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Louisiana lives up to its reputation

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By MIKE ANDERSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 17, 2009

Updated: 10/17/2009 12:11 am

GO FISHING is a look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Mike Anderson, right, with "Reel Animals" partner Billy Nobles.

They call Louisiana the "Sportsman's Paradise" for a reason. Billy and I enjoyed an incredible week of fishing and hospitality - Venice, La., style.

We stayed at Fin & Feather lodge in Venice and were treated to a week of spectacular fishing. Tuesday we got to do a full day of redfish and trout in the bayou. We managed to catch more than 75 nice trout in the 15- to 20-inch range.

We actually had to move locations to stop catching them, which wasn't great because every fifth or sixth cast was a redfish, of which we managed to catch 40 or so.

The fishery is unlike any I have every fished. The Mississippi River dumps such great amounts of nutrient-rich water into the delta that the fish just thrive. The bait and mullet schools are everywhere as are the redfish and trout. The water is very murky, so dark-colored plastics were the bait of choice with plenty of action guaranteed. We spent two great days working the inshore species with unbelievable results.

Our third day we were treated to a spectacular day of tuna fishing offshore with captain Mike Ellis. Searching out the shrimp boats in about 2 to 300 feet of water, we were almost instantly hooked up with 20-pound blackfin tuna. If you have never caught one of these fish, it should be added to your list of must-catch species.

We also were visited by several nice yellowfin tuna in the 50- to 60-pound range. These fish are surely some of the greatest gamefish I have ever caught and Venice, La., is a destination that should be added to the list to visit for everyone who loves to fish.

On Tampa Bay, this weekend's cold snap should get things a little more lined up with the time of year. The bite has been steady but not spectacular and this colder weather should bring the water temps down to a little more seasonal state. Snook, redfish and trout should remain steady inshore.

Catch Billy Nobles and Mike Anderson on the "Reel Animals Fishing Show" on Saturdays from 6:30-7 a.m. and Sundays from 11-11:30 a.m. on NBC, Channel 8, and on Sundays from 7-9 a.m. on 620 AM. To book a charter, call 1-866-GAME-

FISH or visit www.reel

animalsfishingshow.com.

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