Strategies for Beating the Heat

SABINE LAKE & PASS

Reported by CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

Email Eddie Hernandez at ContactUs@fishgame.com

SUMMER OFFICIALLY BEGAN on June 21, 2022, which means we are indeed smack dab in the middle of the hottest months of the year. Not that you couldn’t tell by simply stepping outside for a minute, but air and water temperatures have been ascending rapidly up the thermometer.

It is July/August. It is hot, and if you haven’t done so already, it is time to start planning some trips to the jetties, surf and rigs.

Summer tides and southerly winds have the green, salty water pushed deep into the far reaches of our bay systems. That translates into fairly easy pickings in and around the Gulf Of Mexico.

This time of year, the majority of our time is spent somewhere south of the Causeway Bridge. From the Sabine Neches Waterway to the 12-mile rigs, it’s as close as it gets to a guarantee that something will bend your pole.

Almost every hungry saltwater critter is within a short boat ride from the Causeway. It pretty much boils down to what you want to do. Bring the big rods for sharks, ling, jacks, rays and bulls or the fun tackle for trout, slots, tripletail, Spanish mackerels and flounders.

The topwater bite in the channel and at the jetties can be phenomenal on good calm mornings. The only problem is that some of the aforementioned species, sharks in particular, have a knack for picking your pocket nine dollars at a time, especially at the jetties.

Regardless, I highly recommend throwing tops early if the conditions are favorable. At the jetties, anywhere from the end to the boat cut can reward nicely, especially if you give the rock piles and washouts a little extra attention.

When the blowups begin to taper off a bit, switch to soft plastics on 1/4 ounce lead heads or under a popping cork. If you catch a few fish in a particular area, work it over really well before moving on.

Live baits such as finger mullet, shad and shrimp are also very effective in these hot summer months at the jetties, short rigs and surf. Place a split shot about 18 inches above a Kahle hook or rig it with a popping cork.

Both of these set-ups can be very effective when the fish decide to get lockjaw on artificials as the water continues to heat up. I hope to see you here on Sabine this summer. Don’t forget your big hat, lots of water and sunscreen.

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GALVESTON

Specks are Summer’s Main Event

Reported by CAPT. DEREK YORK

Email Derek York at spotstalkerfishing@yahoo.com

 

WITH SUMMERTIME IN FULL SWING, the boat ramps are busy every day of the week, it seems like. But that does not mean the fishing is slow this time of year.

Speckled trout fishing is the main event during most of the year here on Galveston Bay. The hot summer months have the fish stacked on the reefs in deeper waters, making it easier to locate and target them.

Drift fishing seems always to be the most productive way to target these fish. This allows you more quickly to cover a large area. Once you find some fish, you can close in on that area and continue drifting over that spot. 

For drift fishing, the most important tool to have on the boat is a good drift anchor. These parachute-looking bags help control the drift speed of your boat. Also, depending on where it is attached, it can also change the angle you face when casting.

There are a wide variety of sizes to choose from, usually based on your boat’s length. Typically, I use one of these when drifting, but when it’s windy, sometimes a second one is necessary to slow the drift to your desired speed.

While targeting trout on these drifts, I use a variety of baits both live and artificial. Croakers are highly productive live baits to use, but the cost is something to be considered.

At an average of $12-14/dozen, it can get expensive. Using croakers, you also still have to “fish” them. This means working/jigging them across the bottom and keep them from getting snagged on the reefs.

My typical rig for croaker is simple. A chatter weight connected to about 18 inches of 25-pound fluorocarbon leader and a large Kale hook. My other go-to bait when drifting is a ¼-ounce jighead with a chartreuse soft plastic.

You really need a heavier jighead to get a long cast when drifting, to work back to the boat. This allows you to stay on the bottom and cover more water with each cast.

Trout are not the only thing biting this time of year. Redfish are often caught along with the trout out over the reefs. They are also easily found near shoreline structure and drains throughout the bay system.

Most of the time, I will concentrate on drift fishing early and then move on to chasing redfish later in the day. Jetty and near-shore fishing in the gulf is also great all summer.

Wading the beachfront is highly productive on both Galveston and Bolivar. Speckled trout, reds, Spanish mackerel, sharks and jack crevalle are easily targeted early in the mornings on the beach by locating bait. Sharks are always a fun thing to target both for kids and for adults.

Live bait, soft plastics and spoons work great. So, get out and enjoy the great summertime fishing with your friends and family.

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MATAGORDA

Grinding Through the Heat

Reported by CAPT. MARK TALASEK

Email Mark Talasek at MarkTalasek@sbcglobal.com

 

IT’S THE MIDDLE OF THE summer grind. Daily near triple digit temperatures have worn out their welcome.

I am looking forward to some fall weather. It’s been a hot dry one. We have been leaving early and returning to the dock when the sun burns us off the water around noon.

Wade fishing helps keep things cool. My t-top provides some relief when we stay in the boat. I prefer flounder gigging this time of the year to beat the heat.

Everyone seems to enjoy this nighttime activity from toddlers on up. Flounder gigging is a combination of hunting and fishing. It’s a great way to beat the heat and put some fish in the box.

Our trips leave as the sun is setting on the horizon. Searching the shoreline for clear water. Some people walk with gigs and a light. I prefer to stay in my custom-made air boat.

Once we arrive at our destination the outboard goes off and air motor on. Lights mounted on the front handrail illuminate the bay floor. Crabs, mullet, trout, reds, stingrays and of course flounders liven up the water. It takes a trained eye to distinguish between a flounder and the sand. They blend in on the bottom to prey on food—also to prevent being preyed upon.

We gig a flounder with specially made spears. It’s one of the most productive ways to take fish from saltwater. Keeps everyone involved and on their toes.

Flounder season is full throttle except November through December 15th when the state shuts it down. This allows some of the bigger female flounders to make their annual run to the gulf and reproduce.

Give me a call to book your next trip to Matagorda (979-479-1397).

 

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HotSPOTLight:

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LOCATION: Galveston East Bay

HOTSPOT: Bull Shoals

GPS:   N 29 28.716, W 94 44.424

(29.4786, -94.7404)

SPECIES: Redfish

Best Baits: Drift shallow reef on SE corner of island, hit reef edges

SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio

281-788-4041

www.gofishgalveston.com

TIPS: Drift shallow reef on SE corner of island, hit reef edges; dawn through dusk.

 

LOCATION: Christmas/Bastrop Bay

HOTSPOT: Christmas Point

GPS:   N 29 4.663, W 95 10.495

(29.0777, -95.1749)

SPECIES: Redfish

Best Baits: Mullet, crabs, TX Red Killers, gold spoons

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Mullet, crabs, TX Red Killers, gold spoons; all day

 

LOCATION: Galveston Bay

HOTSPOT: Channel Marker 44

GPS:   N 29 27.814, W 94 50.615

(29.4636, -94.8436)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

Best Baits: Live shrimp, croaker, work reef top and edges, drift

SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio

281-788-4041

www.gofishgalveston.com

TIPS: Live shrimp, croaker, work reef top and edges, drift; early.

 

LOCATION: Galveston Bay

HOTSPOT: Moses Lake

GPS:   N 29 26.808, W 94 55.712

(29.4468, -94.9285)

SPECIES: Flounder

Best Baits: Live shrimp, finger mullet, great night gigging lights

SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio

281-788-4041

www.gofishgalveston.com

TIPS: Live shrimp, finger mullet, great night gigging lights; dawn-am, dusk-night.

 

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay

HOTSPOT: Hodges Reef

GPS:   N 29 34.963, W 94 44.574

(29.5827, -94.7429)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

Best Bait: Live shrimp

SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio

281-788-4041

www.gofishgalveston.com

TIPS: Fish shrimp under cork; dawn-dusk.

 

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay

HOTSPOT: Channel Marker 72

GPS:   N 29 35.22, W 94 55.806

(29.5870, -94.9301)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

Best Bait: Shrimp, cork rig

SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio

281-788-4041

www.gofishgalveston.com

TIPS: Fish incoming wind, wind less than 15 mph; early is best.

 

LOCATION: Galveston West Bay

HOTSPOT: Bay Harbor

GPS:   N 29 8.019, W 95 4.606

(29.1337, -95.0768)

SPECIES: Flounder

Best Baits: Best when tides are moving, use hook set count

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Best when tides are moving, use hook set count; dawn-morning, dusk, night.

 

LOCATION: Galveston West Bay

HOTSPOT: Cow Bayou

GPS:   N 29 11.18, W 95 4.757

(29.1863, -95.0793)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

Best Baits: Drift slowly using topwaters early, plastics later in day

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Drift slowly using topwaters early, plastics later in day; avoid midday.

 

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay

HOTSPOT: Boggy Cut

GPS:   N 28 44.043, W 95 49.658

(28.7341, -95.8276)

SPECIES: Flounder

Best Baits: Mud minnows, finger mullet, best with moving tides

SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz

281-450-4037

www.matagordafishing.com

TIPS: Mud minnows, finger mullet, best with moving tides; midday.

 

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay

HOTSPOT: Cleveland Reef

GPS:   N 28 39.983, W 95 51.982

(28.6664, -95.8664)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

Best Baits: Pumpkinseed soft plastics, drift, look for slicks

SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz

281-450-4037

www.matagordafishing.com

TIPS: Drift, look for slicks; morning.

 

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay

HOTSPOT: East End Reef

GPS:   N 28 45.042, W 95 40.212

(28.7507, -95.6702)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

Best Baits: Topwaters, live croaker, drift over reef bouncing bait

SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz

281-450-4037

www.matagordafishing.com

TIPS: Topwaters, live croaker, drift over reef bouncing bait; dawn through afternoon.

 

LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay

HOTSPOT: Culver’s Cut

GPS:   N 28 39.349, W 96 0.509

(28.6558, -96.0085)

SPECIES: Flounder

Best Baits: Anchor or wade, drag the bottom

SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz

281-450-4037

www.matagordafishing.com

TIPS: Anchor or wade, drag the bottom; dawn-morning, dusk-night.

 

LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay

HOTSPOT: Hilbert’s Bayou

GPS:   N 28 29.977, W 96 13.25

(28.4996, -96.2208)

SPECIES: Redfish

Best Baits: Wade or anchor and use gold spoons, June bug plastics

SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz

281-450-4037

www.matagordafishing.com

TIPS: Wade or anchor and use gold spoons, June bug plastics; dawn through dusk.

 

LOCATION: Sabine Lake

HOTSPOT: Jetties

GPS:   N 29 38.6029, W 93 49.584

(29.6434, -93.8264)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

Best Baits: 3 inch Swimming Shad soft plastic

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Fish the channel side of the jetties when there is slow moving water. Fish the Gulf side on fast moving water.

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Just About Fishing

ROCKPORT AREA

Reported by CAPT. MAC GABLE

Email Mac Gable at captmac@macattackguideservice.com

Or Visit Online: macattackguideservice.com

 

SOMETIMES YOU JUST want to talk about fishing. This is one of those times.

Life as we know it is a distant memory as we all embrace a new normal. Cedar Bayou is open, there is a new focus on our oyster reefs, and our trout are in the process of recovery from a VERY hard winter.

One thing is certain: everything changes. If you are like me, the scary part is just how rapid the changes seem to come upon us.

The one constant that is very comforting, is that fishing is still just fishing. We need that now more than ever, so let’s get right to it. If you get nothing from this but the following, then my time has been worth it.

This time of year, the magic bite occurs early morning and late evening. Fish when the sun is just peeking over the horizon in the morning and just after the sun has said goodbye as it settles into f dusk. Deeper reefs or honey holes (six feet or more) are fine during the heat of the day, but the odds favor the beginning and end of the day.

Copano Bay: Top waters early morning is the go-to rig for trout and reds on or near Lap Reef. This can be really fun. Many miss the excitement of gator trout or keeper reds exploding on the top of the water. Cast as far as you can, keeping the reef at a distance.

For some more fun, the pilings off the LBJ Causeway and some underwater structure from the old fishing pier/highway are great spots for sheepshead. This is braided line territory, and I often tie some gapped kahle hooks directly to the braid. Free line is best here, or in a heavy wind, attach a small split shot to get the bait down to the target zone.

If you are experienced in this style of fishing, frozen shrimp is all you need. If you’re not, use just small chunks of squid as it’s much harder for this toothy critter to get it off the hook.

Cast often and don’t leave your bait on the bottom for more than a minute or two. Most strikes come as the bait settles into the water column. Don’t be shy setting the hook, sock it to’em baby!

Aransas Bay: This bay deserves exploring if you are not that familiar with it. Anglers that put their time in learning and marking this bay will be rewarded with short boat trips and years of great fishing action.

I made a living in JUST THIS BAY for years. A well-known reef is Long Reef, and it has some great trout action midday.

Croaker is the go-to bait, free-lined if the wind allows. A trolling motor worked down the edges here, is productive. The new trolling motors have a lock on the bottom feature, and they work beautifully when you find the bite.

A trick I use is to hook a croaker, then take a filet knife and make a small cut into the side much like when filleting. This slows the croaker down and allows reds to feed instead of the speedier trout.

St Charles Bay: Drifts across Egg Point using New Penny-colored jerk shad is the ticket. This area can be full of grass, so rigging weedless can be helpful.

Lookup weedless lure fishing if you’re not familiar with this technique. If you’re weedless, set the hook hard to get a proper set.

I like Big Devils Bayou and little Devils Bayou in the early morning and late evening. Finger mullet free-lined is best here. If you can get live menhaden (very difficult to keep alive), you might get your arm broke, they hit so hard. There are some keeper black drums that hang in this area.

Use a silent cork with live shrimp or fresh dead shrimp. What is meant by “fresh dead shrimp”? Many bait stand owners will cull dead shrimp out of their tanks as they are harmful to live shrimp. These shrimp are great bait and are better if they’re not frozen.

Carlos Bay: This is a small bay BUT it can be very productive especially in the areas close to Carlos Trench. I like a popping cork and live shrimp here this time of year. I always stop and fish here if I’m in the area. Wade fishing on the southeast shoreline is a great place for trout using croaker or soft plastics in Morning Glory and Nuclear Chicken colors.

Early mornings on a high tide, Cedar Reef is a go-to spot. This reef tapers very slowly. Often the reds and trout are right on top of the reef during high tide. I have caught a lot of fish here in less than eight inches of water. Soft plastics work best with New Penny, my favorite color.

Mesquite Bay: Cedar Bayou is open, and I want to say thank you to Judge Mills for his tireless efforts where Cedar Bayou is concerned. He has been a true champion for the Cedar Bayou cause. IMHO every angler owes him a debt of gratitude for championing the opening of this bay-saving tributary.

Brays Cove is another spot anglers should spend time getting to know. This area is fed by Cedar Bayou, and every fish species one can imagine can be there. I have had much success here with free-lined live shrimp. A popping cork works well too.

The deeper edges of the many reefs in this area are the ticket for flounders, trout, black drums and reds. The area known as East Pocket is a great place for reds in early morning.

Cut mullet on a light Carolina rig (don’t go heavy here or you will get cut off by the sharp shell) is a great bait for this area. Approach very quietly and be patient.

Ayers Bay: Ayers Reef is my go-to spot, especially late evening. This can be a long boat ride in the late evening, so be comfortable traveling after dark.

Mud minnows and finger mullet are hard to beat here. Free-lining is best, or a very light Carolina rig. This is heavy shell so try NOT to move your baits until you get a bite.

Wades on Second Chain Island in early morning is great for trout using a free- lined croaker. Many target the reef systems in this area, but I have caught a lot of fish in the deeper water (on the San Antonio Bay side of this reef) almost up to my chest. These reefs extend a very long way from the reef heads.

Bank Bite: The beach front on Goose Island is a great spot for reds. This area is accessible to those physically challenged and can be waded or fished from the bank.

Cut menhaden is a great bait here as the oil from this fragrant (I didn’t say smelly) bait drifts for hundreds of yards and can bring in reds and trout. Here, I would use a Carolina rig for the cut bait and a live croaker free-lined for trout that move into the area.

This area is accessible through the Goose Island entrance off Park Rd 13. and has an access fee.

I am often asked what free-lined means. It’s minimal terminal tackle, meaning no swivels or weights with a mono or carbon leader tied together with a double uni knot or Albright knot.

Happy Fishing, be safe and God Bless!

 

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HotSPOTLight:

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LOCATION: Ayers Bay
HOTSPOT: Ayers Reef
GPS: N 28 10.434, W 96 50.3659
(28.1739, -96.8394)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder
Best Baits: Live Croaker
SOURCE: Capt. Billy Freudensprung
979-997-2244
TIPS: Look for shell piles and work the edges from a boat. Trout, redfish, and an occasional flounder can be caught. The trout are the easiest to catch using a croaker freelined.

LOCATION: Carlos Bay
HOTSPOT: Cedar Reef
GPS: N 28 8.251, W 96 53.049
(28.1375, -96.8842)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder
Best Baits: Paul Brown Devil Eyes and Chicken-on-a-Chain soft plastics
SOURCE: Capt. Billy Freudensprung
979-997-2244
TIPS: Capt. Freudensprung’s favorite soft plastic is Devil Eye in either chrome with a chartreuse tail and a 1/4-ounce jig head. It’s a great redfish lure.

LOCATION: Mesquite Bay
HOTSPOT: Cedar Bayou
GPS: N 28 4.3309, W 96 50.832
(28.0722, -96.8472)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder
Best Baits: Live Croaker
SOURCE: Capt. Billy Freudensprung
979-997-2244
TIPS: Close to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge, use live croaker over shell and mud where the edges drop off.

LOCATION: Nueces Bay
HOTSPOT: East Nueces Bay
GPS: N 27 52.2799, W 97 19.9979
(27.8713, -97.3333)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Live Croaker or Live Shrimp
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Fresh water runoff doesn’t affect the trout like it does on other bays. The trout are used to it, and the rain will clean up the water and reduce high salinity.

LOCATION: Redfish Bay
HOTSPOT: Bird Island
GPS: N 27 56.035, W 97 5.119
(27.9339, -97.0853)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Flappin Shad soft plastic by Gambler
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Nice and easy, slow, and easy, pump straight up, and let it drop down. Let the tail do all he action. You will get most of your bites as the lure drops.

LOCATION: San Antonio Bay
HOTSPOT: Panther Point
GPS: N 28 14.95, W 96 42.5819
(28.2492, -96.7097)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder
Best Baits: Live Croaker
SOURCE: Capt. Billy Freudensprung
979-997-2244
TIPS: Let the croaker sink to the bottom. Give it a few seconds, crank the reel a few turns, and move it around. Pop it a few more times. Once you feel the bump, let him run for a second, then set the hook.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Boat Hole
GPS: N 27 40.969, W 97 14.9989
(27.6828, -97.2500)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Live Croaker or Live Shrimp
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Use a 4/0 Kale hook because the croaker down here aren’t very big, along with a 1/8 ounce barrel weight. The more natural the presentation, the better.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Pita Island
GPS: N 27 36.169, W 97 17.1989
(27.6028, -97.2867)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Live Croaker or Live Shrimp
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: The month of July is a great time to fish around the island using live croaker.

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Cutting to the Chase

BAFFIN BAY

Reported by CAPT. GERAD MERRITT

Email Gerad Merritt at GeradMerritt@gmail.com

Visit Online: ParadiseGuideServices.com

 

THIS TIME AROUND I want to talk about fishing the land cut. We still use our live croakers, live shrimp, as well as a variety of soft plastics and top waters. However, the type of location I am looking for is a little different.

At the mouth of Baffin Bay and just south, there are several spoil islands that tend to hold nice fish. When you choose a spot to fish, you need to be careful jumping to the east side of these islands. There are only a handful of sites where it’s safe to do so.

With south to southeast winds, the east side is where you need to fish. The ideal fishing method in this area is to throw your bait or lure along the shallow side of the island and drag it back to the deep.

Now let’s talk about fishing the land cut, which is just to the south of the bay. The actual land cut is an area dredged deep for barges coming in and out. Even with a high wind, the water throughout this area remains fairly calm because of the narrow width of the land cut. Remember, there will be boats that run abnormally close to where you are fishing.

There are several cuts back to the east that most bay boats can reach when the tide is up. Make sure to watch your tide charts.

I have seen several waders get their boats stuck, not realizing the tide is falling. In these cases, they may be too far away from the boat to move it in time, so it just sits and settles on the bottom.

I look for a few things while fishing in the land cut. I look for activity, with birds working. I also look for spoil banks on the west side where barges have had to maneuver around one another.

They can get a little too shallow doing this and pith the bottom into man-made banks up in the salt flat. These sand bars can also be fished for flounder and have proved to be a successful area.

The way this area is set up, you either fish shallow and drag deep. Or you go deep letting your bait flow with the current on one side or the other.

I suggest using a barrel weight with a croaker, which will allow the bait to sink and slide along with the current just above the bottom. When the current is not very strong, I normally fish due west from shallow to deep. If shrimp is your bait of choice, using a popping cork or the same barrel weight style also works, as do Carolina rigs.

Although these areas I have talked about are not technically Baffin Bay, we spent a lot of time there last summer, and it proved to be worth the extra drive from the back side of Baffin. The fish are typically solid and most of the time you are not being blown away by the wind since it’s so protected.

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HotSPOTLight:

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LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Spoil Islands of ICW
GPS: N 27 15.095, W97 24.761
(27.2516, -97.4127)

SPECIES: Redfish & Speckled Trout
Best Baits: She Dog and Super Spook topwaters; soft plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Try the She Dog…silver with black spots, and the Super Spook Jr. in Bone and silver.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: El Realto Bay
GPS: N 26 15.354, W 97 18.4649
(26.2559, -97.3078)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Live Croaker
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Look for the deeper water, 3-4 feet deep in the southern end. The water has more color, greener.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield
HOTSPOT: Peyton’s Bay
GPS: N 26 26.122, W97 22.352
(26.4354, -97.3725)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Live Croaker
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Rig croaker with a Chatter Weight, a number 5 or 7 Kahle hook, tied to about a 2 1/2’ leader, which is tied directly to the line.

LOCATION: South Bay
HOTSPOT: Grass Flats
GPS: N 26 1.399, W 97 10.5606
(26.0233, -97.1760)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Skeeter Walker, Super Spook, or Corky
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Use topwater lures, but not “broken backs” or soft plastic tails.

LOCATION: South Padre Island
HOTSPOT: Horse Island
GPS: N 26 20.354, W97 20.249
(26.3392, -97.3375)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
Best Baits: Live Croaker
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Use the Chatter Weight croaker rig. The noise of the weight on a croaker rig attracts fish.

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