Figuring Out the Redfish Puzzle

Okay, maybe I haven’t been sending you any emails, but I’ve been busy exploring flats in the Gulf and doing some “product testing” on redfish. I’ve learned a TON about how to fish in Louisiana in lots of different conditions, and it’s all coming together!

One of the “OG” guides down here, Paul Lappin, has taken me under his wing. He has been guiding out of Venice for the last 15 years and only fishes with industry people and repeat clients. He’s notorious for not telling other guides a dang thing, but he will drop some incredible hints and let me figure it out myself. This week he even trusted me enough to show me a couple of zones I can fish (if I ask permission first). I’ve been living out of my Scout camper in his backyard, and I think some of his fishy mojo must have rubbed off on me.

I spent a few weeks down here in December before heading back to Idaho for Christmas and the Expo. Over the last month I’ve been back in Louisiana, getting on the water every day and learning the area and how the fish move this time of year. Only two days have been windy enough to keep me off the water, but for the Dolphin Super Skiff it takes quite a bit of wind to make things truly unfishable.

You’re always playing a game of chess—trying to figure out where the fish will be on a given tide, where you can tuck out of the wind to pole the boat, and where the water will be clean enough to sight fish. I use several apps on my phone to track the variables, but more and more I’m relying on what I’m learning day by day to decide which zones to fish, which direction to approach from, and where to be as the day unfolds.

It’s a lot to keep track of all at once, but there’s something deeply satisfying about putting the puzzle together.

Most of the seasonal guides that come down here fish out of Hopedale. Paul says that Hopedale is the “beginner area,” and that guides eventually graduate to fishing Port Sulphur, then Venice. I’ve fished all three areas and am in love with Port Sulphur. It’s quiet, big enough that you’re not getting in each other’s way, and the fish just make sense.

In tough conditions, I can reliably go out and at least get a couple of good shots. On my best day out of this area, I landed 15 redfish on fly while fishing from the poling platform! There were at least twice as many shots I couldn’t make. When you’re casting at a fish from the platform, you have to clip the pole into the holder while keeping your eyes on the fish, grab your rod with your other hand, and make a quick, accurate cast while hoping your fly line doesn’t get tangled on the motor. There’s definitely a learning curve.

I have never caught as many big fish in one month. It is truly unbelievable down here. The Blackout 8-weight built on the “Epitome” blank from North Fork Composites has been my daily driver. Right now, I have a 9-weight line on it to help with the quick, short shots we get so often down here in the marsh. Sometimes you don’t even get to make a proper cast because a fish will appear 12 feet in front of the boat and you have less than three seconds to drop your fly on her head before she sees you and spooks. An overlined fly rod makes the short game a lot easier.

I still have to take the course to get my captain’s license, but I have all the necessary hours. I’ve even had a couple of weeks of “practice guiding” trips with my dad and brother, and then a couple of my uncles fished with me for a week this month. We all had an awesome time and caught some big fish!

I just wanted to touch base and fill you in on my future plans to guide down in Louisiana. Next week I’m heading to Florida. The sand flats and turtle grass are calling me, and there is a big snook, a tarpon, a bonefish, and maybe even a permit in my future. Wish me luck out there.

I hope you get out and bend a rod sometime soon.