Pristine and plentiful, southeastern Louisiana’s vast inshore habitat comprises the nation’s most productive redfish arena. So dependable is this brackish wonderland that – weather permitting – a first-timer could fish blind and stand a good chance of limiting out.
The major player here is the Mississippi River, which completes a 2,340-mile journey from its Minnesota headwaters and pumps a massive volume of nutrient-rich water through a labyrinth of delta tributaries. The result is the dense emergence of various marsh vegetation that harbors baitfish, crustaceans and invertebrates – a veritable redfish buffet.
Spring through fall sees predictable action within partially enclosed marsh water bodies called “duck ponds” (so named for their popularity with waterfowl hunters during the fall-winter duck migrations). Pond action peaks in October-November, but once winter’s chill embraces the region, reds depart for the comfort of deep, stable water.
Local guide Troy Robichaux suggests targeting traditional winter redfish haunts such as oyster mounds, points with current lines, the mouths of run-out creeks and drop-offs adjacent to channels and natural bayous in 7 to 20 feet. Productive tactics include slow-bouncing jigs with black or purple cocahoe minnow tails or soft-plastic jerkbaits, probing with deep-running crankbaits and fluttering gold spoons.
Reds turn lethargic in cold conditions, so keep retrieves slow and work each spot thoroughly. A fish might have to see a lure more than once before its rumbling belly demands action. Also, try larger jig tails or scented soft plastics to entice reticent reds. Rattle chambers inserted into plastics help, too.
During warm spells, especially on sunny days, winter redfish occasionally visit shallow duck ponds to check out the chow situation. Most baitfish avoid shallow ponds during winter entirely, but crustaceans and invertebrates remain. On cooler days, reds will patrol grass beds and depressions in a pond’s deeper center. Warm days find them cruising shorelines and skinny mud flats that absorb the sun’s heat.
Fishing shallow during winter means exceptionally clear water at its lowest annual level. With redfish often skimming in depths insufficient to cover their backs, sight-casting opportunities abound. However, reds realize their vulnerability and become markedly more skittish than they do during the warmer months.
Moreover, meager winter depths can prohibit anglers from getting close enough to reach the fish. If you can achieve casting range, go with light presentations such as a soft-plastic bait on a 1/8-ounce jighead or a 3/0 wide-gap worm hook. Heavy spinnerbaits and noisy top-water plugs that work so well during the warm season will send spooky winter reds blasting out of sight.
Now, if all else fails, the Southwest Pass jetties at the river’s mouth boast southeastern Louisiana’s year-round sure bet for redfish. Work the leeward side and bounce 1/2- to 1-ounce jigs with black or purple cocahoe minnow tails over the rocks. Keep baits moving to avoid snagging the Gulf’s collection of random entanglements.