Louisiana Legends

Shot at point-blank range in the Louisiana marsh, Lenny Labiche thought he was living his final moments. Then a rescue helicopter arrived—and left without him. Lenny joins Louisiana Legends to share the story of January 19, 2020, when a duck hunt in Biloxi Marsh became a fight for his life. An accidental 12-gauge shotgun blast struck him in the lower back, leaving him seriously wounded in cold mar...

“No fish, no pay.” For Capt. Mike Brantley, that can mean staying on the water until four in the afternoon—but somebody’s catching fish. Mike joins Louisiana Legends to talk about growing up fishing Lake Pontchartrain, learning from his father and grandfather, and trading a career as a pipe welder for life as a fishing guide. From childhood days at Tyke’s Place to working the Trestles, he shares t...

If you grew up heading to the boat launch with Don Dubuc on the radio, this episode will bring back some memories. Don joins Louisiana Legends to look back on 40 years of broadcasting and writing about Louisiana’s outdoors, including 37 years of outdoor radio. From catching his first perch at what is now Lafreniere Park to leaving a steady job at Sears and eventually broadcasting from WWL, he tell...

Want to catch bigger speckled trout? Capt. Mike Gallo joins Nathan Ankersen and guest co-host Cliff Hall to break down Louisiana trout fishing—from Lake Pontchartrain’s bridges to the MRGO rocks, Lake Borgne, and the Biloxi Marsh. One jumping mullet. A change in boat direction. An eight-pound speckled trout. Mike shares the story behind his trophy MRGO trout and the small details he noticed before...

You know the beer. Meet the fisherman. Andrew Godley of Parish Brewing Company joins Nathan Ankersen on Louisiana Legends for giant tarpon, rare offshore grouper, and a conversation about the future of Louisiana fishing. From chasing tarpon out of Cypremort Point to slow-pitch jigging around Flower Garden Banks, Andrew shares the fishing obsession that led him to investigate Louisiana’s pogey indu...

Ed Sexton has seen a version of Louisiana trout fishing that may never exist again. One afternoon, he and Warren Coco caught 10 speckled trout that weighed 75 pounds. The first fish Ed caught was 10½ pounds. And that was just the beginning. In this episode of Louisiana Legends, Ed takes us back to the glory days of South Pass, Port Eads, Venice, Lake Pontchartrain and some of the greatest speckled...

Captain Kris Roberts has spent a lifetime figuring out Lake Pontchartrain, the Pearl River, Lake Borgne and the waters surrounding southeast Louisiana. And according to Kris, something is happening right now that Louisiana fishermen need to pay attention to. The big trout are coming back. Kris grew up in Pearlington, Mississippi, fishing the Pearl River when catching 100 speckled trout on double-r...

He was kidnapped at gunpoint during a peacock bass fishing trip in Venezuela. Held for ransom. His fishing partner spent weeks in captivity. And after making it home safely, what did he do? He bought hostage insurance and WENT BACK. In this episode of Louisiana Legends, we sit down with a true old-school Louisiana fisherman whose stories span more than 70 years on the water: Bob Weiss. From catchi...

Chad “Cheech” Gonzales didn't grow up as some legendary Louisiana trout fisherman. He became one through pure obsession. After getting back into fishing in 2019, Chad spent countless days on the water studying tides, wind, satellite imagery, bait presentation, water depth, hard baits, casting distance, boat positioning and just about every other variable he could find. Eventually, the Hopedale fis...

Rob Buck has spent over 15 years rescuing boaters in South Louisiana, and if you fish Venice, Louisiana, there’s a good chance you’ve either heard his name or needed his number. In this episode of Louisiana Legends, we sit down with Rob Buck of Sea Tow South Louisiana to talk about the real dangers of fishing Venice, how fast the Mississippi River Delta changes, and why even experienced fishermen...

We drove across Louisiana to sit down with two men who helped shape modern speckled trout fishing: Paul Brown and Bruce Baugh. Paul Brown is the creator of the legendary Corky , a lure that became synonymous with targeting trophy speckled trout along the Gulf Coast. Sitting beside him is Bruce Baugh , Troutmasters Angler of the Year, lifelong wade fisherman, and one of the most respected big-trout...

If you fish Louisiana, chances are you've heard Josh Hall's name. While he may not be the loudest voice in the fishing world, those who know, know. Josh has spent decades mastering Louisiana's marshes, dominating redfish tournaments, and learning Lake Pontchartrain one tide at a time. In this episode of Louisiana Legends Podcast , Josh shares the lessons he's learned from thousands of days on the...

Everyone in Louisiana knows Chag's. But very few people know the stories behind the counter. In this episode of the Louisiana Legends Podcast , we sit down with Sammy Romano , the longtime manager of Chag's Sporting Goods and one of the most respected voices in Louisiana fishing. After spending more than three decades talking to the best fishermen in the state, Sammy has seen Louisiana's fisheries...

Chas Champagne just gave us nearly three decades of Louisiana fishing knowledge in one conversation. Most people know Chas as the founder of Matrix Shad, but the real story goes much deeper. He started as a kid obsessed with fishing, learned directly from some of the greatest anglers Lake Pontchartrain has ever produced, and eventually built one of the most recognizable fishing brands in Louisiana...

John Rucker is one of Louisiana's most respected speckled trout anglers, but if you ask him, he'll tell you he's just another fisherman who put in the time. From countless nights fishing the Seabrook Bridge to winning the STAR Tournament and helping popularize what many know as the "Rucker Rig," John shares the stories, lessons, and experiences that shaped him into one of the Gulf Coast's most acc...

When it comes to big speckled trout in Louisiana, Rudy Hall is one of the first names that comes to mind. Rudy has spent decades studying, catching, and learning from trophy trout, and his knowledge has earned him the respect of anglers across the state. He has also been involved with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries trout studies, helping provide real world insight into where big fi...

For generations, Louisiana has been known as Sportsman's Paradise. But according to veteran Calcasieu guide Jeremy Waltrip, that title is slipping away. In this episode of the Louisiana Legends Podcast, Jeremy joins us for an honest conversation about the current state of Louisiana's fisheries and the challenges he believes are reshaping one of the state's most iconic estuaries. We discuss the eff...

On this episode of the Louisiana Legends Podcast, we sit down with Captain Paul Miller, one of the Gulf Coast's most respected offshore captains. Paul guides out of both Mississippi and Venice, Louisiana, and many of you probably know him from Captain Pauly's Podcast, formerly known as Tuna Town Talks. Paul has become a tremendous resource for the fishing community because he's always willing to s...

Chris Bush is widely regarded as one of the best speckled trout anglers on the Gulf Coast, and in this episode, he lives up to the reputation. From Louisiana roots to Texas waters, Chris has built a name chasing big trout and backing it up with results. We get into what actually goes into targeting trophy specks, the mindset behind consistently finding big fish, and why conservation is more import...

Brett Gerchow was born without legs… but you’d never know it watching him on the water. His attitude, determination, and ability to fish with the best of them sets him apart in every way. Brett doesn’t ask for anything — he just shows up and gets it done. In this episode, we talk about: His journey and mindset How he approaches fishing The challenges he’s faced and overcome Why attitude is everyth...

Ty Hibbs is one of the most respected names in Louisiana inshore fishing — not just because of what he’s caught, but because of what he stands for. With years of experience and more fish than most could imagine, Ty has shifted his focus to something bigger… conservation and the future of our fishery. In this episode, we dive into: The current state of Louisiana fishing Why conservation matters now...

Chris Macaluso — better known as “C-Mac” — is one of the most passionate and knowledgeable anglers in Louisiana. When it comes to our fishery, there’s nobody bringing more insight, more experience, and more facts to the table. In this episode, we dive deep into the real issues impacting Louisiana waters: Freshwater diversions Dredging and restoration The menhaden industry His personal fishing succ...

Nathan brought in his brothers and cousins from Alabama… and it turned into exactly what you’d expect. This episode is a mix of fishing, back home stories, and what happens when Alabama anglers come down to Louisiana waters. From different styles and mindsets to the realities of fishing both places, there’s plenty to unpack. And of course… plenty of trash talk. If you’ve ever fished with family or...

Josh Adams — better known as “Westbank Josh” — is a recreational angler out of Marrero, Louisiana and a proud LAFB member. Known by many as the “King of Lafitte,” Josh has built his reputation the only way that matters… time on the water. In this episode, we dive into what makes the Lafitte area so unique, how Josh approaches fishing it, and the mindset it takes to consistently find fish in South...

Jon Miller built his name by putting his process on display. Through his YouTube videos, he’s shown a different side of fishing… one that’s rooted in discipline, observation, and calculated decision making. Jon doesn’t rely on luck. He studies fish behavior, tracks seasonal patterns, and forms his own hypotheses on why fish do what they do. In this episode, we break down his technical approach to...