The Ultimate Guide to Early Fall Fishing for Redfish and Speckled Trout in South Louisiana

Catching early fall redfish

Early Fall fishing is here, and for anglers in South Louisiana, it means it’s time to start transitioning from the open waters to the interiors of the marshes. As the water cools down, the fish move back to the insides, and the boat rides become shorter, but the catches become bigger. If you’re a novice angler looking to get in on some great fishing action this fall, then you’re in the right place. In this blog, we’ll be discussing everything you need to know to catch redfish, speckled trout, black drum, flounder, and sheepshead this fall in the marshes.

The fall season is one of the best times for fishing in south Louisiana.

With the water temperatures starting to cool down, the fish move back to the inside waters, which means shorter boat rides and more fishes. As the fish move back on the inside waters, it puts Redfish, speckled trout, black drum, flounder and sheepshead all in the same bays. We highly recommend using live bait during this time of the year, but the redfish and speckled trout can also be caught on soft plastics. When it comes to bait, shrimp and croakers are the go-to option for many anglers.

One of the best things about fall fishing is the topwater action.

As the sun comes up in the early morning, topwater baits can work wonders to attract redfish and speckled trout. One of the best topwater baits that work great during fall fishing is the Heddon One Knocker Spook. This lure imitates a wounded baitfish, and when worked correctly, can attract the attention of any fish around it.

When it comes to gear, we recommend fishing with a medium-heavy rod with a fast action, paired with a spinning reel. For line, a braided line with a fluorocarbon leader works great. The braided line allows you to cast further and has less stretch compared to monofilament lines. Fluorocarbon leaders are nearly invisible in the water, which helps to entice more fish to bite.

Fishing in South Louisiana’s marshes can be challenging, but with the right tactics, you can catch fish all day long.

One of the best tactics during the fall season is to fish around structure like docks, pilings, and oyster reefs.

These structures will hold large schools of redfish and speckled trout, and if you’re lucky, you might even find flounders and sheepshead lurking around them.

Fall fishing in South Louisiana is an incredible experience that every angler should try at least once. With the shorter boat rides, the abundance of fish, and the chance to catch bigger fish, it’s hard to resist. By following the tips mentioned, novice anglers can increase their chances of catching redfish, speckled trout, black drum, flounder, and sheepshead during the fall season.

With the right gear, tactics, and bait, you’ll be reeling in the fish in no time. So give us a call at Louisiana Fishing Charters to book one of these amazing trips this fall. Happy fishing!