L_S_2015_04_

6 Louisiana Sportsman^ | April 2015

Volume 35 | Number 4 | April 2015

88

Butte La Rose

bailout

108

Mangrove

massacre

Features:

51

Cracking the code

Bluegill get most of the attention from panfish anglers,

but don’t forget about chinquapin.

>>>By David A. Brown

60

Finding the fuzz

Weather can keep you off the water this month, but this

crappie angler said that’s a big mistake — as long as

you know where the fish can be found. Learn his proven

tactic for filling the boat with sac-a-lait.

>>>By Chris Ginn

69

The Battle of Midway

When weather conditions allow, break out of the

marshes and ambush packs of speckled trout

midway between Grand Isle and Lafitte.

Here’s all you need to know.

>>>By Rusty Tardo

79

A more perfect Union

This Union Parish team knows how to track down

and kill gobblers. Here’s how they work together to

outsmart wily old toms.

>>>By Kinny Haddox

88

Butte La Rose bailout

There are hundreds of thousands of acres in the

Atchafalaya Basin, but this executive chef heads to the

small village of Butte La Rose to load up on panfish,

bass and catfish. And he does it all from a kayak.

>>>By Jerald Horst

98

Bass by the spoonful

Is there one lure that is better than any other?

These expert bass anglers believe spoons are

just about perfect.

>>>By David A. Brown

108

Mangrove massacre

Mangrove snapper are known for being hook shy, but

this veteran guide has the fish all figured out. So load

up the boat with your buddies, head to the rigs and

follow his advice to fill the box.

>>>By Jerald Horst

123

Full to the bream

When the weather starts warming this month, it’s time

to head to the lower Atchafalaya Basin for the beginning

of the panfish season. Here’s how to pick up some

chinquapin and other bream for the table.

>>>By John Flores

131

Small-boat Cocodrie

You don’t have to have a big bay boat or fight the

crowds this month to catch trout out of Cocodrie.

Just head west to this guide’s spring playground.

>>>By John McQueen

139

Tagging out

There is no better feeling of accomplishment than

bagging an adult tom. Here’s everything you need

to know to close out the season with a bang.

>>>By David Moreland

153

Sabine reds

In April, numerous schools of Sabine Lake redfish invade

the eastern shoreline chasing baitfish schools in and out

of the marshes. Read on for locations, tips and tactics

offered by two local tournament anglers to catch hefty

limits of slot reds.

>>>By Chris Berzas

167

Cigars and courtbouillon

The Lenten season is winding down, but cigar trout and

redfish courtbouillon never go out of style. Learn where

you can fill da box with plenty of fixings for all your

family get-togethers.

>>>By Humberto Fontova

175

Stacking up the state fish

Chicot Lake sac-a-lait can be finicky, but when you find

them you can catch some real slabs. Here are some tips

on how to catch the state’s official freshwater fish.

>>>By Chris Berzas

contents

cover story