The Krewe of Hercules will kick off its annual Festival on the Bayou and Redfish Rodeo at the Agricultural Building (221 Moffet Road) on the Houma Air Base. The rodeo will start on Friday and last until Sunday. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Friday and at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Hercules fishing rodeo president Rene Hebert said all money made from the event will benefit various local charities. The rodeo is expected to hand out more than $10,000 in cash prizes.
"We hope to make a little money for these charities in our area," Hebert said. "This money is not just about Hercules. It's to help the community come together. We're hoping people come out and have a good time."
The rodeo will have cash prizes for top three places in both saltwater and freshwater categories. The scale will close at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at noon Sunday.
The saltwater categories are redfish over 27 inches, redfish under 27 inches, five redfish stringer under 27 inches, speckled trout, five speckled trout stringer, drum and flounder. The freshwater categories are large-mouth bass, large mouth-bass stringer, perch, sac-a-lait and catfish.
The rodeo will also feature a jambalaya cook-off at 11 a.m. Friday. Entry-fee for the cook-off is $100 per team which earns each team a chance at winning $750 for first place, $500 for second and $250 for third.
A gun raffle and a live auction will held from 7-9 p.m. Friday. Live music and entertainment will be held throughout the weekend.
Tickets cost $25 and they can be purchased at local marinas, sporting goods stores and other locations.
"Every year, we get a little bit bigger," Hebert said. "People seem to enjoy it. If the people are enjoying it, they'll come back."
For information on the rodeo, call 852-9507.
LOWER TERREBONNE
Good fishing.
Bill Lake of Bayou Guide Service offered some advice for local anglers who are competing in the Hercules Rodeo.
"The biggest thing is if you find some fish, don't be in a hurry to leave them because you might not find nothing after you leave them," Lake said. "The fishing is starting to go in fall pattern. Just have some patience when you're fishing. If you get on something, stay with them."
Lake said the speckled trout has been pretty good this week.
"The fishing has been good this week," Lake said. "We've been catching trout every day. We limited out on Monday. We've got a little cool front coming, so it should be real good for the weekend."
Best spots: Raccoon Island, The Pickets, Ship Shoal and Pelican Pass.
Best baits: LSU Cajun Pepper, LSU Bayou Chubs and chicken-on-a-chain.
BAYOU BLACK
Good fishing.
Reports from Bayou Black Marina are that anglers are catching sac-a-lait, bream, marsh bass and goggle eye.
Best spots: Turtle Bayou, Pipeline Canal, School Board Canal and the Coppasaw.
Best baits: Shiners, blue-and-white or black-and chartreuse tube jigs, night crawlers, plastic worms, spinner baits and top-water baits.
LOWER LAFOURCHE
Good fishing.
Redfish remain the most popular catch in the area, while speckled trout can be found closer to the coast.
Best spots: Duck ponds near Catfish Lake and the sulfur mines in the Bayou Blue area.
Best baits: Shrimp, cocahoe minnows and gold spoons.
GRAND ISLE
Average fishing.
As the summer months wind down, Buggie Vegas of Bridge Side Marina said the fishing activity has come to a halt around Grand Isle.
"There aren't too many fish biting on the beaches," he said. "It's not like it was a couple of weeks ago, so they are starting to move inside waters."
Vegas said that the main catch has been bull reds.
Best spots: Fisherman's Bay, Elmer's Island, Timbalier Bay and Lake Raccourci.
Best baits: Cut crab and mullets.
