http://www.LouisianaSportsman.com April 2015 | Louisiana Sportsman 133
As endless as the shallow-water trout fishing options are to
the east of the Houma Navigation Canal are, those choosing
to fish bigger — though just as accessible — water in the
same general area shouldn’t feel left out.
Oil and gas tank batteries and smaller structures dot the
landscape in open water just west and south of the pro-
tected islands and reefs of Lake Barre and Terrebonne Bay.
Access to these structures takes a little more tolerance for
chop and a keen eye to developing thunderstorms, but a
little faith can pay dividends.
“You can look out at the open water when clearing
Seabreeze (Pass) and count a whole bunch of structures,”
Capt. Olden Rodrigue said. “There’s plenty of options for
people who want to fish a little deeper.”
Rodrigue said the most-difficult part — for beginners and
area vets alike — is choosing which locations to fish and giv-
ing each a good try before moving on.
Trout in the area this time of year do two things that make them
a challenge for any but the most fortunate and regular anglers.
First, they move constantly, presumably to spawn effectively
and to fuel their bodies to
keep in top condition for the
spawn.
And, secondly, they fre-
quently position themselves
on a specific part on a plat-
form that might or might
not concur with generally
accepted hypotheses.
So there’ are lots of areas to
cover, a finite period of ideal
fishing time and a need to
probe thoroughly. Rodrigue
said there are historically bet-
ter spots, but offered a tip for
those not as wise about area.
“A lot of times with the
newer platforms, they lay
limestone pads and boulders
on the edge. That can attract bait pretty quickly,” Rodrigue
said. “You’ll lose some tackle pretty quickly when you find
them, but they’re the best spots on a structure a lot of times.”
Predators such as speckled trout follow in kind and can pro-
vide fast action to those who put in the work to locate these
attractants.
“I prefer to stay shallow as much as possible, but the deeper
structure can be really, really good when it’s not happening
closer in,” Rodrique said.ABOVE: Capt. Olden Rodrigue saaid trophy
trout aren’t common but landing one is pos-
sible in late spring.Stabilizing late spring weather makes Terrebonne’s
trout accessible to small boats.Deep option
fish-filled surf side West Timbalier Island and
Isles Deniers chain. “Of course, any kind of south
wind is going to knock you out.”
What Rodrigue — one of the more passionate
and accomplished duck guides in the area —
didn’t mention is that almost any kind of west
wind is also poison to anglers in this area.
Prevailing easterlies in summertime Louisiana
make it this concern non-factor most of the time, but it’s best
to seek entertainment elsewhere when west winds are in the
forecast.
“If I really needed to, I could fish some of the islands and reefs
out of Seabreeze out of my duck boat,” said Rodrigue, referring
to his twin-engine surface drive flatboat used mainly to stalk
redfish and ferry duck hunters.
“If you can make it across that open water for just a few miles,
you can reach some good fishing that doesn’t get pressured
near as much,” said Rodrigue.
The reason, put simply, is geography and infrastructure.
Coastal towns such as Dulac, Theriot and Dularge — all located
on or are better accessible to west-of-HNC environs — bustle
with activity virtually all year with nearshore, inshore and even
freshwater options.
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