16 foot boat on Big Lake?

[Average Fisherman]

I'm borrowing a friend's boat this weekend and wondered if a 16' Alumacraft was enough to get out on Big Lake? If not, any suggestions on where to fish? We just want to catch fish, be it reds, trout, flounder, or whatever else may be biting. Anywhere west of Grand Isle to the Texas border is fair game. Thanks for any tips.

[Gerald]

It all depends on the winds.....

I use to fish a 14' aluminum boat, but really had to pick the good days.

Even with a small boat, there are places to get out of the wind and still catch some fish. A 16' Alumacraft can handle some chop with no problem, so unless the winds are 10+ mph, you should be alright.

Another option would be to launch at the Prien Lake park in Lake Charles. Lots of near by protected areas and a good chance to catch fish.

[weedeater]

I have fished Big Lake several times in a 15' boat but if it gets any wind it will get rough and you will get wet... just check the weather and iff theres much wind then go to the marsh for reds

[Reggoh]

I fish in a 15/44 Alweld with 25hp Tohatsu Tiller Handle boat... I have to pick my days carefully on the lake and not venture too far in case the wind picks up... I don't feel in "danger" when the wind picks up a little but it's not the most desirable situation because of the ride back.

If the wind picks up a lot that is a different situation and can get a little shaky... been there done that too... not a pleasure.

I do fish quite a bit around Lake Charles/210/Prien area... there are some good areas around there and can produce fish if the water is good.

Another option is the South end of the Calcasieu estuary if you launch from the Jetties in Cameron... you have access to the south end of the ship channel as well as the Jetties and you can be back at the launch pretty quickly if things get a little dicey

[breambuster]

I used to launch at heberts but wjen its windy calcasieu point is a much better idea.

[Average Fisherman]

Thanks for the tips. I'll want a pretty quick escape route if the storms start popping for sure. There's just so much to learn in the transition from fresh to saltwater fishing. This board is an awesome way to get tips though!

[jrdntboy09]

Roll with it

[Nasty]

Watch the wind! Then choose the landing that will be the most comfortable to navigate the chop. I used all of the launches...West Cove, Jetties, Ferry, Herbert's, Devil's Elbow (calcasieu point) , Prien when fishing out my 16 footer.

[Pull n Pray]

If you stay along the ship channel you will be fine. Even if the winds get bad you will just have to go slow and probably get wet. I wouldn't want to be caught going across the lake from east to west though if the waves start hitting you from the sides it could get ugly.

[marshrunner757]

Don't get caught in the washout area of the channel. That gets nasty!

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[mriguy]

Originally Posted by marshrunner757

Don't get caught in the washout area of the channel. That gets nasty!

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The washout was pretty nasty last Sunday morning

[Average Fisherman]

Alright, so I've secured the boat, have an idea where to start, (probably near the ship channel), and it looks like the weather should at least sort of cooperate. If you had one day in late July to hit em down there, what are you targeting, and what are you using to load the boat with?

[marshrunner757]

Super cut with live mullet or croakers.

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[Average Fisherman]

Pardon my ignorance. What is "super cut"?

[marshrunner757]

Not ignorance. Just unfamiliar. Let me work on a pic in a bit and I'll post it.

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[robinr]

I used to launch my 1548 at Calcasieu Point and fish around Turners. If a storm moves in you can run back to the launch until it passes. It's only about a five minute run.

[marshrunner757]

Launch at hog island. Lots of marsh and cuts thru there. Run to channel and take a right. Super cut is shown on image. Fish 75-100 yards off point. Incoming tide fish inside the lake about 75 yards. Outgoing tide, about 75 yards into channel side.



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[Average Fisherman]

Wow. Thanks so much.

[Average Fisherman]

Do you fish the mullet/croakers on a double drop leader with a 1-2 oz. weight? That's what I typically do in the surf, but with a slightly heavier weight.

[Bdub]

I run a 16/48 in the nasty big lake slop often and never get wet, but I run standing up. I think of it like im running a big jet ski that can take on water...Depending on how much confidence you have in the motor will determine how to run. I prefer to have waves to the bow on the way back in vs to the transom. That's the reasoning for keeping a good anchor on the boat, in hairy conditions if in an emergency you can anchor with waves to the bow and enough anchor line to just roll back and forth over the waves without taking on water. Its all about planning and knowing the forecast. I keep an eye on the Doppler until I launch and a lot of times while im on the lake...I'd say 10-15mph south wind would be the maximum a 16ft boat with a some deadrise can handle. I've headed south in the channel during a 10-15mph south wind with the bow trimmed down a few times and it wasn't that bad, just gotta take it a little slower and be patient