If you're heading out to fish in the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana's coast today, January 10, 2025, here's what you need to know.

First, let's look at the tides. For New Orleans, the high tide is at 3:13 AM with a height of -0.01 meters (-0.03 feet), and the low tide is at 3:48 PM with a height of -0.15 meters (-0.48 feet)[2].

The weather is expected to be mild, which is typical for this time of year and ideal for fishing. Sunrise is at 6:57 AM, and sunset is at 5:19 PM[2].

Fish activity has been good, particularly for redfish, speckled trout, and sheepshead. Yesterday, anglers reported a good catch of speckled trout around areas like Vermilion Bay, The Cove, the Hammock, and Blue Point. Bull reds were also active, especially in the Venice area[1].

For lures, topwater baits such as walk the dog type stick baits (known as spooks) and poppers & chuggers are highly effective. These lures simulate movement on the water's surface, attracting big fish from below. Crankbaits are also a good choice, especially if you know the depth at which they are designed to swim. This helps avoid entanglement with seaweed and other debris[3].

If you're looking for hot spots, consider Vermilion Bay, The Cove, the Hammock, and Blue Point for speckled trout and bull reds. The Venice area is also a prime location for catching bull reds[1].

Overall, the conditions are favorable, and with the right lures and knowledge of the tides, you should have a successful day on the water.