Looking for some beginner's guidance

Hey guys, been reading the forums for a while and finally decided to join in hopes of a little more help. Short back story on myself, born and raised in the sorrel/pigeon area and have been on the water since as far back as I can remember. Wife and I recently purchased another boat after a long 10 years without one and we fish the pigeon area because that's where I grew up crawfishing and she also has family from that area so it is very familiar to both of us. We normally put plenty catfish in the boat but I finally convinced her to try something different. I never really fished growing up and don't really know where to go or what to look for in that area for sacalait. We went this past weekend and fishes in everything from muddy water to clear water and everything in between with no luck. I'm not asking for honey holes or anything close to it, but what should I be looking for in that area to not waste a whole day on the water just burning gas?

Welcome to the forum, glad you decided to sign up. The area around sorrel and pigeon is very productive for sac-au-lait, bass, and bluegills. I can't point you in a specific direction but from reading the posts here it's easy to see that there are a lot of fish to be caught. I wish I lived a lot closer to that area. You can do a search of the forum for Sorrel and Pigeon and you should get an idea of where and how to fish. Good luck and hoping to see some positive reports soon.
"gene"

Welcome to the forum! I don't know that area either but like pawpaw gene said, lots of great information here!

Sent from my LG-M153 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Thanks to both of you for the welcome. It is a great area and I'm glad to call it MY area. I've been digging on the site and there's so much info its hard to put it all together right now. I'm glad people here are so willing to help each other. Most fishermen I know brag about their catch and say you have to find them on your own. I would never ask a hunter for meat or a fisherman for fish, but a general statement that could help someone out is completely different to me. There's plenty to be said without saying where your boat was sitting.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by glassman84

Thanks to both of you for the welcome. It is a great area and I'm glad to call it MY area. I've been digging on the site and there's so much info its hard to put it all together right now. I'm glad people here are so willing to help each other. Most fishermen I know brag about their catch and say you have to find them on your own. I would never ask a hunter for meat or a fisherman for fish, but a general statement that could help someone out is completely different to me. There's plenty to be said without saying where your boat was sitting.

---

I don't pay much attention to tips on spots myself. That information gets old really fast. I've seen myself go to a spot and do great and go back 2 days later and scratch. You can judge after a while if the sacs are "on" in a given area by looking at how many of the smaller boat trailers at the landing. It's uncommon for me to do real good if I'm the only one there, but it happens.

Learn the nature of the fish and what makes them happy like food, cover, depth, water temp. and oxy level. As you try over time you will build up a catalog of hot spots in your area and they will very with the season.

Over time you will build some relationships here and folks that fish your area that you are now friends with will PM you some very specific information. But I'll say again detail location info gets old fast and real pros learn to count on their own ability to find fish.

Good luck and welcome to CDC.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mermentau

I don't pay much attention to tips on spots myself. That information gets old really fast. I've seen myself go to a spot and do great and go back 2 days later and scratch. You can judge after a while if the sacs are "on" in a given area by looking at how many of the smaller boat trailers at the landing. It's uncommon for me to do real good if I'm the only one there, but it happens.

Learn the nature of the fish and what makes them happy like food, cover, depth, water temp. and oxy level. As you try over time you will build up a catalog of hot spots in your area and they will very with the season.

Over time you will build some relationships here and folks that fish your area that you are now friends with will PM you some very specific information. But I'll say again detail location info gets old fast and real pros learn to count on their own ability to find fish.

Good luck and welcome to CDC.

---

That's some very good points. I should've known better this past weekend when I saw a group of guys loading up when I was launching at 7:30 am lol

Don't know that area but welcome aboard.

For an area that large you have to start small. If ya know where williams canal is that is a good place to start. Find a dead end canal thats deep enough and fish it each time you go. Some structure holds fish. Dont go when the waters rising. Some canals have no fish. Takes a lot of time but it will be worth it in the end. Welcome to crappieworld. You will buy more jigs tackle and poles than you thought you could and you will need all of it.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fishervet

For an area that large you have to start small. If ya know where williams canal is that is a good place to start. Find a dead end canal thats deep enough and fish it each time you go. Some structure holds fish. Dont go when the waters rising. Some canals have no fish. Takes a lot of time but it will be worth it in the end. Welcome to crappieworld. You will buy more jigs tackle and poles than you thought you could and you will need all of it.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

---

Yep I grew up crawfishing Murphy lake and we fish all around that area now. I was going to ask about Williams but since it's all pipeline construction right now I figured no one would be fishing it. It's nonstop air boat traffic right now.

Thanks Fisher for your input also.

Some people like to cast with and without corks and some people jig minnows or jigs vertical with and without corks. Some like dark stained water and some like greenish water. I like water greenish with about 10 to 12 inch visibility because I jig vertically and because I’m on top of the fish I need cloudy water to keep from scaring them. I also don’t mind a little current but want it going out not rising. Cover is key most of the time. Logs, tree tops grass beds and pilings usually hold fish. Slow presentation keeping the bait still then lower it slowly another foot then still again. Repeat till you get a bite. You may have to go 6 to 10 foot down. Sak au lait usually thump it pretty good once where bream hit it several quick times. Set the hook quickly and firm. Beware, the thump is addictive! Everyone has their own method so just find what works for you and be patient. The fall fishing is great so hang in there and welcome to the site.

Welcome aboard from Natchitoches parish :welcome

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jesse

Some people like to cast with and without corks and some people jig minnows or jigs vertical with and without corks. Some like dark stained water and some like greenish water. I like water greenish with about 10 to 12 inch visibility because I jig vertically and because I’m on top of the fish I need cloudy water to keep from scaring them. I also don’t mind a little current but want it going out not rising. Cover is key most of the time. Logs, tree tops grass beds and pilings usually hold fish. Slow presentation keeping the bait still then lower it slowly another foot then still again. Repeat till you get a bite. You may have to go 6 to 10 foot down. Sak au lait usually thump it pretty good once where bream hit it several quick times. Set the hook quickly and firm. Beware, the thump is addictive! Everyone has their own method so just find what works for you and be patient. The fall fishing is great so hang in there and welcome to the site.

---

Good advice here ^

You might start with live bait and once you learn a few hot spots
Move to jigs



Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Very good advice! I really appreciate that Jesse. I have been wanting to try shiners. I think my biggest problem right now is finding those cuts with deeper water. One thing I'm really starting to realize is all those guys who are filling ice chests have quite a few years experience of being on the water over me.

Flag me down if you see this tub out there, I may be able to share a good spot with you!

Jesse -- where are the Registration numbers

They’re on there now, boat was new then. Got about 15 hrs. on it and still working out a few bugs but it’s already been slimed. It’s a keeper!!

Glassman, you don't necessarily need deep water, you need structure. Things like a fallen tree, weed line, lily pack, tree tops or stumps on bottom or against a bank in only a few feet of water. Good luck
"gene"

Thanks Gene. It's still new to me but I'm trying to use my down imaging more. I sure will Jesse! If you see me around give me a shout also. Attachment 319689

Glassman this type of cover can hold a lot of fish and you can't see it on your down image.
"gene"


Attachment 319691

Welcome glassman84! This is a good site with a ton of super members who don't mind sharing just about anything concerning sacs. Old timers and newcomers alike are generous to a fault.
As far as spots, I've caught in the morning and came back later in the day and did nothing. Sacs move a lot and do get picky. One thing for sure is that they like to hit upward. So if you're below where they're holding, chances are you won't get a bite.
I live in Plaquemine and like to fish the Shell cuts in Sorrel. Pigeon seems like too much riding for me. But when I decide to go there, I usually start in Cross Bayou up to Murphy Lake and Indigo. There's a canal at the north end of Murphy that turns on at times too. Just watch Murphy. Silted up like a lot of the old spots. That's the first place I grounded my rig when I bought it. Like you, I was without for about 10 years and a LOT changed from what I remembered. Best thing I've bought was a side imager unit. I use it to find that structure you can't see from above.
Jig Rig is a good resource for Pigeon. He calls it Disneyworld in his posts. Right now the water is rising a little so bite is off and most people are fishing "inside" such as Jack Miller's area and around Verret or Lake Natchez.
I've attached a good pdf of a file I found a long time ago. Lots of good info on sacs. Take what you need and discard the rest.

Tight lines,
Paul

Attachment 319703

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pbouy

Welcome glassman84! This is a good site with a ton of super members who don't mind sharing just about anything concerning sacs. Old timers and newcomers alike are generous to a fault.
As far as spots, I've caught in the morning and came back later in the day and did nothing. Sacs move a lot and do get picky. One thing for sure is that they like to hit upward. So if you're below where they're holding, chances are you won't get a bite.
I live in Plaquemine and like to fish the Shell cuts in Sorrel. Pigeon seems like too much riding for me. But when I decide to go there, I usually start in Cross Bayou up to Murphy Lake and Indigo. There's a canal at the north end of Murphy that turns on at times too. Just watch Murphy. Silted up like a lot of the old spots. That's the first place I grounded my rig when I bought it. Like you, I was without for about 10 years and a LOT changed from what I remembered. Best thing I've bought was a side imager unit. I use it to find that structure you can't see from above.
Jig Rig is a good resource for Pigeon. He calls it Disneyworld in his posts. Right now the water is rising a little so bite is off and most people are fishing "inside" such as Jack Miller's area and around Verret or Lake Natchez.
I've attached a good pdf of a file I found a long time ago. Lots of good info on sacs. Take what you need and discard the rest.

Tight lines,
Paul

Attachment 319703

---

Thanks Paul, lots of good info! You're right about Murphy. I haven't made it to the shell cuts yet. The carp make my wife nervous lol. You wouldn't happen to be related to Patrick would you?

My youngest. I don't know if that's good or bad? [emoji3]

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pbouy

My youngest. I don't know if that's good or bad? [emoji3]

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

---

When we were in highschool we all played music together with Tristan and Britton. He's a good guy. Haven't seen him in years tho. Next time you talk to him tell him Brandon McBride said hey for me. Small world man!

I’ve never fished that are but always happy to see new members. Welcome to you and your wife.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

I will be out there tomorrow at pigeon. I'll probably be at the landing around 6:30 or so I'm going to try my hand at trying to get a few. I know that the water is up right now so I'm not real confident on my chances but I just got a brand new boat and the wife hasn't been out in it yet. You're more than welcome to follow me around if you like I don't have many spots. I usually go to Bayou Sorrel mostly.

Thanks ivoorhies for the welcome. Scotty, I won't be able to make it out this weekend but I appreciate the invite. Motor is down right now with a bad power pack. Should have it running for next weekend tho