Fishing - Grand Isle

Russell asked, "My wife and I will be going to Grand Isle in late September,
hoping to catch Redfish. We are totally inexperienced in sal****er and plan
on fishing the bridge and also the pier at the state park. Any help on
tackle and bait would be most appreciated. Also what else might we catch and
what to use."

If you are really interested in catching redfish try the bayous on side of
Hwy 1. Fish with market shrimp or crack crab. Market shrimp will catch
more fish but they may be less desirable fish. (Hard head catfish) The
best way to catch the reds are on the bottom using a Carolina rig or other
bottom rig. If you are going to fish the bridge, you want to get as close
as you can to the middle and cast out into the channel. I never fished the
pier at the state park but have seen several people fish it. Other baits
that may work include live croakers, shrimp or mullet.

You may want to talk with the folks at Cigar's Marina right before the
bridge for advice on what baits are working best on the bridge. Try
Bridgeside Marina on the other side of the bridge for advice also. It is
hard to fish the bridge or pier without losing fish because of the height
above the water. I usually take the chance and just pull the fish up but I
have seen people using a round crab net to left the fish up on the bridge.
I do have some recommendations for hauling your gear on the bridge or pier.
Bring either a wagon or dolly to tote your ice chest and tackle. It is a
long haul at both sites.

Another location you may want to try is right before the bridge there is a
road on the left that leads to the Old Ice House Marina. They have a dock
that you pay to fish off of. It is right next to the water. If you walk to
the left and fish between the dock and the bank back to the channel at the
end of the dock you may pickup a few reds or flounder in this area. Fish
with a cork here because there is a lot of debris in the water. They have
lights on the dock that you can also fish at night.

Usually there are lots of white trout around the Old Ice House or the Bridge
at night.

As far as artificial baits, you may want to try sparkle beetles, sal****er
assassins, deadly dudley's or any other. Gold spoons work good in the ponds
around Hwy 1.

Check www.rodnreel.com or www.louisianasportsman.com fishing reports before
you go. You may even want to post your question here.

Sarge