The heat and humidity of south Louisiana isn’t for the faint of heart. With air temperatures climbing into the upper 90s and water temps reaching the same scorching levels in stagnant backwaters, many anglers hang up their rods until cooler weather arrives. But for those willing to adapt their tactics and endure the brutal conditions, the hottest months of the year can deliver surprisingly solid sac-a-lait fishing. The key is knowing where to go and how to fish when the mercury climbs.
John Guillot has been chasing sac-a-lait (crappie) through the rivers and canals of southeast Louisiana since he was old enough to hold a fishing rod. The 64-year-old crappie veteran from Kiln, Mississippi, has spent decades perfecting his hot-weather approach, and his results speak for themselves. Crappie are known by several regional names, including the Cajun French sac-a-lait (which translates to “sack of milk” or “milk bag”) and “white perch” in north Louisiana.
“Most folks give up on crappie fishing in the heat, but that’s a mistake,” Guillot said. “The fish are still there, they’re just deeper and more concentrated. If you know where to look and how to present your bait, you can have some of your best days of the year.”
Go Deep or Go Home
Guillot’s strategy revolves around one simple principle: find the deepest, most-moving water available. While shallow cypress swamps and protected bayous might look fishy, they become virtual dead zones when water temperatures soar into the 90s.
“I target the main stems of our deeper river systems,” Guillot explained. “The Pearl River, the Tchefuncte, parts of the Tangipahoa – anywhere you can find 15 to 25 feet of water with some current flow. Moving water is cooler water, and that’s where the sac-a-lait will be stacked up.”
The veteran angler focuses his efforts on the main river channels rather than venturing into the countless side canals and cuts that branch off from these systems. While these smaller waterways can be productive during cooler months, they simply get too hot to hold fish consistently.
“Stay in the main river,” Guillot emphasized. “That’s where the majority of the sac-a-lait will be. They’re looking for the coolest, most oxygenated water they can find, and that’s always going to be in the main flow.”
Structure still plays a critical role in Guillot’s approach, but he looks for deeper versions of the same cover that produces fish year-round. Submerged logs, root balls, and cypress trees in 15 to 20 feet of water become prime targets. Bridge pilings and other manmade structures can also concentrate fish, especially if they’re positioned in areas with good current flow.
Guillot’s Go-To Gear
Guillot’s tackle selection reflects the challenges of fishing in deeper, moving water during Louisiana’s hottest months. His go-to rod is a 10-foot Tony Edgar Signature Ozark Rod with a Tennessee handle, which gives him the length and sensitivity needed to work jigs effectively in deeper water.
“That extra length makes a huge difference when you’re fishing 20 feet deep,” Guillot said. “I can feel the subtle bites better, and I have better control over my presentation.”
For line, Guillot spools up with 10-pound Mr. Crappie Camo monofilament. While many crappie anglers prefer lighter line, Guillot believes the heavier monofilament actually helps his presentation in certain conditions.
“That 10-pound test displaces more water as it sinks, which slows down my bait,” he explained. “In the heat of summer, those fish don’t want something racing past them. They want a slow, natural presentation.”
Fishing with Shiners
While Guillot keeps an assortment of jigs in his tackle box, his hot water approach centers around live shiners whenever possible. The combination of extreme heat and deeper water makes live bait particularly effective during this challenging time of year.
“If you’re not fishing with shiners, you’re not fishing,” Guillot said, echoing advice he’s shared for years. “Those fish are lethargic in the heat, and they want an easy meal. A lively shiner is hard for them to pass up.”
When shiners aren’t available or practical, Guillot turns to 1.5-inch Southern Pro tube jigs on 1/32-ounce jig heads. He prefers subtle colors that won’t spook fish in the typically clear water of deeper river systems. Black and gray combinations are his favorites.
“I’ll add a BPS 1/20 Clam Shot about four or five feet above the jig to help it get down to where the fish are holding,” Guillot said. “And I always pump some Slab Sauce into the tube body for extra attraction.”
The key to his jig presentation is patience. Rather than the aggressive jigging that might work in cooler weather, the warm temperatures call for subtle movements and longer pauses.
“Let that jig sit still for 10 or 15 seconds at a time,” Guillot advised. “Those fish might be looking at your bait for a long time before they decide to bite. If you’re constantly moving it around, you’ll spook them.”
When using shiners, Guillot rigs them under slip corks set to keep the bait just above the structure he’s targeting. The key is presenting the shiner in the strike zone without letting it swim too far from the cover.
Louisiana sac-a-lait fishing can be tough, but if you take the right steps, you can put a serious hurtin’ on them. These conditions will remain until October when the first cool front finally arrives, so continue to fish like Guillot and put some fish in the boat.
