Greetings from Station Grand Isle Grand Isle is a small coastal community, with numerous outdoor activities, great food and a colorful history. Grand Isle is not for everybody, but it doesn't take long to find many things to love about this very special place Grand Isle's position at the edge of the country's largest and most productive estuary system makes it one of the top fishing spots in the world. Over 280 species of fish are known to make their home in the waters around the coast of Grand Isle, which serves as a primary launching point for spectacular inshore and offshore fishing. Station Grand Isle's 26-acre facility provides many ideal spots to fish, speckled trout and 25 pound redfish are regularly caught on the property. Every July, the Tarpon Rodeo - America's oldest continually operating fishing tournament - attracts thousands of fishermen to these waters.Fish fry's and shrimp and crawfish boils are a much-loved tradition on the island and at the station. The island is also steeped in history, as it (and neighboring Grand Terre Island) was a primary base of operations for the Pirates Jean and Pierre Lafitte, who often lived and staged their notorious smuggling business from the islands. Many residents on the island today are descendants of Lafitte's men. Grand Isle is getting a major facelift in 2006, as its buildings and housing units are all being renovated. The majority of the 24 houses on base feature vistas of Barataria Bay. For bachelors, there is a 10 room barracks on base, and complete with a recreation area. The station also features a large gym and weight room, swimming pool, deck, children's play area and many other amenities. The beach and state park is also located across from the station. Grand Isle is in stark contrast to that of the city and has therefore earned the endearing nickname "Cajun Bahamas." Grand Isle is also two hours from New Orleans and the French Quarter.
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GULF OF MEXICO - A small boat crew from Coast Guard Station Grand Isle, La., patrols the waterways, off the coast of Grand Isle, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006, as part of their Homeland Security mission. |
GRAND ISLE, La. - Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Kyle Matthais, 23, of |
GULF OF MEXICO - Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher B. Hebert radios |
DULAC, La., Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Wilson J. Moore while conducting a boarding of the fishing vessel Master Ray Friday, Jan 27, 2006, informs the captain he is in direct violation of federal fisheries regulations, by fishing with live bait. The catch will be seized and sold. |
DULAC, La. - Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Chris R. O'Connor, 27, of Baytown, Texas, holds a Wahoo Friday, Jan. 27, 2006, after completing his initial search of the fishing vessel Master Ray. O'Connor, a boarding officer from Coast Guard Station Grand Isle, La., boarded the Master Ray and seized more than 10,100 pounds of fish allegedly caught using live bait - a violation of federal fisheries regulations. |