Big Lake conditions?

[Flex]

Hey guys, heading back down 11/15 for a week of fishing.

I know the guides I follow on FB are crushing them.

Been forever since I fished in the fall. I've literally never once fished the weirs in my life. Are they really that hot this time of year? Anybody got tips on how the tides are now and water temps?

And I'll also be coming down from sulphur, should I still launch and mainly fish west cove or drive somewhere else to put in? My boats a 17' with a 70, so I try not to cover the whole lake by boat.

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[wacotiger]

Go to the weirs if you haven't been before. I would launch at Hebert's Landing and it will save you a long boat ride. Check each weir on your way out. If the water is coming out (i.e., the weir is open and water flowing out of the marsh into Big Lake), try to fish it. I have the best luck at Grand Bayou Weir (it is the 3rd one from Hebert's). It is normally the only one that you can drive a boat through, except during duck hunting season (so in Mid-November, you won't be able to drive a boat through). You can fish the point just outside the weir on the right on Big Lake side at Grand Bayou. Bring live shrimp just in case you can't get them to bite on a white or chartreuse Gulp. Should be able to get live shrimp at Hebert's Landing, but call ahead just in case. Bring a lot of lead heads for the gulp (extra corks and circle hooks if you are fishing live bait) as you will have a lot of snags if you have't fished it before. Try casting in the area where the water is flowing out. You can also catch reds all around the weirs as well. Arrive early in the morning to beat the other boats. If there are more than 3 boats, fish the outlying areas or drive to the next weir. There are 5 weirs. Weekends have the biggest boat traffic issues. Bring a good net in case the fish are big bulls. I haven't fished the weirs this year yet, but best time in past years has been middle-end of October until the end of January or February. Cold fronts help the water flow out of the marsh. Normally, great fishing for reds in November - December, so November 15 should be good if we get a few more cold fronts. Good luck.

[Flex]

Originally Posted by wacotiger

Go to the weirs if you haven't been before. I would launch at Hebert's Landing and it will save you a long boat ride. Check each weir on your way out. If the water is coming out (i.e., the weir is open and water flowing out of the marsh into Big Lake), try to fish it. I have the best luck at Grand Bayou Weir (it is the 3rd one from Hebert's). It is normally the only one that you can drive a boat through, except during duck hunting season (so in Mid-November, you won't be able to drive a boat through). You can fish the point just outside the weir on the right on Big Lake side at Grand Bayou. Bring live shrimp just in case you can't get them to bite on a white or chartreuse Gulp. Should be able to get live shrimp at Hebert's Landing, but call ahead just in case. Bring a lot of lead heads for the gulp (extra corks and circle hooks if you are fishing live bait) as you will have a lot of snags if you have't fished it before. Try casting in the area where the water is flowing out. You can also catch reds all around the weirs as well. Arrive early in the morning to beat the other boats. If there are more than 3 boats, fish the outlying areas or drive to the next weir. There are 5 weirs. Weekends have the biggest boat traffic issues. Bring a good net in case the fish are big bulls. I haven't fished the weirs this year yet, but best time in past years has been middle-end of October until the end of January or February. Cold fronts help the water flow out of the marsh. Normally, great fishing for reds in November - December, so November 15 should be good if we get a few more cold fronts. Good luck.

Thanks sir! Will post a thread when I get down with updates.

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[Gerald]

The signs are long gone [post are still there] that say you must keep back 250 feet from the weir.

[Flex]

Originally Posted by Gerald

The signs are long gone [post are still there] that say you must keep back 250 feet from the weir.

I think I had read that before. So you need to hold up the boat about 85 yards away? Or is that just for people on the bank or anchoring? Would prefer to stay out of trouble!

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[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Flex

I think I had read that before. So you need to hold up the boat about 85 yards away? Or is that just for people on the bank or anchoring? Would prefer to stay out of trouble!

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To fish, you must keep the boat 250 feet from the weir. You can not get out of the boat anywhere while on the National Reserve property..... fines are [were 10 years ago] $ 225 per person in the boat.

[Flex]

Originally Posted by Gerald

To fish, you must keep the boat 250 feet from the weir. You can not get out of the boat anywhere while the National Reserve property..... fines are [were 10 years ago] $ 225 per person in the boat.

Got you. Thanks sir. Good to know! Kind of excited about giving the weirs a shot. Heard everybody talk about them forever. We just never fished them. Always fished north end and west cove.

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[Gerald]

Like said earlier, bring lots of jig heads. Not unusual to loose 4 or 5 per hour. Can be more if you are fishing for the first time. I mostly use 1/8 or 1/4 oz size.