Grand Isle is one of Louisiana's barrier islands. The population is only approx. 500 people but on weekends during the summer the fishermen visiting are in the thousands.

This is the only place that I have visited that where you can sunbathe and wade, then walk a little ways down and land 60+ Spanish Mackerel.

Grand Isle is very close to where the continental shelf drops off into the gulf so many species that prefer deep water come in quite close to shore from time to time to take advantage of the abundant food supply swimming along the sand flats.

It is not uncommon to see various Tuna species, Mai Mai or Tarpon feeding close to shore along rock jetties near shipping channels and Caminada Pass.

I have seen on at least 2 occasions Yellow Fin Tuna and Tarpon caught by fisherman standing on shore. The lucky anglers had no idea what they had caught, but knew it was BIG. When they finally found some locals to inform them of what they had, needless to say I think one poor fellow ran out of minutes sending pictures over his phone to everyone he knew.

The common catches here are the occasional Sea Bass (Often confused for Drum), Grouper, Mangrove Snapper, Bull Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, (many species of sharks are caught here), Redfish, Black Drum, Whiting, Mackerel, Spotted Sea Trout, Sheephead, Pompano, and Flounder.

If you are planning to visit Grand Isle please pay close attention to the warnings posted regarding where and when to swim. This area has SERIOUSLY strong currents and rip tides, whether wade fishing or swimming ALWAYS WEAR A LIFE VEST.