Fishing Forum

Well I just returned from a week long trip to the New orleans area with my Wife. She had to go down tdy for work so i tagged along to see the sights, Visit with her family and go on a fishing trip.

The wife's uncle set up a guided trip out into the bayou for redfish and speckled trout. Ok, Sounds good to me.

We Hit the road at 4:00 am from New Orleans down to Venice Louisiana. We met up with our Guide and Captain, RJ Messemer with Daybreak Charters. Rj seemed like a real down to earth Southerner and talked like he knew his stuff.

We boarded the 24' center console Triton that he had with the 225 horse and headed for the fishing grounds. We went to a spot that RJ set us up on to get after the Speckled trout. Gave us a few pointers and they were effective because we started gettin after them. I was wanting to stop for some photos but he said that the bite does not last long and that we needed to get after them while we could and that we could take pics later.

Between the two of us we caught 33 speckled trout. all averaged 2-4 lbs and around 20-24 inches. Great fighters and alot of fun.

We then new that the trout bite was ending because we started to pick up a few red fish and one nice black drum.


Here are a couple of pics of the morning sunrise and a 10 lb black drum fish I caught.

We were picking up a few smaller redfish and a few nicer ones when I had a hit and set the hook and we were off to the races. The reel was singing and I was hoopin.

I could not see the fish due to the dark colored water, that was only 6' deep, But we new it was a hog. The guide said that I had hooked into a Bull Redfish. And a nice one at that.

I fought this fish for the next 30 min. From the front of the boat to the back of the 5 times and under neath many times.

Finally got him up to get a look at him and WOW, He was a hog. Finally landed this fish and WOW. RJ said that we needed to take a few measurements and weight and release him. These larger fish are needed for breeding stock. I gladely agreed.

This fish was 44" long and 35 lbs. WHat a blast

I also enclosed another photo of the well full of fish that we took home. I brought a nice cooler of fish back to Utah and will be enjoying Blackened Redfish for a few meals.

Was able to see alot of devestation down that was still. Its gonna be along time before they recover from that Hurricane.

I also got some great Jambalaya recepes and some great spices to ccok with.

WOW what a great trip.
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im still mad [mad] at you mark for not taking me with you.[crazy]
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Very jealous! Way to go![]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][red][size 4] Way to go Mark, looks like youy had a Great trip. I am planning a trip back home to Cape Cod next year for some Striper, and Blue Fish fishing.[/size][/red][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#ff0000][size 4]AFDan52[/size][/#ff0000][/font]
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That sounds like something I would like to do sometime.What were the rates on your trip?
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WOW!!! That was a huge red... Nice job! Thanks for sharing. I too, am very jealous. Did you make it to Biloxi to do some gamblin'?
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[cool][#0000ff]Great report. Once you have fished down there, it will always be in your blood. I was down in N'awlins for several months in '89, on a temporary work assignment. Naturally, whenever I wasn't workin' I was fishin'. There's water everywhere down there and it all has fish in it (gators and snakes too).[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I had several favorite spots that were close to paradise for a tuber. Had hundred fish days on reds, specks, flounders and a few other species. When I saw some of the early pictures of the aftermath of Katrina, it was enough to make a growed man cry. Many of the old family fishing businesses and other landmarks down there were literally wiped off the face of the earth.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As you found out though, the fish don't go away. There is a great fishery down there, both "inside" and "outside". Next time you go out of Venice, charter a boat to go out into the blue water around the oil rigs. Everything from hundred pound tarpon to 200 pound yellowfin tuna, to fifty other species of all sizes. But, it can be a lot like work. It will flat wear you out.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Thanks for bringing back some good memories.[/#0000ff]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]What a great trip! Thanks for sharing![/size][/black][/font]

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[size 1][/size] I also got some great Jambalaya recepes and some great spices to ccok with.
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[/size][font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]OK, you talked me into it! I'll be expecting a hot bowl of Jambalaya this fall after chasing macks on BL! LOL![/size][/black][/font]
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Did not gamble in Biloxi. We did a little in orleans at the harrahs casino in the french quarter. Nice casino.
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We will definitley eat some jambalaya this fall BLM
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Nice fish! Congrats! Sounds like you had a blast. I'm definitely interested in those Jambalaya recipes too.
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[black][size 4]You need to get back to work instead of spending all your retirement money on fishing trips! LOL[/size][/black]
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[black][size 4]Very nice my friend.[/size][/black]
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Thats awesome! God do I miss the hawg bulls. That is one pig you will never forget. You are making my mouth water and homesick as well looking at that cooler of fish. Thats the only thing Utah fishing doesn't have - tablefare like that!
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2][#002850]Mark,

That is one nice fishing trip. Memories forever.[/#002850][/font][/size]
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Good report. Interesting read. Glad you had a good trip. Thats what I call Makin'Memories. Did you get any pictures of the speckled trout or was you too busy catchin?
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Don,

Unfortunatley the bite only lasts a short time. About two hours. The limit on specs is 25 fish. So we were wanting to get after them as quick as we could. So we did not g3et any more than that in the fish box.[unsure]
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[cool]Did somebody say Jumbalaya? Your gonna have to share some of your recipes with me Mark, especially the brats and jumbalaya. Great pics you got there, looks like you had a fantastic time. Welcome Back
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[cool][#0000ff]The "specks" are actually "spotted weakfish". They are found all around the Atlantic and gulf coasts. Lots of fun and great eating.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here are a few pics from a thread I posted over on the tubing board, that show the three most commonly taken species in the salt-water canals along the gulf coast...reds, specks and flounders.[/#0000ff]
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Speckled sea trout, taken from a saltwater canal off the Gulf of Mexico, south of New Orleans.



A nice 24" sea trout. Legal size is 12" and average is about 14" to 16". They get to 12#.


When the specks "are in" you can limit quickly.


A mix of reds and specks (red drum and speckled sea trout) from a ship channel near Buras, Louisiana. The largest redfish was 33" and 13#. They are fantastic targets from a tube or toon.


Same group of fish, in better detail. Note the "eye" spots on the tails of the reds. They usually have only one, but some individuals sport several.



Mix of reds and flounders. The little flatfish will smack the same plastics and spoons fished for reds and specks. All are great on the table. [/size]
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Thanks for posting the pictures. Looks like you done been there and done that.
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[sly] HEy Chad,

Its not so much remembering the ingridiants, Its the process and the way you have things in order and knowing exactley when to add this and that and then when to turn up the heat, Turn down the heat, I would be glad to show those who want to learn the process when my new big black pot gets here form N'alens.

The ingrediants are really easy. Pork, Kelbasa Sausage, Onion, spices and rice. Thats it. The rest is time and plenty of Cold beer to drink while your stirring and waiting. Takes close to three hours for a large pot.


Later,
RILEY
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