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Welcome to this week’s Louisiana Delta Fishing Report, where host Andre’ Savoie checks in on two very different but equally strong springtime stories across South Louisiana. This episode features Jerry Cottrell of the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club and Jerry’s Facebook page, along with Capt. T Wagoner of Geaux Fishing Charters in Grand Isle. The big theme this week is variety. Kayak fishing continues to grow because it opens up new water and sharpens the way anglers read current, structure, and fish behavior, while Grand Isle is already showing signs of a productive spring with a heavy sheepshead bite, early offshore optimism, and plenty of reasons for anglers to start planning trips now.
Conditions Recap
Across the Louisiana coast, the seasonal transition is opening up more options for anglers willing to stay flexible. Inshore and marsh anglers are seeing more ways to get on fish without needing to make long runs, and Grand Isle is already producing quality sheepshead around pilings and structure. Offshore anticipation is also building with red snapper season approaching, and the overall tone of this report is that spring opportunities are expanding. Whether you want to fish quietly from a kayak in protected water or book a trip out of Grand Isle for sheepshead, snapper, and more, the common thread is that Louisiana anglers have a lot to work with right now.
Louisiana Kayak Fishing Report: Jerry Cottrell, Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club
Jerry Cottrell explains why kayak fishing has become such a big part of the Louisiana fishing scene and why so many anglers who get started with it end up sticking with it. For Jerry, the draw is not just the simplicity of launching quickly and avoiding the expense and maintenance of a bigger boat. It is also the way kayak fishing puts anglers closer to the water and forces them to become more observant. He talks about how that lower, slower perspective changes the way you read water movement, structure, and positioning, and how that often makes kayak anglers extremely dialed in fishermen.
One of the most useful takeaways from Jerry’s segment is that kayak fishing does not have to start as an all-in commitment. He describes it as an approachable way to get into the sport without immediately buying a full boat setup, and the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club gives newcomers a chance to learn from experienced anglers and see the community side of the sport. Tournaments, organized events, and club participation have all helped fuel that growth, especially as formats like TourneyX have made catch-photo-release competition easier to follow and more accessible.
Jerry also gets into how kayak setups have evolved. What may start as a minimalist approach can quickly become a much more advanced fishing platform depending on how far an angler wants to take it. He mentions items like a GPS/depth finder, a Power-Pole, livewell setups, and even forward-facing sonar as examples of how serious some kayak rigs have become. At the same time, the message is not that anglers need all of that gear to get started. It is that the sport can be as simple or as specialized as you want it to be, and the learning curve often becomes part of the fun.
Another strong point from Jerry’s report is that kayak fishing teaches confidence in overlooked water. Because kayak anglers are not making long runs the same way bay boats do, they often learn just how many fish live within easy reach of launches, backwater access points, drains, bridges, and protected shorelines. That mindset can make anglers more efficient and more aware of what is happening around them instead of racing past fish to get somewhere that only looks better on a map.
Learn more about the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club at bayoucoast.com.
Grand Isle Fishing Report: Capt. T Wagoner, Geaux Fishing Charters
In Grand Isle, Capt. T Wagoner reports a really strong sheepshead bite with quality fish stacked around pilings and other structure. The fish are there in good numbers, and this is the kind of bite that can give anglers steady action while also putting excellent table fare in the box. Grand Isle’s strength, as always, is the range of options it offers. Anglers can enjoy an inshore, nearshore, or offshore experience without needing to move far between opportunities, and Wagoner makes it clear that spring is shaping up well across the board.
One practical tactic he shares is the use of a sliding cork rig when fishing deeper water. That setup simplifies depth control for clients, helps prevent tangles, and keeps anglers more efficient when the bite is on. For charter fishing especially, keeping rigs easy to fish and easy to manage matters, because time spent untangling lines is time not spent catching fish. The sheepshead program right now is productive, straightforward, and a good fit for anglers who want action while waiting for some of the broader spring and summer offshore options to fully open up.
Wagoner also notes that free divers and spear fishermen have already been getting in the water, and he mentions fish like mangrove snapper, pompano, sheepshead, and even cobia showing up in the mix. Gear mentioned in that part of the report includes a wetsuit for handling cooler water temperatures earlier in the year. It is another reminder of how diverse the Grand Isle fishery can be depending on the season and the style of fishing you enjoy.
Offshore, anticipation is building around red snapper season. Wagoner says bookings are already coming in for May, and he is seeing the same thing many Gulf anglers have been talking about lately: plenty of snapper in the water and a lot of optimism about the season ahead. He points out that early season opportunities can be especially attractive because anglers are able to stay relatively close and still catch quality fish, which makes Grand Isle an appealing option for both serious fishermen and families looking for a fun, fish-filled trip.
Beyond the bite itself, Wagoner highlights the broader Grand Isle experience. He talks about the catch-and-cook option at Grand Isle Marina, where anglers can bring in their fish and have it prepared in multiple ways. That kind of finish to a day on the water is a big part of what makes a trip to Grand Isle memorable. It is not just about catching fish. It is about making a full experience out of the trip, from the boat ride to the meal afterward.
Book a trip with Geaux Fishing Charters to stay on the Grand Isle sheepshead bite and get ahead of the spring and snapper-season action.
