BIG LAKE
FISH CATCHING PRODUCTS: 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 bait, there has to be something to it.
Local tackle store owner, Nick Chehotsky, stated that speckled trout fishing had slowed down due to poor water conditions on most of Big Lake. He did say that anglers who were willing to slow down their presentation were catching a few really big trout but not many as far as numbers. Suspending baits such as Gulp! Sinking Minnows, Catch 2000s and Corkys were getting some quality bites and Joe's Cove was one area where big trout were being caught. Another area for bigger trout was West Cove.
Local Lake Area Marine pro, David Rabalais, reports that reds are stacked along the east bank from The Commissary Point to the Weirs (Lamberts Bayou). Work the shoreline with New Penny Gulp!, Stanley Wedgetails and
sand eels in root beer and glow shrimp. Reds will stack up on the down wind and inside edges of minor points. The extra fresh water last week and more coming as I write this column will not help Lake Calcasieu and area Inland waterways. However, it is awesome to have a fishery where you can go load up on reds even when all else fails. To have Big Lake in our back yard is a huge blessing.