Ready or Not, Fall and Winter are Upon Us

SABINE LAKE & PASS

Reported by CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

Email Eddie Hernandez at ContactUs@fishgame.com

 

I’M NOT QUITE SURE how we got here so fast, but if you check the calendar, it will inform you that we are in the late fall/very early winter fishing season of 2021. It reminds us that the end of another stellar fishing year is near, but it also tells us that some of the best fishing is still yet to come.

The Big Three behaved just as they were supposed to for the better part of the year. Our salinity levels here on Sabine were much higher than they have been for the past few years due to flooding and runoff.

Flooding or no flooding, runoff or no runoff, one thing we can always count on in November/December is some of the best redfishing on the entire coast. Even if Old Man Winter decides to show up for a while there is no need for alarm because the redfish bite should keep going strong. It should even become a little more consistent as we get closer to the end of the year.

This is something we have always looked forward to. The east bank of Sabine Lake will produce lots of reds during these months, but it should still pale in comparison to the hot action in the cold bayou water.

Reds will definitely be cruising the shoreline of Sabine Lake looking for an easy meal. However, if you want real, consistent rod bending action, deep in the bayous is where you want to be.

Redfish are pretty easy to catch year-round, but here on Sabine, the month of December has become very popular for targeting them in the chilly waters of the bayous. It pretty much boils down to finding bait.

Mullet is a major source of nutrition for redfish in the winter, This is mainly because other options such as shrimp and shad become increasingly scarce as the water temperature drops. If you happen to see a school of mullet, or even just a couple cruising the shallow bank, there’s a very good chance that there are some hungry reds nearby.

On nice calm days, it shouldn’t be hard to find some mullet along long stretches of shoreline in the bayous. If you’ve located the bait, you’ve probably located the fish—especially if there’s any tidal movement.

Small drains and cuts leading to the back lakes in the marsh will usually hold the most bait and fish. Soft plastics in darker colors such as Roach, Red Shad and Texas Croaker rigged on 1/8-ounce or ¼-ounce lead heads work very well.

Gold spoons and plastics rigged with a spinner leaf are also hard to beat. Keep your eyes open also for mud boils and wakes as these fish will feed aggressively in very shallow water.

•  •  •

GALVESTON

Reported by CAPT. DEREK YORK

Email Derek York at spotstalkerfishing@yahoo.com

 

LATE FALL and early Winter are a busy time for those who love being outdoors. If you are not spending all your time in the woods chasing whitetails, here on Galveston Bay we are enjoying some of the best fishing of the year for speckled trout and flounder.

With the cold fronts starting to come through with some consistency, the back lakes and marshes are dumping all the fish and shrimp into the bay system. This causes lots of bird activity and the spawning migration of the southern flounder.

Working bird activity is always a fun thing to do as it provides so much action and the chance to catch lots of fish. You can find birds working all over the bay system most days.

Wind determines where I fish most of the time. Most fish caught under the birds are redfish and speckled trout. My favorite and probably the easiest way to catch these fish is using a soft plastic on a jig-head. Depending on the wind, I will usually use jig-heads from 1/8 to 1/2 ounce. Or I sometimes throw a spoon. I tend to prefer a gold color to match the shrimp, but also throw a lot of chartreuse and Texas roach patterns.

When fishing from a boat, a good trolling motor is a great tool to have when chasing birds. Once the birds move off don’t be too quick to leave the area as most times those fish are still there feeding.

I’ve also found a lot of my bigger trout are usually located lower in the water column below the smaller schooling fish. Wade fishermen can also really key in on these marsh drains and be highly successful.

As for flounder, this year will be a lot different with the new flounder regulations going into effect November 1 – December 14, where you cannot keep any flounder during this time. I am planning to use this time to locate new spots and possibly try some new techniques. The limit goes back to five fish on December 15, and the run should still be going strong.

Live bait, such as finger mullet or mud minnows fished on the bottom using a Carolina rig, soft plastics on a jig-head or tandem rigged soft plastics all work well to locate and catch flounders. My favorite baits to throw include Chicken Boy Lures Bubba Clucker in pink and chartreuse and Gulp three-inch swimming mullet in the same colors.

Whatever you plan on targeting during this time of the year, just remember to be safe and be prepared as these colder months bring fast moving fronts from the north. Speaking from experience, now I always pack an extra set of clothes and dress in layers.

Hope everyone stays safe and healthy, catches lots of fish and gets to enjoy the holidays with family this year!

•  •  •

MATAGORDA

Reported by CAPT. MARK TALASEK

Email Mark Talasek at MarkTalasek@sbcglobal.com

 

MATAGORDA HAS been blessed with an abundance of rain this summer. An influx of fresh water usually means a good fall shrimp crop. That in return will make some great fall fishing.

When the first cool front rolls through Texas, shrimp start their migration to the gulf waters. Red fish and trout feed on the shrimp pushing them to the surface. Seagulls work on the shrimp from the top. This makes finding fish much easier this time of the year.

Cast a plastic lure close to some diving seagulls and get ready for a bent rod. Fall fishing can turn a fisherman into a professional. Locate the birds, and you’ll find the fish.

All indicators are pointing to a spectacular fall—my favorite time of the year. Some of my favorite colors are Roach with a Chartreuse tail in dirty water and Chicken on a Chain in clear water. I usually throw a heavier lead head to get deeper.

Bigger fish are on the bottom.

Limits of redfish have been caught in east and west Matagorda Bay. Most of the trout caught have been released, only keeping some for dinner. Live bait has been working well.

Regulations on the limit are getting more stringent due to the freeze. This should help numbers return.

Flounder gigging has been on fire. This has been one of the better years since I started running gigging trips in the ’90s. All of my flounders have come from West Bay.

Water clarity just hasn’t been consistent in East Matagorda. Give me a call to book your next trip: Capt. Mark Talasek (979) 479 1397.

 

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HotSPOTLight:

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Location: Galveston Trinity Bay
Hotspot: Burnet Bay
GPS: N 29 46.248, W 95 3.192
(29.7708, -95.0532)

Species: Redfish
Best Baits: Live bait under popping cork, soft plastics
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Drift bouncing plastics or working popping corks; morning through dusk.

Location: Freeport
Hotspot: San Bernard River
GPS: N 29 6.7207, W 95 40.5332
(29.1120, -95.6756)

Species: Redfish
Best Baits: Small Flies
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: For a challenge, try a fllyrod for redfish. Flashy small flies work best.

Location: Galveston Bay
Hotspot: North Jetty
GPS: N 29 21.2719, W 94 43.0909
(29.3545, -94.7182)

Species: Flounder
Best Baits: Live finger mullet or curly tail Gulp
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Use live finger mullet, rigged Carolina style fishing for flounder.

Location: Galveston East Bay
Hotspot: Big Pasture Bayou
GPS: N 29 30.322, W 94 35.78
(29.5054, -94.5963)

Species: Flounder
Best Baits: Live mud minnows, soft plastics
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Anchor NE side of bayou mouth, fish outgoing tide; dawn-dusk

Location: Galveston East Bay
Hotspot: Deep Reef
GPS: N 29 30.802, W 94 40.581
(29.5134, -94.6764)

Species: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Soft plastics
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Let soft plastics hit bottom, medium up & down retrieve; dawn-dusk

Location: East Galveston Bay
Hotspot: Richard’s Reef
GPS: N 29 31.429, W 94 45.323
(29.5238, -94.7554)

Species: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Soft Plastics with 1/4 ounce jig head
Source: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
www.gofishgalveston.com
Tips: November is a great month to fish the birds as they point out feeding specks.

Location: Galveston Trinity Bay
Hotspot: April Fool Reef
GPS: N 29 29.077, W 94 54.773
(29.4846, -94.9129)

Species: Flounder
Best Baits: Live shrimp, finger mullet
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Work top and reef edges; dawn through morning, dusk-night

Location: Galveston Trinity Bay
Hotspot: Gas Wells
GPS: N 29 42.984, W 94 43.1399
(29.7164, -94.7190)

Species: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Soft plastic shrimp tails
Source: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
www.gofishgalveston.com
Tips: If you see a slick pop up in front of you, cast in to it. But in any other direction, cast behind it. It all depends on wind and current.

Location: Galveston West Bay
Hotspot: Jones Bay Shoreline
GPS: N 29 18.525, W 94 56.3999
(29.3088, -94.9400)

Species: Redfish
Best Baits: Corkys or MirrOlures
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: The bite is a lot slower in the wintertime. You may have to grind for them. When it starts cooling down, throw Corkys or MirrOlures.

Location: Matagorda
Hotspot: Colorado River
GPS: N 28 40.5419, W 95 58.08
(28.6757, -95.9680)

Species: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Bass Assassin and MirrOlure soft plastics
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: If there is a lot of rain, it will drive the fish out of the river down into West Matagorda Bay. Run off will not affect East Matagorda Bay.

Location: Matagorda East Bay
Hotspot: Bird Island
GPS: N 28 43.86, W 95 45.6169
(28.7310, -95.7603)

Species: Redfish
Best Baits: Topwater lures
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Pink is a great color for a topwater bait. Pink is one of the hardest colors for a redfish to see. They will hit it hard.

Location: Matagorda East Bay
Hotspot: Tripod
GPS: N 28 40.392, W 95 55.8
(28.6732, -95.9300)

Species: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Bass Assassin, MirrOlure soft plastics
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Look for birds. Depending on how cold it gets, they could still be working in December.

Location: Matagorda West Bay
Hotspot: Intercoastal Canal
GPS: N 28 39.9529, W 96 0.6739
(28.6659, -96.0112)

Species: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Bass Assassin, MirrOlure soft plastics
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Best colors: Bass Assassin… Roach, plum/chartreuse and pumpkin seed/green tail. MirrOlure: #808, #21, #28

Location: Matagorda West Bay
Hotspot: Mad Island Reef
GPS: N 28 37.2109, W 96 5.7829
(28.6202, -96.0964)

Species: Redfish
Best Baits: Pink Skitter Walks
Source: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
www.matagordafishing.com
Tips: Redfish grow almost an inch a month. In October they weren’t legal. In November redfish should be in the 20 1/2 to 21 inch size.

Location: Sabine Lake
Hotspot: Mid Lake 3
GPS: N 29 51.2069, W 93 49.755
(29.8535, -93.8293)

Species: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Soft plastic shrimp tails
Source: Capt. Bill Watkins
409-673-9211
www.fishsabinelake .com
Tips: If the November temps are dropping pull back from the shorelines and focus on the deeper water.

Location: Sabine Lake
Hotspot: East Pass
GPS: N 29 59.0269, W 93 46.5619
(29.9838, -93.7760)

Species: Redfish
Best Baits: Soft Plastics or crab, live shad or mullet
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Beisdes the East Pass area, the East Pass Rig is also a good location to find trout.

 

•  •  •

Now’s the Time to Take the Weather Seriously

ROCKPORT AREA

Reported by CAPT. MAC GABLE

Email Mac Gable at captmac@macattackguideservice.com

Or Visit Online: macattackguideservice.com

 

THE TRIP HAD been scheduled for over a year. It was an annual fishing trip for a man and his wife who both dearly loved to fish.

It was early November; the bite was stellar with some great rod bending action. Of course, I checked the weather forecast and read what looked like a bewildered forecast. Any time one sees the words “the confluence could” it’s best to err on the side of caution. Two weather systems, one from the northwest and the other from the southeast, were hell-bent to slam into each other according to the “latest models” (which means they don’t really know) somewhere in the Texas panhandle.

A shift in wind direction was probable, I thought, and planned accordingly. The fish action did not disappoint, and by noon the wife and husband simply could not reel in another fish. Some days you can do no wrong, I thought, feeling proud of my guide prowess, quickly followed by a second thought—all glory is fleeting!

As the couple ate their lunch the woman looked up and said “Wow, it kinda looks like we are in a hole.” To the north were dark blueish clouds; when I looked south, I saw moisture-swollen thunderheads full of lightning.

We were between two rapidly moving storms that were going to meet right on top of us. The cold upper air mass from the north had gathered some moisture on its advance south and was pushing an ominous wall cloud that looked like an upside-down anvil.

The thunderstorm from the south was rapidly advancing as well, seemingly to challenge the onslaught from the north.

“Folks, we gotta go and go quickly!” I alerted.

Both looked puzzled but reacted in turn. There was nowhere to go. We were blocked from any safe haven. Any guide worth his or her salt will always have an exit plan to safety, and I was no different, but there was simply not enough time.

The titan storms would be on us in minutes. My Garmin GPS chirped, not with a weather alert but a weather warning: tornadic activity, large hail, heavy rain, gale force winds.

I needed a plan and fast!

An old guide once told me there will come a time when you are tested; how you react will define you as a guide. Two miles across Mesquite Bay I saw a small island with high ground and heavy brush. It would block the north wind and the high ground might protect us from lightning strikes.

I gave them PFDs and then ran the boat as far up on the shoreline as possible, carried the 18-pound anchor, dug it into the sand and secured it to the front of the boat. I then set my power pole as deep as it would go off the transom.

The man then hollered “LOOK!” as the rain hit us. “It looks like footsteps in the water.” It was hail, large hail splashing the water, coming our way.

I told the woman to crawl under my console then covered her with my heavy waders. I told the man to grab one of my hull lids and put it over his head. I then grabbed the other and we crawled behind the console and put seat cushions over our legs. The cracking noise of the hail on the fiberglass was deafening. The boat was moving and being tossed about.

“Oh My God!” came the cries from the lady.

“You think it’s bad under there? Try being out here with us!” her husband yelled.

The ricocheting hail off the boat floor was painful, but it began to subside after the boat began to fill with water. Lightning struck just off the bow, and we all felt a slight charge as hundreds of fish leapt from the water trying to escape the electric jolt.

The confluence lasted about an hour. When we raised our heads and peeked out, we were in the middle of the bay. The power pole rod had sheared off, and the anchor was dragged across the bay bottom.

Two rods were broken, my Garmin GPS had made its last chirp, the windshield was broken, we were soaked, and cold as the temp had dropped 40 degrees. The woman, shivering cold, finally moved from under the console. She peeked out and sheepishly asked “Capt. Mac, are you going to charge us extra for that!!???”

We all howled with laughter, lucky to be alive and except for some bruises, unharmed. The only thing warm on the boat was my thermos of coffee, and we all agreed coffee never tasted so good.

This time of year deserves close attention to weather forecasts. If cold fronts have already hit the area, fish with cut bait and be methodical in your tactics, with patience being a true virtue.

Happy Holidays!

•  •  •

Copano Bay: Cut mullet on a fish finder rig is a good choice at the mouth of Copano Creek for reds. The shoreline just west of Redfish Point is a good spot for black drum using peeled shrimp under a silent cork.

St. Charles Bay: The mouth of Little Devils Bayou is a good spot for reds using free-lined cut mullet or cut menhaden. The cut between Aransas Bay and St. Charles Bay is a good spot for reds and trout using free-lined live shrimp. Fish the deep edges and allow the current to carry the shrimp into the cut/deeper water.

Aransas Bay: If the north wind is blowing, wades on the north side of Mud Island can produce some great action. Anchor far off the shoreline and wade stealthily into the shoreline using finger mullet or soft plastics in New Penny or Morning Glory colors.

Carlos Bay: Carlos Trench is the place to be, especially on the colder days. The deeper water holds trout and reds with top water or deep diving lures such as a rattle trap, the best bet. Bone and red and blue and white colors are good choices.

Mesquite Bay: The spoil area just off Roddy Island is a good area for sheepshead using cut squid or shrimp. Free-lined is best, but a silent cork works as well. Small hooks are the best approach, but beware of the powerful jaws of these crappie of the bays.

Ayers Bay: The east shoreline is a great wade for trout using soft plastics such as jerk shad in Morning Glory and Electric Grape colors. This area is also good for black drum using peeled shrimp on a light Carolina rig.

•  •  •

CORPUS CHRISTI AREA

Reported by CAPT. JOEY FARRAH

Email Joey Farah at jfarah@gmail.com

 

NOVEMBER AND December strikes the chill we all have been waiting for in man, beast, birds, and fish.

Here in the Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay area we are looking forward to seeing a big fall spawn with our speckled trout and redfish, both. With the coming of the winter season, fish will be feeding hard to build up their reserves and move toward their wintering grounds. Duck hunters will enjoy miles and miles of public hunting opportunities and make memories to last a lifetime.

Jumbo redfish will be on the beachfront spawning starting in November. Surf fishing is where you need to be to catch and release the largest of redfish of the year.

Live or cut mullet and whole blue crabs are the best baits to use in the first three guts, or off of the Port A and Packery Jetty. Larger surf rod setups will allow fishermen to cast out and keep the line high above the waves.

After a long fight these oversized redfish should be handled carefully and quickly put back into the water. These fish are over 20 years old and are our lifeline to a healthy redfish population.

Trout have been spawning on overtime this year after the big freeze kill. We have seen spawning activity every month on the full moon through the summer. We are expecting a major spawn in November in the shallows of Baffin Bay.

Wadefishing the south shoreline of Baffin with top waters is prime for explosive action. The land cut will also be a great place to catch a mixed bag of trout, redfish, and drum. Live shrimp along the western edge of the channel, especially around the channel intersections will produce good stringers.

Anglers working the edge of the drop off with soft plastics can expect some great success. Winter color favorites are the Down South Lures Magic Grass, Red/White, and Bone Diamond.

Using a slightly heavier jig head of ¼ to1/2 ounces will bring that lure down to the bottom quickly and allow long pinpoint casting. When water clarity is clear, use a fluorocarbon leader.

The winds will pull back and forth with each cold front. Drifting the strong southeast winds before a front will serve well for fishermen using live shrimp and popping corks.

Drift the western shoreline along the King Ranch as well as the many submerged spoil islands in the Laguna Madre. You will find trout out in three to five feet of water and redfish up shallow. We have been using nothing but Owner 2 to 4# circle hooks so we don’t hook too deep any trout we need to release. The resistance of the cork actually sets the hook for you, so you just lift the rod and reel.

In the Northern Lagoon at first light use a trolling motor to work the edge of the ICW with soft plastics. DOA 3-inch Cal Shads are the perfect all day bait. Texas Croaker and Key Lime are my favorite colors for this time of year.

The channels that intersect the channel from the east out of Nighthawk Bay will be full of trout, redfish, and flounders. November and December are my favorite times of the year on the water. No crowds and lots of action.

•  •  •

HotSPOTLight:

•  •  •

Location: Aransas Bay
Hotspot: Super Flats
GPS: N 27 54.669, W 97 2.196
(27.9112, -97.0366)

Species: Speckled Trout and Redfish
Best Baits: Cut or live mullet
Source: Capt. Jack McPartland
361-290-6302
Tips: “It doesn’t matter if I’m fishing live or dead mullet. I free line everything as long as the wind allows.” Capt. McPartland

Location: Copano Bay
Hotspot: Copano Reef
GPS: N 28 7.5019, W 97 4.737
(28.1250, -97.0790)

Species: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Live shrimp under a popping cork
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Start early along the shore, and then work out toward the open bay as the temperature begins to heat up.

Location: Corpus Christi Bay
Hotspot: Shamrock Cove
GPS: N 27 44.017, W 97 9.747
(27.7336, -97.1625)

Species: Redfish
Best Baits: Spoons and soft plastics
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Use a copper spoon, if you can find it. It’s not really the size and color of spoons, but more the area where they are going to be used. Super grassy, a lighter sppon so it doesn’t sink as fast. Sand pocket and less grass, go with a little heavier spoon.

Location: Espiritu Santo Bay
Hotspot: Long Lake
GPS: N 28 16.912, W 96 35.776
(28.2819, -96.5963)

Species: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Shrimp under a popping cork
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Use a Popping Cork because that makes a lot of sound.

Location: Port Aransas
Hotspot: Morris & Cummins Cut
GPS: N 27 53.2851, W 97 6.661
(27.8881, -97.1110)

Species: Redfish
Best Baits: Berkley Gulp shrimp
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: If you get a sunny day and can do a lot sight casting, the redfish will come up and lay on the sand. Use a salt/pepper color.

Location: Port Aransas
Hotspot: Traylor Shoreline
GPS: N 27 56.1799, W 97 4.471
(27.9363, -97.0745)

Species: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Live shrimp under a popping cork
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Don’t forget the flounder that should still be in the bay system.

Location: Redfish Bay
Hotspot: Outside Dagger
GPS: N 27 50.664, W 97 9.149
(27.8444, -97.1525)

Species: Speckled Trout and Redfish
Best Baits: Cut or live mullet
Source: Capt. Jack McPartland
361-290-6302
Tips: Always target the grass and sand pockets. The only time I don’t target sand pockets is if I’m on flats with real short grass, where it doesn’t matter.

Location: Rockport
Hotspot: Newcomb Shoreline
GPS: N 28 8.793, W 97 1.446
(28.1466, -97.0241)

Species: Redfish
Best Baits: Cut Mullet or crab
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Look for isolated sand pockets in the grass.

Location: Rockport
Hotspot: Spaulding Reef
GPS: N 28 6.2689, W 96 54.4709
(28.1045, -96.9079)

Species: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Live shrimp under a popping cork
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Free line the shrimp with the lightest weight that will keep the bait where it should be.

Location: San Antonio Bay
Hotspot: Half Moon Reef
GPS: N 28 20.274, W 96 46.347
(28.3379, -96.7725)

Species: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Shrimp under a popping cork
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: In November be on the lookout for shell structure.

 

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November, December Great for Wade Fishing

BAFFIN BAY

Reported by CAPT. GERAD MERRITT

Email Gerad Merritt at GeradMerritt@gmail.com

Visit Online: ParadiseGuideServices.com

 

NOVEMBER AND December can be fun months to wade fish. Air temperature is dropping and the seasons are starting to change.

This summer, we noticed the effects of the freeze from February, and the impact it had on our speckled trout populations. With that being said, right now fishermen are venturing a little farther south into the land cut to chase trout and redfish. On the days that I fish in Baffin Bay, I encourage my anglers to hop out of the boat and make long shallow wades on shorelines, targeting sand pockets along the grass flats.

This time of year, we are using lures and live shrimp along with the occasional piggy perch or croaker. The fish tend to switch their diet around November, and croaker does not seem to work as well. However, I will still try croaker on occasion when they are available.

Topwaters are fun on a nice clear morning, and I can’t forget to mention my old “go to”, which is a gold or silver spoon. The specific color of artificial bait I use changes daily, but I always lean toward a good glitter and sparkle to help the sun reflect under water. For me, it’s all about getting the sun to reflect off the lure and make a fish turn its head in curiosity. If a grass flat is fished out, we will work our way over a drop off and cast into the deep side, working just along the edge. 

Some areas you can wade for hours, so you don’t want to be too far away from the boat. On the days we are not wading, I drift using all the same tools over the flats and also over our many different rock structures. Using a Gulp! under a popping cork tends to keep the lure off of the top of the rocks and the proper distance under the water. 

From a freeze to tropical storms, anglers including myself have had to make many adjustments to fishing techniques and locations. This year has been an adventure, but we have made the best of what Mother Nature has thrown our way. 

•  •  •

HotSPOTLight:

•  •  •

Location: Baffin Bay
Hotspot: East of Palms
GPS: N 27 19.116, W 97 23.609
(27.3186, -97.3935)

Species: Founder
Best Baits: Finger mullet, best wtih moving tide or with S or SE wind; dawn-morning, dusk-night
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Finger mullet, best w moving tide or w S or SE wind; dawn-morning, dusk-night; Jul-Oct, dawn-morn, dusk-night.

Location: Lower Laguna Madre
Hotspot: Long Bar
GPS: N 26 12.164, W 97 15.957
(26.2027, -97.2660)

Species: Speckled trout
Best Baits: Live shirmp, Shirmp tail/popping cork, soft plastics in red/white, Tequila Gold.
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: If the tide is down, or cooler weather is prevailing, fish the edges and deeper water.

Location: Lower Laguna Madre
Hotspot: Marker 67
GPS: N 26 13.877, W 97 16.178
(26.2313, -97.2696)

Species: Flounder
Best Baits: Live bait, soft plastics in pearl, Smoke.
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Fish the weedline along the edge of the ICW. Look for cuts into the weeks and sharpshoot into them. Use a 1/4 or 3/8 ounce jighead and fish slowly.

Location: Middle Ground
Hotspot: East Side of Spoil Islands
GPS: N 26 47.049, W 97 27.561
(26.7842, -97.4594)

Species: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Fish hug E shoreline @ high tide night & early morning
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Fish hug E shoreline @ high tide night & early morning; All Year, all day

Location: Middle Ground
Hotspot: The Hole
GPS: N 26 59.318, W 97 25.451
(26.9886, -97.4242)

Species: Redfish
Best Baits: Drift deep grass bottom, potholes, high tide hit sands; dawn thru midday
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Drift deep grass bottom, potholes, high tide hit sands; dawn thru midday; Apr-Dec, dawn thru midday

Location: Port Mansfield
Hotspot: Marker 151
GPS: N 26 31.89, W 97 23.26
(26.5315, -97.3877)

Species: Redfish
Best Baits: Gold Spoons, soft plastics in LSU
Source: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
800-725-1134
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
Tips: Wade or drift the deep potholes with topwaters, soft plastics, spoons, or your favorite redfish lures.

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