Marsh Island Questions

[Gasper Master]

Looking to try for some reds in Marsh Island. Never fished in the island. Any tips for some spots to try. Do you mostly just troll the bank and fish shrimp under a cork?

[Montauk17]

If you never fished inside the island,I would fish the outside. Good place to start is the rocks in front of the game warden camp. I usually catch a few reds and flounder on the east side rock pile.Anchor at the point and cast behind the rocks. If you don't do any good there you can beat the banks with the trolling motor,east or west. I like the area to the west of bird island bayou (canal where the game warden camp is). Shrimp under a cork will be the easiest way to catch them. I also use manns minus 1 crankbaits and spinnerbaits. What size boat you going in? It can get very rough in a hurry out there.

[Gasper Master]

20' Express Bay Boat, thanks Montauk

[Montauk17]

Big enough boat....no problem,good luck. If you have a map of v bay,the bayou michael area is a good spot. It is on the west side of the island close to southwest pass. Go slow once you get close to the bank,there is oyster reefs in the area. Catch trout right there too when the water is green. Look for mullet jumping out the water and fisht that area.

[Opinions_Vary]

Fry the shrimp and use gulp under cork... 1/4oz jig head...

[seahorse]

hey montauk, i have fished the mouth of bayou michael and i couldnt seem to find the reef. about how far from the mouth is it?

[Montauk17]

About 50 yards

[LSUlefty]

Newbie here. I know this is an older thread, but I was searching for Boat sizes in the Marsh Island area. Would you feel comfortable launching from Cypremort Point in an 18' - 20' Aluminum boat to Marsh Island? I'm boat shopping and was considering an Xpress or Alweld boat.

[bluewing]

it's about 8 miles from the launch. Just have to watch the wind. that section stays a lil rough with a good wind anywhere out the south.

[flounder_smacker]

If u go under 20 ft u might have to pick your days. When I was young we would take a 13ft whaler out there but had to have perfect weather. During the summer you can get caught in a storm best thing to do is get inside the.island and wait it out.

[I make oil]

I've been out there in a 16' boat. Once. I would NEVER advise doing that. Flat going out wind picked up and I was pounding all the way back. I would not go out there in anything less than a 20' boat with high sides. The bay is very shallow and kicks up fast with any wind it's 8 miles across from the point. That's a long ways with 3' swells.

[LSUlefty]

I keep going back and forth on which boat I want. The more I research, the more frustrating it seems. I've had some people telling me they go to Marsh Island in a 17' boat, then some people tell me no less than a 20'. There is no perfect boat.

[I make oil]

Nope sure isn't. For the price point you are looking at I would recommend a good fiberglass bay boat. Something 20 to 22' with a 4stroke Yamaha. If you shop around you will find a good deal Don't get in a hurry and keep your eyes open. I shopped for almost a year before I bought my boat and I couldn't be happier. Narrow you list to the features you want and the boats you like then wait till one comes along. I got a 22' Blazer Bay with a 150 Yamaha 4 stroke. Lots of people say that I should have a bigger motor but this one is fast enough for me and easy on gas. Look at the Nautic Star line of boats the 21 with a 150 is in your price range new and so are the 21' Sea Hunts with a 150. Both are nice boats and will do everything you want. You can get the boat and add the accessories as you can afford them. A trolling motor is a get it now thing but the other electronics you can add as you go.

[Gasper Master]

Originally Posted by LSUlefty

I keep going back and forth on which boat I want. The more I research, the more frustrating it seems. I've had some people telling me they go to Marsh Island in a 17' boat, then some people tell me no less than a 20'. There is no perfect boat.

It doesn't matter what size boat you have, you still have to know when to go and when not to go. We fished a bunch of times out there out of my buddies 20 HD Express, and that was going out of Three Mile Cut out of ICY. I have even driven from ICY to the point in my old 16' bass boat and it got rough on me. Wouldn't try doin it again, but i was never worried about swamping it. Its all in your confidence of how you can handle your boat.

[saltysully]

Originally Posted by I make oil

I've been out there in a 16' boat. Once. I would NEVER advise doing that. Flat going out wind picked up and I was pounding all the way back. I would not go out there in anything less than a 20' boat with high sides. The bay is very shallow and kicks up fast with any wind it's 8 miles across from the point. That's a long ways with 3' swells.

I had the exact same experience in a 17 ft flat duracraft. Waited it out at the game wardens camp. Then got tired waiting, and had to make it in, but the 3 foot swells are nothing you want to do in a 17 ft flat boat. If your motor goes out or stalls...that's a big proble.. The storms happen very, very quickly. I agree that a 20 ft boat w/ high sides is your best bet.

[jfisher]

I fish the island alot. If you go to the mouth of aucoin, before you go into Aucoin on the left where the marsh comes to a point. Its almost like another island. Fish all around that point. Catch many reds there. also the worm but have to know where you are going to be safe through there.. Good luck

[Gasper Master]

As for the worm, do they call it that due to it being curvy, or b/c of varying water depths?

When people talk of fishing the work, are they talking about beating the banks or bottom fishing certain holes?

[jfisher]

ya in the worm there is some really shallow water. you have to be careful. but if you have a high tide.. you should be ok.. one you get in the canal I fish the bottom. If you have a depth finder you will see around the curves it will drop off to about eight to ten feet. just fish those holes.

[telstar1950]

Does anyone know the winter patterns, if any, in V Bay and W Bay? I read they hang in deep canals near pilings because the pilings transfer warmth on sunny days. But I don’t know any such places in the area. Someone told me that they move up into the marsh and are pretty much unreachable. So I wonder if I find shallow water wouldn’t the sun warm that up quickly on a sunny day. All comments appreciated.

[Opinions_Vary]

You need to find bait the fish will be where the bait is. Deep canals like the entrance to Bird Island Bayou should be good in the cold weather. Maybe some of the wellheads in the bay on a calm day would hold fish.