Right now is prime time for speckled trout - the interior lakes and bayous are thick with the silver wonders. I love to fish poppers early and late, and on overcast days. These also tend to attract larger trout. Pete's Perch Float Popper, Bob's Banger, Rainey’s Bubblehead Popper, Skipping Bugs, and Foil Pencil Popper (e.g, Walt Holman style) are all very good options.
Later in the day, I’ll switch to the old “VOSI - Dropper combo". Either a Clouser Minnow, LaFleur's Charlie or EP Spawning Shrimp under a Vertically Oriented Strike Indicator. The VOSI is constructed from half a perch float, and acts like a fly rodder's popping cork.
To achieve best results, I use about 30 inches of fluorocarbon tippet, with the VOSI placed just past the connecting knot with the rest of the leader. Make a strip, pause a couple seconds, another strip, another pause, etc..
If we’re coming off a cold front, trout action can be slow, so I’ll scout for reds. A day or two after a front, the wind often lays down and the tide is low. Perfect conditions for spotting the Spottail Elvis! This time of year, reds are more apt to hit poppers longer in the day, and especially if it's overcast.
If they're not in the mood for topwater, a wide variety of other patterns will work. Some reader favorites include: Copper Spoon Fly, Root Beer Charlie, Grey’s Spawning Crab, Scrambler, Borski Slider, and the Chernobyl Crab. But if you see sprays of shrimp, that Spawning Shrimp is a sure thing!
One thing you need to beware of... there are bulls on the loose! During summer, these bigger poisson rouge were mostly on the edges of lower bays and lakes. But with cooler weather, they sometimes move into the deepest parts of the marsh. Last year, we encountered two fish over 35 inches on the north side of Galliano. In a boat, it's a heck of a fight. But in a kayak, it's a long sleigh ride!