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“No fish, no pay.” For Capt. Mike Brantley, that can mean staying on the water until four in the afternoon—but somebody’s catching fish. Mike joins Louisiana Legends to talk about growing up fishing Lake Pontchartrain, learning from his father and grandfather, and trading a career as a pipe welder for life as a fishing guide. From childhood days at Tyke’s Place to working the Trestles, he shares the experiences that shaped his approach to fishing and taking care of his customers. We talk about reading wind and current, finding trout without LiveScope, and why yesterday’s limit never guarantees tomorrow’s bite. Mike also explains how he earned the “Capt. Flounders” nickname—and why some customers remembered their stingrays more than the 75 trout they caught. In this episode: Fishing with his father and grandfatherGrowing up around Tyke’s Place and the TrestlesLeaving welding to build a charter businessLive shrimp, artificials, and keeping trout around the boatReading crab buoys and adjusting to changing conditionsTrolling etiquette from both sides of the argumentWhat “no fish, no pay” means on a tough dayHelping beginners and making a trip worth rememberingWhy fishing remains his therapyWhat’s your favorite memory of fishing with your dad or grandfather? Let us know in the comments. Subscribe to Louisiana Legends for conversations with the captains, anglers, and personalities who know Louisiana’s waters. #CaptMikeBrantley #LouisianaFishing #LouisianaLegends

If you grew up heading to the boat launch with Don Dubuc on the radio, this episode will bring back some memories. Don joins Louisiana Legends to look back on 40 years of broadcasting and writing about Louisiana’s outdoors, including 37 years of outdoor radio. From catching his first perch at what is now Lafreniere Park to leaving a steady job at Sears and eventually broadcasting from WWL, he tells the story of how he got started—and the people who helped him along the way. We talk about the heyday of Lake Pontchartrain trout fishing, the changes he’s watched along Louisiana’s coast, and the captains who made those early fishing reports worth tuning in for. Don also shares stories from behind the camera, including a fishing trip someone really didn’t want on television and Big Freedia catching monster garfish off Dudley’s dock. In this episode: How hearing Frank Davis on the radio inspired Don’s careerFishing reports filmed that morning and aired that eveningBig trout at Seabrook and Dudley’s trick for shaking the crowdFishing with Mike Gallo, Ryan Lambert, and other Louisiana favoritesCoastal land loss, conservation, and changing attitudes toward keeping fish“Bad Boys of the Outdoors” and memorable moments on the waterHis final radio broadcast, retirement, and plans for what comes nextWhat’s your favorite memory of listening to Don or watching his fishing reports? Let us know in the comments. Subscribe to Louisiana Legends for conversations with the captains, anglers, and personalities who know Louisiana’s waters. #DonDubuc #LouisianaFishing #LouisianaLegends

Want to catch bigger speckled trout? Capt. Mike Gallo joins Nathan Ankersen and guest co-host Cliff Hall to break down Louisiana trout fishing—from Lake Pontchartrain’s bridges to the MRGO rocks, Lake Borgne, and the Biloxi Marsh. One jumping mullet. A change in boat direction. An eight-pound speckled trout. Mike shares the story behind his trophy MRGO trout and the small details he noticed before making that cast. Then we get into the techniques behind decades of guiding: slowing down your retrieve, reading bait activity, adjusting lure vibration, and keeping your presentation where the fish are feeding. In this episode: The story of Mike’s eight-pound MRGO speckled troutWhy anglers often fish topwaters and suspending jerkbaits too fastMatching the hatch through lure size, profile, vibration, and fall rateMike’s approach to water temperature, current, and winter trout fishingFinding hard bottom, shell pads, drop-offs, and productive structureHis inline drop-shot rig for Lake Pontchartrain bridge fishingWhen smaller baits and lighter tackle make a differenceHis experience fishing through changing barometric pressureBuilding Angling Adventures of Louisiana and teaching clients to catch fishHow martial arts influenced his approach to fishing and developing feelFrom watching mullet along a shoreline to adjusting a presentation around bridge pilings, Mike explains what he pays attention to—and how he uses each bite to decide what to try next. What has made the biggest difference in your trout fishing: slowing down, changing your bait, or finding better water? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe to Louisiana Legends for conversations with the captains, anglers, and personalities who know Louisiana’s waters. #SpeckledTrout #LouisianaFishing #LouisianaLegends

You know the beer. Meet the fisherman. Andrew Godley of Parish Brewing Company joins Nathan Ankersen on Louisiana Legends for giant tarpon, rare offshore grouper, and a conversation about the future of Louisiana fishing. From chasing tarpon out of Cypremort Point to slow-pitch jigging around Flower Garden Banks, Andrew shares the fishing obsession that led him to investigate Louisiana’s pogey industry. We explore Gulf menhaden’s role in the food web, his concerns about localized baitfish depletion, and his ideas for protecting feeding areas while respecting commercial fishing jobs. Along the way, we talk speckled trout, redfish, fisheries research, and the story behind Parish Brewing’s Ghost in the Machine. It’s a conversation about catching remarkable fish—and what it might take to keep Louisiana’s coast productive for the next generation. Follow Louisiana Legends for more stories from Louisiana’s fishing and outdoor community.

Ed Sexton has seen a version of Louisiana trout fishing that may never exist again. One afternoon, he and Warren Coco caught 10 speckled trout that weighed 75 pounds. The first fish Ed caught was 10½ pounds. And that was just the beginning. In this episode of Louisiana Legends, Ed takes us back to the glory days of South Pass, Port Eads, Venice, Lake Pontchartrain and some of the greatest speckled trout fishing Louisiana has ever seen. We talk about: • Catching 10 trout that weighed 75 pounds • Landing a 10½-pound speckled trout • Fishing South Pass during the golden era • What Port Eads was like before Katrina • How much habitat Venice has lost • Why tide changes matter for giant trout • Fishing alongside Dudley Vandenborre • Competing against Harold Wilcox, Rudy Hall and Terry Sincere • Why CCA STAR had to create the “Ed Sexton Rule” • Winning multiple boats in trout tournaments • Why big-trout fishermen will sit all day for one bite • Running the Mississippi River in heavy fog • Why Ed never leaves the dock without radar • The secrets fishermen absolutely do NOT share during tournament season • His favorite artificial lures and live-croaker techniques • Why Louisiana may never see trout fishing like the early 2000s again Ed has spent decades chasing giant speckled trout, competing against some of the best fishermen Louisiana has ever produced, and figuring out exactly where those trophy fish live. He’s won boats. He’s caught 9 and 10-pound trout. He’s had tournament rules changed because he kept winning. And somehow, he’s still out there trying to catch the next one. This is one of those Louisiana fishing stories you simply don’t hear anymore.

Captain Kris Roberts has spent a lifetime figuring out Lake Pontchartrain, the Pearl River, Lake Borgne and the waters surrounding southeast Louisiana. And according to Kris, something is happening right now that Louisiana fishermen need to pay attention to. The big trout are coming back. Kris grew up in Pearlington, Mississippi, fishing the Pearl River when catching 100 speckled trout on double-rigged plastics was just another day. He later became close friends and fishing partners with Chas Champagne, learned the business of guiding from Captain Mike Gallo, and spent decades dissecting bridges, reefs, shell pads, ledges and forgotten fishing spots across the region. In this episode, Kris takes us inside that lifetime of knowledge. We talk about: • Why Kris believes Lake Pontchartrain is getting healthy again • His prediction for the return of giant speckled trout • Catching 6 and 7-pound trout in the fog with Chas Champagne • Why they would LEAVE while the giant trout were still biting • The 20-minute rule Kris uses to find fish • Teaching Texas fishermen how to fish their own bridges • Why big trout may stay in Lake Pontchartrain year-round • The MRGO closure and how it changed the fishery • The Bonnet Carré Spillway and its impact on speckled trout • Why today's abundance of shrimp could mean incredible fishing ahead • Growing up fishing the Pearl River • What Mike Gallo taught Kris about becoming a professional guide • The difference between finding fish and understanding WHY they're there • Why Lake Pontchartrain isn't what it used to be, but may finally be heading in the right direction Kris has watched this fishery change for decades. And now he's seeing signs he hasn't seen in years. His prediction? If conditions hold, Louisiana fishermen could be in for something special.

He was kidnapped at gunpoint during a peacock bass fishing trip in Venezuela. Held for ransom. His fishing partner spent weeks in captivity. And after making it home safely, what did he do? He bought hostage insurance and WENT BACK. In this episode of Louisiana Legends, we sit down with a true old-school Louisiana fisherman whose stories span more than 70 years on the water: Bob Weiss. From catching tagged bass in City Park as a kid, to filling boats with speckled trout before limits existed, chasing giant trout in Lake Pontchartrain, sight-fishing redfish in old Venice, catching 20+ pound peacock bass deep in South America, and fishing alongside some of the most legendary names in Louisiana fishing history, this episode is an absolute time capsule. We talk about: • Being kidnapped during a fishing trip in Venezuela • Going BACK the next year with hostage insurance • Catching giant peacock bass in the Amazon • The legendary trout fishing of old Lake Pontchartrain • Highway 11, Seabrook, the Causeway and the Rigolets • Fishing with Chink, Dudley and other Louisiana legends • Nine-pound speckled trout and the ones that got away • Why the best big-trout fishermen target ONE fish all day • What Louisiana fishing looked like before limits • How Venice and the Mississippi River Delta have changed • Why he believes Lake Pontchartrain's best days are behind us • More than seven decades of fishing stories And through all of it, one thing never changed. As his mother once said: “Fishing's all right, but he's nuts on the subject.” That might be the best description of a fisherman we've ever heard.

Chad “Cheech” Gonzales didn't grow up as some legendary Louisiana trout fisherman. He became one through pure obsession. After getting back into fishing in 2019, Chad spent countless days on the water studying tides, wind, satellite imagery, bait presentation, water depth, hard baits, casting distance, boat positioning and just about every other variable he could find. Eventually, the Hopedale fishing community gave him another name: The Professor. In this episode of Louisiana Legends, Chad joins Boyce and Nathan to tell the story of how he went from getting his boat stuck in the Louisiana marsh for HOURS to becoming one of the most methodical speckled trout fishermen in Hopedale. And then Cliff Hall crashes the podcast. We get into: • Why Chad became obsessed with Hopedale • Catching 100+ trout on his first trip with Cliff Hall • Why he stopped chasing limits and started chasing BIG trout • Release Over 20 and Louisiana trout conservation • Hard baits, jerkbaits and topwater fishing • Why 10 lb braid completely changed his fishing • How far casting can matter for trophy trout • Why Chad barely uses his trolling motor • The insane importance of stealth and boat noise • FG knots, Canoe Man loop knots and leader setup • Learning from John Miller, Devin Denman and other Louisiana trout fishermen • Why fishing with another great angler can accelerate everything • The changing Hopedale and Biloxi Marsh fishery • Why Chad might eventually become addicted to Venice • And why if you slam a boat hatch... the trout will be back NEXT THURSDAY This one gets deep into the mentality behind consistently finding and catching speckled trout in Louisiana. If you're obsessed with speckled trout, Hopedale, Biloxi Marsh, hard-bait fishing or simply becoming a better angler, this episode is for you. Louisiana Legends Podcast Real people. Real stories. Louisiana. Subscribe for the full episodes and new Louisiana fishing content every week.

Rob Buck has spent over 15 years rescuing boaters in South Louisiana, and if you fish Venice, Louisiana, there’s a good chance you’ve either heard his name or needed his number. In this episode of Louisiana Legends, we sit down with Rob Buck of Sea Tow South Louisiana to talk about the real dangers of fishing Venice, how fast the Mississippi River Delta changes, and why even experienced fishermen can get into serious trouble if they don’t respect the water. Rob shares stories from years of pulling boats off sandbars, rocks, shallow passes, and mud flats — including one unbelievable rescue where a stranded fisherman was missing from Friday to Sunday, ran out of fuel, was covered in mud and blood, and still refused to leave his boat when a helicopter showed up. We also break down some of the most dangerous areas around Venice, including Tiger Pass, South Pass, Cubits Gap, Octave, the Jump, and other places where GPS tracks can give fishermen a false sense of security. Rob explains why tide range, river level, moon phase, sediment, and constantly shifting sandbars can make yesterday’s safe route a completely different situation today. If you’ve ever launched in Venice, run the river, chased trout, fished the beaches, or thought about making your first trip down there, this episode is packed with information that could save your boat — and maybe your life. We also get into Rob’s background, from growing up in the New Orleans area to working in banking, land development, BP response work, and eventually building a life around the water. Along the way, Rob shares what he’s learned from decades of fishing, towing, rescuing, and navigating one of the most dangerous and rewarding fisheries in the country. This is a must-watch for anyone who fishes South Louisiana. Follow Louisiana Legends for more conversations with the people, stories, and places that make Louisiana one of a kind.

We drove across Louisiana to sit down with two men who helped shape modern speckled trout fishing: Paul Brown and Bruce Baugh. Paul Brown is the creator of the legendary Corky, a lure that became synonymous with targeting trophy speckled trout along the Gulf Coast. Sitting beside him is Bruce Baugh, Troutmasters Angler of the Year, lifelong wade fisherman, and one of the most respected big-trout anglers to ever fish Louisiana and Texas waters. And these two aren't just fishing legends. They're neighbors. In this episode, Paul tells the incredible story of how the Corky was developed, built by hand, tested by hardcore fishermen, modified until it behaved exactly the way trophy-trout anglers needed it to, and eventually became one of the most iconic speckled trout lures ever created. Bruce takes us back to the glory days of trophy trout fishing, when Calcasieu Lake was producing numbers of giant trout that sound almost impossible today. He explains how he learned to target big fish, why he became obsessed with wade fishing, how he competed in the original Troutmasters circuit, and what happened to some of the legendary fisheries that once produced enormous speckled trout. They talk about 13-pound trout, 9- and 10-pound-class fish, Corky secrets, old-school lure making, Troutmasters, Baffin Bay, Port Mansfield, Calcasieu Lake, conservation, gill nets, oyster reefs, wade fishing, releasing trophy trout, and decades of Gulf Coast fishing history. But the best part isn't the accomplishments. It's getting to sit under a dock and listen to two old friends tell the stories themselves. No internet research. No secondhand stories. No fishing folklore passed down through five different people. Paul Brown and Bruce Baugh, in their own words. This is Louisiana fishing history. If you love speckled trout fishing, trophy trout, Louisiana fishing history, the Corky, wade fishing, or simply hearing stories from the people who were actually there, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

If you fish Louisiana, chances are you've heard Josh Hall's name. While he may not be the loudest voice in the fishing world, those who know, know. Josh has spent decades mastering Louisiana's marshes, dominating redfish tournaments, and learning Lake Pontchartrain one tide at a time. In this episode of Louisiana Legends Podcast, Josh shares the lessons he's learned from thousands of days on the water, from chasing giant trout around Seabrook and the Causeway to sight fishing redfish at the highest level of tournament competition. We dive into: • How Chas Champagne helped shape Josh's fishing career • Why Lake Pontchartrain is getting better every year • The truth about Delacroix's changing redfish population • Tournament strategies that consistently produce winning fish • The difference between finding fish and finding tournament fish • Bank fishing stories that every Louisiana angler will appreciate • Josh's custom spinnerbait that can survive dozens of redfish • Why he stopped filling the freezer with fish • His plans for charter fishing and life on the water Whether you're chasing speckled trout, sight fishing redfish, or just love hearing stories from anglers who've earned their reputation the hard way, this is an episode you don't want to miss. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and leave a comment letting us know who you'd like to see on Louisiana Legends Podcast next. 🎣 Follow Louisiana Legends Podcast for more conversations with the people who have shaped Louisiana fishing.

Everyone in Louisiana knows Chag's. But very few people know the stories behind the counter. In this episode of the Louisiana Legends Podcast, we sit down with Sammy Romano, the longtime manager of Chag's Sporting Goods and one of the most respected voices in Louisiana fishing. After spending more than three decades talking to the best fishermen in the state, Sammy has seen Louisiana's fisheries change firsthand. From the legendary trout fishing of the 1990s to today's debates over habitat loss, pogey boats, and conservation, he shares stories and insights that only someone with a front-row seat could tell. We also dive into: 🎣 How Chag's became a Louisiana icon 🎣 Growing up fishing Lafitte and the New Orleans area 🎣 The glory days of Seabrook, Breton Sound, Elmer's Island, and Chandeleur 🎣 The biggest trout and bass stories of his life 🎣 Why finding patterns matters more than finding spots 🎣 How Louisiana's marshes have changed over the last 40 years 🎣 What every angler gets wrong about fisheries management 🎣 Behind-the-scenes stories about some of Louisiana's greatest fishermen Whether you've been shopping at Chag's for decades or you're just getting into fishing, this episode is packed with history, stories, and knowledge you won't hear anywhere else. If you love Louisiana fishing, subscribe because we've got more conversations with the legends who built our fishing culture. 👍 Like the video if you enjoyed it. 💬 Tell us your favorite Chag's memory or the best piece of fishing advice you've ever received.

Chas Champagne just gave us nearly three decades of Louisiana fishing knowledge in one conversation. Most people know Chas as the founder of Matrix Shad, but the real story goes much deeper. He started as a kid obsessed with fishing, learned directly from some of the greatest anglers Lake Pontchartrain has ever produced, and eventually built one of the most recognizable fishing brands in Louisiana. In this episode, Chas explains how Matrix Shad really started, why most fishermen overthink lure color, what separates great anglers from everyone else, and why covering water is one of the most important skills in fishing. He also tells the truth about what happened to Lake Pontchartrain’s trophy trout, why the fishing was so incredible in the late 1990s, how the MRGO closure changed the entire ecosystem, and what freshwater diversions, Mardi Gras Pass, river levels, hurricanes, and saltwater intrusion are doing to Louisiana’s fisheries. We also get into: • The fishing legends who taught Chas everything • The early days of Matrix Shad • Pouring prototype baits one at a time • Why Lemonhead became one of the most successful colors ever • The biggest mistake most artificial lure fishermen make • Why lure action matters more than tiny color differences • The rise and decline of Lake Pontchartrain trophy trout • Where Chas would target a STAR winning speckled trout • Venice, the Chandeleur Islands, South Pass, and Block 69 • Fishing memories that still guide him decades later • The truth about building a successful fishing company • Raising his daughter Blakely in the fishing world • And the wild story of the kids who stole his baitcasting rods This is not just the story of Matrix Shad. It is the story of a kid who walked away from baseball, dedicated his life to fishing, and became one of the most respected and influential anglers in Louisiana. Watch the full episode and hear Chas Champagne tell it himself. Subscribe to Louisiana Legends for more conversations with the people who shaped Louisiana fishing.

John Rucker is one of Louisiana's most respected speckled trout anglers, but if you ask him, he'll tell you he's just another fisherman who put in the time. From countless nights fishing the Seabrook Bridge to winning the STAR Tournament and helping popularize what many know as the "Rucker Rig," John shares the stories, lessons, and experiences that shaped him into one of the Gulf Coast's most accomplished trout fishermen. In this episode, we dive into the legendary days of Seabrook, Bayou Bienvenue, Grand Isle, and the Causeway, discussing giant trout, deep water current patterns, the importance of confidence on the water, and the old school anglers who passed down their knowledge. John also shares how fishing helped change the course of his life, why he believes big trout relate to deep water and heavy current, and why he never wanted the "Rucker Rig" named after him. Whether you're a seasoned trout fisherman or just getting started, this conversation is packed with Louisiana fishing history, practical knowledge, and stories you won't hear anywhere else. Topics include: • The story behind the Rucker Rig • Winning the STAR Tournament • Legendary Seabrook trout fishing • Bayou Bienvenue and Grand Isle tactics • Big trout behavior and seasonal patterns • Favorite rods, reels, and tackle • The anglers who influenced John the most • Why fishing changed his life If you enjoy Louisiana fishing history, speckled trout, and learning from the anglers who helped shape our fishery, make sure to like, subscribe, and let us know who you'd like to see on Louisiana Legends next.

When it comes to big speckled trout in Louisiana, Rudy Hall is one of the first names that comes to mind. Rudy has spent decades studying, catching, and learning from trophy trout, and his knowledge has earned him the respect of anglers across the state. He has also been involved with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries trout studies, helping provide real world insight into where big fish live, how they move, and what makes Louisiana’s fishery so unique. In this episode, Rudy shares stories and knowledge from a lifetime on the water. He talks about trophy trout studies, Venice fishing history, trout migration, river levels, rough water, barrier islands, and why some of the biggest fish are caught in places people never expected. This is not just fishing talk. It is Louisiana trout history straight from someone who lived it. Rudy Hall is a true Louisiana fishing legend, and this episode is packed with the kind of knowledge you only get from decades of experience.