Rolling with the Tarpon

DRIFTING OVER GIN-CLEAR as far as the eye can see is truly remarkable. It’s something that the Lower Laguna Madre is notorious for. The odds of catching a trophy speckled trout or stumbling upon a 100+ herd of redfish is highly attainable on this one-of-a-kind Texas resource.

When I became a full-time resident here on South Padre Island, I quickly learned that this area is the ultimate playground for anglers, offering even more than the alluring flats. When it comes to the number of species and different styles of fishing you can do in a relatively close area, South Texas offers an abundance of options.

For some fisherman, the flats are it. You will find them day in after day out drifting, wading, etc. You can’t really blame them for being stuck in their ways, it’s a good one to be stuck in.

Bud Rowland caught the state record speckled trout (16 pounds, 34 inches) here on the flats during the month of May, so I don’t blame any angler that is seeking big trout for sticking to their guns. On the contrary, I’m chomping at the bit to step beyond the flats and as we like to say “peek our head out” at the jetties.

May and June are transitional months where we will begin to see the first signs of migratory tarpon. The sight of a 30- to 60-pound tarpon rolling at the jetties becomes a regular occurrence during these months.

The hair stood up on my arm as I wrote that last sentence. The countdown for the arrival of tarpon started as soon as they left for warmer water late last year. As the water continues to heat up and the bait begins to flood in, the big tarpon will follow.

The state’s premier tarpon fishing guide, Capt. Brian Barrera, had a great kick-off to his tarpon season last year. He landed four fish in the 100- to 150-pound range in early June. The rest of his season would be one for the record book as he, landed more than 60 tarpon between May and December.

Aside from the finest speckled trout and tarpon fishing along the coast, anglers can also enjoy catching mangrove snappers on top-waters, snook on jigs along mangroves, and bull reds on bottom rigs at the jetties. Another option is live baiting nearshore wrecks for red snappers, ling and groupers.

A new favorite for me is targeting mangrove snappers on topwater plugs. These sharp-fanged fish get fired up during transitional months. They will demolish a Heddon Super Spook Jr. or a Shimano Current Sniper topwater. Watching their predatory strike is extremely pleasing to the eye.

The Lower Laguna Madre is a unique fishery offering anglers plenty of diversity. And diversity is key for keeping us sharp—and most important—continually learning. The opportunity to chase after these amazing species in our waters is what keeps me thanking my lucky stars that I’m a South Texas angler.

 

Email Kelly Groce at ContactUs@fishgame.com

 

< PREV Return to CONTENTS Page NEXT >