Easing into Autumn Patterns

SABINE LAKE & PASS

Reported by CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

Email Eddie Hernandez at ContactUs@fishgame.com

AS WE EASE EVER SO SLOWLY into the fall fishing months here on Sabine Lake, I can’t help getting excited about all that it signifies. Although the grueling summer months are not in any big hurry to leave, it means that we are that much closer to the very beginning of what is a welcomed transitional period for us. We can now gradually begin to shift our focus away from the jetties and the Gulf and concentrate more on fishing the bay.

There are still plenty of fish to be caught south of the Causeway, but fall is definetely on the horizon, and for us that means spending more time fishing the lake, the bayous and surrounding marsh. Flounder are beginning to stack up in anticipation of their big migration to the Gulf. Shrimp are beginning to make their way out of the marsh and bayous, where big schools of trout and reds are there to greet them.

Over the next few months, seagulls, terns and slicks will lead us to these schools, and there will be lots of nice stringers caught. Although we are not quite through fishing the channel and jetties, it is nice to slip into the lake on a good, calm, early fall morning and get a little sneak peek of what is right around the corner.

Have a good pair of binoculars handy and cruise the lake looking for working gulls and slicks. They may be north, south or anywhere in between, but when you find them it will be worth your trip.

Kill the big motor ahead of the school and drift or troll until you get into casting range. Almost any color soft plastic baits rigged on 1/4 oz. lead heads will work well. The same is true for topwaters in black with chartreuse and Bone, as well as chrome/black and chrome/blue 1/4 oz. Rat-L-Traps.

The future of our redfish also continues to look bright as the marsh and shorelines are loaded with juveniles, slots and oversized fish. Coaxing them into a game of potential life or death tug’o war isnt very hard as they are not scared to attack live or dead bait, plastic or metal.

On good, calm days you should have little problem locating them on the eastern bank from Coffee Ground Cove, all the way south to Blue Buck Point. Troll down the shoreline in two to five feet of water and tempt them with soft plastics, topwaters or gold spoons.

Some excellent soft plastic choices are Zoom Super Fluke, Down South Lures and GULP! Shrimp in Hudini, Glow and New Penny. Pearl or pink Skitterwalks and black with chartreuse She Dogs are hard to beat topwaters.

If you prefer the real deal, pole down or spot lock on the points on either side of the mouth of the bayous. Use a fish finder rig with a 3/0 Kahle hook. Live or cut mullet and croakers, fresh dead shrimp and cracked crab fished either on the bottom or under a popping cork will work well.

On really calm afternoons you can also expect to find big schools of reds roaming the mid lake area from Johnson Bayou to the Intracoastal Canal. These massive schools shouldn’t be hard to find or stay with when the wind is calm and the lake is smooth.

You should also encounter some giant clouds of shad, especially in early September. Fish the perimeters with gold spoons, plastics or shad and mullet under a popping cork and make sure your drag is set. I hope to see you transitioning with us here on Sabine this year.

•  •  •

The Fun Starts in September

GALVESTON

Reported by CAPT. DEREK YORK

Email Derek York at spotstalkerfishing@yahoo.com

 

COMING INTO SEPTEMBER is the start of my favorite time of year here on Galveston Bay.  With school back in session and hunting season starting back up the fishing pressure on the bay is way down from the summertime craziness.  This time of year is when you can catch huge numbers of redfish in a day.  The reds are starting their annual migration to the nearshore waters off the Texas coast for their spawn.  It’s not uncommon to see schools of hundreds of redfish out on the beachfront.  I remember one such encounter several years back at the north jetty when we were seeing huge schools of cownose rays coming through and then the water just turned completely dark, and we realized they were redfish.  We boated and released these reds as fast as we could catch them while keeping up with the school of fish.  These schools of reds can be targeted easily in the bay while looking for mud boils and schooling birds out in open water.  Generally, any type of bait will do the trick from live shrimp to plastics and topwater lures.

As the start of the Fall season progresses going into October, the bait getting pushed out of the marsh and back lakes really allows anglers an easy target to go after.  Driving around and looking for birds hovering over schools of shrimp and menhaden is a lot of fun and offers a very fast paced day of fishing.  There are lots of trout found under these birds and sometimes you must work through the small “schoolie” trout to get to those larger fish.  And not to forget, the wade fishing is still great this time of year.  West Bay provides some great areas for both bank and boat fishermen to hop in the water and go after trout, reds and flounder.  

Flounder are also starting their annual spawning migration to the gulf waters in October.  With the recent regulation changes causing a total closure of the flounder fishery in November and the first part of December, the fish are getting targeted a lot more than normal this time of year.  While some fish are starting to get caught in the deeper “flounder” holes along the channels, I usually try targeting them on the exits of large marsh drains along drop offs where they can easily ambush bait.  Artificial baits like Chickenboy Lures Bubba Cluckers and the Gulp swimming mullet are great choices and are the perfect sized bait to go after these fish.  Swimming and jigging these baits near the bottom are the best ways to catch them.  I have also had some good catches of flounder throwing spinner baits.  The blades of the spinner bait and a bright colored soft plastic are key to reaction strikes.  

So, get out and enjoy all the great fishing opportunities this time of year has to offer.  With the weather cooling off and less pressure, you’re bound to have a great day out on the water!

•  •  •

Bring on the Cold Fronts

MATAGORDA

Reported by CAPT. MARK TALASEK

Email Mark Talasek at MarkTalasek@sbcglobal.com

 

WE JUMPED FROM WINTER this year right into summer.  It’s been a hot dry one so far. We didn’t receive much rain in the spring at all.  We have gone months without any measurable rain until midsummer.  Salinity levels are high. I have had enough of this heat. I’m ready for some fall fishing.  

New size and bag limits seem to be helping the trout fishery.   But we are still feeling the effects of the freeze a couple years ago.   Redfish have been the staple for those wanting to keep a fresh mess.  Conservation is recommended for the trout.   If you want to eat some fish keep another species or go to the market.  Give them a chance to replenish.  Most anglers enjoy a bent pole anyways.

Cold fronts should start coming more frequently.  Water temperatures are on the decline.  Shrimp are migrating out of the marsh.  Redfish are tailing in the shallows.  Birds are starting to work.  The bay system is alive.  My favorite time of the year to fish.  I wish it would stay like this year around.  You wouldn’t get any complaints here.

Trout has been good in east bay when the wind lays.  Deep shell is holding good numbers with a few redfish mixed in.  Soft plastic has worked well.  Flounder have been plentiful.  This has been another great year for flounder.  They are starting the annual run to the gulf.  

Everyone who asks when is the best time for fishing?   Now!  This is the best time of the year to catch fish.  Give me a call to book your next trip to Matagorda.

 

•  •  •

HotSPOTLight: San Luis Pass

SAN LUIS PASS connects West Galveston Bay to the Gulf of Mexico at the southwestern end of Galveston Island. The pass has extreme tidal action and produces dangerous currents. As a result, wadefishing and beach access are restricted. But the fishing, especially for trout and redfish, is excellent year-round and can still be accessed by boat. Selected HOTSPOTS are shown in the table below, and on the map.

 

 

•  •  •

LOCATION: Carancahua Bay
HOTSPOT: Pipeline
GPS: N 28 42.6, W 96 23.816
(28.7100, -96.3969)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Pink Skitter Walk topwater bait
SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: Capt. Countz likes to wade fish in October for redfish. The redfish, a lot of times, can be found schooling in October. The tides are usually a little better, and he can get the boat in closer to the shoreline.

LOCATION: Chocolate Bay
HOTSPOT: Chocolate Bay Shoreline
GPS: N 29 10.392, W 95 9.005
(29.1732, -95.1501)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Texas Tackle Factory soft plastics with either 1/8 or 1/4 oz jig heads
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Check out the oyster reef in the middle of the bay. There is a good shell reef that comes off the deep water reef, 4-5 feet of water.

LOCATION: Freeport
HOTSPOT: Swan Lake
GPS: N 28 58.0981, W 95 16.446
(28.9683, -95.2741)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Saltwater Assassins in Texas Roach
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Try fishing from a kayak for the quiet approach. Use Saltwater Assassins or Gulp! under popping cork.

LOCATION: Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Old Pilings
GPS: N 29 25.06, W 94 48.48
(29.4177, -94.8080)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Down South soft plastics
SOURCE: Capt. Glenn Boyd
409-789-6225
www.boydsguideservice.com
TIPS: Paddle tail soft plastics with either a 3/8 or 1/2 oz. lead head…bounce it off the shell. The sound helps draw the fish.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay
HOTSPOT: Artificial Reef
GPS: N 29 30.7333, W 94 39.9
(29.5122, -94.6650)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Down South soft plastics with a 3/8 or 1/2 jig head
SOURCE: Capt. Glenn Boyd
409-789-6225
www.boydsguideservice.com
TIPS: If you want to stay at one foot off the bottom, you want the lightest possible jig head I can use to get that done. More fish are going to bite something that is not intimidating them.

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: Small topwaters
SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
www.gofishgalveston.com
TIPS: Small baits, like She Pups, Baby Spooks, small Skitter Walks in chrome, bone or chartreuse should be magnificent early. Falling tides are essential.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay
HOTSPOT: Elm Lake
GPS: N 29 27.147, W 94 41.691
(29.4525, -94.6949)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Shrimp under cork
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Troll grassline, drift open water; dawn-morn, dusk

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay
HOTSPOT: Beasley Reef
GPS: N 29 40.268, W 94 52
(29.6711, -94.8667)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, soft plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Drift and bounce soft plastics on bottom

LOCATION: Galveston West Bay
HOTSPOT: North Deer Island
GPS: N 29 16.954, W 94 56.223
(29.2826, -94.9371)

SPECIES: Speckled trout
BEST BAITS: Soft plastics or small topwater lures
SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
www.gofishgalveston.com
TIPS: A lot of people walk along on top of the shell, because it’s easier walking, but it spooks the fish. It doesn’t sound bad to you, but the fish sense the noise with lateral lines along their body.

LOCATION: Keller Bay
HOTSPOT: Mud Reef
GPS: N 28 36.467, W 96 28.059
(28.6078, -96.4677)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Pink Skitter Walk topwater bait
SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: Topwater action early in the morning, working some of the drains, scattered shell along the shorelines.

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay
HOTSPOT: Chinquapin Reef
GPS: N 28 43.994, W 95 47.954
(28.7332, -95.7992)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout & Redfish
BEST BAITS: Down South soft plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Shrimp migration begins in September which in turn causes the fish to school up and the birds to start working.

LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay
HOTSPOT: Shell Island
GPS: N 28 37.533, W 96 3.515
(28.6256, -96.0586)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Pink Skitter Walk topwater bait
SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: Watch for the shorebirds concentrating in one area. They are usually following redfish, blowing them up into the grass.

LOCATION: Sabine Pass
HOTSPOT: Jetties
GPS: N 29 39.3139, W 93 49.8719
(29.6552, -93.8312)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Four inch soft plastics
SOURCE: Capt. Bill Watkins
409-673-9211
www.fishsabinelake.com
TIPS: Capt. Watkins says the jetties can be good at this time of the year. The fish will be right up against the rocks early in the morning.

•  •  •

Knot the Whole Truth

ROCKPORT AREA

Reported by CAPT. MAC GABLE

Email Mac Gable at captmac@macattackguideservice.com

Or Visit Online: macattackguideservice.com

 

I ENJOY TYING KNOTS. I am always on the lookout for the next greatest fishing knot. Most serious anglers make knot tying too difficult for the average or new angler.  The criteria I use for ranking knots is strength and ease of use while fishing. I have seen some really neat knot concoctions, but they almost require an engineering degree to tie. The earliest term for knotting is the Latin word “nodology” the Greek rendition is “kompology” and American tyers prefer the term “knotology”  and often refer to themselves as “knotologists”. The terms guides use include, but are not limited to,  nimble fingers, knot doctors, line knitters and boy scouts. An angler skilled in knot tying can hold the attention of almost any angler. It’s poetry in motion.  Most of these guys and gals are schooled in knot application. Tie the wrong knot to a hook or lure and they will tell you about it! 

Knot strength is defined as its efficiency to retain the line’s lb. rating without breaking or coming untied. Practical application or ease of use is another important factor. I was on a drift boat on the Kenai River in Alaska and the young man working the oars was struggling to tie an effective Snell knot that would hold large kingfish. The last thing a guide from the great North wants is for some flatlander, especially from the Lonestar state, to offer his / her advice. My politeness was overshadowed by my inability to keep my mouth shut and my need to catch fish. The guide blamed the line he was using as it kept breaking or was coming untied. “Might not be the line.  Perhaps a different knot would work,” I suggested.  “That won’t help,” he said.  “Five dollars says it will, and you can tie it in a fraction of the time.  Let’s do this: you tie your knot, I’ll tie mine, and you do the testing  by setting the hook under the boat seat and pulling with all your might.” “You’re on!” he said.  The testosterone was almost pushing my wife out of the boat. It was the north against the south all over again.  The 100lb test line and 14/0 hook test lines were ready, so let the pulling begin. The Snell knot gave way again and my Palomar knot was holding fast.  I thought he was gonna herniate himself, honestly! 

The Snell knot is a good knot in certain applications, but to effectively rank knots, ease of tying in the heat of the battle is paramount and second only, in my humble opinion, to strength. After years of tying every knot I came across, these three knots are the easiest to tie and are rated at the top in strength:  the Palomar, the Double or Triple Surgeon’s Loop,  and the Three Loop Passthrough knot. Are there stronger knots?  Yes, but not many and not by much.  These are easiest to tie on a boat, on the bank, wading, and even in the dark with just a little practice.   Look ‘em up or drop me an email and I will send you the directions.

P.S. If you want just one knot, go with the Palomar.  Its track record is golden.

•  •  •

THIS IS A GREAT TIME to use top waters and crank baits. The bays have been fished hard with live bait through the past 5 months and changing your presentation is a great idea.  Early morning use dark colors like morning glory and motor oil type colors. Late evening use lighter colors like beer run and bone/white or electric chartreuse.

Copano Bay: The shoreline near Turtle Pen is good for reds and some gator trout.  Use light to medium weight spoons in red and gold or silver and blue. Drifts across Redfish Point are good for reds and trout using a popping cork and shrimp.

St. Charles Bay: The mouth of Cavasso Creek is still a good place for trout using free lined croaker.  The reefs close to Boy Scout are a good spot for reds using finger mullet and or cut mullet on a light Carolina rig.

Aransas Bay: The spoil area at the mouth of Dunham Bay is a good for sheepshead and black drum. Throw fresh dead shrimp under a cork close to the rocks, set the hook at the slightest tap. Deadman Reef is a good spot for trout and black drum using reef lined live shrimp.

Carlos Bay: Crank baits work well here in Carlos Trench and the surrounding shell reefs. Slow your retrieves as there is usually a strong current.

Mesquite Bay: Opening Cedar Bayou has created some opportunity for trout and reds on the deep edges of the shorelines.  Black drum and flounder can be caught here as well. Free lined croaker or live shrimp is the ticket. Some reds may be found in the early morning just off Rattlesnake Reef using finger mullet on a light Carolina rig. 

Ayers Bay: Some trout may be found near Bent Pipe Reef; croaker freelined works best. Second Chain is a good spot for reds using freelined finger mullet on a light Carolina rig. 

Bank Bite: Wades between the LBJ causeway and Newcomb Point are great idea this time of year.  I like a good quart of live shrimp and a rattle cork.  The wade can be long, so bring water and a snack and fish the deep edges. Evenings are best on a high tide. Be respectful of private property.

•  •  •

HotSPOTLight: Goose Island State Park

GOOSE ISLAND STATE PARK is situated in one of the prime locations for fishing on the middle coast, at the convergence of St. Charles Bay and Aransas Bay, and just east of where Copano Bay joins Aransas Bay. Selected HOTSPOTS are shown in the table below, and on the map.

•  •  •

LOCATION: Aransas Bay
HOTSPOT: Mud Island
GPS: N 27 56.635, W 97 1.266
(27.9439, -97.0211)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: In the fall, try the strawberry color. A gold spoon also works good.

LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay
HOTSPOT: Shamrock Cove
GPS: N 27 45.369, W 97 9.733
(27.7562, -97.1622)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft plastics or live finger mullet
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: The flats should be good for redfish and the deeper water over reefs should yield trout.

LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay
HOTSPOT: Contee Lake
GPS: N 28 17.779, W 96 33.157
(28.2963, -96.5526)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork, cut bait, or soft plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Contee Lake is a location for big trout, while using soft plastics. He like the Gambler in Chicken-0n-a-Chain color and the Paul Brown Big Eye Devils in Plum/Chartreuse.

LOCATION: Port Aransas
HOTSPOT: Dagger Flats
GPS: N 27 49.7597, W 97 10.6099
(27.8293, -97.1768)

SPECIES: Flounder
BEST BAITS: Soft plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Drag it across the bottom; don’t bounce or jig the soft plastic. You actually drag it over the fish, making the fish react.

LOCATION: Port Aransas
HOTSPOT: St. Joseph Island
GPS: N 28 0.7279, W 96 58.365
(28.0121, -96.9728)

SPECIES: Flounder
BEST BAITS: Soft plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Favorite colors in soft plastics are Pumpkin seed/chartreuse, or any combination of dark or medium colors with a chartreuse tail.

LOCATION: Redfish Bay
HOTSPOT: Brown and Root Flats
GPS: N 27 51.1639, W 97 5.212
(27.8527, -97.0869)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live finger mullet
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Free line the mullet in the sand pockets. Twitch the bait once-in-a-while to draw the redfish to it.

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
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: Bird Island Reef
GPS: N 28 16.356, W 96 44.034
(28.2726, -96.7339)

SPECIES: Speckled trout
BEST BAITS: Super Spook Junior or soft plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Fish the grass and sand bottoms, early in the morning with topwaters, then changing to soft plastics as the sun rises in the sky.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Boat Hole
GPS: N 27 39.169, W 97 14.9989
(27.6528, -97.2500)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Live Croaker
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Put three red glass beads on the leader before you tie on the hook. Makes a lot of difference because of the noise, and because of the color.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: JFK Causeway
GPS: N 27 38.071, W 97 14.461
(27.6345, -97.2410)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Kelly Wigler soft plastic
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: This time of year any color will work. Just some might trigger a little more aggressive strike.

•  •  •

Trick or Treat Time on Baffin

BAFFIN BAY

Reported by CAPT. GERAD MERRITT

Email Gerad Merritt at GeradMerritt@gmail.com

Visit Online: ParadiseGuideServices.com

 

FISHING CAN BE TRICKY in September and October, depending on the weather here in Baffin Bay. We have to consider summer rain fall, wind, water color and condition, along with the rest of the things that factor in to a saltwater bite.

This year has been exceptionally windy and dry for most of the summer, and with that said, I normally fish a little closer to the mouth of the bay than usual. I work my way from the farthest point I am willing to fish that day, slowly moving towards the point of return.

Starting out closer to the mouth of the bay helps with “new” water being flushed in just by normal tidal change. Once I’ve reached my starting point, I am always looking for different water color and clarity; in my opinion this helps to determine quality on the fly.

With winds being on the higher side most times, this means the water is more stirred up. The more the water mixes with good clean water from the Laguna hopefully the better.

Once I’ve assessed the water, I start thinking about how clear the water is; if it’s too clear I usually only fish the drop-offs until I reach a green colored water that is on the fine line of being simply dirty. Once I see this, I tend to stay on the flats, grass beds, and structures of Baffin Bay, while still working the water color.

In my opinion, green water in Baffin Bay is a huge deal when working with windy and dry conditions.

Bait size also plays a huge deal in this plan, but normally this time of year the bait is plentiful and healthy, and for the artificial fisherman, just a paddle tail light in color or bright in color for the water conditions, tends to work.

On that note, the rock structures are holding tons of speckled trout (spotted sea trout). We are still having to weed through them to catch our good limits of fish but are able to do so.

The fourteen to seventeen inch trout are thick in our area; we have had several days of running out of bait when I take 12-14 dozen live croaker, then switch to lures, but we are still able to pull limits of trout that are on our rock structures pretty consistently, and have been doing so for the last couple years since our limits have changed, although last year I did spend most of my time in the Laguna Madre.

I’d say the population, at least this year, in Baffin Bay, is still plentiful. 

•  •  •

HotSPOTLight: Gladys’ Hole

Gladys’ hole is a small inlet south of the land cut that divides the Upper and Lower Laguna Madre. On the land side of the Intracoastal Waterway, the area is a big trout haven. But it also has a lot of redfish and flounder action.

•  •  •

LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Between ICW Spoils
GPS: N 27 17.392, W 97 24.51
(27.2899, -97.4085)

SPECIES: Flounder
BEST BAITS: Mud minnows, best with moving tide or south or southeast wind; dawn-morning, dusk-night
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Mud minnows, best w moving tide or w S or SE wind; dawn-morning, dusk-night; Jul-Oct, dawn-morn, dusk-night

LOCATION: ICW Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Cullen Bay Channel
GPS: N 26 15.6, W 97 17.415
(26.2600, -97.2903)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Topwaters or soft plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Watch where they are bubbling up. The fish get on top and start bubbling water. When you see that you know the fish are there. Capt. Garcia

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Butchers Island
GPS: N 26 38.1019, W 97 23.149
(26.6350, -97.3858)

SPECIES: Speckled trout
BEST BAITS: Corkies, big topwater artificials, live croaker and live piggy perch
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Once the croaker season slows down and big cold fronts start coming, croaker will be hard to find. Use piggy perch for the winter. When the perch become hard to find, then switch off to Corkies.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Dubbs Island
GPS: N 26 43.2409, W 97 25.6
(26.7207, -97.4267)

SPECIES: Speckled trout
BEST BAITS: Corkies, big topwater artificials, live croaker and live piggy perch
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Fish cuts and sloughs with big croaker, piggy perch, or a big Super Spook topwater

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Greens Island
GPS: N 26 23.5379, W 97 19.465
(26.3923, -97.3244)

SPECIES: Speckled trout
BEST BAITS: Corkies, big topwater artificials, live croaker and live piggy perch
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Use a number five circle hook for croaker. In summer use a number four hook (croaker are smaller).

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Land Cut mouth
GPS: N 26 48.6139, W 97 28.1399
(26.8102, -97.4690)

SPECIES: Speckled trout
BEST BAITS: Corkies, big topwater artificials, live croaker and live piggy perch
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: The chatter weight is available in multiple colors. One of the best options is the smaller weight in a Hot Pink color.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Rincon de San Jose
GPS: N 26 47.154, W 97 28.6819
(26.7859, -97.4780)

SPECIES: Speckled trout
BEST BAITS: Corkies, big topwater artificials, live croaker and live piggy perch
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Let the croaker sit on the bottom to hook a big red or trout. Don’t jerk the croaker too much.

LOCATION: Middle Ground
HOTSPOT: Big Oaks
GPS: N 26 41.484, W 97 27.653
(26.6914, -97.4609)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: jigs
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Glow/chartreuse, 1/4 oz jighead, drift grass beds; all day

LOCATION: Port Mansfield
HOTSPOT: East Bay
GPS: N 26 23, W 97 17.029
(26.3833, -97.2838)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live Bait, Gulp! Shrimp pearl, soft plastics in pearl/red, strawberry/white, topwaters in bone, chartreuse.
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Fish topwaters up in the cuts early in morning, move back as the sun rises up in the sky and fish the edges. Fish plastics deeper on a ¼ ounce jighead.

LOCATION: South Bay
HOTSPOT: South Bay Center
GPS: N 26 1.11768, W 97 11.34654
(26.018628, -97.189109)

SPECIES: redfish
BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in red/white, clear/glitter/chartreuse (Kelly Wiggler Sand), poppers in red/white, bone.
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Watch for large schools of over-sized redfish cruising the broad flats. New sea grass regulations will curtail “running and gunning” to intercept these schools, but you can still pole, drift, or use a trolling motor to get into range. Use a popper such as the Strike Pro Thunder Pop or a MirrOlure Pop-a-Dog. If you prefer plastics, long baits such as a Down South Lures Shad or Kelly Wiggler Ball Shad pinned on a 1/8th ounce jighead can be a stealthy option. Cast in front and beyond the schools and bring the lure back into them.

LOCATION: South Bay
HOTSPOT: South Bay East Shoreline
GPS: N 26 2.02464, W 97 10.28562
(26.033744, -97.171427)

SPECIES: dolphin
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, fresh dead shrimp.
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Fish the channel edge on a moving tide. There are large schools of black drum in the boat channel during the fall. Most are slot-sized “eaters.” Use a split shot rig with live shrimp. If the tide is really tearing through the channel, use a 1-ounce pyramid and a dropper rig.

LOCATION: South Padre Island
HOTSPOT: Convention Center Flats
GPS: N 26 6.57072, W 97 10.5885
(26.109512, -97.176475)

SPECIES: speckled trout
BEST BAITS: Live Shrimp, shrimp tails in light colors/1/8th ounce jighead. Shad tails.
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Drift fish for trout with live shrimp or soft plastics under a popping cork or Mauler-type of float. Gulp! Shrimp were made for this sort of application. An old school chrome spoon is also very effective. If there are few fish over the grass and potholes, move west to the color change and drift the transition line.

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