MOTHER NATURE STRIKES AGAIN

First it was the cold.

Then, it was the low waters that came with the frosty temperatures.

And now. it’s the constant threat of rain -another damper for local anglers.

Temperatures have warmed significantly in the past 10-14 days, which should mean that anglers could get out on the water and have a post-Mardi Gras field day filled with specks, redfish or even bass or crappie.

But rains and winds have further elongated the problem, limiting the days that fishing can be done.

This past week, it rained on Tuesday. Wednesday and then throughout the weekend, which turned what could have been a goldmine (with less people on the waters because of parades) into a dud.

“It’s been good and it’s been bad.” Houma native Paul Klein said, an avidangler. “Peopleare saying that they’re catching and that’s predictable because it’s that time of the year. But if you look at the weather, there’s been a 40.50 or 60 percent chance of rain every day – if not higher. So right now. it’s sort of about luck. If you’re free when the su n is out. you catch. If you try and go when it’s damp, you miss. It’s been that simple.”

This week should be better.

Forecasts call for temperatures in the 70s all throughout next week with low rain chances and light/variable winds.

If that holds, it should be a great time for anglers to make up for some lost time out on the water.

In Lower Lafourche, the drum have been on lately, according to those who have fished the area.

“They’re huge.” said Galliano native BobVedros.

Also being caught are redfish and even speckled trout have come to life again as waters have warmed with the worst of the cold weather now gone. “It’s been really good.” Vedros said. “I’vebeen fishing the marshes in Leeville and out toward Fourchon and Grand Isle. My buddies have been fishing off the side of the road toward Grand Isle and have been catching, as well. That’s the thing. You don’t really need fancy, expensive equipment. That’s the beauty of Louisiana. You put some shrimp on a hook and find water and you can catch something.”

In Bayou Lafourche, bass have been ma king appearances now that waters are warming – especially from the Galliano area-northward in the bayou.

Anglers have also reported sizeable catfish catches in the Bayou.

“The bayou is cleaner now than it used to be 10 years ago and it’s like night and day cleaner than it was 40 or 50 years ago. It’s actually turned into a nice little honey hole.” Larose native Bob Theriot said “You can catch some good fish there.”

The same pattern is taking place over in Terrebonne right now and anglers are reporting nice catches of bass in Bayou Black – as big as we’ve seen in many weeks.

Scientists say that bass don’t actively chase food when water temperatures are 50 degrees or below and they’re most active when water is warm.

The recent warming pattern has been good and some are reporting individual fish that

are four and five-pounds large.

“I saw one on social media that was 5-pounds. 4-ounces.” Klein said. “Me, personally. I had one hooked that had to be close to that, but he got off my line. This is the peak time for bass right now. They’re just starting to really heat up and the next few weeks are going to be really good.”

Klein said he’s also heard that sac-a-lait are starting to be coming to shore, but he’s not had any. himself.

In lower Terrebonne toward Cocodrie. the pattern has been trending upward with redflsh getting hot and speckled trout making their appearances in recent weeks.

As temperatures consistently rise and we shift from winter to spring, the trout are expected to continue to be hot.

And in both Lafourche and Terrebonne, more water is accessible than in the past several weeks as the pattern of stiff north winds has eased, which has caused water levels to get back to normal, making navigation possible once more

But all of this positive news goes for naught if anglers can’t get out on the water because of rain.

According to Weather.com, the rain will end on Mardi Gras. then we will see a warm, dry pattern for the rest of the week.

According to the 10 and 14 day forecasts, that dry pattern is expected to hold until late February, which could allow things to really get going.

But meteorologists always caution, of course, that forecasts that far in advance aren’t overly accurate.

‘I” il believe it when I see it.” Vedros said. “I hope that’s true, but I only look 24 hours or 48 hours in advance-at the most.”

MOTHER NATURE STRIKES AGAINMOTHER NATURE STRIKES AGAIN