Just Don't get it.

[Reel Bender]

Originally Posted by FREON

I'm sorry 4 hijackin yer thread Mark.....carry on.......

Was'nt refferring to you Freon carry on

[FREON]

Never been to Big Lake myself....does it have any structure that attracts and holds fish? For example, if you look at Baffin Bay you wouldn't think much of it either, except it has a lot of "rocks" that attract and keep big fish there.

[Reel Bender]

It's got some reefs.

Did not see any grass in the water, but the tide was low so maybe there is some during hightides.

[scatv]

Considering the conditions and guys still slinging a few trout in the boat(not us by the way). Think how good it is when the conditions are right. Its crazy you can load the boat with nice fish in a matter of minutes.

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Reel Bender

Ok, so I came to the so called premier place to catch fish. I have heard legendary stories about the place but was some what miffed at my findings.



I guess my question is............... what makes Big Lake so Great?


Thanks to Ray for giving me the grand tour of the lake.

I did not see everthing but got a good overview of the lake.

But, I just can't place me finger on what is so special that makes it great for fishing. Actually, some of the things I saw would contradict what you would think is needed for a great fishery


Now, don't go getting all bent out of shape, I am not knocking Big Lake. I liked what I saw, and would like to fish there more shoot may put in on my retirement list.
This post is just to explore the features that make it so great a place for fishing.

ship channel

[Reel Bender]

Originally Posted by Salty

ship channel

How deep is the ship channel?

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Reel Bender

How deep is the ship channel?

Ask W...he wades it.

[Reel Bender]

well it can't be over 2 feet then. But your right he was trying to wade it Saturday.

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Reel Bender

well it can't be over 2 feet then. But your right he was trying to wade it Saturday.

I wish he'd try more often.

J/K

[Reel Bender]

I guess you wish it was when a big ship is coming in.

[jchief]

There is no grass in Big Lake. The structure is oyster reefs and as Salty said the Calcasieu Ship channel. I believe the dredge depth of the Channel is 35'. It is the route for all fish and bait in and out of the estuary. I think Big Lake is now a big fish lake more than a numbers lake. After the feds put up the weirs, the bait shrimp seemed to diminish in the lake and so did the trout. Instead of numbers of fish it seemed that we were catching big fish. Whether this is coincidence or not remains to be seen. After the levees were broke after Rita the numbers went up. Now the levees are repaired and we will see in the next few years if the numbers stay the same or not.

[Reel Bender]

So the grass and estuary is behind the Weirs then? I saw just a little bit of it. How big is the estuary?
How long have the weirs been around?

[simplepeddler]

Fished it a dozen or so times with guides years ago.....never caught a limit.......
Very nice place though for a retirement location and cheaper than the Island.....

Been toying with the idea of a camp in the Cocodrie area or Big Lake.

I like the people of the area, always nice folks. Good people. I met many after the storm trying to help folks with supplies and hardly any complaining.....sad......but no whining.....my kinda folks.

guess that adds some special

[jchief]

A lot of the marsh is behind the weirs. What type of grass are you talking about? We don't have grass flats in the water if that is what you are talking about. There is some duck weed or other vegetation like that in the marshes

[Reel Bender]

Like this for one

[huntin fool]

We have grass. Grass Banks.

that picture looks to be fresh water vegetation though

[Salty]

Remember...............

Bruce said that the only "grass" in Big Lake was in Bonsack's tackle bag.

[Reel Bender]

Originally Posted by huntin fool

We have grass. Grass Banks.

that picture looks to be fresh water vegetation though

Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah LOL

That's the only pic I could find on the fly.

I'm talking saltwater cord/ree grasses musually found along the tide lines. may be out of water during low tides and in water at normal or above tides

[evis102]

Some Salt grass on the banks that will hold reds but most trout stay by shell reefs or mud flats depending on time of year.