November Fishing Report | Tailing Red Anglers | Red fish in the shallows

This November’s weather in Louisiana was truly one for the books. We had three straight weeks of sunshine and light winds, interrupted only by a brief cold front that pushed even more fish into the shallows. We fished everything from narrow creeks and pond mouths to wide-open bays packed with schools of fish. The tides couldn’t have been better, steady falling water all day. The northwest wind forced out so much water that by afternoon we were seeing 18 inches or more of exposed mud below the grass.

Running the boat in these low conditions needed to be done with caution. Sometimes you had to take the long way home just to avoid main channels that were barely holding two inches of water. A few boats weren’t as lucky and had to wait for higher tide just to float again. Usual deep spots turned into the perfect depth, letting us spot giant bulls cruising in barely two feet of water. And while everyone landed their dream 40-inch fish, you had to put the fly right on their noses to trigger a strike with small twitches which did the trick. Keeping the line tight the moment the cast lands is the key to everything.

Despite the below-average snow pack in Montana the last few years, the lower flows in the Mississippi River have led to higher salinity levels in the Louisiana marshes. This year it was especially noticeable with jellyfish everywhere. Slot-size red fish around Hopedale, which had been declining over the last decade, appeared to rebound; where we used to spot one or two, we were now seeing groups of five or six cruising together. The number of bull reds in the shallows during both October and November was also up, making for explosive popper eats.

Our last day on the water before heading home for turkey was a memorable one with John and his son Sean. I saw a thick marine layer pushing toward the area I planned to start in, so I turned south toward the sun instead. We had a few shots before the fog swallowed us completely and visibility disappeared. Knowing the wind would hold and that conditions offshore looked clear, we made the call to run another 40 minutes out to the “islands.” The marine layer broke, and we spent the rest of the day in full sun. I headed to a spot where I once camped on the beach with my good guide buddy Steven Winkels. All day long, single and double bulls drifted toward us just a foot under the surface, and we soaked in the sound of reels screaming deep into the backing.

People often ask me which is harder? Guiding for trout around Missoula or guiding saltwater in Louisiana. With trout, you weigh everything you know, and once you launch the boat, you’re committed to that choice. In Louisiana, I never really know where the day will take me. I might start with plans A, B, C, and D based on wind and tide, but most days I scrap them and go entirely off-script. I follow my gut, and sometimes that leads me 50 miles offshore to sandy beaches.

If you’re joining us in December, we’re excited to see you soon. Until then, have a Happy Thanksgiving!