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I looked high and low for that GPS track and couldn’t find it. It’s somewhere, but I have three different computers and if I didn’t name it something unique then it won’t be found until I go through every .GPX, .USR and .KML file on those drives.
I did come across a preliminary picking-out-spots .KML that you will find attached below.
Ultimately, it will depend on the conditions on the day of your trip.
After that, I get the impression from folks in general that Chandeleur is some kind of untouched Garden of Eden for fishing.
It is not.
It is touched. A lot. There’s still a good deal of fishing pressure and it’s gonna be like any other place: you will have to put in your time and cover water.
Don’t be shocked if running south to the rigs in Breton Sound turns out to be a better idea than drifting grass flats all day or sharing the community holes known as North Islands and Freemason.
Freemason can be good! Don’t discount it, just don’t be shocked if you get there and there’s a dozen boats and everything is sitting there slack-jawed not catching anything.
I think you’d be stupid if you didn’t hit Central Rig. The only thing that would keep me away from that complex is if:
1.) The folks at the Islander had some incredibly awesome intel to offer, something beyond whatever usual thing they tell every Tom, Dick and Harry staying there.
2.) If the conditions don’t allow (i.e. wind)
3.) If I didn’t have sonar. It sure is nice to see those bait balls to let you know you’re in the right spot.
After that, what you do depends on your goals. I get it, you wanna catch all the red snapper, trout and redfish you can. Well, we all do. Welcome to the club.
But I think that if you want to catch a limit of trout, then you will have to focus on that. If you want to catch a legit hammer trout (something like 27″, not 20″) then you’re going to have to focus on that.
I think the advantage of staying out there is that you’ll be right there and ready to make a better decision because you have personal intel from the day before. Not to mention you can talk to other anglers who were also out there, as well as the staff.
Look at that Breton Sound Beatdown file I made and put it in your GPS. That could be good for you.
Good luck! I think you stand to kick some ass if the conditions play nice!
