Capt. Kenny Kreeger’s 24-foot Blue Wave Open Fisherman bay boat had come to a still slightly drifting stop about 30 yards off the South Shore on the western side of the Lake Pontchartrain Railroad Trestle.  But that was enough anchorage for Emmy Award Winning Actor John Goodman.  His line, fashioned into a Carolina rig, and baited with live shrimp, was the first line in the water.

“C’mon, fish” he pleaded with the bottom-feeding trout he could not see.  “Big John’s here and looking for a fish supper!  Ooops—got a bite!  Ahhh-nope!  Just a snag that felt like a fish!”

Goodman is my second guest in my “Fishin’ With The Stars” series.  Last wee, if you remember, New Orleans Bourbon Street Entertainer Chris Owens hit the water with my charter crew and had the time of her life.  Next week the production concludes with a trip out on the water with the Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas.

But back to Goodman for a moment.

“I’m so happy to get your invitation, Frank, because I haven’t had a line in the water since the storm,” he confided.  “I actually didn’t start fishing until about 19 years ago when I met my wife.  And it really is the activity I use for my so-called down time.

“Frank, let me tell you. . .every time for me is like the first time I ever fished, so the initial excitement and anticipation is always there.  I mean, man, this clears your brain!”

As it turned out, in the short three-and-a-half hours that we had on the water together, Goodman managed to put close to a limit of keeper-trout in the ice chest.

“I’m taking these home, right?” he asked.  “Cuz there’s nothing more tasty than a platter of good, fresh, crispy-fried speckled trout.  And I hadn’t had a platter of ‘em in a while now!”

All in all, Goodman ended up catching a passel of speckled trout, two keeper size flounder, a couple of throwback drums, and a personal collection of stingrays. 

“He’s a doggone good fisherman!” Capt. Kreeger remarked to me off to the side as we prepared to “rate” him as “one of the stars.”  I mentioned that I thought he should warrant at least 15 performance points, but Kreeger countered, “Naw—but I will give him 12 points.  I mean, I gave Chris 15 points but he’s not as good looking as Chris!”

Now, while Goodman kept reeling ‘em in at the stern, he instructed me to pass along to all of you that the trestle, on a good tide, is a fantastically productive place to fish right now.  Primary species is speckled trout—most of the catch averages 12-inch fish, but when a monster trout does get into the mix, it’s one heckuva animal.  Then there are the secondary species—drum, flounder, sheepshead, redfish, and croakers.  These are the guys that take up the slack during trout bites and make up all the “slot extras” needed for a family fish fry. 

“Be sure you tell your viewers, Frank, that the best way to catch all these fish is with live shrimp right now.  They’re actively feeding—they’re not scavenging.   In fact, if the shrimp you’re using takes a hit and it dies, replace it right away with a new, lively one.  It makes the difference between going home with fish or having to stop on the way for fried chicken!”

At that point, he broke out in a rendition of “Let The Good Times Roll,” imitating both voices of the classic rock and roll legends, Shirley and Lee.

Early morning and late evening fishing has been the best times this past two weeks because those have been the periods of most active tidal pull.   But that’s not to say you should stay home in the middle of the day.  The deal is. . .if the tide is moving, either incoming or outgoing, the fish will bite all day long.

Oh, by the way, if you plan to take your turn in Lake Pontchartrain, Capt. Kreeger says one of the only places to find live shrimp right now is at Chef Harbor Marina on US Hwy 90 at the Chef Menteur Bridge.  Of course, you need to keep in mind that all the veteran trout anglers get their live bait there, so be aware that it’s first-come first-served.

Finally, the “Fishing With The Stars” series ends next Thursday with Irma Thomas aboard sitting in the catbird seat.  Make a note to yourself to watch this episode because fishing is nothing new to Irma—she’s actually a farm-girl-come-to-the-city who was fishing with the big kids even back when she was a child.  And you know what they say. . .Once you learn how, you never forget!

We’ll see!

Until then, tight lines and good times,

Frank Davis