The SSO Gang Takes on Louisiana
Jan 15, 2026
Six guys, two skiffs, 2,000 miles and countless laughs.
Every year, a group of us gather our thoughts, ideas and way too much gear, load a couple trucks and hit the road for our annual migration to the bayous of South Louisiana. Miles of open marsh, traffic jams of oyster boats and way too many broken PVC poles in the water are just part of what you experience down there.
It's not that the fishery is above and beyond what we have here in NC, it's that the fish are bigger in the shallows, more aggressive, more willing and you're by yourself ALL day. There's such an expanse of marsh down there that it's more common that not to not see another boat once you've left the boat ramp.
This past trip was one for the books. What we thought might be a bust due to weather, seemed to fire the fish up more than what we've had in the past. We had two and a half days of rain. I don't mean it was raining, I mean it was Forrest Gump rain. Drenched head to toe, ski goggles were a must while the boat was moving. But, once we got to where we wanted to start our search, it was almost immediately we saw our first tailing fish. One day was a complete blow day and then another was absolutely stunning, bluebird skies and calm water. Now the sunny day was the trickiest day we had, I don't say this much but I was wishing for the clouds and rain to come back.
Between the group, a lot of fish were caught. Jumbo redfish, slimmy black drum, toothy critter Gar and even dentist seeking Sheepshead. It's nice when you can just sit down for a lunch break, wash the slime off you as best as possible and enjoy a Swiss Roll or seven.
While the fish are fun, it's everything else in the trip that makes it what it really is. The road trip lottery conversation, the stories over dinner, the hidden surprises you find in your boat from the other boat that turns into a good luck charm, the early mornings and late nights, warm king cake and good company. I could go down there and not catch a single fish and still look forward to the next trip we take.
