Whether inshore, in the Gulf of Mexico or somewhere in between, Louisiana’s coastal oil fields are excellent bets for some great action for speckled trout. Photo by Pete Cooper Jr.

Ever been able to fish on the job?

Nearly two decades ago, before I became a full-time outdoor writer, I had a very rewarding career in the south Louisiana oil field. At first it involved operating a production facility; later I became a supervisor of drilling and remedial projects.

Almost all of my time in both positions was spent in the waters around the Mississippi River Delta, the South Timbalier area and Vermilion Bay, and I must avow that I thoroughly enjoyed my work and remain quite proud of some of my accomplishments in both roles. But I also received a fringe benefit of sorts that was beyond the raises, promotions and all the time off that went with the job -- I learned how strongly the oil field influenced the fish -- and especially the speckled trout -- around and within it.

Back in those days, if the operation was progressing smoothly, the bosses didn’t say much if I occasionally slipped away for a short while “to test bottom” -- in south Louisiana oil-field vernacular, “to fish.” Early on, some of those bosses would appear at lunchtime to share in the results of those tests. It didn’t take long for me to begin applying what I learned from those lunch breaks to the trips I made during my days off.

INSHORE OIL FIELDS
For the purpose of targeting speckled trout, Louisiana’s coastal oil fields must be separated into three types. The first is best described as “inshore.” Here, the reservoirs lay beneath marshlands too unconsolidated to support the heavy equipment required to drill and service a well. Canals are dredged from the nearest navigable waterway to the site at which the well will be drilled so that tugs can move equipment to and from the spot.

Initially, some attempt was made to isolate natural waterways from the canals to prevent possible saltwater intrusion into the area. That worked for a while, but over time, the canals’ banks subsided and shorelines eroded. Also, wooden bulkheads and clamshell dams constructed for isolation purposes washed out around their ends. Because of these and other factors, the salinity in some canals increased greatly. Likewise, some canals intersected large bayous and bays that were not isolated. All of this allowed any fish that inhabited the adjacent areas free run of the canals.

An inshore oil field typically consists of numerous wells drilled at individual locations -- therefore requiring different canals -- and connected to an often-distant production facility via small-diameter pipelines. Here, the wells and facilities are not usually the primary form of speckled trout structure; unconformities in the numerous canals are.

Among the best of those speck-holding unconformities is an intersection with a natural bayou; almost as good is an intersection with another canal. Tidal currents in these areas tend to concentrate various minnows and shrimp, which can be prolific in these waters, and that draws the specks. Another form of prime structure is a canal’s “dead-end” -- either the point where it terminates or where it is spanned by a dam or a bulkhead. Either can concentrate prey.

Inshore oil fields, while providing a great fishing opportunity for specks at times, typically present some drawbacks to anglers. Many of these fields are subject to turbidity from the effluent of nearby rivers. However, this is usually less of a deterrent during the dryer months of autumn, which happens to be the time when specks make their annual move inshore. Autumn is almost always the best time to fish these waters. Still, finding reasonably clear water remains a major factor even then in this fishery. If it is not present at intersections, try a dead-end. If it isn’t clear there, try another canal.