I've fished the West Cam/East Cam close production platforms sometimes during the summer. I am not talking about the stacked drilling rigs that you can see from the jetties but the platforms 7 or 8 miles Southeast of that. Its probably a 13 to 15 mile run from the Cameron Jetties but a lot closer if you go out of the mouth of the Mermentau. I never tried fishing the stacked jackups or simi's but have heard they hold some fish. The first set of platforms you come to in the West Cam block out of the Cameron Jetties is in about 35' of water and will hold some trout occasionally but I have found it very hit and miss. When they are there and biting its pretty fast and furious. They can be hard to locate and in the heat of the summer will most likely be directly under the platform itself. I always start on the up current side of the rig but have found them down current as well. I never really fish with live bait out there. If they are biting they will hit damn near anything, but I have had the best luck with 4" gulp shrimp rigged on anywhere from a 3/8 oz to a 1 oz. jig head. I have noticed fish go deeper as the water heats up. I've found them 5-15' down in May/June and on bottom in July/August. If I start catching Jack Crevalle I move on to another rig. If the platform is manned, I try and ask one of the operators where they are at and they usually tell me. I am still learning how to fish out there and admit I'm not the most experienced hand. But I have had a fair amount of success. If the fish are there they are pretty easy to put in the boat.
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