Southeast Louisiana is running hot and low-wind, which is a good combination for anyone willing to start early. The marsh is warm and the trout have pulled toward the outer islands and the deeper passes, but the redfish are exactly where they always are in August — in the ponds, on the shorelines, and eating. A new moon at the end of the week will bring a better tidal range than the marsh has had in two weeks.
What’s Hitting
Redfish are the most dependable fish in the state right now, working the pond shorelines and drains from Delacroix through Hopedale and down toward Venice. Speckled trout have moved out toward the outer islands, the passes and the nearshore rigs where the water is cooler and saltier. Tripletail are on the crab traps and the nearshore platforms, an easy and underrated August target. Mangrove snapper are stacked on the nearshore rigs. Offshore, yellowfin tuna are being caught at the deepwater platforms on the calm days.
Where to Find Them
The Delacroix and Hopedale marshes hold reds on the pond shorelines and at the drains on the falling water. Venice and the passes down toward Southwest Pass produce trout and bigger reds. The Grand Isle beachfront and the nearshore rigs off Fourchon are the trout and snapper water. Tripletail are on the crab trap lines running out of Barataria and Caminada Pass.
Tides & Conditions
Marsh water is 87 to 90 degrees; nearshore is mid-80s. The new moon brings a bigger tidal range this week, which matters enormously in the marsh — a falling tide that actually pulls water out of the ponds is the difference between a good day and a slow one. Winds have been light in the morning with afternoon storms. Marsh water clarity is fair, better on the outer edges.
Tackle & Tactics
Redfish are eating market shrimp under a popping cork, gold spoons, and soft plastics on a quarter-ounce jighead — nothing complicated. For trout on the outer islands, a live shrimp or croaker under a cork over shell is the reliable presentation. Tripletail take a live shrimp pitched with no weight on 30-pound fluorocarbon. Rig snapper want a live pogy or a cut bait on 40-pound leader. Offshore tuna are coming on live bait and chunks at the platforms after dark.
Local Intel This Week
The Delacroix, Hopedale and Lafitte launches are the practical marsh ramps; Cypress Cove at Venice and Bridgeside at Grand Isle handle the coastal and nearshore trips. Fish are concentrating at the pond drains and the outer islands rather than the interior lakes, which have gone warm and low-oxygen. Redfish, speckled trout and snapper all carry size and bag restrictions — check current Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and federal Gulf regulations before keeping any fish.
This Week’s Tip
Fish the falling tide at the drains. In August the ponds heat up and every shrimp and minnow in them gets flushed out the same cut — the redfish sit in the deeper water just outside it and wait. Anchor off, cast into the mouth, and let the current do the presenting.
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