Tarpon in the Lake?
It’s no secret that tarpon fishing isn’t what it used to be in Lake Pontchartrain since the closing of the MRGO. The reduction in salinity has had its effect on the sport fish that, once upon a time, were plentiful in the Lake. But recent attempts to tag these fish and track them via satellite are proving that tarpon do indeed enter the lake during the summer months.
Scientists with Mississippi State University have been tracking these fish since 2019 and are now releasing new maps every Tuesday with updated paths for each tagged tarpon. “Currently, we have five active tarpons with affixed satellite tags, and we plan to tag even more this year. Our favorite tarpon track so far this year is from LA CCA #2, which was tagged near Cat Island and made a brief trip into Lake Pontchartrain before leaving and then swimming south,” A spokesperson with the program said. And that’s not the only tarpon that has wandered into the lake. Fish #9, which was originally tagged off the coast of Alabama swam into Lake Pontchartrain and made stops along the northern shoreline of the lake and the Causeway before exiting through Lake Borgne.
To keep up to date with the movement patterns of the tagged tarpon visit the MSU Marine Fisheries Ecology Program’s Facebook page.
Tournament Results
With all the extreme temperatures and serious lack of rain, the West Pearl has been dropping down to record low levels. The week leading up to the last Bass Assassins tournament we were graced by some much-needed rain. This managed to bring the Pearl River up from 5.5 feet at the Pearl River gauge to around 6.5 feet. However, by Sunday it was back down to just under 6 feet. Going into the tournament, everyone was predicting that it was going to be a fun day due to all the water coming out of the woods and fish grouped up in the main river. For most of the 14 anglers who showed up to do battle, it was a good day on the river.
Troy Ladner ended up first with a nice limit that totaled 9.70 lbs. Following close behind in second place was Steve Hadley with a 9.50 lbs. limit. There was a tie for third place a tie between Chad Babin and Josh Enman who both brought in 8.02 lbs. Enman’s ended up taking home the prize because his big fish was 3.83 lbs. and Babin’s was 2.37 lbs. Enman’s big fish was not only big enough to break the tie, but it was also big enough to award him the big fish of the day.
The Double Nickel Bass Club started their new season with 23 boats at East Pearl. The tidal forecast projected a falling tide during the morning hours; however, the water rose the entire tournament. At blast-off the field broke in all directions with some going north, some heading south, and some even heading west. In the end, it was Jerry Bullock who came out in first place with a 3-fish tournament limit that weighed 5.985 pounds. Bullock also brought in the big bass of the day with a 2.899-pound fish. In second place was Ralph Williams with a 3-fish limit of 4.376 pounds. Joe Frierson placed third with 4.244 pounds. Frierson won second place in the big bass division with 2.612 pounds.
Upcoming Tournaments
Pearl River Team Trails is holding its next tournament at Crawford’s Landing on October 14. For more information, please contact Charles Dauzat at 985-960-3260.
The Lock One Thursday evening tournaments are back! It’s only $21 per boat with an optional $2 trash fish pot. Blast-off will be at 5 p.m. There is a 3-bass limit. There is a free kids division for those who are 12 and under. For more information, please contact Chad Hartzog at 985-502-3217.
The Bayou Lacombe Big Bass Tournament is holding their next tournament at Bayou Lacombe on September 15. Biggest bass wins the pot. For more information, please contact Robbie Racuggulia at 985-377-4975.
Florida Parishes Bass Anglers will be holding a benefit tournament to raise money for a local cheer team. It will be held at the Manchac Boat launch on September 16. There is a $110 entry fee with a $10 big bass pot for the biggest bass caught. For more information, please contact Darrick Neal 225-278-5849.
The next Bass Assassins will be held at Bayou Lacombe on September 17. For more information, please contact Chris Basey at 985-707-7857.
(Keith Lusher Jr. writes a weekly column. For more info, visit NorthshoreFishingReport.com. Contact Keith at keith@northshorefishingreport.com.)