Written by: Matt Miles, Matt Miles Fly Fishing
This is why you head to Louisiana: to catch the biggest redfish of your life.
Photos courtesy Matt Miles
I had the most incredible birthday this week. A few months ago, I received a phone call from one of my best clients, Kool Uncle Kenny. Ken asked me if I would like to go with him to New Orleans to fish the Louisiana Marsh for the chance at a redfish over 20 pounds. Without hesitation I said, “Yes,” and it just so happened to be on my birthday.
My expectations were blown away on this trip. The first two fish we hooked into were 25 and 24 pounds! In fact we didn’t catch any under 24 pounds. Ken finished the two-day trip with a 26.5-pound redfish on the fly for his largest ever. My second fish of day two weighed in at 28 pounds, which was my biggest. Our guide, Capt. Lucas Bissett, said we hit it just right and days like this are not that common, but the chance at your largest redfish is always there in Louisiana.
Matt Miles shows off his biggest ever redfish, a 28-pounder.
There is no doubt Louisiana has the best redfish fishery in the world. This was a bucket-list trip of mine and should be on everyone’s list. Redfish are incredible fish and pull like a Mack truck. I have caught very few fish in my life where I wanted to take a break after landing them. These fish test your equipment to the max.
Other than the fishing, Louisiana has incredible food, and if you find yourself in Penny’s Diner, be sure to grab a grilled biscuit. One of the bonuses of fishing with Lucas is that he’s quite the singer, so there’s often some sweet melody coming from the poling platform. Just be ready to laugh your ass off and hook into a big fish!
Matt Miles is an Orvis Endorsed Guide living in Central Virginia with his wife, son, and two dogs. Matt guides for trout, smallmouth bass, musky, and freshwater stripers. Check out Capt. Luca Bissett at Low Tide Charters.
Kool Uncle Kenny (left) celebrates with Capt. Lucas Bissett.