Abbeville, LA Fishing: Visiting the French Provincial-Inspired City

Abbeville is a city situated in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. It lies 150-miles west of New Orleans and 60 miles southwest of Baton Rouge. Including the Vermillion Parish, it is considered the principal city of Abbeville Micropolitan Statistical Area. 

Before the city of Abbeville came about, the land where it stands was formerly called La Chapelle. It was purchased for $900 by the founding Cappuccin Missionary, Père Antoine Désiré Mégret. Settlers in Abbeville were primarily descendants of the Acadians from North Scotia who moved to the area sometime between 1766 to 1777. Come 1850, Abbeville was incorporated and became a city. The St. Victor Boulevard bounds the 38 acres of land by the North and Lafayette Boulevard by the South. Meanwhile, to its east is The Sisters of Charity, and to its west is Bayou Vermillion. The city, formerly called La Chapelle, was then changed to Abbeville, which was the birth town of Père Antoine Désiré Mégret.

Today, Abbeville stands as one of the most visited locations in Louisiana. It is a trade center for agricultural products like sugar, rice, and cotton. It is also a center for trading seafood, and it provides service for nearby oil and natural gas fields. 

Abbeville Fishing 

North America Angling has brought something different to anglers. California, Florida, and New York proved that the North American waters are home to various fish species. However, North American Angling does not end with those as Louisiana fishing is something you would like to look into. 

Louisiana is considered one of the top fishing grounds in America. Some anglers who have been into multiple states and countries might even say that it is the best in the entire world. Freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing in the area is afforded due to the multiple acres of waterways. There are different lakes, rivers, reservoirs, estuaries, and the coast along the Gulf of Mexico to choose from. As long as you have the proper permit and fishing license, you will be able to experience angling in any of its waters,

Aside from varying landscapes of prairies and coastal wetland, there is diverse and abundant wildlife on land and in its waters. Because of this, Abbeville angling is something anglers would want to experience. With multiple angling hotspots in the area, local anglers suggest starting in two places to maximize your stay. So, if you happen to be in Abbeville, visiting the following locations first will make your visit worth it. 

The first angling hotspot you should visit is the Vermillion River, Bayou Vermillion. It is a 70-mile-long stream located in southern Louisiana. It formed on the boundary of Lafayette and St. Martin parishes. It generally flows southwards, passing through Lafayette and Abbeville cities. The Vermillion River is home to different species like largemouth bass and blue catfish. Mainly, the river is home to multiple species of catfish. Thus setting up a catfish bait along the river might be enough to feed the whole neighborhood. 

Landing on some catfish, especially during spring, is productive. This is true when it comes to a technique taught by local fishermen. The area between Vermillion Bay and the White Lake is where you want to set up your bait. This river area will allow you to access the grounds where these species usually lurk around. But, the key to a productive catch will be the bait. Local anglers traditionally set up their homemade bait nets on a 15 x 24-inch tubular aluminum frame. The frame should have a harness spliced into a rope and tied off to cleat on the bow the right length. Then, cast the bait net below planning speed- not too fast, not too slow. 

Local anglers say this technique works best when angling catfish in different canals and bayous. This is because catfish usually go into these bodies of water when they are coming out of the marsh. They also suggest that bait nets are used best in places where mullet movement is visible. Fishing time in Vermillion River is best from 2:00 to 3:00 in the morning and 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm.

Second, on the list of Abbeville Angling would be the Gulf of Mexico. Due to the city’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, angling in this extraordinary body of water is possible. 

The Gulf is a diverse and bustling ecosystem considered home to different marine animals. Its deep waters and vast coastline make angling accessible to visiting and local anglers. The Gulf is also host to other sport fishing events in the area. Some of the species you may land on the Gulf of Mexico are the red snapper, grouper, wahoo, Silver King,  Spanish mackerel,  king mackerel, redfish, speckled sea trout, amberjack, crevalle,  Sheepshead,  yellowfin, cobia, mahi-mahi, and atlantic blue marlin. 

Novice and seasoned anglers find fishing in the gulf a great adventure due to the accessibility and multiple fishing hotspots. Louisiana Gulf Fishing focuses more on the abundance of speckled trout in the area. Thanks to the Mississippi River’s produce of crabs and shrimp, trout have something to feast on. This makes it a thriving environment for them and a spawning location as food is never scarce. 

An inlet of the Gulf of Mexico is also found in Vermillion Bay. This area shows an abundance of sea trout, especially during the months that fall under the summer season. However, summer is not the only time for anglers to catch trout. They are available year-round, especially at Marsh Island and Cybermort Point. 

Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico will never leave you actionless any time of the year. However, one would be aware of the different fishing regulations in the area, including the license you need to acquire to enjoy the angling opportunity in the area.

Top 10 Fish Species in Abbeville, LA

The top 10 fish species in  Abbeville, LA, are red snapper, grouper, wahoo, Silver King,  Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, redfish,  speckled sea trout, amberjack, and crevalle.

Fishing Seasonality

Louisiana angling is possible any time of the year. Species like mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, yellowfin grouper, scamp grouper, yellowmouth grouper, speckled hind grouper, warsaw grouper, species of tilefish, and mackerels are open for fishing year-round. However, one should be aware of the bag limit for certain species.  

Although angling would be productive year-round, it is always recommended to go fishing in Abbeville during Spring or Summertime. This is the time of the year when angling action is most active as fish starts to prepare for spawning season. 

Make the Most in Abbeville

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Your first trip to Abbeville would be overwhelming, especially for non-experienced anglers and first-time visitors. Thus, having an expert guide you through the ins and outs of Abbeville angling will greatly help you. Booking a fishing charter with experienced guides will surely bring you an angling experience of a lifetime. 

2. Visit Abbeville Cultural and Historical Alliance.

Enjoy the sight of different cultures and the rich history of Abbeville by visiting the town’s cultural and historical Alliance. Depending on the month you visit, you will witness various art exhibits and movies. There are also permanent exhibits in the area.

3. Join the Downtown Abbeville Walking Tours

Join the Downtown Abbeville Walking Tours and experience Abbeville in a different light. Enjoy the sight of the city, the majestic scenery, and the French-village-ambiance the place has to offer.