Paul Brown Originals and MirrOlures work extremely well, as do topwaters.
water temperatures these redfish strike and pull with authority — good pain for cold fingertips.
COLD WEATHER ACCOMPLISHMENT
Winter wade fishing for redfish is tough, but it is a break from the norm and it can be an effective — if bracing — tool for anglers who pursue them. This technique also allows anglers to gain special insight into bottom fea- tures such as holes, soft spots, and reefs, much of which you might not know exists. At the very least, wading can give valuable information for future trips as you can stop and fish these areas with focus.
become quite a bit stronger and general- ly rid the area of shrimp, forcing them out to sea as water temperatures vary from the mid- to upper-40s to low-50s. According to Michael Harbison, local biologist for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, redfish and seatrout are left pursuing food with scales.
“In the coldest days of winter, we mostly see mullet and menhaden on the menu as very little shrimp remain. Really, though, Calcasieu holds great quantities of bait all year long and that is certainly responsible for our gener- ous population of fish,” he says. “Redfish stage in mud and sand mixed bottoms, near bayou outlets or coves and at the pass. Depending on rainfall
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amounts, cold, calm nights usually cre- ate clear water conditions. Redfish seek shallow zones because as sunlight begins to warm the bottom, it is where bait will gather.
“Bait will try and migrate to the edges, seeking shelter in the grass, but because of low water levels from north- ern winds, mullet find themselves at the water’s edge, unprotected.” Best bait choices mimic mullet and suspended baits in various sizes and shapes. Paul Brown Originals and MirrOlures work extremely well, as do topwaters, The biggest key seems to be fishing these lures slow — painfully slow. In fact, many strikes occur when the lure is stopped. But don’t assume lethargy, despite cold
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Our frosty day on the water eventu- ally came to a close, as the warming sun came out just long enough to give us a beautiful, water-reflected sunset. Stansel and I admired it as we made our way back to the boat, reminiscing and mentally weighing the ones that got away. As I raced back to the dock in the growing cold of evening, I knew that absolutely nothing would inter- rupt me from some much-needed sleep that night, buried under an extra blan- ket or two.
Will Drost is an active CCA member who has spent the majority of his life exploring the Calcasieu estuary and the Gulf Coast region for inshore and offshore species.
TIDE
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