At daybreak Thursday morning my fishing team and I held little hope for fishing success at Cocodrie, what with the frigid water temperatures and the muddy conditions.
But only 20 minutes after we threw out the first Carolina rig baited with a mega-serving of cracked crab at Caillou Boca, my fishing host Johnny Glover and I were fighting a multiple mix of bull reds and black drum that tipped the scales somewhere in the 30 pound range.
“But here’s the best part, Frank,” Glover confided. “These fish aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. They’re gonna hold up here for about the next month or so and they’ll provide all the tackle-busting, heavyweight bull red and black drum action anyone could ever wish for.”
And catching them promises to be rather easy if you follow a few tried and true rules and techniques:
1—Pick out a spot at the island chain in Boca where there exists a definitive ledge line, that area where the bottom drops distinctly from one depth to the next. This is prime feeding area for these bull-size fish since it provides good ambush cover.
2—Try to select a spot where there is good tidal movement. Water flow in such areas serves to move natural bait in population back and forth, keeping the fish in a sluggish yet semi-active state which allows them to feed a little better here than in spots where the water doesn’t move.
3—Look for slicks and target these areas. “Slick presence” is the primary method used to locate feeding bull reds and black drum. Potential catches in spots where slicks show up will increase catch ratios at least four times over.
4—A half crab on a 6/0 Kahle hook anchored to the bottom on a full 3 ounces of lead weight tied above an 18-inch leader is your weapon of choice against these goliaths. Patiently allow the bait to rest on the bottom undisturbed; then when the rod-tip begins twitching, indicating activity on the terminal end, take the rod and reel from the rod holder, wait for the tension to develop on the line, and set the hook hard. Immediately the fight will be on!
Ryan Folse, our charter captain Thursday, says he has no doubt that “the bulls” will be in the same area this Saturday and Sunday. So your best bet is to rig the heavy tackle, scoop up about a bucket full of blue crabs, and head for the islands.
“I’ll make bet that you’ll have a lot of fun fighting the big guys while you wait for the trout to return to the Sulphur Mine this April.”
Next week I head back to Lafitte for a mid-winter trip with Capt. Phil Robichaux and his gang. In the meantime, do a warm-weather novena for us!
To book Capt. Ryan for a guided bull trip aboard his offshore boat, just call Cocodrie Marina at 985-594-6626.
Good times and tight lines to ya,
Frank Davis
