Bayou Cane can be very deceiving In the month of February. The shallow, narrow bayou muddies up quick with a good downpour, but don't let the waters appearance discourage you. Bayou Cane is a proven cold water hot spot for wintertime bass. I like to break Cane down into two scenarios when fishing in February. When the water is fair to clean, target the shoreline along the northern portion of the bayou near the launch. Texas rigged worms and craws in black and blue work best. I've had success with the RP3 Blue Sapphire and Shu-Shu Marsh Craw in Blackenrage color. Fish your way south to the marsh and then focus in on the drains and fish not only the sections where the marsh empty into the bayou, but the center of the main bayou. Often times that is the deepest section of the bayou and marsh bass will be gathered there. The other scenario is when Bayou Cane is muddy. Throw chromed colored Rat-L-Traps, not only along the shoreline but down the middle of the bayou. Use the muddy water to your advantage. The fact is, these fish are there it's just they need a little help finding your lure. That rattle may be just the thing they need to find it. After working your way south to the marsh, once again target the drains but find that clear water line that is spilling out from the marsh. Fish that line where the muddy water meets the clean water. Bass will hold along the muddy side waiting to ambush baitfish that are in the clean water.
On days with below average temperatures this winter anglers need to go deep. For those targeting bass, focus on itersections on Bayou Castine where two major channels connect. These intersections will be the top spots for finding schooling bass on the bottom. Throw jigs on the bottom or deep-running crankbaits. Anglers might have more luck targeting catfish this month with rod-n-reel or lines. It's not quite time for the frog scene but for those frog throwers, spring looks as if it's coming early this year. Maybe next month we'll be able to bust out the Spro's!
The Causeway should produce late winter trout for trollers. Keep an eye on the water temps as a slight warm up could be the thing that flips the switch. Look for boxes of 10-15 fish in late February with the way the water is looking. If you do fish the Causeway your best bet will be trolling as the trolling bite picks up when water temps are in the upper 50's and low 60's.
Daniel Sissac Roger Sissac
February is here, and it’s the month of love! Some of us take for granted our
better half, so this month make sure they know how much you love and appreciate them
- get out there and wax them, change the oil in the lower unit, and take them out,
somewhere special where you know you’ll get lucky.
Hmmm…, now for the fishing forecast, which you’re reading be-fore you make a
cast, right? That’s why it’s called a fore cast and not an after cast!
Anyway, the really cold weather appears to have left, so more typical February days
should lie ahead. Bass will be entering the spawn phase soon (I told you it’s the
month of love!), so they are going to want some food! If the temps stay in the 60s
for the highs, the males will be moving toward the flats with intentions of making a
nest. A Texas-rigged, soft plastic such as a worm or fluke thrown to the bank should
guarantee some takers. If you read my forecasts regularly, or at all, you know I
mention how much fun it is to throw a worm or fluke to the bank, reel it in briskly,
and watch the bass blow-up on it or even breach completely out the water like a
great white shark pouncing on a seal. Well, this is a good month for that, AND it
doesn’t have to be at dawn’s butt crack to do it; it’ll happen all day long.
But, if this is not your thing, a Carolina-rigged soft plastic will get some nibbles
too. For those who don’t care for soft plastics, jerk and crank baits should work
well; crawfish or minnow colored lures have been proven performers in February. This
is my opinion, but I like a narrower crankbait this month; let me tell you why. The
menhaden are super small or nonexistent in Bonfouca in February; rain minnows,
however, are more plentiful and what most of the bass will be eating this month.
Rain minnows are long and skinny, and “match the hatch”, yes? Toward the end of
the month and in March, bream will be enemy number one of spawning bass, so bream
colored lures will be best then. To find some fish, look for places where there is a
flat close to deeper water; deeper could be only a foot more water. The
neighborhoods on Bonfouca are an excellent place to start your pursuit of bass.
Bream are spread out and will be for another month or so. They can be found by
Cypress trees and boathouses or any other structure you can find. Sexee Shad,
tight-lined or under a float, and crickets fished under a float or with just a small
pinch sinker to fish deeper are sure to have your rods bent - you should let the
fish tell you what presentation they prefer at that moment. Make sure your drags are
set properly, because catfish love the crickets and Sexee Shad too!
Ronald Pierre
February on the Tangipahoa River can be a productive time to target the river for spawning bass, given the right river stage and weather conditions. Anglers should pay close attention to weather trends, approaching weather systems and plan trips accordingly. If we have a warming trend near the New and Full moons anglers should see a wave of bass wanting to push to shallow backwater areas to start their spawning rituals. Target areas away from the main river flow for example smaller sloughs, creeks, off canals etc. These areas will have warmer, clearer, and more stable water for bass to spawn. Look for areas with harder bottoms or hard cover when in search of spawning bass in these backwaters. For example backwater areas with old lily pad stems usually mean that there is a shallower flat in that area. Also this type of vegetation needs a lot of sunlight in order to grow, so the water in this area will usually sustains heat from direct sunlight making for a perfect breeding ground for spawning bass. Other things to look for are hard cover such as wood or rock. This cover or structure can come in two different forms such as manmade or natural. Manmade structures usually consist of docks, bulkheads, rock walls, boat launches, and bridges to name a few. These hold relatively deeper water and will position fish tighter to the cover, while natural hard cover such as cypress trees, lay downs, brush piles, and vegetation will be relatively shallower and hold fish more scattered around the cover. While both are different in some ways they both hold the same major ingredients that draw bass to these areas for the spawn. These ingredients are hard bottoms, protection from prey, ambush points for feeding, and they also hold heat. These are some of the main ingredients that I look for when fishing backwater areas during this time of year. Lures: Bon Temps Rouler Thumper series in the Chartreuse Rumbler color is my favorite lure to throw first thing in the morning. This lure makes a great search bait when I am trying to cover water. It has a lot of thumping action and vibration that is very intrusive to bass while on beds. This mimics a Bluegill perfectly, and bass hate Bluegill during the spawn. They will strike at this lure out of reaction when protecting their beds. RP3 Nest Raider Series Bladed Jig is my go to lure if the water is muddy in the back water areas. After a rain muddies up these areas bass will still generally be in the same areas, but may be positioned tighter to cover or buried deeper in vegetation. This lure has a heavier thumping action that calls fish out of the cover during muddy conditions. This is great search bait especially if the water has some color to it. RP3 Nest Raider Swim Jig is another one of my favorite lures to use during the spawn. This lure isn’t like the latter of the two because this lure is a more target oriented bait when dissecting spawning areas. If I find bass that are holding on a certain stretch of bank with the first two lures. I’ll make other passes in the same area sometimes even fishing the same piece of cover I caught fish off of earlier with the other two lures. I will fish slower and more methodical picking every piece of available cover apart with this jig. This will allow me to pick up bass that I may have passed up on the first pass of fishing the area. The main thing I would look for during this time of year is weather trends. Mother Nature has a big impact on what bass do during the spawn. It dictates if bass pull up shallow to backwater areas, or if they continue to stage deep waiting for warmer, stable weather to arrive. Watch the weather closely to plan trips and tactics accordingly.
Lawerence Lemoine
Fishing the creek can be difficult if you fish during the wrong times. Keep an eye on the weather and try and go on days that the weather warms up. Stay away from days after a hard front passes through. Fish the S-curve in the creek all the way to the last small canal before the camps. Blue Saphire Speed Craws or Blue Saphire RP3 Craws work well in February. Watermelon Yum-Dingers, Shu-Shu's, and shallow running shad colored crankbaits are a must on the creek right now. Baby bass colored Rat-L-Traps are worth a try also.
Ronald Pierre
There is only one thing that I will have on my mind during February on the Amite River, and that’s the spawn. This is the time of year where we should start seeing warming trends. Bass are going to make a push to shallow backwater areas to spawn. Anglers should take a look at Google Earth or other maps of the area before heading out on the water. Look for clearer back water sloughs and bayous that are protected from north winds, and muddy main river water. These areas offer warmer, protected, more stable waters. This is a critical element for a spawning bass. Another critical element for bass in February is moon phase. Moon phase plays a big roll on bass and their spawning ritual. Look for days around the full and new moons preferably 3 days before and 3 days after as bass get more aggressive during these times to spawn. Before moving directly into these areas to fish shallow always take a look at the waterway intersections that lead to these back water areas especially in early February. These areas act like highways for bass that are moving shallow to spawn and anglers can intercept fish in schools as they move shallow. First stop-Intersections: Intercept bass that are in route to shallow spawning flats. Bass will be actively feeding before moving back to grab one last meal before bedding up to spawn. Lures: Slow rolling spinnerbait white shad, Bladed jigs, RP3 Rig, Lipless crankbait, Suspending Jerkbaits, Medium running crankbaits. Second stop-Back water spawning flats: Look for hard cover (lily pad stems, wood, rock, grassy areas etc.) in clear water and protected areas for bass to bed. Cover water to maximize fish catches. ( Bass can be very territorial when spawning, and will not let other bass into their spawning area, so they will be scattered in different areas of the spawning backwaters.) Lures: Chartreuse spinnerbaits (Thumper series is my go-to search bait for when they are bedding), ¼ oz. swim jigs, and soft plastics such as lizards, or creature baits. Another important item to have is polarized sunglasses. This will help you see bedding fish from greater distances without spooking them.
Rigolets is struggling right now as the amount of rain we've seen has mad the Pearl a nightmare. Geohagens, may be the best bet, water is fairly clean but bites are hard to come by, dredge equipment has most of the areas back of Geohagens I like to try all cluttered up. Try the drop (6 ft to 18') where the canal transitions into the big lagoon. Deep passes in and out of Lake Catherine were not bad, but no catching stories from the locals I know. Any fish in the area may be in the deeper water where the temp is fairly steady. Need a light tide to fish these passes properly, REEL SLOW!!
Patrick Engerran
As Feb begins we have a high north end and a very low south end. All of it is muddy as it can possible get almost. Water temps are good bouncing around in the low to mid 50’s for the fish to be thinking of spawning. The 1st of the month brings a full moon and with it the first of the early spawners. When looking for these early egg droppers think super low water. If the bottom drops out what will still have some water? That’s where your tidal fish will be spawning at. Before this rise the fishing was fantastic with reports of catching everywhere and everything. Reds and bass were easy targets and willing to eat baits thrown in their general direction as the pre spawn feeding binge is on. Rattle Traps and Jerkbaits are awesome this time of year to fish fast and find pods of fish. Just keep in mind fish like cover. Marshgrass and wood. Easy equation to narrow down a vast area and use as a starting point. Tournament wise I will be more surprised not to see a 20 lb sack brought to the Green Bridge for weigh in then to see one. Look for Dockside the first Saturday of the month to be a slug fest if the south water gets right. I don’t think 15 lbs will even cut a top 5 check in that one.
Fish seem to have abandoned the areas I fish in the Biloxi marsh from lake Borgne to Stump lagoon . Bite always dies in January or February, due to cold water temps, I THOUGHT. Last year the temps stayed in the low 60s and mid to low 50s, but the bite was gone just the same. Gonna give it a try one day soon and then post results. If the gotta goes hit ya, the deep canals toward Bob’s lakes or Byu Loutre may have fish. Reds should be active along the shorelines in the bays and lakes from Lake Borgne shoreline to lake Eugenie if a good weather day sets in.Long ,rough ride for a possible skunk is a possibility, BUT still a great area to make a stress free trip. Target reds for action.
Lemo's Reef should come alive in the the spring when the weather warms up but this month things are going to be tough at the reef. For those trying to fish the reef live shrimp will be you best bet.
February on Ponchatoula Creek can be challenging but it's not impossible to find a good bass bite. The perch and goggle-eye bite that the creek is known for has dissipated leaving you with two viable options, bass or catfish. When targeting bass on the creek, try and find drop-offs and deep holes. Fish spinner-baits as slow as possible in order to get the lure deeper. Anglers should be able to locate catfish in January and catch good numbers whether by pole or trot-lines. Basically any bait will work. Stick to the deep channels and be patient. Always keep an eye on the rainfall around the creek as the water will muddy in a hurry!
Todd Oalman
February can be a tricky month to fish. When the water temperature begins to consistently stay above 60 degrees look for some bass to start searching out spawning areas. Best baits will be jigs fished around structure, shallow running crankbaits in shad or crawfish colors and soft plastics. Bream, sac au lait, and catfish can also be caught this month in the bayou. Crickets, jigs, shiners, baby crawfish and shrimp should be the most productive baits. On the saltwater side of things a few drum, sheepshead, and the occasional trout or redfish will provide action when conditions are right. If we get a couple of days of below freezing temps, pay careful attention to the Lakeshore Estates area for specks and reds. Much of February's success is dependent on the weather. Look for clean warmer water falling out of the marsh to increase your odds of success.
George Seibert
The winter pattern for Lake Borne is still the same. Specs get big lock jar when it gets below 54 in the shallow lakes and head to the deep water to hug the bottom. Come mid February the fronts should be changing and the water should be getting warmer. But for now reds aren’t as sensitive and can be caught in shallower waters and ponds. The ICW and MRGO surround all of Lake Borgne from the Rigolets to Shell Beach. That will be where the specs will be in the deeper waters. Remember when jigging too fish slow. Good luck.
It was a cold January but moving into February the daylight hours are increasing making days even warmer but for now it looks like we have a few more cold fronts to go through. On days when temperatures start out in the fifties you can try top water lures. Next try suspending hard plastics and then move to soft plastics. This will allow you cover all levels in water column. Slow down your retrieve. Most hits are when the lure is falling. If plastics aren't your thing then you're in luck. The Eden Isles canals will be filled with blue cats this month. A simple drop shot rig or Carolina rig with market bait will put plenty of catfish in the boat or on the wharf!
Taylor Valois
Fishing the trestles in February tends to be that transition period between the annual spring speckled trout run, but when the lake has the consistency of the chocolate milk you had for breakfast that can surely dampen the bite even more. If your fishing the trestle this month it's all about moving around. Be on a constant troll spot to spot on light winded days. 3/8 oz - 1/2 oz jig head with chartreuse colored baits works best in these conditions. Despite the conditions given, this spring may gear back up if salinity levels rise. But the only way to know is to go. Happy fishing.
Mike O'Brien
Weather determines how we fish in February more than most. This year’s trend so far has been a bit warmer sending the fish more shallow. Starting on or near the bottom around points and structure with smaller baits and slower presentations will be your best bet. Deeper water means darker colors so look to the black, blue, and purples in your box. If you have the patience a drop shot rig can be very effective in keeping your bait close to the bottom enough tension to feel the softest nibbles.
The low temps in January have reduced the visible grass and mats but the base near the bottom still exists and will still hold fish. Use that memory if you didn’t mark them on your fish finder. With low water the laydowns will be easier to see. Draw a line to what you think may be the end of the laydown. That should be in the deepest water and start your search. Improve your chances with Sac au lait and other panfish with crickets, worms, and shiners during these tough conditions. 10-12 ft depth is a good place to start. Get your favorite stinky bait and look for catfish that tend to be found in greater numbers this time of year.
While the conditions for fish and to be fishing are more challenging this month it’s not impossible to have a successful trip. Keep an eye on the current reports coming from your favorite stretch of water to improve your chances.
Chris Basey
February looks to hold the cold temperatures that we saw in January. I would look for bass back in the short dead end bayous. Always remember though when you get back into these smaller bayous that you need to be more subtle. When your in skinny water any little noise you make scares these fish. I like to sneak back into these bayous by using the trolling motor, with the depth finders off. I will have one rod in my hand with either a RP3 flipping craw or a Nasty Baits Nasty Craw with a light weight on it. All I am doing is looking along each bank for beds. When I spot one I examine it to see if there is a fish on it. Right now, this early in the spawn, your going to mostly see males on the beds. Occasionally you will see a female with him. The females are still around though searching for a male with a suitable bed.
The lures to have on the deck is a craw worm, a spinnerbait, a silent square bill, and a top water. You will mostly be flipping the craw worm though. With clear water use natural coolers. Watermelon Red, Green pumpkin... If you encounter any stained, or muddy water you will want to change up to some darker coolers. June Bug, Red Shad, CB Craw.
Luke O'Neal
The Tchefuncte has been tough for the even for the best anglers and the recent cold blast has not helped the situation. On the warmer days the fish are moving up to shallower water from the deeper holes. Every passing front pushes them deep again. One day you may find fish in one spot and they will be gone the next. Now is the time you can catch a monster. Once the water warms up the fish will move into the back of the creeks and shallow canals to spawn at that time you can catch them right off of the beds. This can be a tedious task but could help you land that big tournament kicker. Spring is a great time for bass fishing but the sac-au-lait fishing will pick up also. An effective way to catch sac-au-lait is using live shiners under a cork. You will have to adjust the depth to figure out where the fish are at. Sac-au-lait are very aggressive fish and if you find a school it can seem like a fast action trout bite!