It's a long way from the nearest marinas. The Mississippi River can often push silty, fresh water into its neighborhood. Any kind of stiff breeze from the south or east can make it a rough neighborhood for small hulls. And there are many similar rigs in Black Bay that don't face the same problems.

So why does it remain a favorite spot for many others? Because when conditions are right it has plenty of big trout. And many of those conditions are right toward the end of summer.

As we push farther into August, the Mississippi River drops below 4 feet at the New Orleans gauge — it was 3.8 earlier this month. When the river volume is low, the current is also weak enough to allow a wedge of salt water from the Gulf of Mexico to push north up its bed.

This means the plume of silty water that often pushes eastward into Black Bay from Baptiste Collette is dramatically reduced, allowing the water around the Battledore Reef rigs to turn green and salty.

About the same time the water is improving, air temperatures are soaring into the upper 90s, creating a heat index of more than 110 degrees. And as water temperatures rise, speckled trout begin looking for deeper water where they find cooler temperatures and more oxygen.

Finally, when trout are moving from marshes to deeper water, late summer brings the migration of shrimp, menhaden and other prime speck-and-redfish food moving out of the estuaries and toward the Gulf, a path that takes them right past the Battledore Reef rigs.

So it should come as no surprise that recent fishing reports have included Battledore Reef as among the best spots. Anglers from Venice, Hopedale, Delacroix and Pointe a la Hache have been heading out extra early to make the run, knowing they're likely to find schools of fat specks hugging the bottom around Battledore, where the water is cooler, clearer and heavy with tempting meals.

Of course they also know this: If they can't find trout at one of the many structures at Battledore, they're a short run to many other great spots in Black Bay and Breton Sound.

The shortest, most protected boat way to get there is from Venice marinas, where anglers can run to the mouth of Baptiste Collette and then about 5 miles northeast to the rigs.

This time of year fishing deep with live baits is best. Bring sliding sinkers, swivels and leader material to try Carolina rigs on the bottom where trout often hang in hot weather. However, the fish could also be suspended, so have some sliding corks to put bait at different depths.

Croakers and pogies are the best live baits, but they're hard to find. Live shrimp, live cockahoes and finger mullets will also do the job.

Lures that work include the standard run of plastics, including the DOA, glo; Deadly Dudley, Blue Moon; sparkle beetles, chartreuse; Saltwater Assassin, Opening Night; and Berkeley Gulp! shrimp, glo, or pogy, blue back.

You'll need a good anchor with about 100 feet of line to position the boat. Some anglers prefer rig hooks.

Special safety precautions should also be taken. Besides the required safety gear, make sure you're equipped for the sun and heat — plenty of water, sunscreen and hats — and keep a sharp eye out for squalls that can approach suddenly from the hazy skies.

The best fishing typically will be in the best water, and that might take some searching in an area this large. Once you've got good water, approach a rig from the down-tide side, place your anchor and let the boat drift back.

Make your first casts past a down-current corner of the rig. Let it come to the bottom, then move it about a foot at a time with the rod tip, letting the bait settle to the bottom for a minute or two between each move.

If your party hasn't found fish after covering that side of the rig, try moving to the other end. If that fails, pick up and move to another structure. If the fish are there and feeding, you won't have to move more than once or twice. But if the rigs are quiet, keep your eyes peeled for birds working between the structures.

___

Information from: The Times-Picayune, http://www.timespicayune.com

---

Bookmark