The Prince of Lake Pontchartrain | Chas Champagne

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.In this episode, Chas explains how Matrix Shad really started, why most fishermen overthink lure color, what separates great anglers from everyone else, and why covering water is one of the most important skills in fishing.He also tells the truth about what happened to Lake Pontchartrain’s trophy trout, why the fishing was so incredible in the late 1990s, how the MRGO closure changed the entire ecosystem, and what freshwater diversions, Mardi Gras Pass, river levels, hurricanes, and saltwater intrusion are doing to Louisiana’s fisheries.We also get into:• The fishing legends who taught Chas everything• The early days of Matrix Shad• Pouring prototype baits one at a time• Why Lemonhead became one of the most successful colors ever• The biggest mistake most artificial lure fishermen make• Why lure action matters more than tiny color differences• The rise and decline of Lake Pontchartrain trophy trout• Where Chas would target a STAR winning speckled trout• Venice, the Chandeleur Islands, South Pass, and Block 69• Fishing memories that still guide him decades later• The truth about building a successful fishing company• Raising his daughter Blakely in the fishing world• And the wild story of the kids who stole his baitcasting rodsThis is not just the story of Matrix Shad.It is the story of a kid who walked away from baseball, dedicated his life to fishing, and became one of the most respected and influential anglers in Louisiana.Watch the full episode and hear Chas Champagne tell it himself.Subscribe to Louisiana Legends for more conversations with the people who shaped Louisiana fishing.