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FALL 2007
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Grand Isle Getaway by Al Rogers Going Live Saves the Day!   To some 1,500 people who live on Grand Isle, this is a little slice of paradise. New motels, rebuilt marinas, rustic camps and quaint beachside cottages line the island, which stretches for seven miles. The population swells to more than 30,000 in late July when the town hosts the annual Grand Isle International Tarpon Rodeo.   It's a beautiful area. But few come here to sightsee. In Grand Isle, it's all about fishing. Anglers come year-round and in all conditions to catch big fish. And most rely on charter captains to give them unforgettable experiences - stories that will be told and re-told for years to come.   Capt. Jeff Brumfield, who owns and operates Flaming Hooks Guide Service, has to produce fish consistently. And even on the worst days he always seems to deliver. After hearing about Brumfield from several outdoor writers I called to perhaps learn how he accomplishes what he does. Specifically I wanted to know how he managed to be so productive in conditions that were less than ideal... Low Water Trout by David A. Brown Wading Tactics for Fall Trout   By DAVID A. BROWN   When fall brings cooling water temperatures and shorter days, catching big speckled trout is no walk in the park. However, a walk in the shallow bays of Florida's Gulf Coast can put you in close proximity to loads of line-stretching specks.   Throughout Charlotte Harbor, Sarasota Bay and Tampa Bay, the single most important factor in locating the fall bounty is mullet. When the march of fall cold fronts commences, mullet start gathering in huge prespawn schools in backwater bays and estuaries. These fish stir up shrimp, crabs and baitfish as they move across the shallows and trout commonly run right among the mullet to pick off these easy meals.   Anglers who learn to fish around the mullet schools can slam the big trout. The only problem is that when low tides ­ particularly the extreme negative lows of late fall & winter ­ cut off the access to backwater holes and troughs, anglers usually cannot reach the bounty of fish that lay in these backwater sanctuaries through the outgoing tide cycle...     Cut Bait Reds - by Capt. Fred Everson Reds Go For More Than Just Mullet   Capt. Nick Winger introduced me to fishing with cut bait for redfish some years ago. The bait we used then was threadfin herring, cut into half inch steaks, and we caught the heck out of redfish along the shadow line of the mangroves on a high tide. He caught the threadfins with a cast net around some bridge pilings at the mouth of the bay. Normally, threadfins are not the primary target. Most live bait fishermen like scaled sardines when they can get them because they stay alive better in the live well and on the hook. But threadfins excel as cut bait because they are oily and shed lots of scale. They will not thrive in a crowded well, so the technique is to cull the dead baits out as they perish and put them on ice. This helps keep the bait firm. Threadfins also shy away from the net better than sardines, hence a large diameter, 1/2 inch mesh net is better suited to the task than the standard 3/8 inch. While fishing with small shrimp on an outing for mangrove snapper recently, a school of ladyfish moved in, and Nick threw a couple in the livewell. "Redfish bait," he told me as he saw the quizzical look on my face. "Really?" An hour later we pulled onto a flat near a rock pile and a guy in an aluminum boat waved us over. "Man, there's a school of about a hundred redfish here, but I can't get 'em to eat!" he said. As Nick put the anchor out, I could see big redfish milling around the boat. "We're right on top of them," I said. "Just be quiet ­ we'll be alright," he replied...     Drifting With the Guides - by Kyle Tomek Baits and Technique on Texas Flats   Days of fall approach with the first signs of fading leaves, dying wildflowers, and falling tides. Drift fishing during the season, however, becomes anything but dead. From the upper reaches of the Texas Coast to the shallows of the Lower Laguna Madre, fall reigns as one of the best times to focus fishing efforts to drifting for speckled trout and redfish. Why is fall better for drifting than other seasons? Fall brings change ranging from cooling temperatures to dropping tides. Falling with the tides is migrating baitfish that have relaxed within protected backwaters and saltwater marsh all summer long. Trout and redfish gang up and attack the fleeing feasts-all within driftable waters. Typically when drifting for speckled trout and redfish, keying on fish attracting structure is a great starting point...   Gulf Coast Closeup - by Mike Thompson Fishing Venice, Louisiana With Capt. Cade Thomas   On your first trip to the sportsman's destination of Venice, Louisiana you will most likely ask yourself, "how did anyone find this place?" The bumpy highway runs southeast towards the boot of the state of Louisiana. Terribly ripped apart by Hurricane Katrina, Venice is slowly making her comeback, and the fishermen are surely grateful for that!   Once at the end of Highway 23, after a 90-minute drive south of New Orleans, you will have the option of launching at either Cypress Cove Marina or Venice Marina. Both will be the last place to purchase fuel, ice and drinks   The first time I made the journey down from the fishing village of Venice, Louisiana along the Mississippi River to the fertile fishing grounds of Main Pass I was amazed. Not only by the vast expanse of the mighty Mississippi River, but of the steady commerce in the forms of ships carrying cargo, oil field boats and construction vessels.   On either side of the river there is marshy land spreading out into larger bodies of water. The many bayous, cuts and passes lead to some of the finest fishing to be had anywhere on the Gulf Coast....   OUR DEPARTMENTS...   Paddling Out - Dueling Guides - by Jeff Herman   Rod & Reel'n Offshore - Fishing Deep - by Patrick Lemire   Equipment Notebook - Six Quick Tips - by David Ayers   The Bay Naturalist - The Controversial Croaker - by John Hook   The Fly Guy - The Flounder Connection - by Pete Cooper, Jr.   Tackle Time - Fish Keepers - Stringer or Net? by Colby Sorrells   Bait Hook - How to Fish Good... - by Jim Martin     From the Publisher... Besides all these great articles and departments, Gulf Coast Fisherman is the only source for the Wells Daily Fishing Forecast. Each issue carries three months of the Wells Daily Fishing Forecast - with Monthly Fishing Calendars. Also, don't forget about the Advance Planning Calendars in each issue that takes you out three months past the current issue. This will provide what you need to intelligently plan your fishing trips - hours, weeks, and up to six months in advance!   Top saltwater guides and fishermen use the Wells Daily Fishing Forecast - shouldn't you be using it ,too?...   "The fisherman that knows what the currents are doing has the advantage - over fish and fishermen!" And remember - "Fish feed everyday, somewhere " - Harold Wells   Gary Ralston Publisher   Home