Fishing Report for July 2, 2009

• By JOE MACALUSO
• Advocate Outdoors writer
• Published: Jul 2, 2009 - Page: 8C

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Constant southwest winds have turned out to be a not-so-bad problem along the coast, especially if you’re working the reefs and rigs on the east side of the Mississippi River.

The threat of thunderstorms along the coast and all hours of the day and night pose a threat on the water and can quell a strong bite either by the rapid shift in barometric pressure or when rough conditions turn water into a muddy mess.

Still, freshwater action is improving, coastal species continue to bite and offshore action is heading towards another solid year.

The bonus for the Fourth of July is crabs are in the surf along the central coast.

Weather

Expect extra-hot afternoons with a chance of isolated storms and 5 to 10-knot southwest winds with seas running 1 to 2 feet through the weekend.

Freshwater

With the Atchafalaya Spillway dropping — the river should move below flood stage at Morgan City this weekend — look for runouts to hold bass from the upper Bayou Sorrel area all the way to Six-Mile Lake. Because of fish kills after Hurricane Gustav, the closer you can get to the river, the Intracoastal Canal and Grand Lake, the better action you can expect. Sac-a-lait are showing up in deeper canals off these areas, too.

Lake Cataouatche continues to produce bass on a variety of lures (mostly frogs and soft plastics) and bluegill are taking crickets along the western shoreline.

Old River is producing lots of bluegill in the Ball Park area (work crickets in 3 to 5- foot depths in the middle of the flooded timber). Lately, some bluegill have moved around the floating houseboats. The best time to fish  is after the sun gets high in the sky. These bluegill are hanging in the shade under the boats. Use crickets as far down as the 10-foot depths.

Saltwater

Elmer’s Island has been best early in the morning and later in the afternoon. There’s plenty bait in the surf along Elmer’s and The Fourchon. If you’re surf fishing, stay in shallow water and cast to the first sandbar. Trout are feeding on shrimp and small mullet. Redfish and Spanish mackerel are in the surf, too. Topwater plugs are working on larger trout.

Finding clear water is a must in all areas, and that’s been a problem in the aftermaths of thunderstorms.