Lake Area tackle retailer, Greg Vidrine, reminds anglers on these days with strong winds to replenish, organize your tackle, clean and re-spool reels and give your boat, motor and trailer a good going over so you will be ready when the weather breaks. Actually mid-week has been much improved, weather-wise. He also like reminds everyone the C.C.A. STAR Tournament starts May 23/Memorial Day weekend sign up early. Vidrine also said heavy rains have been the enemy lately on Big Lake with huge amounts of muddy/fresh water from north to the south. Conditions will improve quickly if rains will back off.
Calcasieu Point's Elaine Huck is reading the same book as Vidrine....mega winds and rain!. "Anglers can still catch fish if they can make it to the weirs" says Huck. Also, inside the LNG canal anglers are catching some fish as anglers were also fishing Haymart and the Salt Ditch to find some protection. A personal observation however, is that a boat trip from Calcasieu Point to The Weirs could be a "Come to Jesus" trip in conditions like we have had lately. Conditions have to improve and forecasts indicate they might.
LATE HACKBERRY UPDATE
One of the latest and best reports in several weeks comes from Hackberry's Captain Kirk Stansel who reported Wednesday that several of their fleet of boats were able to fish Tuesday with decent results. One boat limited out with 45 trout and the rest of the boats averaged from 18 to 35 trout with a few reds. Water levels have been up with high tides and strong south winds hence the best water conditions currently are on the protected, southeastern part of the lake.
Stansel reported all fish were caught on soft plastics including Berkley Saltwater Gulp! Shrimp and Gulp! Swimming Mullet as well as Hackberry Hustlers. In Gulp! best colors were New Penny, Natural Shrimp and Nuclear Chicken. Hackberry Hustlers colors were chartreuse/black and LSU. The well-known Hackberry guide also said most of the fish this week are being caught under birds. More good news....Spicer's should have live shrimp in a few days.
