Cocodrie is a village whose inhabitants live and thrive on the water. Fishing, crabbing, shrimping, you name it. In fact, some anglers would go so far as to say that Cocodrie fishing is among the best on the Gulf Coast when it comes to inshore fisheries. One thing is certain – those who go fishing here once will continue to do so year after year!
Known For
Cocodrie got its name after a crocodile, but the local fish are much more important as far as we’re concerned. Just south of the village lie numerous bays and islands surrounded by marshland that’s just perfect for fishing. That’s hardly the end of it, however. Go beyond the bays protected by Isle Dernière into the deep blue where you can target Tuna, Red Snapper, Billfish, and more.
Inshore Fishing
Cocodrie is surrounded by no fewer than three promising lakes. These are Caillou Lake, Lake Barre, and Lake Pelto. The latter is the shallowest one of the bunch, where the maximum depth never goes over 6 feet. There are quite a few small islands peppered over the lake that are surrounded by extremely shallow waters, sometimes less than a foot even. Welcome to Redfish central, where you can catch Reds year-round!
Another good place to be fishing are the deep cuts like Cat Island Pass and Whiskey Pass. Thanks to the way local flows run, these passes see plenty of both bait fish as well as predators. The west side of Whiskey Pass is probably the best place in Cocodrie for fishing Speckled Trout.
Deep Sea Fishing
Looking to head further out in search of bigger fish? There’s plenty of charter captains in Cocodrie that can help you out with that. A proper deeps sea fishing trip involves heading some 60 miles out until you can start looking for the big boys.
Yellowfin Tuna tends to be the main attraction for most of the year, but things change when summertime hits. Louisiana is home to numerous oil rigs where Tuna tend to converge, making them a great place to start.
Starting from late May, species like White and Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Amberjack, and others become very viable targets. And when the federal Red Snapper season opens, you can expect a mad rush for one of the most delicious bottom fish out there.
Cocodrie Fishing Tips
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Local anglers have a preferred way of fishing in the marshland. This involves using a popping cork that’s got a shrimp jig setup 2 feet beneath. Best used to fish for Redfish and Seatrout.
- The best time to hit the oil rigs in search of Tuna and Amberjack is in fall when they’ll be significantly closer to shore than they usually are.
Need to Know
Summer months are peak fishing season in Cocodrie, both inshore and offshore. Be sure to come prepared for the heat, it can be punishing when you’re ill-equipped to handle it.
Regulations
Regardless of whether you’re going on your own or using a charter service, you’ll need to get a saltwater fishing license. The exact price varies and can go from $10 to $90 (for an annual license). You’re free to buy one online and take a printout with you on the day of fishing.
Budget
Anglers looking to hire a fishing charter in Cocodrie can expect to pay around $120 per hour for an inshore trip. Full day trips are usually available at a discounted rate. Prices for offshore trips wildly vary due to different packages offered, but don’t expect a 10-hour deep sea fishing trip to go below $1,500.
Getting There
To reach Cocodrie by car, you’ll need to take the US 90 to Houma, where you’ll make the switch to US 56. From there it’s just an hour’s ride to Cocodrie itself and some of the best fishing around.