Big fish!

[Splitshot]

Big fish are what they are, but in the scheme of things there are fish in the ocean that would have the ones I show here as a snack. Even though, these are some of the strongest fish I have ever fought for their size.

Buras, LA. Wright that down somewhere if you ever want to have and awesome fishing adventure. It was a guided trip by Dixie Riverside Charters out of Belle Chasse, LA. Bryan was born and raised in Buras and his son Patrick as well. I have fished with Bryan on several other occasions and can attest to his skill and ability. A true southern sportsman.

He used to have a home full of trophies, deer, elk, duck mounts and many fish mounts, but after Katrina he couldn’t even find his house. Sixty miles south of New Orleans with very little between him and the Gulf of Mexico. They lost everything, but before you start feeling sorry for them, stop. I’m not saying it’s easy and I’m sure they had their bad days, but after fishing with Bryan you would never know it.

The fishing is better than ever and Bryan told me you don’t even have to drive 50 miles to get food, ice and gas. Heck they even have a restaurant in Buras now called “Black Velvet.” Guess what, the food is pretty good too.

The wildlife is spectacular in the Mississippi Delta and Bryan and his son Patrick know it as well as anyone. I took several hundred pictures, and I just don’t have room to show you all of them so I’m just going to post the best 20 or so.

When we arrived on Thrusday night, we drove to Venice< LA the furthest point south in LA. I took about 20 pictures of the sunsed, and couldn't decide which one to post. I couldn't, so I'm posting 3.

One!
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/551/10-27-07.jpg

Two!
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/551/10-27-07_1_.jpg

Three!
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/551/10-27-07_2_.jpg

This is called a sail cat and they are strong. Another first for Steve.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/532/10-28-07.jpg

This flock of birds was waiting for some magical moment when they all flew off at once. Brown Pelicans, white pelicans, terns and gulls and whatever.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/10-28-07_birds.jpg

Dare I say another first! Steve is the rookie here!
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/medium/10-28-07_1_.jpg

Margret and Bryan. One big red fish.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/10-28-07_2_.jpg

Andy has to fish hard, just to keep up with Margret. lol
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/10-28-07_3_.jpg

And Steve, another first. A flounder!
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/medium/10-28-07_4_.jpg

Andy catches a big drum.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/10-28-07_5_.jpg

Continued on next post.

[Splitshot]

I know Steve was griting his teeth while lifting this 35 pound + black drum. Ummm another first!
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/medium/10-28-07_6_.jpg

Then Margret lands another excellent redfish.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/10-28-07_7_.jpg

Guess who again with a monster red.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/medium/10-28-07_8_.jpg

At least I caught one fish. I think I was smiling but I remember how bad my arm hurt.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/medium/10-28-07_9_.jpg

I think his arm was hurting as well, because he should have been smiling.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/medium/10-28-07_10_.jpg

It seemed that someone had a fish on all the time. In fact I think we had 4 bruisers on once at the same time. Andy strikes again.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/10-28-07_11_.jpg

This fish was almost golden. Heck, he was golden!
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/10-28-07_12_.jpg

Continues on next post.

[Splitshot]

In the middle of all this, there were other things to see. We saw bigger ones, but they didn't hang around long enough to get a picture.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/10-28-07_13_.jpg

This great white heron flew into this tree.http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/10-28-07_15_.jpg

And then this osprey appeared.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/10-28-07_16_.jpg

These are rosetta spoonbills. Simply beautiful.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/medium/10-28-07_14_.jpg

I could have taken many many more great picures, but when the fish were biting like they were, who else but me would take the time. What a great trip. Thank you Maraget and Andy it was the bomb!

[RyGuy525]

It looks like you had a great trip. Those red fish are fun aren't they? I was lucky enough to tangle with them 2 years ago in florida. How were you fishing for them? I know popping corks are very popular in that area.

[sirslurpee]

hey.. just so you know.. don't lick those sail cats. seriously. the slime makes you hallucinate.

[STEINFISHSKI]

Looks like a great trip Ray, thanks for bringing us along.:)

[Gone Fishing]

Wow, looks like a great time and pics are excellent as always! Something about those salt water fish, they sure put up a good battle! :)

[Shoeman]

Nothing like a little salt in your diet :lol:

Great fish and pictures (as always)

Thanks Ray!

[Splitshot]

It looks like you had a great trip. Those red fish are fun aren't they? I was lucky enough to tangle with them 2 years ago in florida. How were you fishing for them? I know popping corks are very popular in that area.

Lots of people fish with artificial baits (soft plastics) and live shrimp and minnows. We didn't use live shrimp although I think one would catch more fish. In our crew everyone used soft plastics on jigs except me. I used a jig and piece of shrimp and is the reason I caught more cats. lol

The Mississippi Delta is one of the most unique places I have ever fished. Every time I see red fish articles I read them and although I know they get bigger than the ones we caught, I rarly see pictures of them.

You are allowed one fish 27" or over and after keeping our one, we released dozens of reds to big to keep. Thank you captian Bryan. I can't remember ever having to stop fishing because my arm hurt so bad I could barely hold the rod. Fortunately the pain went away in about 10 minutes and even then I was hoping not to get a bite for a while.

We just left Sunday and I already can't wait to get back.

[2PawsRiver]

Looks like a great trip Ray, thanks for the pictures.:)

[GMONEY]

cool pics

[Ranger Ray]

Those red fish are dukes. DUKES I say! :lol: Looks like a fun trip Ray. Nice pics.