October wrapped up with an entire week of action-packed popper fishing, targeting schools of bull redfish and jacks. It was an experience that spoiled us all, and deep down, we knew it couldn't last forever. Water temperatures remained unusually warm, holding steady in the low to mid-70s throughout November. This was well above the norm, and the weather patterns brought by the second hurricane that struck Cuba led to high tides all along the Louisiana coast, causing several cancellations. Still, we held out hope for cold fronts to push through in December, and sure enough, they did. As the winds began to howl from the North, water temps plummeted from the mid-70s to the mid-50s. Winter redfish season had officially arrived, and the bull reds started moving into the shallows—let the hunt begin.
We kicked off December with Blake and his friend Andy. It was Andy’s first time fishing in saltwater. Blake couldn’t make it the first day, so Andy had the bow all to himself. He made the most of it, landing two big bulls and a handful of slot fish under full sun. The next day, Blake was back on board. The weather was warm and cloudy, with a low tide—ideal conditions for tailing redfish. Our first shot of the day came when we spotted two bulls tailing, their backs visible as they approached from 100 yards out. I angled the boat for a perfect forehand shot, and Blake nailed it on his first cast. Tailing bulls continued to be the theme throughout the day, capping off the trip in perfect fashion.
Next up was a good college buddy of mine, John, and his dad, Allen. John and I have been fishing together for nearly 20 years, so it was great to have him and his dad out on the water. Allen, eager to land a big bull on the fly, decided to give it a shot despite some tough conditions, while John stayed in the cockpit, throwing spin gear. We found small schools of mullet moving through, with several bulls in hot pursuit. We managed to land a handful of bulls on spoons, but the fly fishing just didn’t come together for us. Scattered thunderstorms in the area prompted a short run for shelter, just in case things got dicey.
The next day, the weather was just as unpredictable. The forecast called for 20 mph winds and clouds, but we got dead calm and overcast skies instead. After a few early shots at some slot reds, we moved to the next shoreline, and things quickly turned magical. We spotted five tailing bulls in a row—unfortunately, they all got away. But our luck changed on the next cast. A bull flashed at 60 feet right in front of the boat. John hesitated, thinking it was a mullet, but then three bulls exploded on the surface just ahead of us. As they swam off to the right, I had John make a long, blind cast. Sure enough, one of the bulls came out of the pack and hammered the fly as it hit the water. We landed that fish and called it a day, just as dark clouds rolled in. The rain started pouring down as we pulled the boat onto the trailer—perfect timing.
Nick and Luke, fellow guides from Missoula, MT, came down for a few days to see what all the craze was about with redfish. Their first day was a wash, with 35 mph northwest winds and a high of only 42 degrees, stirring up dirty water throughout the marsh. The second day wasn’t much better, with cold winds and a rough boat ride. As a guide, it’s tempting to call it quits on the fly and switch to spin gear, but it’s always refreshing when clients are determined to stick with the fly, even if it’s just for one shot.
By the third day, we were facing cloudy skies and a stiff 17-knot breeze. I was convinced we were in for another tough day, but then the sun broke through for just 10 minutes. In that brief window, Nick seized the opportunity, landing a 28 lb, 42-inch bull red for his first-ever redfish. The clouds rolled back in, and Luke had a few chances at fish swimming away from the boat in tough light. But he made the most of his final opportunity, using spin gear to land a solid 40-inch bull, capping off both the day and the trip in style.
I wrapped up the season with my great client and friend Tad, a lawyer who takes only four days off all year to fish. After the first day of being slimed by some black drum, the last day of the season turned out to be an absolute gem. We had full sun, a light breeze, and perfect tides—low water with an outgoing current in the morning, and incoming tide in the afternoon. Tad’s first cast produced a 43-inch, 29 lb redfish. The morning was full of floating bulls on the surface and schools of fish hunting mullet. I even got in on the action, hooking the biggest fish of the season from the poling platform. It hit just two feet from the boat and then took off toward the motor, eventually popping the hook right as it passed under the push pole. I stepped back and let Tad take the reins for the rest of the day. We cruised home in calm seas, reflecting on the magic the marsh had just given us.
Someone once told me that guiding isn’t just about fishing with your friends, but that’s exactly what my clients have become—friends. I’m incredibly grateful to them for letting me do what I love. Wishing you all Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas!