INDIVIDUAL wrote: "Thinking of going to Louisiana and trying surf fishing in
about a week. I need any and all information. Ideally if there is a lot of
this activity there, where to buy tackle, where to go, where to get local
advice, etc. Any advice is appreciated."

Let me see if I can help you any but most fisherman in this state have boats
and very few fish the surf. I live in SE Louisiana and fish sal****er
mostly. I am not familiar with SW areas of Louisiana but can recommend a
couple of sites in the SE.

Fourchon, LA take the only turn off of Hwy 1 and go all the way to the end
of the road. Public access on the right side of the road. If you park near
the road you can walk to the left and you will see some sunken barges. Fish
around theses. There are other areas to fish to the right but the beach has
eroded away so watch driving down there if you get to far off the path you
may sink in the loose sand. Watch what you roll over there is a lot of
trash that washes ashore from the rigs. There is a motel and a store/ grill
that is open all night at the corner of Hwy 1. You can get live bait in the
area. There are several bait shops you can choose from I recommend the
bait shop in Leesville called Gails. They sell bait and tackle and usually
have a good idea how the fishing been in the area. Bobby Lynn's Marina just
up the road also is very knowledgeable. Bait can also be obtained in
Fourchon or by driving to Grand Isle. There is a public shower by the boat
launch. It was still working last time I went but it did not have a shower
head only a 3/4 pipe nipple but it was better then nothing.

Grand Isle, LA at the end of Hwy 1 is the state park. You can fish the
beach by the park. It is a long haul to the beach from the parking lot. If
you fish this area be extra careful for rip tides that come through the
Barataria Pass. There has been a lot of drowning in this area. Fish the
rights side of the pier is the safer side.

As far as tackle, I can not recommend any surf rod since most fisherman wade
out into the water and usually use spinning rigs or baitcasters. Fish the
area between the first and second sand bars. This usually holds the bait
fish. I recommend a floating net or stringer to secure your fish, If you
use a stringer make sure it floats away from you so if a shark decides he
wants lunch he does not bite your leg. When wading shuffle your feet, do
not step. If you step you may step on a stingray but if you shuffle they
will move without stinging you. As far as lures to use, I believe it is a
personal preference. I have caught specks and reds on sparkle beetles,
Deadly Dudleys, Bayou Chubs, DOA's, Speckulizer and Sal****er Assassins. I
fished both live shrimp, cacahoe minnows, and bait shrimp with success. You
can try fishing freeline or under a cork. I recommend a cork that rattles
(Cajun Cork). You will see theses at the bait shops. The cork slides on a
piece of wire.

You can also try the side of Hwy 1 in different areas. I would not wade in
theses areas but you can cast from the road. Be careful not to trespass
since it is no longer required to post your property in Louisiana. try the
old Grand Isle Bridge at night. Cigar Marina right at the foot of the
bridge sells bait or you may want to turn left right before the bridge. At
the end of the road is the Ice House Marina. They have a pier that you can
fish off of for a couple of bucks. It runs alongside of the water. Fish
with market shrimp under a cork and you may load up on white trout. They
are not very big but you can keep as many as you want with no size limits.
They don't freeze well so plan on eating them fast. Caught 300 one night
and the next day I fried all of them for my son's school.

The New Orleans area you can fish the sea wall out by the Lakefront. Not
very fast fishing but peaceful. Don't step where the steps or wet it is
very slippery and you will not be able to get back up. If you don't mind
fighting a crowd you can try by Seabrook Bridge. Underneath there is a spot
where you can stand on the bridge structure and fish the channel. Fish the
bottom here with a 3 to 4 foot leader. Live shrimp works best but you have
to go to Chalmette to get some.

Other considerations you may want to take while in the area would be a
fishing charter. There are several through out Louisiana. If you would
like to do this but cannot afford to go by yourself you may be able to find
someone to go with you by advertising. A couple of good sites to ask the
same question and see what the fishing is like in Louisiana would be:
www.rodnreel.com or www.louisianasportsman.com. Both have fishing reports
and links to guides and other related sites. RodnReel has a picture section
where Louisiana Sportsman has links to pictures from the reports. RodnReel
has a section in classified for charters where you need to share the cost.
You can also go to forums or post it the reports.

Sarge