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Date/Time:  7:00a.m. till 2:00p.m.  Meet at the old Sam's parking lot @ I-10 and Ambassador at 5 am.

Trip Description:  Fred’s Lounge is located on Black Bayou which dumps into the ICY just north of Turners Bay.  It’s a great place to fish year round but can be especially good in the fall for reds, specks and flounder.  It has lots of options.  The launch is made of gravel and perfect for kayaks and has a drop box ($2 I think but bring more just in case).  They recently build a kayak launch for the Cajun Cast Away tournament.  There are some marsh opportunities off of this bayou but typically can be shallow in the winter months.  The bridge next to Fred’s has good current so be careful around the corner.  I’ve seen many bank fishermen catch big reds/drum.  Once in the water you will have the option of fishing the bayou or heading left toward the ICY.  If you take a right you are pointing towards Calcasieu Point.  The right bank can produce trout, reds and flounder.  Pull of the bank a ways to find the trout.  Look for bait and you’ll find the trout.  Watch out for big boat traffic.  They are usually going very slow or stopped, waiting for the locks to open.  If you continue aroud Calcasieu Point you can fish this deep channel in winter.  Heading south from Black Bayou, a lot of the banks are full of oysters.   You can go back into the backside of this marsh into the shallow bay, hitting points, marsh banks and cuts.  There are 2 natural bayous that run in a Soutwestern direction that leads to the northern end of Turners Bay.  These bayous can be good, along with drift fishing in Turners for trout.

What to Watch For: Calcasieu Tides (can be hard to predict), the wind (under 15 kts), weather and temperature.  If heading South, a Northern wind makes it difficult to get back. Dress appropriately, always wear your PFD.  Be prepared to renew your membership if it is due and to resign your waiver. Guest must sign waiver.  Greg will have forms available or they be downloaded from the website.

Skill Level: Beginner

Notes: Paddling distance is approximately 1 mile from Fred’s to ICY.  You can also launch at Calcaiseu Point Marina (probably closed this time of year for bait) just north of Fred’s.  You can also head south to Heberts.

 Leader:  Greg Sonnier , phone 337-654-1227

How to Sign Up (Members):  It is prefered that you register for a login account (on the left) and then use the registration button below  to  automatically have your name added.  If you prefer manual, you may contact the trip leader (or sign up at a monthly meeting or at Pack & Paddle anytime) and provide: name, email address, cell number, waiver.

What to Pack/Bring:
Important items:
VHF Radio or Cell Phone for communication and emergency contact

First Aid Kit

Dress Warm, layer for warmth

Waders, if cold or wading

Lunch, Water, snacks

Kayak Drift Sock

Stake Out Pole Anchor/Anchor

Sunscreen

Towel/Rag
Ice

Suspending Lures: Corkys, MirrorLures, favorite tout tails

Recommended Reading: Google Earth

Recommended guidelines for participants:
Make sure trip leader or an officer has your emergency contact

Notify the trip leader if you have any potential concerns

If inexperienced, then buddy up. Make sure the trip leader knows your experience level

Communicate with the trip leader, if you are unsure of your skill level required

Member dues are current

Guests are invited to participate (with signed waiver)

Have performed deep water entries

Carry a first aid kit

Have a life jacket

Inform the trip leader of your float plan if planning to fish alone or longer then the designated times.

Sign in and sign out at the launch site. Inform the trip leader if you will be launching in a different place.

Expenses/Fees:  None
GPS Coordinates:

 Guest Participants:
(We prefer for you to create a login account on this website so that you can have your name added to the registration list below. If you don't have a registered login account on this website please contact the trip leader to request your name to manually added.  Guests must sign the LKFC waiver form and hand to the trip leader

How to Get There:

From I-10 in Lake Charles, take 210 to Nelson Rd and head South.  Take Right on Country Club Rd, then left on Big Lake Rd. Fred’s is just past the Black Bayou bridge on the right.