Wading vs. Boat Fishing the Chandeleur Islands

In the human psyche, islands are a symbol of safety and strength in the midst of a daunting and dangerous sea. Think of the countless movie scenes you have watched where desperate people drag themselves up the beach of an island and gladly collapse onto its solid back. More than any other Louisiana barrier island, the Chandeleur Islands have the power to transport the traveler to that mythical place. Speckled trout and redfish can be caught both on the inside of the island and among the troughs of the Gulf side. Fishing for these species on the inside of the island consists primarily of targeting the shallow water flats that line the length of the island. Wade fishing is an effective technique for fishing the shallow water flats and is a common approach for anglers. The firm sandy bottom of the flats make walking almost effortless, but watch out for the numerous stingrays that cruise these same waters. If you happened to have a boat suitable for fishing on flats, is wading or fishing from the boat a better approach? In this video I explore some of the strengths and weaknesses of both fishing methods.