Ouachita/Monroe

Started by Rivers, August 04, 2017, 11:11:49 AM

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Rivers

I'm the adviser for my school's bass team. There is an open tournament early September. I am just wondering if it is worth driving 5 hours and spending the money to go. It seems fairly similar to the tidal marshes we fish here in South MS. However if the fishing is going to be stingy due to flooding, heat, or just a poor fishery I will pass. We drove 12hrs last fall to fish Cumberland for three days and caught 5 fish. I can handle it, but it is just not enjoyable for most 13-17 year olds. Thanks in advance.

Rivers

trick worm

I fished on the Ouachita when I was on the LATech fishing team back in 2013-2014. I don't think we ever fished it in September.
I wouldn't call it a poor fishery, but it can be tough if you've never been there before. This is mostly due to vast amount of good looking cover every where you go. There is ALOT of dead water that looks great.
Also, the fish don't get very big on the Ouachita. Usually anything over 5lbs is giant. A 12lb bag is usually considered pretty good over there. Catching multiple fish over 3lbs in a day can be tough even for the locals.
However, just like any river, September will be a great time to find fish chasing shad and stacked up in the mouths of creeks. So it is very possible that yall could go catch a bunch of fish and have a good time.
Hope this helps give you an idea.
P.S. this is just my .02 cents based on the handful of times that I have fished it. Hope I didn't sound too negative.  :)
PB 8.96 - Cross Lake

SteelHorseCowboy

I've heard about the tournament. I know nothing about the river in September. If you do decide to come, hit me up, may get a chance to teach me something.

Rivers

This sounds very similar to our waters.  I will bring it up and let them decide whether or not to come.  Thanks for your help.

dstripling

We also are planning to fish the river, I will be pulling from Atlanta, GA. Any help on whether to fish north or south would be awesome.

Lipripper

Quote from: dstripling on August 24, 2017, 12:40:36 PM
We also are planning to fish the river, I will be pulling from Atlanta, GA. Any help on whether to fish north or south would be awesome.
Have a safe trip and hope you catch lots of them big Louisiana Bass. Oh and welcome to UB and if you would please stop by here and introduce yourself to everyone.
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Kats Rule And Bass Drool.Viet Nam Vet

SteelHorseCowboy

I'd assume you're launching from Forsythe Park or Lazarre? About the two best boat launches here.
Not a clue on where to catch bass on the river, but for hospitality purposes, here's a list of some of our best eatin places in West Monroe...
Dylan's (burger joint)
Coney Island West (burger joint)
Sweat Tea's
Ole South Diner
El Azteca (Monroe)
El Jarrito (WM)
Roma's Italian Bistro
Lea's of LeCompte

Save your money and don't bother with Willie's Duck Diner. I really do honestly hate to just slam a business, but it's an overpriced tourist restaurant and the food is crap. $15 burger and fries that don't hold a candle to McDonald's in flavor? Roast duck that smells and tastes like dog? Cold mac and cheese that once upon a time was warmed up in a microwave?
And no matter what anyone says, that is NOT "Cajun". Bland.

MattT

My son and and class mate are talking about fishing it. Passed up a chance to prefish it this weekend. (Fished local tournament instead)

I've never fished it but the guys I've asked said pretty much hat trick worm said earlier on this thread

dstripling

Thanks, after all the rain that's coming to the area, do you guys think it's gonna flood there also?

trick worm

I see it as very unlikely. Monroe is definitely about to get some rain later this week, but it shouldn't be enough to flood.
Also, the Ouachita is still fishable even when its 6ft high, and is still safe to run on. So I wouldn't worry too much about the rain this week.
PB 8.96 - Cross Lake

dstripling

Thanks, we are looking forward to fishing there, problem is we are going in blind. Meaning, we have never been on this river system. We will have a couple of days to ride around and look, maybe find some kind of pattern.

trick worm

Ill be going out there this weekend for the first time in about 3 years.
PB 8.96 - Cross Lake

dstripling

What's the weather like down there around Forsythe landing, just wondering if the river will be fishable for the FLW high school qualifier on Sept. 9. Any help from you local guys and gals would be appreciated.

trick worm

It's cloudy with a bit of rain.. it will be very fishable lol


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PB 8.96 - Cross Lake

Mike Cork

They are getting rain north of there but not near enough to hurt. From the photos I seen it's gonna help!

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dstripling

Thanks gentlemen, we are very excited in making this 7 hr drive, just hoping we can get some fish to bite

Rivers

Didn't make the trip due to the uncertainty of Irma, but would love to know how it went.

trick worm

FLWs website shows about 30 teams.
1st was 13+
2nd and 3rd were 10lb


PB 8.96 - Cross Lake

SteelHorseCowboy

Heard there were several folks who didn't even stick around for weigh-in, but that's it. No clue how the folks did who were actually catching, or even if what I heard was true.