BIG LAKE
High winds, strong storms and heavy rains kept most boats at the dock last weekend as anglers got caught up on honey-do lists and home repairs. I talked to several local anglers who reported huge amounts of fresh water coming into Big Lake. With this influx of fresh water, the best water condition is in West Cove and east bank. Most reports say to hit the east bank and target red fish rather than trout until the lake has a chance to stabalize. Berkley Gulp Shrimp and Sand eels (New Penny) as well as Norton sandeels are two highly recommended baits for reds. Some anglers are using jig heads with a spinner attached to catch reds in off-colored water.
Gulp! Works On Big Lake: Each week we attempt to give the local Big Lake angler current info from some of the most experienced guides and fishermen in the area. Included in those reports have been suggestions as to what baits/lures top fishermen are using to catch their fish. In the past six months, none has been reported to me more than Berkley's Salt Water Gulp! Series. It has been off the charts.
Local retailers say that it sells so fast that they have had a problem keeping a good selection of product in stock but that production levels have gotten some better and more Gulp! is currently available. Next week we will look at what makes the product so successful. When thousands of Louisiana anglers spend their hard-earned money on a specific fishingbait, there has to be something to it.
It has proven effective on trout, redfish as well as flounder and is also making waves in off shore trips. It catches fish. Period! It has dominated the Red Fish Cup Tournament Series and Gulp! is found in most inshore pro angler's tackle collection. So we might should take heed. The scientists at Berkley spent several years and millions of dollars to get this product in its present, fish-catching form. It is not a plastic, 100% natural and enviromentally friendly as it is 100% biodegradable.
It comes in numerous forms with the top sellers being Gulp! Shrimp (3 and 4 inches), Swimming Mullet and Gulp! Sand eel. Top colors currently are new penny in the Shrimp and Sand eel and chartreuse in Swimming Mullet. The secret is in the amount of scent dispersion as tests indicate that Saltwater Gulp! disperses 400 times more than soft plastics basically leaving a scent trail. Gulp! is now coming out in pints and quarts which anglers like because of the extra juice.
When you open a pack of Gulp!, don't spill the juice as you can place used baits back in the pack and re-charge them. Gulp! can be fished any way a soft plastic can be fished from jig heads to popping corks. About the only way to make a mistake with Gulp! is to not use it. It is not cheap as a pack of Gulp! Shrimp runs about $6 for 6 baits. They hold up pretty well and can usually catch several fish before a mean trout or redfish strips it off.