162 Louisiana Sportsman^ | April 2015
Of course, speckled trout foraging on baitfish can also cause
these oily, round patches on the water’s surface.
“But don’t expect to see redfish tailing or their backs above
the waters in the lake or along shorelines,” Frederick said. “And
the birds here may or may not be working by late April.”
Bayous and navigable channels into the marshes accent the
eastern shorelines offer prime areas to locate redfish schools.
Running north from the jetties are Johnson, Willow, Bridge,Three and Whiskey bayous along the eastern shoreline,
Broussard said.
Some of the shoreline bayous give access to the Sabine NWR,
and it’s best to know the regulations of the refuge before fishing
inside its borders.
Also, skinny waters off bayous outside the borders of Sabine
NWR are mostly private property. By Louisiana law, private
marshlands do not have to be posted, and anglers can be cited
with trespass charges.
In the bayous and marshes
within the Sabine NWR that
are open for access, an outgo-
ing tide is favorable.
And action picks up as tem-
peratures rise.
“In the refuge and the
marshes available there, we
do better as the waters warm
even more,” Broussard said.
Anglers can motoring down
the bayous and then troll
toward the lake to get bet-
ter views of surface activity.
Redfish frequently move
from marsh cuts into the
bayous and canals to pounce
on baitfish.
“Look for bait — that’s most
important,” Broussard said. “If
there is no bait, you may as well
move on elsewhere because
the redfish won’t be there.” ■Chris Berzas has
fished and hunted in the
Bayou State ever since
he could hold a rod and
shoot a shotgun. Berzas
has been a freelancer
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Sabine reds
continued from page 156
In early April, these anglers find slicks as they troll north.
Those are signs almost proof positive redfish are
roaming the shallower shorelines.
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