Best Location for Slack Tide Dates: Calcasieu Pass or Grand Isle
 

I've got 8 new Shimano 3000 reels on the way. Our plans for our Louisiana trip are coming together nicely. We should be arriving in Louisiana Memorial Day weekend and leaving around June 16, assuming we can get lodging. The question at hand before making reservations is when it would be best to be fishing Grand Isle and when it would be best to be fishing Calcasieu.

Checking the tide charts, there's predicted to be a pretty good tidal range in Grand Isle from May 31 to June 10, so these seem like the dates it would be best to be there. Calcasieu pass has a decent tidal flow even when the range is predicted to be relatively small (as does the southern end of Big Lake) because of the volume of water passing through the bottleneck. So it seems to make sense to fish Calcasieu pass and the southern end of Big Lake over Memorial Day weekend and June 11-16. As far as I can tell, a bit of wind from the south will also move a lot more water through Calcasieu pass than Bell pass, Caminada pass or anywhere else near Grand Isle. Am I putting the pieces together right on this?

It also makes more sense to try and find lodging near Big Lake over Memorial Day weekend when Grand Isle is likely to be crowded.

As always, all advice is appreciated. My kids are all looking forward to the trip.

I prefer fishing the new moon in the spring , it makes for better am top water fishing because the fish don't feed all night under the moon light, and during a full moon trout spawn so I feel like they are spawing/ eating to re energize from all that screwing lol all night s come morning it's no go. But dusk b4 a full moon is good, and night trips have been good as well. I think it would be easier fishing for you n your kids to fish GI because of the beaches being on fire in GI

I'm thinking ANYWHERE on the water around Memorial Day is VERY LIKELY to be crowded. May wanna get something booked ASAP.
Good Luck to you and the kids!

Yes, we're working on getting our lodging booked. Yes, Memorial Day can be crowded, esp. in Big Lake and I wouldn't want to be waiting in line at Calcasieu Point or Hebert's Marina to put a boat in the water. On the other hand, I've never seen the boat ramp on the east side of Calcasieu pass (by the Cameron Jetty Fishing Pier) overly busy. Also with a mile of rocks on each side to fish along the jetties, I can't imagine not finding a few open spots. In contrast, I think all the spots in Turner's Bay (north end of Big Lake) will likely be occupied. Of course, the prime spots at the end of the jetties will likely be taken, as will the downwind spots along the outside edges, but with a weaker tidal flow that weekend, there should be some pretty good spots inside the jetties and perhaps even just outside the cuts. My main hope is that that there will still be enough water movement to keep things interesting.

You can always find fish in Grand Isle during the summer. In the morning with a falling tide hit the run outs and ponds. When the tide stops running fish the islands and points. If no luck there hit the beach. Limit on trout then head to the Marsh and sight fish to reds and drum. Flounder are usually hit and miss. Fish the back side of the island and along the island in Canadina Pass for them also get lucky and catch them in the run outs. Want Bull Reds? Soak crabs in Canadina Pass. Still need more fish? Run out and fish the Platforms. More fishing than a person can stand. If its too windy stick to the Marsh and catch reds. Tired of fishing? Get some chicken necks and crab along the beach.