From the time the guys showed up at the dock I knew this was going to be a good day.  Chris and Jibbles were cracking good jokes before the coffee in my bloodstream had allowed me to form complete sentences.  The fish gods must have sensed the easy going crew and shined some light on us, because we rocked it up in the redfish ponds.  Got on a few really good bites with everyone catching nice fish.  But Chumbucket had his eyes on another prize.  The rare and allusive, GATOR GAR.  A subtle beast it lurked ever near, taunting him.  Showing itself only for an instant before again fading into the murk, at every stop we made.  Chris was lazer focused. He hunted his noble prey at every turn, He tried again and again to cast his offering before the creature.  And finally he got a chance to meet his foe in mortal combat.  We were on a frenzied bite from small trout, and were hauling them in one after another.  Undoubtedly the action was awakening the massive beasts and they would come for their payment in trout flesh.  We knew this all too well and dropped back a tasty morsal of cut croaker to entice them.  Low and behold the Beast took the bait.  Peeling drag it took a long line stripping run.  Then he circled around with great force on the line, a flood water boiling up from his massive tail.  And then as fast as it began it was over...  the monstousity took Chumbuckets hopes and dreams in his toothy maul and clamped down in a crushing bite.  He spit the hook, the battle was over.  Chumbucket was sullen, crushed, defeated.  The beast had escaped.  But our story was not over...  Our heros carried on to the dock with a glimmer of hope in their hearts.  We sliced our tiny white trout flesh for the fish fry, making offerings of fish bellies in the bayou, we called to the Beast.  Chumbuckets moral rose once again as we saw the creatures breech the muddy waters, closing in on the dock like wolves to fallen prey.  We had another chance!   Lines out, we waited...  The beasts decended, and took the baits.  Chumbuckets revenge was had!  In not one but three epic battles we brought them low. We went three for three on massive gator gar.  In a moment of glory our hero posed with his slain monstrosity and it lept back to life and struck him deep in the arm.  A scar will form, and like his memory of the battle with the beast may fade over time.  But it will never completely leave  him.  Our hero's battle goes down with all the other tails of victory in Shell Beach, forever to be retold in bait shops and tiny end of the road early morning gas stations.  Chumbucket is legend.

Come down to New Orleans and experience South Louisiana fishing at its best! Salty Dog Charters will guide you to your ultimate day of speckled trout, redfish, and flounder fishing. Whether it's in the marsh or offshore Salty Dog Charters is a great choice for your New Orleans greater area fishing adventure!

~Salty~