After taking the onslaught of double-whammy hurricanes Gustav and Ike, Cocodrie took a real whuppin' a month or so back.  And only now is this acclaimed Louisiana saltwater hotspot once again extending open-arm invitations to come down for some really great fishing.

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That's where my fishing team and I cast our lines Thursday, which also happens to be the singular location that I’m stressing to each of you whenever you're ready to put another mess of trout and redfish in your boat.

“Yeah, but if they’re gonna come down here to fish this weekend, Frank,” Captain Ryan Folse, operator of the charter boat Ryan-O explained, “they won’t be fishing in the kind of weather you guys had Thursday.

“Y’all had pleasantly cool temperature, gentle breezes, an almost perfect tide, and lots of bright sunshine.  Come Saturday and Sunday, the weekenders can expect a dose of winter winds accompanied by a real nip in the air.  They will have to look hard for areas of clean water back on the marsh and they’ll need to find a spot that’s protected from the pre-winter briskness; but what accurately could be called the first real wintertime chill won't bother the fish-catchin' much come the weekend.  That’s provided that they fish hard!”

Petit Caillou, Bayou Sale, the Navigational Channel, and other prime marsh-island spots should be at the top of your location list.  Seagulls, birds, diving gulls, or whatever else you like to call them is your key to finding the fish you seek. 

“I’ve been saying for weeks. . .find the birds and you’ll find the trout,” Folse added to the on-board discussion.  “Granted, much of them will be barely undersize, something like 11.9 inches.  But at all costs avoid the temptation of slipping a couple of those schoolies into your ice chest. You got to remember that the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agents don’t play that!  You will get a ticket! So when in doubt. . .measure!”

Keep in mind that Coco Marina is open for fuel, back-down ramp service, drinks, ice, and other angling incidentals.  The restaurant, however, remains closed; so bring foods and snacks with you when you come.    

On another, but quite a related, subject there’s really only one tactic you should employ for catchin’ your share of keepers, regardless of the species.  You fish ‘em on a smoke-colored split-tail beetle on a quarter ounce lead-head jig under a popping cork (or a pre-rigged Speculizer).  This configuration should satisfy both trout and redfish.  If, however, you fish only tightline, then tie on a smoke-glitter beetle or grub, fish flat on the bottom, and use a straight, moderate retrieve.

But there is one other critical thing you need to know.  Gnats!  Gnats!  And more gnats!  They’re so thick back in the marsh they’ll literally pick you up and carry you off!  So bring your gnat hood, your entire gnat suit, and all the bug dope you can stash in your tackle box.  I personally suggest you pack Deep Woods Off, Cutter, 100% DEET, Avon Skin-So-Soft, and the new Victoria’s Secret Amber Romance.  If you opt for the last two, (1) be sure to let your wife know beforehand that you’re using it so that she doesn’t think you spent the day at The House of the Rising Sun, and (2) be sure you know who you’re fishing with—take along the wrong fishin’ buddy  and you might have to spring later for dinner and a movie!  ‘Nuff said!

Now next week I’m back at Irish Bayou with Capt. Kenny Kreeger.  We’ll test the trestle, the Five Mile, the Twins, the Rigolets, maybe the Chef, possibly Lake Catherine, and even the Rigolets Train Bridge.  I’ll post right here when I get back to let you know exactly what my fishing team and I caught and what you got a chance at catching next weekend.

In the meantime, tight lines and good times to ‘ya. . .

Frank Davis