inch range being hauled in from the deeper pockets in the Biloxi Marsh and around Hopedale. Live shrimp under a popping cork is still the go-to, but don’t sleep on artificials—soft plastics like the MirrOlure Lil John and Down South Lures’ Cajun Croaker are gettin’ slammed, especially when tipped with a piece of fresh shrimp. Some of the old timers up at Shell Beach are reporting plenty of slot redfish, too, with a few bulls mixed in for those willing to work the drop-offs and oyster beds. Croakers and mullet chunks are the ticket for those big reds.

For those lookin’ for a little variety, there’s still a good flounder catch in the deeper cuts and under the bridges—try a glow-colored grub on a jig head bounced slowly along the bottom. And rumor has it a few schools of black drum are showing up in the Mississippi River passes—chunk a crab on the bottom and hold on.

Saltwater fly guys, you’re in luck. The morning incoming tide has been consistent for sight-casting reds in the shallow ponds, and a small Clouser or Spoon Fly in gold and olive will get you tight. Freshwater anglers headed to the bayous and spillways: bass are stacked up in pre-winter holes, and your favorite spinnerbait or swim jig is gonna get crushed.

Hot spots for today? Try the reefs and points in the Rigolets, especially on the north side where the current’s stacking up baitfish. The shell pads out of Delacroix are holding good trout, and the mouths of Bayou Bienvenue and the MRGO have been kicking out slot reds and the occasional bull. For something a little closer to town, try the Lake Pontchartrain seawall around the Bonnabel Boat Launch—there’s always something biting there, and it’s an easy

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Artificial Lure here, bringing your boots-on-the-deck fishing report for the Gulf waters around New Orleans this first morning of November, 2025.

It’s brisk out here—classic post-front conditions, just like us locals love. Weatherwise, the National Weather Service says we’ve got cool temps with north winds under 5 knots this morning, so the water's laid down pretty flat with seas at three feet or less, but heads up: tonight looks breezier, shifting southeast and picking up later with a cold front—expect a bit more chop and some scattered showers moving through by tomorrow. Plan accordingly and maybe hit those close-in haunts unless you want to tangle with wind in open water.

Sunrise came at 6:18 a.m., with sunset due just a hair before 5:25 p.m., giving us about 11 hours of daylight—plenty for those dawn and dusk bites. Tides are gentle today: at New Canal Station, the tidal coefficient sits at 41—kinda tame, so not much water moving, but that means cleaner water in the marshes and lakes, great for sight-fishing specks and reds.

The bite is hot for November. Cooler temps are pushing speckled trout into Lake Pontchartrain and around the bridges, where oyster reefs and pilings hold baitfish. Locals have been whacking limits at daybreak using topwater baits in the low light, then switching to soft plastics on a ⅛-ounce jig or under a popping cork as that sun lifts. Lake Borgne’s been steady too—wind-driven points with tide are key.

Redfish fans, y’all know what time it is: the marsh drains off Shell Beach and the Biloxi Marsh are loaded with slot reds on the falling tide. Anglers working gold spoons and live shrimp near points and bayou mouths are grinning ear to ear, and those working cut mullet or crab around the Grand Isle jetties report steady bull reds—bring beefy gear if you plan to tangle with the bigger ones.

Flounder are on the move as their autumn run kicks off—slow-roll a paddle tail on the bottom around current-swept edges and you’ll likely pick up a flatfish or two. Don’t overlook blue catfish in the deeper channels of the Mississippi—cut bait’s the trick, with some big fish moving through as water cools.

What’s working best lately? The local sharpies swear by the Prawn USA Original shrimp lure, especially in clearer water where the subtle glide gets those smarter specks and reds to commit—a real gamechanger for skipping under docks or drifting through the grass. For bait, nothing beats live shrimp under a popping cork for numbers, but don’t shy from finger mullet or mud minnows for the bigger fish. And always keep a gold spoon in your box—just about everything here will smack it.

Looking for hot spots today? Try the Lake Pontchartrain bridges at sunrise for a fast trout limit, or marsh drains on the east side—Shell Beach and Reggio are both producing. Out toward Grand Isle, hit the surf or the jetties on a falling tide for redfish and an outside shot at flounder and drum.

To sum it up, find moving water and cleaner edges, keep

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Artificial Lure here, coming to you from the heart of the Gulf Coast with your October 31 New Orleans fishing report.

The early autumn bite has been classic southern Louisiana—sunrise kicked off at 7:13 am and sunset will wrap it up at 6:14 pm, giving us a solid 11 hours of daylight to work the water. According to US Harbors, we’ll see sunshine most of the day, with calm temps hovering around the mid-60s, making it prime time for anglers to hit the marsh, the bridges, and the bays. Winds are light, water temps holding in the high 60s, and tidal activity is moderate today. At New Canal Station, we’re seeing a low-tide around 1:29 am, and an afternoon high at 3:21 pm, with a coefficient near 54. It’s not the strongest swing but enough movement that you’ll want to focus your casts around the transitions for best results.

Fish activity has been strong all week in and around Lake Pontchartrain, the Chef, and the Rigolets, with anglers boating healthy numbers of speckled trout and slot-sized reds. Louisiana Sportsman reports kayak anglers and waders have been filling coolers with specks all through October, especially on the falling tide. Grand Isle is seeing bull reds almost everywhere along the beach, and local chatter says the trout bite's hot right up into November. Most recent catches are coming in early and late, so get your lines in before that sun climbs and as it starts to dip.

Best baits this week have been live shrimp and croaker for the traditionalists—never a bad call in these waters. If you’re working artificial, tie on a Matrix Shad in Lemon Head or Shrimp Creole, rigged on a 1/4 oz jighead to get down in the deeper bayous and passes. Topwater lures like the MirrOLure She Dog or Heddon Super Spook Jr. excel right around dawn and dusk—watch for that explosive surface bite when the tide’s running. Soft plastics in chartreuse and glow are flat-out producing on trout, especially when bounced along the oyster reefs and bulkheads.

Redfish have been active anywhere there’s structure or a drain dumping into main channels—try a gold spoon or Gulp! shrimp under a popping cork for both reds and flounder. Local guides are reporting consistent limits of 16- to 20-inch reds with a few bulls cruising deeper marsh lakes. Catfish are steady near the bridges and pilings—cut bait or chicken liver will get the job done any hour.

For those looking to make the most out of their day, don’t miss these hot spots:

- **The Rigolets**: Trout and reds stacked up near the bridge on the moving tide, especially around the grass lines and drop-offs.

- **Lake Borgne Shoreline**: Consistent numbers of specks working the pockets behind the grass when the tide falls, with bonus reds mixed in.

- **Chef Menteur Pass**: Deep holes and oyster beds around the railroad bridge are holding big trout, with plenty of drum and sheepshead as bycatch.

Keep an eye out for birds working over bait—classic sign of hungry trout below. If you’re boatless, there’s solid action for bank f

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Artificial Lure here with your Thursday morning fishing report straight outta the Gulf of Mexico, New Orleans. Let’s break down the action for October 30th, 2025.

We kicked off today under a strong cold front that pushed through overnight, bringing gusty northwest winds. Gale warnings were in effect until 7 AM, so early birds found those winds running 25-30 knots and seas rough at 4 to 6 feet, with some spots seeing occasional 8-footers according to the National Weather Service. Luckily, as the morning progresses, winds drop to 15-20 knots and seas follow suit, settling at 2 to 4 feet. By late afternoon and into evening, things’ll calm down some more—a classic pattern after a cold front rolls over the marsh.

Sunrise cracked at 7:12 AM at New Canal Station, and you’ll get just over 11 hours of daylight today. Sunset is expected around 6:18 PM; those golden hours remain prime for big bites.

On the tide, today’s coefficients are on the low side, bouncing from 41 this morning and dropping to 34 by the evening. This means less current and smaller tide swings, so focus on structure and deeper channels for stronger action. High tide’s hitting about 9 AM—perfect timing if you’re launching early from places like Shell Beach or Grand Isle.

Now let’s talk what’s biting. The mouth of the Mississippi River is “a buffet line” this month—classic Louisiana Sportsman words. Almost anything is on the table. Bull reds have been tearing it up on the beaches over at Grand Isle, especially early morning and at dusk. Folks are still celebrating last week’s catches, like Connor Junot’s monster red out at Dulac, bagged on a watermelon Strike King Rage Craw.

For the inshore crowd, decent numbers of speckled trout and sheepshead are moving through the marshes, with some real slabs showing around Bayou Black. Joey Weimer had her best sac-a-lait trip ever in late August, and the crappie bite hasn’t cooled off much since.

If you’re heading offshore, keep in mind the recreational red snapper allocation is just about tapped—LA Creel reported 96.7% caught for 2025, so regulations are tight and options limited. Best to stick with inshore action this week.

Bait and tackle recommendations: spinnerbaits and crankbaits continue to rule for aggressive bass right now, especially with shad schooling up, as emphasized by Bass Fishing Daily. If you’re after reds and specks, live shrimp and cut mullet are reliable. Don’t sleep on watermelon Rage Craws for bull reds. For those who prefer artificials, look for realistic squid jigs or paddletails—The Mighty Fish claims their squid jig is a standout for vertical jigging off piers or around deep structure.

A couple of hot spots to hit:

- Grand Isle beach: Red drum action is steady, with fish moving up shallow on higher tides.

- Buras-Venice area: Everything bites here—try the jetties and channel mouths.

- Shell Beach: Trout and reds early morning, especially near the edges where the marsh meets open water.

With winds laying down and th

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Artificial Lure here with your latest fishing report for Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from the Gulf of Mexico and New Orleans area.

We’re kicking off the day with a stout east wind—steady 20 to 25 knots, pushing gusts up to 35 knots offshore. Seas are rough, 5 to 8 feet, with a few sets rolling in higher. Bring rain gear: showers and scattered thunderstorms are likely to stick around. If you’re headed out early or late, watch for clearing through tonight and lighter southeast winds tapering back to 10–15 knots after midnight, with waves down to 3–5 feet according to the National Weather Service marine zone forecast.

Sunrise hit at 7:15 AM, with sunset rolling in about 6:15 PM. With daylight shifting, those first and last couple hours are golden for a strong bite window. On the tide chart, we have a recent high around daybreak and falling water deeper into the morning. That’s prime for redfish action—look to target marsh drains and inlets about two hours before and after low tide, letting your bait sweep through the current for natural presentations.

Speckled trout are stacking up around oyster reefs and bridge pylons in Lake Pontchartrain and down toward Calcasieu, feeding aggressively on these cooler October mornings. Topwater lures at dawn are bringing solid blowups, then switch to soft plastics under a popping cork once the sun’s up—a local classic like a Matrix Shad in lemonhead or shrimp color can be the ticket.

Redfish are cruising marsh edges and working the drains especially well on falling tide. Gold spoons, live shrimp, or cut bait like mullet are producing solid slot reds, and cut crab or mullet is turning over some hefty bull reds at the jetties near Grand Isle and Venice. If you're rigging for big reds today, beef up that tackle—they’re running thick.

Flounder are moving in around current-swept pockets and passes. Slow-roll paddle-tail soft plastics along the bottom. Keep your bait low and slow, and look for those subtle taps; they’re loading up for fall.

On the freshwater side, largemouth bass in the spillways and backwaters are still chasing shad. Crankbaits on windblown banks scored well after last week's front, and finesse worms picked up a few extra keepers as the bite slowed mid-morning. Blue catfish are active in deeper river bends—cut bait took several nice fish last weekend, especially with improved water clarity after north winds.

As for hotspots, locals are finding consistent trout action at the Chef Pass bridge pilings, and redfish are pounding marsh points in Bayou Bienvenue. If you need a reliable mixed-bag spot, try the area just southeast of Seabrook Bridge—oyster shell, moving water, and proximity to deeper channels draws everything from specks to slot reds.

Bait recommendations today:

- Live shrimp for trout, reds, and flounder.

- Cut mullet and crab for bull reds.

- Soft plastics for marsh trout and bass.

- Gold spoons if you want a classic, proven redfish bite.

Remember, north winds after a cold front wil

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Artificial Lure here, reporting live from New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico on this fine Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Folks around here woke up to the sweet smell of brackish air and a picture-perfect fall morning. Weather’s laying out calm with a light southeast breeze, partly cloudy skies, and temperatures kicking off in the mid-60s, creeping toward the upper 70s by midafternoon.

Sunrise pegged at 7:11 AM and sunset coming at 6:16 PM, so we’ve got 11 hours and 5 minutes of daylight to chase that tug. The solunar tables rate the bite as “average+,” with best action expected early morning around 4:20 to 6:20 AM, and a second peak from 4:46 to 6:46 PM. If you’re itching for the tight lines, those are your prime slots according to Solunar Forecast.

Tides are running on the low swing today—New Canal Station reports a tidal coefficient at 34, meaning current’s a bit slack and the water’s not moving all that much. High was at 12:03 AM (0.3 ft) and the next push will be at 12:33 PM (0.8 ft), so plan your moves around those moderate water levels. Down Grand Isle way, there’ll be a bit more movement with a higher coefficient, so if you’re willing to burn a little gas, that’s also worth fishing.

Now for the real bait—what’s biting:

Speckled trout are getting thick along the inshore marshes, with shoreline hotspots between Bayou Bonfouca and Goose Point producing keeper limits. Kayak anglers and anyone wading out have been slipping stringers full of specks on plastics. Paddle tails and twitch baits in opening night or shrimp colors have been the ticket, and early bite on topwater is well worth the cast.

Redfish remain steady and are cruising the shallows and grass edges, especially near Chef Menteur and the Rigolets. Folks chunking live shrimp or cut mullet have seen slot reds hammering the bait. Artificial lures like gold spoons or chartreuse soft plastics are working anywhere there’s moving water.

Flounder fans are reminded—the recreational season shut down October 15 and won’t reopen until the end of November, so no flatfish in the cooler just now per Louisiana Sportsman.

Bass, you say? Old timers are finding quality largemouths in the freshwater spillways and City Park, with success on blade baits and Scentsation Fuzzy Stick soft plastics. Downsizing to finesse techniques during the midday lull is paying off.

From the nearshore rigs, red snapper season’s basically closed, as LA Creel estimates put landings near 97% of the quota—private boats hauled in some 865,000 pounds by mid-October. Mangrove snapper and the occasional tripletail are still hanging around the platforms for anybody fishing with live croakers or finger mullet.

For best results, match your bait to the target:

- **Speckled trout:** Soft plastics, live shrimp, and topwater plugs.

- **Redfish:** Gold spoons, cut mullet, live shrimp.

- **Bass:** Blade baits, finesse plastics, and crankbaits along heavy structure.

Hot spots to hit today:

- **Bayou Bienvenue:** Marsh drains loaded wi

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Artificial Lure here with your Monday, October 27th fishing report for New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico. We’re rolling into late October and the cool snap on the breeze’s got the baitfish schooled up tight and the predators fired up.

Let’s start with the tides: Over at the New Canal Station, we saw a low of about 0.8 feet around sun-up and peaking at 0.8 feet again just before noon. Tidal swing is at the low end today, so you’ll want to strategize around moving water—best windows are mid-morning then again late afternoon. Tidal coefficient is down to 41, so don’t expect ripping currents, but any movement is game on for hungry reds and specks. Sunrise hit at 7:10 am and sunset comes in at 6:17 pm, giving us about 11 hours of light to chase that limit.

Weatherwise, expect a classic southern autumn day: forecast calling for mostly sunny, high near the upper 70s, with the marine wind staying light at 6 to 10 knots out the northeast, so local marsh ponds and inshore bays ought to be glassy. Water clarity’s holding solid—perfect for sight-fishing. No big fronts on tap, so stability’s the name of the game.

On to fish activity: According to Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana Daily Fishing Report, action’s been steady with speckled trout schooling up in Lake Pontchartrain and MRGO, plenty over the 15-inch mark, especially near bridges and cuts. A couple crews limited out on specks working live shrimp under popping corks off the south shore reefs. Redfish have been thick in the Biloxi Marsh—slot reds crashing on shrimp-tipped jigheads along broken marsh edges and oyster points. Saw some bull reds caught on cut mullet down at Chef Pass. Out toward the rigs, a few boats reported good catches of sheepshead and black drum, especially on the days with more tidal push.

Top lures right now: You can't go wrong with Matrix Shad swim baits in “Shrimp Creole” or “Glow,” especially with the water so clear. Jigheads in the 1/4 oz to 3/8 oz range have been getting bites. DOA shrimp under corks is another classic—emulate the popping of the real thing. For bigger reds, gold spoons and weedless paddle tails are putting fish in the boat. Live shrimp and finger mullet are still the go-to baits, but anything that wiggles, rattles, or flashes has been getting smashed.

Hot spots? You want to get on the bite, try the Highway 11 Bridge for trout at first light, especially on a moving tide—plenty of bait stacked up and bigger trout underneath. For reds, hit up Bayou Bienvenue and the nearby Roseau cane shorelines—working the outgoing tide along the grass will almost guarantee a hookup. If offshore, the shell pads and wellheads off Breton Sound are holding sheeps and drums, but keep an eye on the weather—I’ve seen squalls kick up quick this time of year.

Louisiana Sportsman reports some folks are catching big flathead catfish in bayous closer to the city. With all the bait moving in, don’t be surprised to hook into a hefty blue cat or freshwater drum while targeting reds in brackish

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Artificial Lure here bringing you the latest fishing report for the Gulf of Mexico, right out of New Orleans, on this fine October 26th, 2025, straight from the docks and the marsh grass.

Sun rose this morning right around 7:12 AM and will tuck away at 6:24 PM, giving you a good stretch of daylight for chasing fish. Weather’s been classic fall—cool start in the high 60s, warming midday into the mid-70s. Skies are mostly clear with a light southeast breeze tickling the surface. We had a passing front earlier this week, and that’s worked out great for the bite, stirring up oxygen and dropping water temps a notch. Water clarity’s up, and the air’s carrying that salty tang that says fall fishing is firing off.

Tide-wise, today we’re working an early morning incoming that’ll peak late morning, then swing out in the afternoon. That means prime time for reds and trout is right around sunrise and again as it flushes out before sunset. The evening outgoing will have bait on the move—always a trigger for gamefish dialing in for their dinner.

Let’s talk what hit the coolers lately: local captains and dockhands are all buzzed about strong speckled trout numbers coming off the Lake Borgne and the marsh drains near Hopedale and Shell Beach. Folks are limiting out—most are healthy 15 to 19 inches, a few pushing up around 22. Redfish are schooling thick, more toward the inside marsh, especially as the tide pulls shrimp and mullet out of the grass. Expect mixed sizes: plenty perfect for the skillet, and a few bulls tearing up drags. In the passes and deeper rigs, reports are good for slot-sized black drum and sheepshead—those inshore reefs are loaded, especially if you anchor up and chum a bit.

Best baits this week: live shrimp is king, hands down. If you can, pick up some small finger mullet or croaker for the reds. Artificials are working—matrix shad in “lemonhead” or glow, tightlined or bounced off shell flats. Vudu shrimp under a popping cork gets the attention of both trout and reds. For the sheepshead—fresh cut shrimp on a light jig head is unbeatable.

Hot spots? For specks, try the west end of Lake Borgne around the marsh cuts and the mouth of Bayou Biloxi. Hit the Biloxi Marsh itself for both reds and specks—the grass edges and broken marsh are hot on the early incoming. Shell Beach, specifically the MRGO rocks, has given up limits every morning. If you want to chase some big red action, head up to Hopedale Lagoon or work the marsh drains off Bayou La Loutre.

Activity’s best as the tide swings; daylight hours with moving water have been magic. Early birds with a topwater walk-the-dog are catching bonus blowups before switching to plastics. By mid-morning, skip the live shrimp under a cork along deeper shorelines or near oyster beds. Those looking for a little offshore splash—snapper and mangrove bite is fair around the rigs, but most folks are sticking inshore while the marsh is producing like this.

In sum: weather is prime, tides are in our favor,

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