Marsh Bass Magnification
The ever-changing marshes of southeast Louisiana have seen a drastic reduction in salinity resulting in the expansion of largemouth bass in areas that were once predominately saltwater. Mike Gallo of Angling Adventures of Louisiana agrees that this area has seen drastic change since he started fishing the marshes between the Rigolet’s and Shell Beach in 1997. “I don’t think I caught 50 bass total in my first 15 years of guiding this area and now when I target them I can catch 20 a day,” Gallo said.
Marsh Bass Survey
An online survey was conducted at NorthshoreFishingReport.com in which anglers were asked a set of questions pertaining to the number and size of marsh bass that they’ve caught over the past 5 years. Marsh bass qualify as bass caught in 1.0 parts per thousand (ppt) salinity or higher. The survey started on Oct. 26 and ran for 3 months. The survey was closed on Jan. 26. A total of 380 anglers answered. Below are the results:
Question: Do you primarily fish for marsh bass or is it a bycatch of targeting saltwater fish?
Specifically target marsh bass – 74%
Bycatch from targeting saltwater species – 26%
Question: On an average fishing trip to the marsh how many bass do you catch?
Less than 5 bass – 18%
6-10 bass – 19%
11-15 bass – 32%
16-20 bass – 27%
21-25 bass – 3%
Over 26 bass – 1%
Question: What is the largest marsh bass you’ve caught in the last 5 years?
1 lbs. – 2 lbs. – 13%
2.1 lbs. – 3 lbs. – 19%
3.1 lbs. – 4 lbs. – 23%
4.1 lbs. – 5 lbs. – 24%
5.1 lbs. – 6 lbs. – 17%
6.1 lbs. – 7 lbs. – 3%
7.1 lbs. – 8 lbs. – 1%
Question: The bass in southeast Louisiana’s marshes have:
Increased in size – 35%
Stayed the same – 58%
Decreased in size – 7%
Question: The population of marsh bass in southeast Louisiana in the last 5 years has:
Increased – 68%
Stayed the same – 25%
Decreased – 7%
The results of the survey align with much of what Gallo is seeing in the marshes. The bass are a welcome addition to the typical saltwater species that he normally catches. “As I guide, I welcome the bass into the area because they’ve saved trips for me,” Gallo said. “If I have a trip where it’s bad weather and I can’t get to where I want to go to target speckled trout or redfish; I can get to areas where I can target bass.” For those who are targeting bass in the marsh Gallo recommends trying the area between the dam at Shell Beach and the Chalmette Wall. “The Violet Lock lets out fresh water from the Mississippi River which is being trapped in-between the locks which reduce water flow,” he said. “I’m seeing an increase in the grass in that area and an increase in bass.”
Tournament
Results
The Double Nickel Bass Club held their tournament on the East Pearl on a very windy day. Nineteen anglers showed up to fish a dirty, swift moving river. In the end it was Ralph Dunn who figured out the conditions. Dunn brought in a 3-fish tournament limit that weighed 7.79 pounds. Dwain Crumby ended up in second with a limit weighing 7.51 pounds. In third was CJ Mayeux with a 6.06 pounds. In the big bass division, it was Ralph Dunn and Dwayne Crumby who both brought in bass weighing 3.06 pounds.
Upcoming
Tournaments
The Double Nickel Bass Club is holding their next tournament at the East Pearl River on Tuesday, February 15. For more information, please contact Joe Picone at 985-630-4170.
PRTT is holding their classic tournament at the East Pearl River on February 12. The tournament is open to anyone. For more information, please contact Charles Dauzat at 985-960-3260.
(Keith Lusher Jr. writes a weekly column. For more info, visit NorthshoreFishingReport.com.Contact Keith at keith@northshorefishingreport.com.)