What Hackberry Offers and How to Fish It

Hackberry sits on the western edge of Cameron Parish, where the Mermentau River meets the Gulf's back bays. The water here is shallow, brackish, and loaded with redfish and spotted seatrout — the two species that define Louisiana's inshore fishery. You fish mostly from a boat in water that runs two to four feet deep, poling or drifting across grass flats and along the edges of bayous. The bottom is soft mud and shell, and the grass is mostly smooth cordgrass mixed with black needlerush. This is sight-fishing country: you spot the fish before you cast.

The town itself is small — a few hundred people, a marina, a couple of bait shops. Most anglers use it as a launch point rather than a destination to stay overnight, though that depends on your schedule and how far you're traveling. The real draw is the water: Hackberry Bay and the surrounding flats hold fish year-round, but the best months are April through June and September through November, when water temperatures sit in the sweet spot for both species.

Key Takeaways

  • Hackberry's shallow bays and flats are best fished from a shallow-draft boat or skiff, poling or drifting in two to four feet of water.
  • Redfish and spotted seatrout are the primary target, with peak seasons in spring and fall when water temperatures favor active feeding.
  • Sight-fishing — spotting fish before you cast — is the dominant technique, requiring polarized sunglasses and a clear understanding of how fish position themselves on the flats.
  • The Mermentau River and its connected bayous hold fish year-round but can be murky after heavy rain, making the open flats more productive on those days.
  • Local bait shops in Hackberry stock live shrimp, mullet, and mud minnows; they also know current conditions and which areas are holding fish.

Shallow-Water Redfish on the Flats

Redfish in Hackberry's flats are sight-fishing targets. They cruise in water so shallow their backs sometimes break the surface — what locals call "tailing." You pole your boat slowly into the wind, scanning the water ahead and to the sides. When you spot a red, you cast ahead of it, let the bait or lure settle, and wait for the fish to move into it. Redfish are not fast strikers; they mouth a bait before committing, so you need patience and a steady hand on the rod.

Live shrimp is the standard bait. Use a 1/0 to 2/0 hook on a light leader — 12 to 15 pounds — and fish it under a small popping cork or free-lined depending on depth and wind. In the shallowest water, free-lining works better because the cork can spook fish in two feet of water. In deeper pockets, a cork lets you cover more water and keeps the shrimp at the right depth. Redfish also hit soft plastics — 3 to 4-inch paddle-tail shads in natural colors — rigged on a 1/8-ounce jighead. Cast ahead of the fish and work the lure slowly; redfish often follow before striking.

The best flats are on the eastern side of Hackberry Bay, where the water is clearest and the grass is thickest. The Mermentau River itself holds redfish, but the water is usually stained, making sight-fishing harder. After rain, the river pushes fresh water into the bay, and the redfish move to the clearer flats to the south and east. Check with the local marina before you launch; they know which areas are clearest on any given day.

Spotted Seatrout in Deeper Pockets and Bayou Mouths

Spotted seatrout — called "specks" locally — prefer slightly deeper water than redfish, usually three to four feet. They hold along the edges of bayous, in the deeper pockets between flats, and around the mouths of small creeks. Unlike redfish, trout are active hunters. They strike hard and fast, and they often hunt in small schools. When you find one, more are usually nearby.

Live shrimp works for trout, but they also hit artificials more readily than redfish do. Small soft plastics — 2 to 3-inch shads — in white, chartreuse, or natural colors produce well. Cast along the edge of a bayou and work the lure with a steady retrieve or short jerks. Trout will chase a moving target. Topwater plugs also work, especially early and late in the day. A small popper or pencil bait fished over deeper grass can draw strikes from aggressive fish.

The bayous that drain into Hackberry Bay — Mermentau, Lacassine, and several smaller creeks — are all worth fishing. The mouths of these bayous are transition zones where fresh and salt water mix, and trout often stage there waiting for baitfish to move in or out with the tide. Fish the incoming tide if you can; trout are more active when water is moving.

Tides, Seasons, and When to Fish

Hackberry is a tidal fishery. The Gulf's tidal range here is small — usually one to two feet — but it matters. An incoming tide pushes water into the bays and flats, and fish move shallow to feed. An outgoing tide drains the flats, concentrating fish in deeper pockets and bayou mouths. Most anglers prefer the incoming tide for sight-fishing the flats; the water is clearer and fish are more active. The outgoing tide is better for fishing the bayous and deeper edges.

Spring (April through June) is peak season. Water temperatures climb into the 70s and 80s, and both redfish and trout are feeding hard before the summer heat sets in. Fall (September through November) is equally good. Water cools from the summer highs, and fish become active again. Winter (December through February) is slower but still fishable; redfish and trout move to deeper water and bayous, and you need to adjust your tactics. Summer (July through August) is the slowest season. Heat pushes fish into the deepest water available, and midday fishing is nearly impossible. Early morning and late afternoon are your only windows.

Gear, Tackle, and What to Bring

A shallow-draft skiff — 16 to 18 feet — is ideal for Hackberry, but a 14-foot flats boat works fine if you're careful about where you pole. The boat needs to draw less than two feet of water, and a poling platform is essential. You'll spend most of your time poling into the wind, scanning for fish. A push pole — 16 to 18 feet — is standard; some anglers use a trolling motor for drifting, but poling is quieter and more effective for sight-fishing.

Rod and reel: a 7 to 7.5-foot medium-light spinning rod with a 2500 to 3000-size reel works for both redfish and trout. Spool it with 15 to 20-pound braided line; braid is thin, casts far, and sets the hook better than monofilament in shallow water. Tie a 12 to 15-pound fluorocarbon leader to the braid using an Albright knot. Fluorocarbon is less visible than monofilament and sinks slightly, keeping your bait or lure in the strike zone.

Bring polarized sunglasses — essential for sight-fishing. Amber or copper lenses work best in Hackberry's water. A long-handled net makes landing fish easier from a poling platform. Bring a small cooler with water and snacks; the sun reflects hard off the water, and dehydration sneaks up fast. A headlamp or small flashlight is useful if you fish early or late. Sunscreen and a hat are not optional.

Where to Launch and Local Resources

Hackberry Marina is the main launch point. It has a concrete ramp, fuel, ice, and bait. The marina staff know the water and can point you toward the most productive areas on any given day. Bait shops in town stock live shrimp, mullet, and mud minnows. Call ahead if you're arriving early; some shops open late or have limited hours.

The nearest town with lodging and restaurants is Cameron, about 15 miles south. Hackberry itself has a few small shops and a couple of places to eat, but most anglers treat it as a launch point and head back to Cameron or further inland for the night. Gas and supplies are available in Hackberry, but selection is limited. Stock up before you leave a larger town.

The Mermentau River Wildlife Refuge borders the area and protects much of the surrounding marsh. Fishing is allowed in the refuge, but there are restrictions on where you can go and when. Check with the marina or the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before you launch if you plan to fish deep into the refuge.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The biggest mistake is poling too fast. Redfish and trout spook easily in shallow water, and a fast-moving boat sends them running. Pole slowly, scan constantly, and cast before the fish sees the boat. If you spook a fish, move away and come back in 10 to 15 minutes; the fish will often return to the same spot.

The second mistake is using tackle that's too heavy. Thick line and heavy lures are visible in clear water and spook fish. Stick with 15 to 20-pound line and small lures — 1/8 to 1/4-ounce jigs and 3 to 4-inch soft plastics. Light tackle also makes the fight more fun and helps you feel what the fish is doing.

A third mistake is fishing the wrong tide. Incoming tide is better for the flats; outgoing tide is better for the bayous. If you're not catching fish, move to a different area or wait for the tide to change. Tide tables are free online; check them before you launch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of day to fish Hackberry?

Early morning (sunrise to 10 a.m.) and late afternoon (3 p.m. to sunset) are most productive. Midday can be slow, especially in summer. The sun is highest at midday, which makes sight-fishing harder and spooks fish in shallow water. If you're fishing midday, focus on deeper bayous and pockets where fish have shade.

Do I need a guide to fish Hackberry?

No, but a guide is helpful if you've never fished shallow flats before. Guides know the water, can teach you sight-fishing technique, and save you time finding fish. If you're experienced with shallow-water fishing in other places, you can launch on your own. Talk to the marina staff when you arrive; they'll point you toward productive areas.

What's the difference between redfish and spotted seatrout?

Redfish are bronze-colored with a black spot on their tail; they're bottom feeders that cruise the flats slowly. Spotted seatrout are silver with black spots on their sides; they're active hunters that chase baitfish. Redfish are tougher fighters and grow larger. Trout are faster and more aggressive. Both are good eating and fun to catch.

Can I fish Hackberry in winter?

Yes, but it's slower. Fish move to deeper water and bayous, and you need to adjust your tactics. Focus on bayou mouths, deeper pockets, and the edges of channels. Live shrimp still works, but you may need to fish slower and deeper. Early morning is better than midday because water is slightly warmer.

What should I do if the water is muddy after rain?

Move to the open flats away from the river mouth, where water clears faster. Fish the bayous and deeper pockets where water is more stable. Sight-fishing is nearly impossible in muddy water, so switch to casting along structure — oyster reefs, grass edges, and bayou banks — and work your lure slowly. Wait a day or two if possible; the water usually clears within 24 to 48 hours.