Kayaking into 2009 - Destinations

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Kayaking into 2009

Capt. Danny Wray
Coast Guard Licenced Captain, and Heritage Endorsed Fishing Guide

Winter’s grip is tightening around the costal parishes, but the fishing is still great.  North winds that follow the fronts greatly reduce the amount of water in the marsh and make kayak fishing a real treat.  When the water drops out of the ponds, it leave the redfish stacked at the nearest drop offs and limits of redfish aren’t hard to come by.  I’ve been very effective using minnows on a jig head. It really doesn’t get any easier.  Grab about twenty five minnows and paddle until you find moving water draining out.  Cast out and lightly bump the jig head, hang on and be sure to check your drag as Mr. Redfish will more than likely strip off at least twenty feet of line on that first run.     I’m sure there are a lot of new kayaks that were dropped off by Santa. If you are lucky enough to be a new owner, remember the weather can change quickly this time of the year so get a forecast before paddling out. It’s also a good idea to let someone know your general location and a time to expect your return.  Charge your cell phone and protect it wisely when on the water. Layered clothing, waders and warm gloves are nice to have. If you are a newbie I also think the guys at Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club (www.bckfc.org) will be happy to help you get started.     Ready or not 2009 is here.  Kayakers across the state already have one thing to celebrate.  Elmer’s Island had been declared a state refuge. This will open up plenty of paddling waters and a shot at establishing a reversal in the raging debate over ownership of tidal waters.  After failed negotiations to acquire Elmer’s Island, the Jindal administration determined that they didn’t need to buy the barrier island - the state owned it already. In fact the state owns all land below the mean high tide mark. Who knows how many posted signs might come down following this action.  It is unlikely that the State will not dedicate funds for costal restoration on privately owned property. Hence without the acquisition of Elmer’s Island, repairs from damage done by Gustav and Ike would not be possible.  It is important to recognize that the degradation of our barrier islands and beaches can exposed Highway 1 to catastrophic damage in the future. The kayaking community’s next gift could come from the Grand Isle Port Commission, who is considering a “put in” for kayakers on the bay side of Grand Isle.  The proposed “put in” would include a small parking lot and give kayakers a public access point to the great marsh fishing  on the back of the island.  If this does happen and I have a good feeling it will, Grand Isle and the surrounding area could become a “kayak destination”.  Support of this project is widespread. The Friends of Grand Isle, Barataria Terrebonne Estuary Program and many others want to make this “put in” a reality.  If you would like to show your support for this public access “put in,” please email us at calmwater@myviscom.com and we will take your message to the next Port Commission meeting.     One of my New Year’s resolutions is to make an effort to take more young people fishing this year.  Last year we had so much fun doing a Wish to Fish program with Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries that we vowed to do more in 2009. A few days before Christmas I enjoyed a trip with a father and son team from West Memphis, Arkansas. Bradley was about twelve years young and had never caught a fish.  His dad hailed from Pascagoula, Mississippi and had lots of fishing experience. Day one of their trip was tough.  They rented kayaks and fought a lot of wind and no tides.  When they returned the boats that evening I couldn’t help being moved by the Bradley’s desire to catch a redfish.  He had high spirits and high hopes even after a tough day fishing.     I awoke the next morning and helped Bradley and his dad load the rental kayaks.  I asked if they minded if I paddled in for about an hour to see if I could help put a redfish in Bradley’, s boat.  They were surprised that I was that interested in helping, but I felt like my motives might have been a bit selfish – this would be a real treat for me.  I was getting a shot at helping a polite, focused young man catch his first fish. Not only that, he was a Boy Scout.  Catching a red would help him get his merit badge, one more step along the road to his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout.    It didn’t take long. He managed to hook, fight, land and successfully put on his stringer a nice twenty inch redfish. He was all smiles.  I’ve included a picture I took about a minute after he landed the fish.  I paddled back to my truck feeling lucky to be a guide and feeling good about life.  The huge smile on his face made my day!    I hope you include “Take a kid fishing” in your New Years resolutions this year.  It’s a bit cliché, but as you get older and wiser, you may forget a lot of things, but you’ll probably still remember your first fish, your first few fishing trips and the name of the lucky person who introduced you to the sport. 

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