Shore Thing Fishing Report, 4/1/2026

April 1, 2026

Windy conditions may keep you from heading offshore, but there is plenty of exciting action close to home in our back bays and marshes.

​- by Sonny Schindler, Shore Thing Fishing Charters

Charlie and Nik from Michigan doubled up on these bull reds in the Louisiana marsh (tagged and released).

We will probably have windy days through Easter, but don’t let that stop you from getting out and enjoying some wonderful springtime fishing. Long runs may be a little tricky if big seas are forecasted, but the nearshore fishing is some of the best we’ve seen all year.
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With the end of winter, we say farewell to our sheepshead as they head south. You will still pick up a few here and there, but the big schools are headed offshore. Our main focus, especially hiding from the wind, will be on redfish and puppy drum. On a positive note, the winds this time of year it typically bring higher than normal tides., allowing you to fish closer to the shoreline and into the shallow canals and ditches. As always, pay attention to your tides – sooner or later, all that water has to fall back out.
 

These boys from northwest Arkansas had a mixed bag of redfish, puppy drum, sheepshead, and more fishing out of Bayou Caddy.

 
Since the water will likely be murky, fishing with live or dead bait certainly will help the cause. If you are unable to get your hands on shrimp or minnows, FISH BITES will definitely work. Tipped on a soft plastic or even just on a bare hook, those flavor strips are incredible.
 

Captain Josh Ellis caught this speckled trout south of Pass Christian last week.

 
When this wind lays down, the shrimp will exit the marsh, and speckled trout fishing should start ramping up. Be on the lookout for diving gulls; they will point you to the trout. One thing we like to see is birds diving in shallow water. Almost always, the shallower the water the birds are diving into, the better the quality of trout.
 

Sheepshead should be headed south, but there are a few stragglers around. This one was caught near the barrier Islands.

 
If you would rather stay home than fish in the wind, I strongly recommend you spend the time checking your equipment, boats, trailers, and trolling motors to make sure all of your gear is in good working order. Things are about to get really good, which means the lines at the repair shops are going to be really long.

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