You can lose yourself in the lakes or challenge the tailwater below the dams. It’s strong current flowing from lake to lake. The movement, it owns you, but you never want to let it go. The opportunities are boundless. You are fishing in the best sport fishing and tournament angling lakes in the United States. Pickwick Lake, Wilson, and Wheeler lakes are all part of the chain as the Tennessee River flows towards southward.
The date was April 20, 2010 when the British Petroleum oil rig exploded. It was all over the news and headlines of doom for the Gulf Coast area were incredible. I watch as reports came in of the environmental impact the oil spill was having on wildlife and wondered what negative effects the oil spill would have on the environment in the years to come. There were numerous reports of dead or dying fish, sea turtles, dolphins, and birds. Charter fishing was also negatively affected along with restaurants, fishing manufactures, marinas, and lodging. Thousands of lives were changed on that date; lives that income depend on the Gulf to sustain. Now over a year later, I have come to explore and find out what impact the oil rig explosion had and is continuing to have on individuals that live there, but more importantly the fragile ecological system that is so unique to the area.
Every year thousands and thousands of people go to Branson for their vacation. It’s the show capital of the United States with a multitude of live shows and theatres; in addition to Silver Dollar City, White Water, Shepherd of the Hills, zip lines, the Branson Landing, historical downtown Branson, boat excursions, movie theaters, wineries, and so much more. It seems like everyone is thinking Branson and not just for shows and shopping in the unique downtown area. Anglers are thinking of fishing due to the proximity of Lake Taneycomo and Table Rock Lake. Lake Taneycomo is renowned for its trophy brown and rainbow trout fishing while Table Rock Lake is famous for its smallmouth, largemouth, spotted bass, and crappie. One professional fishing guide who guides on both Lake Taneycomo and Table Rock Lake is John Sappington owner and operator of Fishingguidebranson.com.
There are so many things to do down in New Orleans with an abundance of great tasting food, great music, great attractions, and Mardi Gras it’s often overlooked, but world class fishing is only minutes away. Can you imagine it? Massive inland saltwater marshes that have giant, tackle busting redfish just waiting to strike your lure or live bait while tasty speckled trout are always willing to bite. There is no better way to enjoy New Orleans than to stay at a fishing lodge or cabin located conveniently just minutes from downtown. Eccentric Charters located in a protective cove next to the Seaway Marina not only offers charter fishing trips, but has both a fishing lodge and cabins for anglers wanting to stay on the banks of Bayou Barataria.
Our fishing guide for the day was born in Alabama, raised in Tuscumbia, American by birth and southern by the grace of God. He had more Tennessee River water flowing through his veins than blood. The tone of his voice was firm for such a young man. As I backed up his bass boat to launch it, he prepared the fishing tackle we would be using. No nonsense. No jitter jab. After parking his boat, I walked down and got into the boat. The fog was swirling around drifting upwards towards heaven. Some thicker fog was holding tight inside the pockets refusing to let the sun’s rays burn them away. Our guide glanced up and down the lake taking note of the river’s current and which direction the wind was blowing from. No GPS. No fishing report off the internet. I had high expectations along with my wife of catching quality fish; maybe even a big smallmouth. After a couple seconds, he adjusted his hat to secure it as if to indicate, hold on folks we’re going for a ride down the river. He pushed down hard on the throttle causing the boat to lift and jump up on plane. As we ran down the lake, he peeked from under the brim of his hat to both sides of the lake. I could tell he was looking for some sign to stop and fish. My guess is he had fished every nook and cranny of this Tennessee River impound more than once. Without warning he pulled back on the throttle allowing the boat to glide to a halt. He turned to us and slowly raised his hat just enough to see his face. Grinning from ear to ear he said, “Time to catch them folks.” I knew we were in for a good day of fishing.
South Louisiana is renowned for many things. It’s rich culture and natural resources make it a one-of-a-kind locale, but it’s the Cajun hospitality that brings people back year after year. The sights and sounds are unique to the region. It would be impossible to list everything to see and do in one article; however my favorite thing to do is go fishing. World-class angling can be found in the swamps, brackish water, freshwater and deep sea due to being located so close to the bayous, inland swamps, lakes, bays, and Gulf coast.
Besides having the best Cajun food in the world, South Louisiana can also boast of having some of the world’s best fishing. It’s truly an angler’s paradise where the options are numerous from offshore, inshore, nearshore, marsh, and freshwater fishing is all within a short drive. Anglers can experience world class fishing at its finest or limit out on the abundant tasty game fish to take home to cook. Anglers can bring their own boats or contact a local fishing guide. One renowned fishing guide that takes out charter trips in both offshore, bays, and marshes is Captain Cuda Scheer who works out of Sportsman’s Paradise.
The Louisiana Delta is truly a fisherman’s paradise. It has miles and miles of marshes, bayous, duck ponds, and canals with nutrient rich waters loaded with game fish. Anglers can fish in saltwater, freshwater, or brackish depending on what species they are trying to catch. Although there is great largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie fishing in this area, the majority of anglers are more likely to pursue common coastal species such as speckled trout or redfish. Around New Orleans redfish is the king. Anglers travel from all over the world to catch these ultimate fighters that never give up. Eccentric Charters specializes in taking clients out redfishing. They not only take out serious anglers, but couples or families wanting to tangle with these powerful game fish.
I just got a disturbing text from my long time fishin’ buddy Bubba. It said, “I’m fixin’ to hook up with Tif!” What? I can’t believe what I just read. Has he gone and lost his mind? To me it seems strange that any single man would want to hook up with a gal. I thought I had been a good role model for him. By that I mean being married for over twenty years Bubba had seen my allotted fishing time diminish after I got married and had 2 kids. Being Bubba’s best friend, confidant, and soul mate, I knew congratulations were in order, so I texted him back quickly, “Don’t do it! Have you lost your mind?” Now, Tiffany or Tif as everyone calls her can stop traffic with her smile and looks almost as pretty as a new ranger bass boat on the show room floor. In fact, I haven’t figured out what she sees in him, but obviously the boy cleans up good.
From a distance, Lake Pickwick in Alabama looks like the typical northern Alabama reservoir. The shoreline is surrounded by high majestic mountains covered with trees that shoot towards the sky. Sometimes during the early spring and late fall, fog will linger in the coves as anglers drive down the lake creating rolling ripples that bounce off the shoreline. It's a picturesque backdrop that only enhances the fishing experience.
Destinations
You can lose yourself in the lakes or challenge the tailwater below the dams. It’s strong current flowing from lake to lake. The movement, it owns you, but you never want to let it go. The opportunities are boundless. You are fishing in the best sport fishing and tournament angling lakes in the United States. Pickwick Lake, Wilson, and Wheeler lakes are all part of the chain as the Tennessee River flows towards southward.
There are so many things to do down in New Orleans with an abundance of great tasting food, great music, great attractions, and Mardi Gras it’s often overlooked, but world class fishing is only minutes away. Can you imagine it? Massive inland saltwater marshes that have giant, tackle busting redfish just waiting to strike your lure or live bait while tasty speckled trout are always willing to bite. There is no better way to enjoy New Orleans than to stay at a fishing lodge or cabin located conveniently just minutes from downtown. Eccentric Charters located in a protective cove next to the Seaway Marina not only offers charter fishing trips, but has both a fishing lodge and cabins for anglers wanting to stay on the banks of Bayou Barataria.
Our fishing guide for the day was born in Alabama, raised in Tuscumbia, American by birth and southern by the grace of God. He had more Tennessee River water flowing through his veins than blood. The tone of his voice was firm for such a young man. As I backed up his bass boat to launch it, he prepared the fishing tackle we would be using. No nonsense. No jitter jab. After parking his boat, I walked down and got into the boat. The fog was swirling around drifting upwards towards heaven. Some thicker fog was holding tight inside the pockets refusing to let the sun’s rays burn them away. Our guide glanced up and down the lake taking note of the river’s current and which direction the wind was blowing from. No GPS. No fishing report off the internet. I had high expectations along with my wife of catching quality fish; maybe even a big smallmouth. After a couple seconds, he adjusted his hat to secure it as if to indicate, hold on folks we’re going for a ride down the river. He pushed down hard on the throttle causing the boat to lift and jump up on plane. As we ran down the lake, he peeked from under the brim of his hat to both sides of the lake. I could tell he was looking for some sign to stop and fish. My guess is he had fished every nook and cranny of this Tennessee River impound more than once. Without warning he pulled back on the throttle allowing the boat to glide to a halt. He turned to us and slowly raised his hat just enough to see his face. Grinning from ear to ear he said, “Time to catch them folks.” I knew we were in for a good day of fishing.
South Louisiana is renowned for many things. It’s rich culture and natural resources make it a one-of-a-kind locale, but it’s the Cajun hospitality that brings people back year after year. The sights and sounds are unique to the region. It would be impossible to list everything to see and do in one article; however my favorite thing to do is go fishing. World-class angling can be found in the swamps, brackish water, freshwater and deep sea due to being located so close to the bayous, inland swamps, lakes, bays, and Gulf coast. 
Besides having the best Cajun food in the world, South Louisiana can also boast of having some of the world’s best fishing. It’s truly an angler’s paradise where the options are numerous from offshore, inshore, nearshore, marsh, and freshwater fishing is all within a short drive. Anglers can experience world class fishing at its finest or limit out on the abundant tasty game fish to take home to cook. Anglers can bring their own boats or contact a local fishing guide. One renowned fishing guide that takes out charter trips in both offshore, bays, and marshes is Captain Cuda Scheer who works out of Sportsman’s Paradise.
The Louisiana Delta is truly a fisherman’s paradise. It has miles and miles of marshes, bayous, duck ponds, and canals with nutrient rich waters loaded with game fish. Anglers can fish in saltwater, freshwater, or brackish depending on what species they are trying to catch. Although there is great largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie fishing in this area, the majority of anglers are more likely to pursue common coastal species such as speckled trout or redfish. Around New Orleans redfish is the king. Anglers travel from all over the world to catch these ultimate fighters that never give up. Eccentric Charters specializes in taking clients out redfishing. They not only take out serious anglers, but couples or families wanting to tangle with these powerful game fish.
