August heat taking toll
 Keith Lusher Jr
The heat is on! It’s taken a few months to kick in but this
last week has recorded the hottest temperatures so far this year and anglers are
feeling the effects from it. We’ve seen water temps elevate from what was
already warm to almost unbearable. On
the saltwater scene we have entered what I like to describe as speckled trout purgatory.
The spawning season is over and the large schools of specks are now scattered
about in no particular pattern waiting for the first cool fronts to start
rolling in. On the freshwater side of things bass fishing has become relegated
to early morning hours before 8 am. Bass are lethargic and in the deeper water
or hunkered down under logs and deep structure. But let’s not get too bogged down
with all the negatives that August presents. Let’s focus on the positives.
Salinity Improving
 Lake Pontchartrain Hyrdrocoast Map (Salinity)
Recent salinity tests have showed a considerable improvement in Lake Pontchartrain. River levels have dropped to close to normal levels and the high pressure system that hung around for the beginning of the month has kept us relatively dry. Last month water tests were taken in an area located 15 miles east of the Causeway and the salinity registered 1.7 parts per thousand. The August test however, showed a dramatic improvement over last months by registering salinity levels of 7.5 parts per thousand. That’s great news for those speckled trout fisherman who are crossing their fingers for things to get back to normal in Lake Pontchartrain.
Quiet hurricane season
So far this hurricane season has been kind to us. Keep in mind that things could be a lot worse
here on the Northshore around this time. It was exactly one year ago when we
were focused on a storm named Isaac slowly making his way through the Caribbean
and into the Gulf of Mexico. Issac dumped massive amounts of rain and packed a
tidal surge that pushed water to record levels along the north shore of Lake
Pontchartrain. NOAA has revised there 2013 Hurricane Prediction downwards to a
more normal season this year.
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Easy Redfish Limits
Anglers have been destroying the redfish this
month. The shoreline and the duck ponds around the ICW have been very
productive. Matrix Shad or Vudu Shrimp rigged under a cork has been the ticket
lately. Don’t forget about the Irish
Bayou area. Anglers are having success from the mouth of Irish Bayou to the
Chef. Look for a line newly installed rocks designed as a barrier along the
marsh. There are some small breaks in the rock-line. Take advantage of these
openings on a falling tide. Redfish are ambushing baitfish as they make their
way out of these openings. If the winds are a concern, Lake Borgne offers a
buffer from whatever direction the wind blows. Due to its circular shape, there
is a shoreline that deflects
winds from any direction. Work the shoreline with live shrimp under a cork or
plastics. Unknown Pass offers numerous
cuts coming out of the marsh that provide great redfish action on a falling
tide. On a day with good tidal range the water will be pouring out and the
redfish will be stacked up feeding on shad and shrimp flowing out of the
marsh. If the summer is any indicator of
what is to come. This fall is shaping up to be fantastic!
Early Fall?
Southeast Louisiana has seen three cool fronts come through so far this summer. The word “cool” may be a stretch but if these frontal boundaries continue to push past us with ease, we could be in store for an early fall this year. Typically the first cool front blows through by mid to late September and water temperatures start falling in the early days of October. This sets into motion the start of the fall fishing season that anglers so desperately yearn for. This year look for fronts to roll through a few weeks earlier than normal which means added days to one of the best fishing times of the year!
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Lake Pontchartrain speckled trout may be in survival mode.
Speckled trout season off to slow start on Northshore
Beat the crowds, find less stressed waters!
Got your backup plan?
Finally some stability on the Northshore!
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