Andy Mnichowski and John McGill determined that they wouldn’t let distance get in the way of victory. In three days, this redfish tournament team ran 600 miles of Louisiana marsh, but the result was a first place finish in the FLW Redfish Series event out of Cocodrie and a check for $37,500.
Mnichowski’s team managed a wire-to-wire win, leading the tournament all three days, and their final day catch was the biggest of the day by a decisive 8 ounces. They brought 48 pounds, 4 ounces to the scales during the event, topping the second place team by 2 ½ pounds. They also moved into fifth place for the season in the Redfish Series Western Division.
While the rich waters around Cocodrie hold more than their share of hefty redfish, Mnichowski and McGill decided to focus their efforts closer to Venice, 100 miles away, where the reds would be less pressured by tournament anglers.
"With that many boats practicing in and then fishing an area during a tournament, the fish can get tough to catch," said Mnichowski, a veteran Venice guide "We had a good area that was a lot less pressured, and we were able to pick the ones we wanted to catch and sight cast to them."
Mnichowski and McGill caught their fish on YUM Samurai Shads, rigged on ¼-ounce leadhead and fished with straight retrieves. Their No. 1 color was Disco Minnow, which is
gold body with multi-colored sparkles and a chartreuse tail. They also caught fish on Purple Blue Flake White Samurai Shads.
A 4-inch soft-plastic minnow imitation that Mnichowski helped design, a Samurai Shad comes to life when it’s put into motion. The bait’s tail initiates the motion and the movement transfers through the entire minnow.
Mnichowski’s team focused on grassy edges and fished shallow, pulling most of their fish out of less than three feet over water.
The fish they weighed on the first two day of competition came from essentially the same spot. On Day 3, they had to adjust, as the tide was notably lower by the time they reached their primary area, leaving it largely high and dry. They searched and relocated their group of fish approximately 100 yards down the same bank, where the water was a little deeper.
Webmaster's Note: To book a a day with FLW Redfish Series champ Captain Andy Mnichowski, give him a call at (504)415-4099.