As the calendar turns from March to April, the Northshore is seeing a transition. The Pearl River is affecting saltwater fishing in Lake Borgne and Catherine making conditions tough. On the freshwater side, the bass spawn is wrapping up just as the bream spawn cranks up. Below is a brief rundown of fishing spots across the St. Tammany Parish.
Bayou Cane
The bluegill are biting in Bayou Cane as the spawn kicks off and will run into May. All the action will be along the shoreline. Using crickets, worms, or jigs under a small popping cork will yield bream. Bass fishing will be getting back to normal by the end of the month as the post-spawn stage winds down. As usual with Cane, the spill-outs are your go-to spots for bass. Soft plastics T-Rigged like Zoom worms and Brushhog’s are deadly in the ditches that drain into the main bayou.
Salt Bayou
We should see an improvement in the bass bite as hungry post-spawn bass begin to feed aggressively on almost any bait in crawfish or perch colors. Experiment with topwaters, crankbaits, and plastics based on conditions. Bream fishing excels with grass shrimp and crickets, fishing 18 inches under a cork near structure, marsh drains, and weed lines. For saltwater action, speckled trout are cruising the shorelines along the lakeshore, rocks, and camp pilings. Use Dudley’s and Matrix lures in opening night, salt and pepper, and avocado colors on a 3/8-ounce jig head. Try mullet and bone-colored topwaters near the rocks for an exciting bite.
Lake Borgne
Speckled trout are becoming more aggressive as water temperatures reach the 70s, though they remain scattered. Focus on finding clean water between cold fronts, especially with the Pearl River keeping the Rigolets and northeast Lake Borgne dirty. Fish mouths of bayous and small outlet drains using popping corks with your favorite plastic or live shrimp. For redfish, target shorelines with topwater lures in the early morning hours. When venturing into Borgne, look for diving or sitting birds indicating baitfish presence, and watch for water slicks. Try drop shot rigs with live shrimp at oil rigs and wellheads for speckled trout.
Trestles
April brings increased trout action at the Trestles as the water begins to clean up. Fish the train bridge using Matrix Shad in Lemon Head on a 3/8 oz jig head to cover water efficiently. When you locate fish, work through them systematically before circling back for more. Flounder numbers are improving, suggesting the best spring run in six years. Don’t fixate solely on casting at the bridge structure as trout often group up about 50 feet away, so periodically cast away from the bridge to find these overlooked schools.
East Pearl River
Bass fishing has been challenging despite some impressive tournament weights. Expect bass to transition into summer patterns, moving to grass, lily pads, and flowing water. Try crawfish imitators, particularly C4 Jigs’ hand-tied lures, which provide excellent color-matching options. Sac-a-lait and bream fishing remains productive, with many successful trips being reported.
Biloxi Marsh
The trout have largely abandoned the interior marsh for bays, sounds, and Lake Borgne. As water temperatures reach over 70 degrees, target oil rigs in Borgne from the mouth of Bayou Biloxi to Bayou St. Milo. Lake Borgne shorelines and drains hold both redfish and speckled trout. The LA Marsh area from 9-Mile east, offers productive fishing, particularly where water flows out of bayous and passes. Always investigate diving birds, though be prepared for gaff top catfish.
Tournament Results
The Double Nickel Bass Club fished the East Pearl on an overcast morning. There were 23 boats that showed up to compete for bragging rights and a cash pot. It was a nice morning with lots of clouds and a light wind. The water on the river was high and stained. Some of the anglers found a few fish early but said they really started biting when it was time to make their run back. In the end, it was Bob Perry who came in first place with 3 fish weighing 5.87 pounds. In second place was Ralph Dunn who totaled 5.77 pounds and 2nd place Big Bass with a 2.92-pound fish. Barry Lee came in third place with 5.35 pounds. Lee also won the big bass pot with a 3.06-pound fish.
Upcoming Tournaments
Pearl River Team Trails will hold its next tournament at Crawford Landing on April 12. For more information, please call Charles Dauzat at 985-960-3260.
The Northshore Sac-a-lait Tournament will be holding a tournament at the Tchefuncte River on April 12. For more information, please contact Billy Adams at 504-756-9939.
FBPA is holding its next tournament at Bayou Liberty on April 13. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/fpbassanglers.
The Double Nickel Bass Club will hold its next tournament at the East Pearl River on April 15. The club is for those who are above the age of 55. For more information, please call Dwain Crumby at 985-502-6006.
(Keith Lusher Jr. writes a weekly column. For more info, visit NorthshoreFishingReport.com. Contact Keith at keith@northshorefishingreport.com.)