The Gear

Rods & Reels

When freshwater fishing our local waters of southeast Louisiana, I prefer a bait-casting reel (Abu-Garcia) mounted to a 6’ rod. If I am in saltwater I prefer a spinning combo.

I favor Abu Garcia reels because of their dependability. I have fished with them for many years now. My first bait-caster was an old (1975 approx.) 5000-C that was passed down from grand-pa in 1994 and I still use it today.

For my rods, I like to go with a Medium-Heavy action rod. Preferably by Falcon or a Shakespeare Ugly-Stik. I find a Medium-Heavy action rod helps to ensure that hook set when the time comes. I find the Falcon and the Ugly Stik,  hold up to the abuse that rods encounter while in the boat. For example, the eyes are supported on top and bottom as opposed to the simple two flimsy wires under the eye that you find on most rods.

All-though “Double D” gives me a hard time about some of my so-called “fancy tackle” I do on occasion use the old reliable closed face reel if the wind is up. It's not much fun trying to cast a Bait-Casting reel in the wind.

Fishing Line.

This one is simple to me. MAXIMA... To be honest, I had never heard of it until the 1998 Bass master Tour came to Bayou Segnette State Park. Byron Velvick handed me a 3300-yard spool of this stuff. I have to say, this is one tough line.

Lures/Bait.

This is one topic that I find many anglers would have many different opinions. Myself, I believe lure selection depends on the time of year and condition of the weather you are fishing. Don’t get me wrong, Ill still use just about every type of lure that I have at any given time of the year. If they aren’t hitting one or the other, why not try ‘em all. I usually like to stick with plastic worms, spinner baits, the Little-Cleo for Bass and Reds, and sometimes throw on a blue-and-white mini jig for Sac-a-Lait.

The good ole’ live shiner is also one that is good for Bass and Sac-a-Lait in the fresh water marshes around here.

The one bait I guess I couldn’t leave out is the only bait that “Double D” would endorse. This would be the ole’ reliable live Night Crawler, which happens to be the only bait allowed at the annual Deffner Perch Harvest. (A annual event in which us local friends get together at Da’ Camp and try to out fish each other. Nah, Its really just a time to have fun, relax, party, and all that good ole’ stuff.)

Areas to fish

There are many areas to fish around here. After all, we are in the Sportsman’s Paradise.

Bayou Segnette area in Westwego.

The old Westwego Dump and Airport.

I say “old” because they no longer exist.

From the Bayou Segnette State Park boat ramp you can take about a 2-mile boat ride south of the Lapalco Blvd. bridge to the first canal on your left. At the end of this canal take a left and you will be led towards the “dump and airport canals”. A map can be found by clicking HERE.

Although some canals aren’t accessible to the public anymore, there are many canals in this area that you can find a wide variety of fish.

Yankee Pond.

As you will find on the map, there is a canal that runs along side of Yankee Pond that some locals refer to as Rays’ Canal. This is another area that I prefer to fish.

Beware!!! For sportsmen that aren’t familiar with this area, don’t go spraying a rooster cone thru Yankee Pond. It’s a shallow pond with stumps, and may end up costing you a lower unit when all is done.

Tarpaper Canals.

A few miles further south down Bayou Segnette you can find Tarpaper Canal.

This area also has many canals that you can explore in search for fish. The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park borders this area, so when you get deep into these canals, be on the look out for signs prohibiting motorized boats in some of these canals.

These are just a few areas. Southeast Louisiana has a lot more to offer. There is also the Lafitte area just south of us. Down in coastal Louisiana you can find the town Grand Isle, La. Here you can find camps for rent and more. The list could go on and on and not name all the areas. All that can be said is, come explore the area.

Did you know?

The original Louisiana state and world record Sac-a-Lait

was caught right here in Westwego, Louisiana

November 28, 1969 by Lettie Robertson.

Although it is under the old records before

they separated Black and White Crappie,

the fish could not be identified as either

and no longer holds the record.

The fish was caught by a young girl just

off of Bayou Segnette and weighed 6 pounds.

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