Louisiana Fly Fishing

Fly fishing the Louisiana coast near New Orleans is all about chasing big fish in shallow water. This area is a fly angler's paradise, with redfish, black drum, sheepshead, and jack crevalle as the main targets of Louisiana’s inshore fishery. The Louisiana marsh is a one of a kind fishing destination where personal best catches and life-long memories are commonplace.

The Louisiana coastline is a massive expanse of marshes, bayous, and estuaries. The marsh's unique ecosystem has been shaped by fresh water meeting the tidal saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico and provides an excellent environment for baitfish, crabs, shrimp, and the predators that hunt them to thrive. With endless sight fishing opportunities for multiple species, it's no wonder the Louisiana marsh is a bucket list spot for fly anglers of all abilities.

Redfish

Redfish are the star of the show in the Louisiana marsh, and come in all sizes. Most unique to the area is the population of big bull reds over 20 pounds. These bruisers crush flies with no hesitation and put gear to the test. In the fall/winter when conditions are ideal, bull reds invade the marsh to feed, offering anglers a chance to feed flies to giants. Big redfish can be found laying up in the bays, tailing along shorelines, even crawling in shallow ponds, and days with multiple shots at big fish are not uncommon.

Black Drum

These close relatives of the redfish are often overlooked in the Louisiana marsh. Black drum aren’t know for their explosive topwater bites but will test the patience and tackle of anglers of all abilities. They’re gentile giants, commonly exceeding 40 pounds, that prefer subtle presentations and slow moving flies. Black drum complement their cousins well and are a worthy adversary for any angler looking for a change of pace and a good pull.

Sheepshead

The “cajun permit" is no joke. A distant relative to the redfish, sheepshead are picky eaters with a sharp eye, requiring pinpoint accuracy and perfect presentation. They can be found in the same areas as their relatives, but are a totally different animal. Sheepshead like to inspect their food before consuming it, and will deny a fly more often than not (which is the appeal). For those looking for a challenge, feeding flies to sheepshead is the pinnacle of technical fly fishing in the Louisiana marsh.

Jack Crevalle

For pure adrenaline, jack crevalle are unmatched. These fish usually hunt in groups inshore during warmer weather, wiping out schools of baitfish in a chaotic frenzy. Schools of jacks can appear suddenly, creating high-energy moments that test reflexes and tackle. Jack Crevalle are built for speed and power, and when they take a fly, expect blistering runs. Jacks aren’t subtle, and neither is their fight.

Fly Fishing The Louisiana Marsh

Fly fishing in the Louisiana marsh is notoriously forgiving. Anglers in the know come here to catch a bunch of big fish when conditions are ideal, while new anglers come to Louisiana to experience the challenges of the sport with accommodating fish (that bite flies eagerly).

For those who aren’t aware, the majority of the saltwater fly fishing done in Louisiana is done from small technical poling skiffs that can carry up to 2 anglers. While poling the skiff across the shallows, the guide is actively looking for signs of fish. One angler is on the bow of the boat, at the ready. Fly fishing the Louisiana marsh is a team sport, and communication is paramount. When a fish is spotted, it is the angler’s responsibility to listen to the guide’s instructions and deliver the fly accordingly.

Most of the fly fishing here is done with 8-10 weight fly rods, floating fly lines, and flies that resemble baitfish, shrimp, and crabs. Shots from 20-60 feet in the wind are common, where accuracy and presentation are key ingredients to getting a bite.

Fall/Winter Fly Fishing

As the weather cools and the water gets low and clear, big breeder fish gather nearshore in large schools to feed on the bounty of bait available to them. These fish move further inshore to feed as conditions allow creating the best fly fishing of the year. Big redfish can be sight fished in 1-3 feet of water consistently. The weather is the biggest factor this time of year. Cold fronts bring rain, wind, and chilly weather. These conditions make the fishing tough. Between cold fronts, when the sun is shining and the temperatures rise, the fish come out to play and these are the days that fly anglers dream of. Days with dozens of shots at big redfish happen within these favorable weather windows.

Spring/Summer Fly Fishing

Spring warm up usually means a lot of water for the Louisiana marsh. Winter runoff from the entire eastern US flows down the Mississippi River into the Louisiana marsh raising water levels with an influx of dirty fresh water. This changes the fly fishing game from predominantly sight fishing to blind casting and top water action. Big redfish can still be caught all spring and summer, but with less frequency. Smaller slot sized reds are more common as the bulls spend more time offshore. As the days shorten towards the end of summer, water levels/clarity begin to stabilize and bigger fish can be consistently targeted nearshore in large schools.