BIG LAKE
The Afternoon Saltwater Tournaments will resume at 5 p.m. today at Calcasieu Point Marina. For info call Lake Charles Tackle or Gulf Coast Tackle. "The trout fishing has been good this week despite the weather with good numbers being caught under the birds" says Captain Erik Rue,who operates a charter service on Big Lake.One of his morning holes currently is theTurners Bay area which has been good with plenty of birds working. Rue reminds anglers to keep their eyes open for schooling trout on other parts of the lake as birds are working in numerous areas of Lake Calcasieu when winds/weather permits.
West Cove, one of this outdoor writer's favorite areas, has also been a hot spot for bird action according to Captain Rue. He also mentioned that top water action is improving on the shallow shorelines producing nice trout to 7 pounds. Look for the mullet and you should find the action! Redfish continue to slam angler's baits on a regular basis at the weirs(Lambert and Grand) on the east side of Big Lake.
In addition, there are lots of reds in marsh areas near the ship channel from Hog Island Gully north to Lake Charles. Rue likes Norton Sand eel Jr. and Norton Bull Minnow in chartreuse. Other top lures on the lake are Berkley's Salt Water Gulp! 4 inch Shrimp in New Penny and Nuclear Chicken and for a big trout try Gulp! 7 inch Jerk Shad in Natural. For fast action, try Gulp! 3 inch Swimming Mullet in Smelt but paint tail chartreuse.
Our congratulations to Staff SGT John Mayne on his recent fly fishing
catch. While fishing April 30, 2008 on Big Lake with
Captain John Saucier of Calcasieu Charter Service, Mayne caught a
6.91 pound speckled trout. The catch, which should garner 7th place in the
LOWA LA Fly Fishing Records, is being submitted for approval