Bayou Bonfouca: Hello all, Looking for advice on bayou bonfouca in Slidell, LA. I have a week to fish it (from shore) as we got a house there next week. Can anyone let me know what I...

StevenT Loc: Georgia

Hello all,
Looking for advice on bayou bonfouca in Slidell, LA. I have a week to fish it (from shore) as we got a house there next week.

Can anyone let me know what I should be going after, what Baird, lures, etc.

Thanks!
Steve

StevenT Loc: Georgia

Bait that is

FourchonLa. Loc: Fourchon Louisiana, South Louisiana

StevenT wrote:

Hello all,
Looking for advice on bayou bonfouca in Slidell, LA. I have a week to fish it (from shore) as we got a house there next week.

Can anyone let me know what I should be going after, what Baird, lures, etc.

Thanks!
Steve

Not sure exactly where you will be but more than likely you can target bass. If you have brackish water you can catch trout and redfish along with the bass. This article may help. Good luck and let us know how you do.

https://www.louisianasportsman.com/fishing/bass-fishing/bass-fishing-in-bayous-liberty-bonfouca-on-even-if-fronts-limit-saltwater-options/

StevenT Loc: Georgia

Looks like I’ll be a little SW of central Slidell off of Island Dr, not coincidentally on what appears to be a small island. Familiar to you?

FourchonLa. Loc: Fourchon Louisiana, South Louisiana

StevenT wrote:

Looks like I’ll be a little SW of central Slidell off of Island Dr, not coincidentally on what appears to be a small island. Familiar to you?

Not that area but you should have brackish water there. Try some bass baits you may be accustomed too and some saltwater baits you have fished before. The article I linked gives some info on catching bass in the area. Reds and trout will hit those same baits. You will be close to the north shore of Lake Ponchartrain Look around to see if there are any public piers around there and over to the Eden Isle area towards the highway 11 trestle. Also ask the locals in the area.

Oil scout Loc: Slidell, LA

Steve, I live in Slidell and know exactly where you will be. You will be a long distance from Lake Pontchartrain but you should be able to catch a variety of perch (we call all panfish perch) and maybe a bass or two. Freshwater catfish are usually in the area. There is a good bait shop on Front St (Hwy 11) that has crickets and worms, ask for cold worms, they are big enough to cut in 3-4 pieces. Get a few crab nets and bait them with chicken or turkey necks. Turkey necks are best. Nets and tackle can be bought at Gus' Tackle and Nets. Very close to where y'all will be and they can answer any questions you might have. Some good eating places near you are Southside, KY's (the owners initials), Nathan's (across the bayou near the bridge) a little expensive but one of the few white table cloth restaurants in Slidell. A great place for catfish and seafood dishes is Middondorf's. If you go there get the thin cut catfish. Have a great trip and enjoy the Slidell hospitality. Let me know on this forum if you need anything. Good fishing and tight lines.

StevenT Loc: Georgia

Appreciate it!

StevenT Loc: Georgia

Thanks for the good info, my wife will appreciate the bout on the restaurants! I live in N. GA, so I catch largemouth quite often. I’m hoping to run into some reds or specks. I don’t have a lot of experience with them but the few times I’ve gotten into them has been great fun. I also never say no to big blues?

Thoughts as to where I might venture out from the island to have a shot at them? Any other thoughts are appreciated.

FourchonLa. Loc: Fourchon Louisiana, South Louisiana

StevenT wrote:

Thanks for the good info, my wife will appreciate the bout on the restaurants! I live in N. GA, so I catch largemouth quite often. I’m hoping to run into some reds or specks. I don’t have a lot of experience with them but the few times I’ve gotten into them has been great fun. I also never say no to big blues?

Thoughts as to where I might venture out from the island to have a shot at them? Any other thoughts are appreciated.

I'll leave the particulars to Oil Scout as he is from there. I/m farther west. He did name some great restaurants. Good luck.

Oil scout Loc: Slidell, LA

Steve where you will be, the chance to catch a red or speckle trout is slim. There is a place near where you can bank fish that is right off of Lake Pontchartrain. Look up The Dock and you should find a map. There is a lot of dock area for fishing and crabbing. They are in the process of rebuilding and re-naming but it's no problem to fish there. Make sure you have a non-residence fishing license. Though of another good restaurant, Phil's Marina Cafe. Good fishing.

Oil scout Loc: Slidell, LA

Steve where you will be, the chance to catch a red or speckle trout is slim. There is a place near where you can bank fish that is right off of Lake Pontchartrain. Look up The Dock and you should find a map. There is a lot of dock area for fishing and crabbing. They are in the process of rebuilding and re-naming but it's no problem to fish there. Make sure you have a non-residence fishing license. Though of another good restaurant, Phil's Marina Cafe. Good fishing.

StevenT Loc: Georgia

So it seems if I can’t catch fish, I can a least eat some good fish! LOL. Thanks!!

Oil scout Loc: Slidell, LA

Let us know how you do fishing when you get to Slidell.

Oil scout Loc: Slidell, LA

Steve, the gnats and mosquitoes have been horrible. I think they have crossbred with sharks and piranhas.
Gus' Tackle and Nets has a good selection of repellents.

StevenT Loc: Georgia

Too much heavy weather the first time around. We never made it because of storm damage near home. However, finally here and although nothing to speak of fish wise, I have been catching many rays on dead shrimp. First time for me, so I’m pleased. Powerful little animals even at 15-16 inches across. Can’t imagine what a large ray can do.