LIP GRIPPER [DEST I NATION]
PADDLE-POWERED PLAYGROUND
GRAND ISLE, LOUISIANA OFFERS WARM WATER AND
HOT FISHING FOR WINTER-WEARY KAYAK ANGLERS BY ED MASHBURN
M
iles of bayous, creeks, open bays and big passes make Grand Isle, Louisiana the perfect winter habitat for fish and kayak fisherman. Just two hours southwest of New Orleans, Grand Isle seems eons away from the Big Easy. The marsh is flat and wide, only interrupted by oil and gas rigs on the distant horizon and the radio tower that presides over the small fishing village. The quiet bayou waters are occasionally disturbed by the splash of jumping mullet and the scream of swirling seagulls. And the pungent odor of muddy saltwater is seasoned with the spicy scent of someone cooking Cajun seafood. Even in the dead of winter, warm air blowing in off the Gulf of Mexico will bring a touch of summer to chilly anglers. Louisiana Highway 1 is the only road cutting through Grand Isle, and anglers can launch any- where there’s parking. The best reason to love Grand Isle is pushing a little wake as it scoots through the water ahead of my kayak. I make a short cast and land my lure a few feet in front of the cruising fish. The wake speeds up, and a red drum crashes my lure. My heart thumps as a six-pound submarine darts away, towing me and my kayak.
Grand Isle is wintertime redfish heaven and kayak anglers will find willing adversaries almost anywhere they find water.
38 …KAYAK ANGLER WINTER 2013
HOME BASE
For camping kayak anglers, it‘s hard to beat the convenience of Grand Isle State Park (985-787-2559). To upgrade accommodations, check out Bridge Side Marina’s cabins, beachfront houses and RV spaces (985-787- 2419;
www.bridgesidecabinsandmarina.net).
SEASONS OF THE ISLE
October through December are the best months, but January and Febru- ary can offer fine fishing on nice, warm days. Winter weather conditions can change quickly, so kayak anglers will need to bring waterproof gear for cool, wet weather.
FISHING TIPS
Look for days when the tide is moving, the weather is warm and wind is gentle. Winter water levels are generally low, which concentrates fish in deep marsh channels. Good sunlight means good sight-fishing for feeding reds. Best live baits for winter reds are cacahoe minnows, live crabs or live shrimp. There are several good marinas and bait and tackle shops on LA1 where anglers can purchase live bait, but it is often possible to either trap or cast-net bait right from the road.
PHOTO: BRENDAN BAYARD
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