Rod & Reel Combos
Lew's Mach Baitcasting Combo
A matched casting combo for bass fishing around cover.
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Rivers & Streams
Spin, Cast & Bait
Barataria Preserve Fishing Guide
Louisiana
Bayous and canals in Jean Lafitte National Historical Park near Lafitte, freshwater marsh where anglers still catch saltwater fish along with largemouth bass.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Barataria Preserve for largemouth bass, redfish, speckled trout, flounder and sheepshead. In October, largemouth bass, redfish, speckled trout and flounder are in season, and Soft Stick Bait, Bass Jig and Spinnerbait are a good place to start. There are 12 shops nearby (2 fly, 10 bait and tackle); the closest is La Redfish Outfitters in Belle Chasse. Lake Pontchartrain is also nearby if you want to make a trip of it.
Season at a Glance
Largemouth Bass
Redfish
Speckled Trout
Flounder
Sheepshead
JFMAMJJASOND
What You'll Catch
Barataria Preserve Species
Largemouth Bass
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Jan to Apr, Oct to Nov
Redfish
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Mar to May, Sep to Nov
Speckled Trout
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Mar to May, Oct to Dec
Flounder
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Apr to May, Sep to Nov
Sheepshead
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Dec to Apr
Images: USFWS; Duane Raver, USFWS; NOAA Fisheries. Public domain.
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
5 picks for October. marks species in season in October.
Soft Stick Bait 4 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureBass Jig 3/8 to 1 oz
LureJig · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureSpinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz
LureMoving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Stained water.
Shop This LureSquarebill Crankbait 1.5 to 2.5 in
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureWalking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Largemouth Bass · Low light.
Shop This Lure
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Largemouth Bass
Fly 9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.
Redfish
Fly 9 ft 8 wt rod, floating redfish line, 16 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid with a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Speckled Trout
Fly 9 ft 7 wt rod, floating or intermediate line, 15 lb leader, Clousers and shrimp flies.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 15 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Flounder
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-light spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid, Carolina rig or bucktail.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Barataria Preserve
Line
PowerPro Spectra Braided Line
Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.
Check PriceReels
Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel
A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.
Check PriceTerminal Tackle
Egg Sinkers and Swivels
Egg sinkers, swivels, and beads for slip-sinker and Carolina rigs.
Check PriceLine
Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon
Low-visibility fluorocarbon for leaders and clear water.
Check PriceSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceRod & Reel Combos
Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.
Check PriceRods
St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.
Check PriceSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Nearby
Shops Near Barataria Preserve
Nearby
Guides and Charters Near Barataria Preserve
Charter
Capt Phil Robichaux's Fishing Charters
Lafitte, Louisiana
1842 Jean Lafitte Blvd 504-689-2006
Per their website: Full-Day Trips
Charter
Griffin Fishing Charters and Lodge
Barataria, Louisiana
2629 Privateer Blvd 504-689-7588
Per their website: Inshore
Charter
Craig's Inland Charters
Barataria, Louisiana
4980 Anthony Ln 504-416-3250
Per their website: Inshore
Charter
Crescent City Fishing Charters
Lafitte, Louisiana
4954 Jean Lafitte Blvd 504-915-0392
Per their website: Half-Day Trips
Charter
Down South Fishing Charters
Lafitte, Louisiana
5616 Jean Lafitte Blvd 985-768-1656
Per their website: Inshore, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Make It a Trip
Nearby Water
Saltwater & Coast · Louisiana · About 27 mi
Lake Pontchartrain
A brackish lake by New Orleans with speckled trout around the bridges and trestles.
Speckled Trout · Redfish
Saltwater & Coast · Louisiana · About 30 mi
Pointe-aux-Chenes
A state wildlife management area of fresh and brackish marsh near Chauvin, where redfish, speckled trout, and flounder are popular catches.
Redfish · Speckled Trout · Flounder
Saltwater & Coast · Louisiana · About 38 mi
Grand Isle
Louisiana's only inhabited barrier island, a speckled trout destination with surf and marsh fishing.
Speckled Trout · Redfish
Saltwater & Coast · Louisiana · About 58 mi
Venice
The end of the road at the mouth of the Mississippi, with marsh redfish and access to offshore fishing.
Redfish · Speckled Trout
Saltwater & Coast · Mississippi · About 75 mi
Mississippi Sound
The waters off Gulfport and Biloxi with barrier islands, marsh, and speckled trout.
Speckled Trout · Redfish · Flounder