BIG LAKE
Elaine Huck checked in from Calcasieu Point and gave a super report on fishing the past few days with several fishermen back with limits by mid morning. Turners Bay has been on the list of numerous anglers for both quality reds and trout. The Weirs (Lambert's) are producing good fishing with the south end of the lake cranking out plenty of fish when water conditions are good. The ship channel is also turning out lots of fish from the poggie plants to Moss Lake. On windy days anglers are finding refuge in the LNG Canal and can still catch a lot of fish although not a lot of big fish.
Huck handles a lot of live bait and has some suggestions about keeping live bait alive in summer months. She suggests anglers freeze a couple of water bottles or put ice in zip-lock bags but never throw ice in the water as it lowers the salinity plus most ice has some chlorine which can be harmful to live bait. Another is to wash hands completely after using sun screen/insect spray and also suggests using a net to retrieve live bait instead of catching them with bare hands.
"What an incredible week of fishing" says Lake Charles angler Greg Vidrine. Vidrine talks to numerous Lake Area anglers both on the water and also as manager of one of the areas leading tackle stores. Vidrine has his finger on the pulse of all the local fisheries and has a special love for Big Lake. Vidrine stated that the off shore anglers caught some awesome fish last weekend but for those who that opted to fish inland also had excellent results.
He stated that the water was clear throughout the lake and salinity at high levels. Its live bait season and live bait patterns are presently very successful all over the lake but especially along the ship channel. Vidrine's hot spot to suggest this week includes the beaches in the Johnson's Bayou area as well as Martin Beach. Concerning plastics, Vidrine says his top selling soft plastic continues to be Berkley Gulp! with the hottest Gulp! being the new Belly Strip Gulp! which are pulling out several big trout.
The Belly Strip can be used by themselves on a weighted hook or jighead or can be used as a teaser on other baits. Top selling hard baits continue to be the Mirrorlure's She Dogs and the Rapala's X RAP 13's. Anglers suffering from heat stroke is occurring so drink plenty of water and Gatorade before and during fishing trips.