BIG LAKE With all of the strong, south winds, the entire southern shoreline and West Cove has provided some shelter as well as better water quality. I spoke with another proven Big Lake source this week, Captain Kirk Stansel of the famous Hackberry Rod and Gun Club of Hackberry,LA . Stansel had just finished his daily fishing trip where they boated 45 trout and 12 reds. Their trout pattern was mainly following the birds and the reds they caught just happened to get in the mix as they were targeting specs (speckled trout).
All of their catch came on soft plastics including Berkley Gulp!, Hackberry Hustlers and Stanley Wedgetails. Stansel stated that the reds definitely preferred Berkley Gulp! Darker colored plastics seem to work better As far as bird locations, he said that day (Tuesday) as most of the day was overcast. They found birds from Lambert's Bayou all along the south shore and also into West Cove.
Captain Stansel, on most occasions, uses a bait cast reel spooled with 12 pound test Big Game line and one-quarter and three-eighths ounce lead-heads to which he attaches his favorite soft plastic. One trick some anglers use is to put a drop of fishing glue (Super Glue) on the soft plastic just before you slide it all the way on the lead head. This will, oftentimes, allow you to catch multiple fish before having to change plastics.
Popping corks are also used to suspend a jig over the fish. Many anglers choose to not use the popping cork when birds are present but add them when fish scatter but still remain in the area. The popping cork allows you to cast great distances and the noise factor will call fish up and get them to check out your bait.
In a "share the glory moment", Kirk mentioned that his brother, Captain Guy Stansel, caught a 7 pound spec on his first cast of the day Tuesday while tossing a white/red head She Dog. The Stansels call the bait The Red Headed Monster.
Regular Big Lake info source, Greg Vidrine, says that May has got to be his favorite month to fish for trout. He said "Usually the fish are pre-spawn size this month and chances are good you will land the big one!" Vidrine states that the water is still muddy and with the threat of more fronts coming through, we can't expect to see much improvement for a while. However, "With all of that said, the fishing has been very productive if you can handle the ride!" replied Vidrine.
Red fish are still everywhere, trout are peak sizes and limits are reported regularly and don't be afraid to try topwater baits as the topwater bite is the best its been in a long time. X-Raps, Spooks,Sub-walks and of course She Dogs are all good topwater baits. For soft plastics Vidrine says "Stick with the Gulp! Saltwater Series or Stanley Wedgetails and use darker colors for stained or muddied waters.
To book a trip with either Stansel brothers...there are three of them plus another dozen top guides, call 1-888-762-3391 or www.hackberryrodandgun.com.