Lock and dam # 5 today.

[Shreveport Mike]

I went to #5 today, and fished for 2 1/2 hours. I caught 3 paddle fish that were too large to keep, all were over 35 pounds. Then I finally caught one that was within the legal limits. It weighed 16 pounds.That's only the second keeper out of probably 40 or 50 fish in the last 4 weeks. And I caught 3 small cats, between 3 and 4 pounds each. Here's a picture.
P.S. The weather was perfect!

[mullyden]

Mike, did you catch these all on the spoons? Do spoonbills actually bite or do they get snagged. Thanks for sharing trip.

[ladyfish50]

Great picture; love the paddlefish! Thanks for posting the picture. Yep, the weather was wonderful today; glad somebody got to go outside to enjoy it!

[melstangman1967]

I went to #5 today, and fished for 2 1/2 hours. I caught 3 paddle fish that were too large to keep, all were over 35 pounds. Then I finally caught one that was within the legal limits. It weighed 16 pounds.That's only the second keeper out of probably 40 or 50 fish in the last 4 weeks. And I caught 3 small cats, between 3 and 4 pounds each. Here's a picture.
P.S. The weather was perfect!what kind of bait are u using

[Shreveport Mike]

I was snagging today. I tried fishing with diamond spoons for a while, but the water is so high, I couldn't get out where I needed to be.

[StuBone278]

Hey I'm going up to natchitoches next week, can you snag some paddlefish at L/D #4????:roll_eyes:

[Shreveport Mike]

Oh yeah, lock and dam #4 is loaded with them. Position yourself about 100 yards down river from the dam. Cast straight out. If the trees to the right are partly underwater, you 'll have to be careful that they don't try and tangle you up around them.

[StuBone278]

Awesome! thanks! How long are they active for?

[StuBone278]

Also Im guessing on looking at satellite pictures that you are coming in on the west side of the river?? Is there any way to cross besides going all the way around on the highway?

[Shreveport Mike]

The paddlefish should be running for a couple more weeks, I hope. If your on the east side, you have to cross a Cooshatta. What size line are you going to use?

[StuBone278]

I was thinking on putting 65lb. braided line so I can hold more on the spinning reel with less stretch/resistance to the water. What size weights do you use? and are these snagged just off the bottom? I have no clue how to do this snagging and haven't even seen a paddlefish before, so any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[jstall]

I thought is was illegel to keep Paddle fish or spoonbill cats, they are the same, right? If you want to catch them go below the lock on Catahula lake. They reel them in by the hundreds. I never saw anyone keep one.

[mullyden]

Actually it is legal to keep up to two spoonbill/paddlefish below 30 inches. It isn't however ok to snag them. Below is an excerpt from the La fish and Wildlife site. I don't know whether they actually bite. Anyway here is the quote.

Catfish may be taken by means of snagging devices. Paddlefish,commonly called spoonbill catfish are not catfish and cannot be legally harvested by means of snagging.

[StuBone278]

I couldn't find it on the site anywheres, all I could find was this for recreational fishing,

"Paddlefish: two daily. All paddlefish greater than 30 inches (lower jaw fork length) must be returned to the water immediately. The taking or possession of paddlefish is closed in all saltwater areas of the state and in border waters shared with Texas. All possessed paddlefish must be dead. The possession or transportation of live paddlefish is prohibited. All paddlefish possessed on the waters of the state shall be maintained intact. No persons shall possess paddlefish eggs on the waters of the state which are not fully attached to the fish."

And this for commercial fishing,

"Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), commonly called spoonbill catfish: taking or possession of whole or any body parts, including roe (eggs) is prohibited."


They filter feed, so you have to snag them to catch them on rod/reel.

[StuBone278]

"No person shall take or possess game fish taken by means of snagging devices, not including bow and arrow. Catfish may be taken by means of snagging devices. Garfish may be taken by means of spears and bows and arrows."

I guess catfish are not a game fish according to WL&F. :sad2:

[mullyden]

Stu, I found the info this afternoon and was surprised. Here is the link. If you go on the "regular site" you get summary info that says snagging is ok for cats. If you look on pg 13 (portion copied on the earlier post), paragraph 2 it distinctly says that paddlefish are not "catfish" and cannot legally be snagged. By the way, Jstall, I found that spoonbills (paddlefish) posession was made legal last year after about 15 year moratorium on catching them. In any case, I really don't understand why the typical website dies not offer complete info!!:angry:
I'd just would not like to see anyone get into trouble due to postings.

http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/pdfs/fishing/2008_Regulations_Fishing_Regs.pdf

[catfisherman_eky3]

Nice looking mess of fish you caught congrats on your catches

[StuBone278]

Well I dont know then, the only way to catch them is by snagging....so it would be pretty self-contradictory to have the regulation book say one thing, then the website say something totally different. It's like they just threw in that little clause for some reason.

Also when I was snagging I saw one guy snag a 6" gizzard shad...so if anything I was just trying to snag little shad and ended up with some big paddlefish.:tounge_out:

[mullyden]

Stu,
I think you are absolutely right in that the only way to catch em is to snagem. Every other state I researched online indicates snagging as the means of harvesting. I sent a note to the Wildlife and Fisheries for clarification. I'll post their response.:dribble:

[Bungarian]

They will not respond. I sent them several emails asking questions and never gets replies.


Stu,
I think you are absolutely right in that the only way to catch em is to snagem. Every other state I researched online indicates snagging as the means of harvesting. I sent a note to the Wildlife and Fisheries for clarification. I'll post their response.:dribble:

[mullyden]

Surprise! Surprise! I got an email back and am posting it below:


To: Tilyou, Gary
Subject: Means of harvesting Paddlefish



I am confused by the LDWF info concerning means of harvesting Paddlefish. I understand that they primarily feed on plankton. All states that I have been able to research prescribe "snagging" as the means of catching them. This makes sense since they do not bite on typical baits. The 2008 Louisiana Fishing Regulations:

http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/pdfs/fishing/2008_Regulations_Fishing_Regs.pdf page 13 it says that it is illegal to snag paddlefish. Can you please enlighten me on this. Thanks

Denis Abbott
The response:

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission allowed for the take of paddlefish by legal means. As you pointed out, It is illegal to snag paddlefish in Louisiana, but the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cannot change this. The legislature is the only authority that can make this change. Fishing methods that occasionally catch paddlefish include trotlines, jug lines and recreational hoop nets.

I've never baited a Trotline, Jugline or Hoop Net with plankton. Do you use a circle or treble hook?
:angry:

I appreciate his quick response but . . . . . .
Guess that's the answer until the legislature changes the rules.

[StuBone278]

Looks like a BS law to me... I don't know why the it would be like that, it's totally unreasonable!
That's like saying, "well you can throw a jugline out there and catch/release all the paddlefish you want, as long as they swim into it!"

WELL, I was just trying to snag shad, but happened have some big paddlefish swim right into my 6/0 treble!! hahaha!

[catsmith1]

Last year ersel and i had a trot line out close to clarks and had a spoonbill hooked in either side of his mouth with two drops! it was a first for me. evidently he liked the chicken hearts or shad we had on the lines!!!!!!!!!!!:tounge_out: