Difference between V.Bay and Big Lake
 

I know this is going to be a stupid question, but I have absolutely no idea what the answer is. Why is it that Vermillion Bay is so muddy, but Big Lake isn't?

Atchafalaya Delta

yep

Next, I'd say the number of quality fishing spots. Even though VM bay is much bigger, it seems like Big Lake has way more options.

However, when the fishing is hot at T-Butte, Diamond & Nickel Reef, you'd be hard pressed to find a box full of specks that is more impressive.

Say whuuhhhh?

just a general difference b/w the 2...having nothing to do with muddy water.

In short. Atchafalaya flows into Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Stream flows east to west, from Florida to Texas. Gulf stream takes the Atchafalaya muddy water toward Marsh Island, because the reefs and island are further south than landfall, it then takes the muddy water into Vermillion Bay. When the Atchafalaya has less current, August, September and October, the salt water from the Gulf brings up the salinity in Vermillion Bay, hence making the fishing at this time of the year better.

In a Nut Shell
 

THE WAX LAKE OUTLET! Atachafalaya River flows down the wax lake outlet on east side of Vermilion Bay.

Big lake is big yea bro!! They have just as much quality spots to fish in vb but A. They tight lipped and u gotta know where to go because the size of the good areas are smaller mostly. 2. When its good quantity is never an issue...ever. 3. You can always catch fish there(vb) but you have to put up with more shat to consistantly put fish in the box... Ex: water clarity, salinity, and. Waves. As well as crazy fisherman. "W" may not believe this but in the bay there are waaaaaaaay more ppl who don't give two shats about the next guy and the reason y I think is because there are more joy riders and skiers etc... Than BL has. Which is another difference in the lakes. If your fishing the hammock stump field there is so many different ways fish get pushed... Ex: boaters trolling with wind from island direction, ppl running wide and not knowing, and waves slapping someone's boat from the outside of the field. I honestly think there's more holes to fish in the summer time in the bay than BL at least 40 places to catch fish and stay away from crowds

All good responses. at VB I usually don't have to measure a trout, not at Big Lake. But I have seen some pigs from big lake on this site. Quality and quantity at VB sells it for me. But if it rains a lot, water will be high and dirty in VB.

Great post! I agree completely!

I fish both and vb and big lake don't even compare as fisheries .... Vb is not in the same ball park not saying it's not good but big lake is one of the best in the world and vb is very seasonal even when river levels are right for vb most of the good fishing is offshore Except for a small window during the fall

U fish vb alot in summer? I mean July hottt summer? T butte and diamond and nickel and shell keys and tiger shoals and rabbit island and ... All get on fiya

Yea i really only fish there in the summer. When i say off shore i am including the t butte and the other offshore reefs but i really only fish the rigs. And i agree when its on it is awesome some of the best boxes of fish i have ever caught have come off of the tiger shoals its just to inconsistent to be compared to a fishery like BL.