FORECAST CENTER: Saltwater – November/December 2022

FORECAST CENTER: Freshwater – November/December 2022
October 25, 2022
FEATURE: Catch the Winter Blues
October 25, 2022

Cooling Season is Finally Here

SABINE LAKE & PASS

Reported by CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

Email Eddie Hernandez at ContactUs@fishgame.com

THE REAL BEGINNING of the cooling season is now upon us, so it is time to get serious about changing tactics, stratagies and techniques so we can continue to consistently catch the most sought-after species on Texas’s upper coast.

A new game plan has to be implemented so we will be successful as another calendar year rapidly winds down. As we ease into November and December, we realize that shrimp have been on the move from the marsh into the bay for some time now, and the fish have them figured out.

The bird action in the bay is in full swing. The only obstacles standing in our way are the cold fronts that become more and more intense as we edge closer to the Christmas season. Ironically, it’s these same cold fronts that create some of the best fishing opportunities of the year.

We desperately need these fronts and the low tides that come with them to continually pull the shrimp from the marsh adding fuel to the feeding frenzy fire.

Make no mistake; you don’t want any part of Sabine or any other bay system when a front is actually blowing through. You do, however, want to be here a couple days later, once things have settled down and we’ve got light north winds.

I would recommend investing in a Louisiana fishing license if you don’t already have one because the bayous on that side of the lake can flat out come alive during this time. The term “stupid good” is a great way to describe how bayou fishing can be between cold fronts in November and December.

Believe it or not, fishing the birds in the bayous can be every bit as good as in the lake, if not better. Most times you’ll have the school all to yourself. This action usually peaks within the first two weeks of November as seagulls, trout and reds intercept a lot of the shrimp before they have a chance to make it into the bay.

When you find the birds picking in the bayou, you can usually expect to stay on them for a while and catch big numbers of very solid trout and some impressive redfish, slots and beyond. Those big reds will also be roaming the shoreline looking to score some tasty mullet and crab.

The hottest action should be at the mouth of small cuts and drains within the bayou on outgoing tides. Dark soft plastics rigged on 1/8-ounce lead heads, dragged or bumped slowly along the bottom will definitely get their attention. Texas Roach, Red Shad and Morning Glory are great color choices. We are right in the middle of some of the most consistent action of the year so take advantage of it if you get the chance.

•  •  •

Grab a Rod for the Holidays

GALVESTON

Reported by CAPT. DEREK YORK

Email Derek York at spotstalkerfishing@yahoo.com

 

WE MADE IT TO THE END of another great year here on Galveston Bay and what a fun year of fishing it was.

But just because it’s the holiday season doesn’t mean you should be putting up your fishing gear and waiting for the warmer weather patterns of spring. This time of year provides a lot of opportunities for anglers all over the bay to be successful from both the shore and from a boat.

With the bull redfish bite going strong and the flounder migration in full swing, the trout fishing can be terrific with the right weather conditions.

I fish several different areas during this time of year depending on the wind. Down in Galveston, even though the flounder season closure is going on from November 1 to December 14, we are still targeting these fish for fun around the Galveston harbor area with soft plastics like the three-inch swimming mullet Gulp baits or mud minnows.

The bull redfish are plentiful at the Galveston jetties and other areas such as the concrete ship and channel ledges. These redfish schools are easily found and targeted with blue crabs and cut bait such as menhaden or mullet. They’re rigged on a large circle hook to help aid in releasing these fish back to the water still healthy to reproduce again. Just remember, if you do plan on keeping one of these oversized redfish. Have your redfish tag filled out correctly, and the dates cut out to avoid any issues when you’re stopped by a warden.

I tend to like fishing up in the north end of the bay for trout this time of year, because of the water clarity from the protected shorelines. From Houston Point all the way up to Burnett Bay north of the Fred Hartman bridge, these areas provide some great fishing for trout.

Live shrimp under a popping cork or soft artificial lures on a jig head work well here. Also, I always look for schools of birds hovering over the water and hopefully over a good school of feeding fish.

The same techniques apply here, but just remember not to run right up into the birds as they are working. Try to anticipate where they’re headed and get ahead of them. Then let them work right to you. This will help avoid spooking the fish and provide ample time to catch a few before moving.

When the wind is blowing hard, there are still several places to go and find shelter and fish to salvage the day, because for most of us it always seems to be blowing 20mph on our days off. Moses Lake, Dickinson Bayou, Clear Lake and Sylvan Beach areas all provide great opportunities for days with a stiff north wind. Trout, redfish and sheepshead are usually all caught in these areas. Just remember to always keep an eye out for these fast-moving fronts coming through. Hope everyone has a great Holiday season!

•  •  •

Is That a Nip in the Air?

MATAGORDA

Reported by CAPT. MARK TALASEK

Email Mark Talasek at MarkTalasek@sbcglobal.com

 

ANOTHER YEAR is coming to a close. The cool fronts are starting to have a little more nip, Christmas is right around the corner.

Hope your family has a blessed holiday. May the best new fishing gear appear under your tree.

My favorite time of the year is now. Everyone who asks me when is the best time for fishing? I tell them “Now!”

November!

Our estuaries are alive. The shrimp migration is at its peak. Birds work the shrimp that fish push to the surface. Pressure is light because hunting season is open. November is the best time to get your pole to bend.

I like drifting east Matagorda with artificial lures. A ¼-ounce lead head with a plastic of your choice will entice most fish. If you start hanging up on shell, switch to 1/8-ounce.

I like dark colors in dirty water and light colors in clear water. My old standby is Texas roach. Black back with pumpkin seed belly. They’re not hungry if they don’t eat roach.

A paddle tail gives the bait more action for the beginners. I prefer a rat tail only at this time of the year. It imitates a sandeel.

Work it slowly, bumping the bottom. If you hang up, retrieve it faster. Raymond Shoals, Drulls Lump and Bird Island are a few of my favorite spots to fish. Wade fishing is at its peak in November.

Some of my biggest fish have come when I use these same tactics. Top waters are always an option for the old pro. Whatever your choice might be, your chances of catching fish are best in November.

Hope to see you at the Boat Show again this year or at the fishing show. I will have a booth at both. Give me a call to book your next fishing or flounder gigging trip. Captain Mark Talasek (979) 479 1397.

 

•  •  •

HotSPOTLight:

•  •  •

LOCATION: Galveston
HOTSPOT: Jetties
GPS: N 29 19.836, W 94 42.412
(29.3306 -94.7069)

Galveston: Jetties

Galveston: Jetties

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live bait under a popping cork
SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
gpfishgalveston.com
TIPS: Live bait probably not available, but if you find it you want to throw a popping cork or slip sinker rig at the jetties.

LOCATION: Galveston
HOTSPOT: Dollar Flats
GPS: N 29 26.544, W 94 54.316
(29.4424 -94.9053)

Galveston: Dollar Flats

Galveston: Dollar Flats

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder
BEST BAITS: Soft plastic tails in either pearl, Limetreuse or Pumpkin Seed
SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
gpfishgalveston.com
TIPS: The last week in December is often the best week because of moon phase…

LOCATION: Galveston
HOTSPOT: Sea Wolf Park
GPS: N 29 20.319, W 94 47.118
(29.3387, -94.7853)

Galveston: Sea Wolf Park

Galveston: Sea Wolf Park

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft plastic tails in either pearl, Limetreuse or Pumpkin Seed
SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
gpfishgalveston.com
TIPS: Stay long in a place in the winter time. If you make one or two drifts, drift two more. It’s just a matter of turning their head. They are fairly docile when the water temperature gets low.

LOCATION: Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Jacks Pocket
GPS: N 29 44.077, W 94 45.852
(29.7346 -94.7642)

Galveston Bay: Jacks Pocket

Galveston Bay: Jacks Pocket

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Voodoo Mullet with a 1/4 oz. jig head
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: The main thing in December is finding different pockets where the water goes from two to four feet in front of drop-offs. The fish are going to be looking for deeper areas.

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

Galveston East Bay: Deep Reef

Galveston East Bay: Deep Reef

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics
SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
www.gofishgalveston.com
TIPS: Fishing slicks: You want to be behind a slick, throwing just up from it on the upwind side, not chasing the slicks and trying to hit it.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay
HOTSPOT: Hanna’s Reef
GPS: N 29 28.471, W 94 43.251
(29.4745 -94.7209)

Galveston East Bay: Hanna’s Reef

Galveston East Bay: Hanna’s Reef

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics
SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
www.gofishgalveston.com
TIPS: If a slick pops up behind you, pull out and go back around it, probably get 100 feet behind it.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay
HOTSPOT: Tide Gauge Reef
GPS: N 29 28.179, W 94 41.941
(29.4697 -94.6990)

Galveston East Bay: Tide Gauge Reef

Galveston East Bay: Tide Gauge Reef

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics
SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
www.gofishgalveston.com
TIPS: When drifting, use a 3/8 or 1/4 ounce jig head. It all depends on surface water temperature. If it’s below 65 degrees use the 3/8 ounce if it’s above 65 degrees use the 1/4 ounce.

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

Galveston Trinity Bay: Beasley Reef

Galveston Trinity Bay: Beasley Reef

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin Sea Shad
SOURCE: Capt. Ralph Frazier
281-337-0321
www.fraziersguideservice.com
TIPS: In off-color fish a Limetreuse Bass Assassin. A good dark color is Drunk Monkey with a Limetreuse tail. Limetreuse is the best color in this bay.

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay
HOTSPOT: Burnet Bay
GPS: N 29 46.11495, W 95 3.046
(29.7686 -95.0508)

Galveston Trinity Bay: Burnet Bay

Galveston Trinity Bay: Burnet Bay

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft plastic tails in either pearl, Limetreuse or Pumpkin Seed
SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
gpfishgalveston.com
TIPS: Burnet Bay and Clear Lake should produce the bigger fish.

LOCATION: Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Clear Lake Channel
GPS: N 29 33.133, W 95 1.945
(29.5522 -95.0324)

Galveston Bay: Clear Lake Channel

Galveston Bay: Clear Lake Channel

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft plastic tails in either pearl, Limetreuse or Pumpkin Seed
SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
gpfishgalveston.com
TIPS: Clear Lake should produce Black Drum.

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay
HOTSPOT: Dows Reef
GPS: N 29 38.858, W 94 54.2
(29.6476 -94.9033)

Galveston Trinity Bay: Dows Reef

Galveston Trinity Bay: Dows Reef

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin Sea Shad
SOURCE: Capt. Ralph Frazier
281-337-0321
www.fraziersguideservice.com
TIPS: Fish all the shell reefs starting in 2-3 feet of water and work out to deeper depths. Watch for slicks and birds working.

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay
HOTSPOT: Hodges Reef
GPS: N 29 34.963, W 94 44.574
(29.5827, -94.7429)

Galveston Trinity Bay: Hodges Reef

Galveston Trinity Bay: Hodges Reef

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin Sea Shad
SOURCE: Capt. Ralph Frazier
281-337-0321
www.fraziersguideservice.com
TIPS: Capt. Frazier says his number one bay choice in November will be Trinity Bay, East Bay number two and West Bay, number three. If the weather turns cold, then West Bay will be his first choice.

LOCATION: Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Tabbs Bay
GPS: N 29 41.635, W 94 56.542
(29.6939, -94.9424)

Galveston Bay: Tabbs Bay

Galveston Bay: Tabbs Bay

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft plastic tails in either pearl, Limetreuse or Pumpkin Seed
SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
gpfishgalveston.com
TIPS: If you’re fishing soft plastics, the retrieve needs to be slower while working four to seven feet of water for trout. Retrieve on or near the bottom over mud and scattered shell.

LOCATION: Galveston West Bay
HOTSPOT: Campbell’s Bayou
GPS: N 29 20.33, W 94 53.569
(29.3388, -94.8928)

Galveston West Bay: Campbell’s Bayou

Galveston West Bay: Campbell’s Bayou

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft plastic tails in either pearl, Limetreuse or Pumpkin Seed
SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
gpfishgalveston.com
TIPS: Look for off-colored water… real critical in West Bay. Fish hide in that type of water. Trout in West Bay will usually be in the 16-17 inch size.

LOCATION: Galveston West Bay
HOTSPOT: Cold Pass
GPS: N 29 4.901, W 95 8.136
(29.0817, -95.1356)

Galveston West Bay: Cold Pass

Galveston West Bay: Cold Pass

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft plastic tails in either pearl, Limetreuse or Pumpkin Seed
SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
gpfishgalveston.com
TIPS: Throwing tails would be especially good in the small bays of upper Trinity. Water temperature should be in the 60s. Don’t leave the house until 7:30 a.m., get on the water by 8, and off the water by 3:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Matagorda
HOTSPOT: Colorado River
GPS: N 28 35.683, W 95 58.981
(28.5947, -95.9830)

Matagorda: Colorado River

Matagorda: Colorado River

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft plastic tails on a 3/8 oz. jig head
SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: Look for bait action and then start drifting the river, plugging the west bank. If it’s colder we will fish more out toward the deeper water in the middle.

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay
HOTSPOT: Crab Lake
GPS: N 28 40.199, W 96 3.015
(28.6700, -96.0503)

Matagorda East Bay: Crab Lake

Matagorda East Bay: Crab Lake

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Skitter Walk topwaters
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Retrieve the bait fast. In November the fish are feeding, getting ready for the colder months, unless a lot of cold fronts knock the temperatures down.

LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay
HOTSPOT: Oyster Farm Drain
GPS: N 28 44.406, W 95 42.09
(28.7401 -95.7015)

East Matagorda Bay: Oyster Farm Drain

East Matagorda Bay: Oyster Farm Drain

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Norton Juniors soft plastics
SOURCE: Capt. Trey Prye
281-702-0490
www.captaintreyprye.com
TIPS: Fish drains on a full moon. Tides are stronger on an outgoing tide. Fish the shoreline by the drain.

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay
HOTSPOT: Three Mile Cut
GPS: N 28 38.483, W 95 55.583
(28.6414, -95.9264)

Matagorda East Bay: Three Mile Cut

Matagorda East Bay: Three Mile Cut

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastic tails or Topwater baits
SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: There are a series of little lakes just off the beach. Lots of wadefishing and kayakers.

LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay
HOTSPOT: Cottons Bayou
GPS: N 28 30.552, W 96 12.453
(28.5092, -96.2076)

Matagorda West Bay: Cottons Bayou

Matagorda West Bay: Cottons Bayou

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Topwater Lures
SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: Wading West Bay is great in the wintertime. Early December fish topwaters early.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake
HOTSPOT: Black’s Bayou
GPS: N 29 59.866, W 93 45.182
(29.9978, -93.7530)

Sabine Lake: Black’s Bayou

Sabine Lake: Black’s Bayou

SPECIES: Speckled Trout & Redfish
BEST BAITS: Topwaters & Soft Plastics
SOURCE: Capt. Bill Watkins
409-673-9211
www.fishsabinelake.com
TIPS: Redfish will be mixed in with trout, but there will be schooling reds. Best plastics colors are white/glow chartreuse, red and gold flake/chartreuse tail or chartreuse Ice. Use a quarter ounce gum ball jig head.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake
HOTSPOT: Blue Buck Point
GPS: N 29 48.102, W 93 53.72
(29.8017, -93.8953)

Sabine Lake: Blue Buck Point

Sabine Lake: Blue Buck Point

SPECIES: Speckled Trout & Flounder
BEST BAITS: Voodoo Shrimp under a popping cork
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Look for bird action later in November.

•  •  •

The Reel Truth

ROCKPORT AREA

Reported by CAPT. MAC GABLE

Capt. Mac Gable

Email Mac Gable at captmac@macattackguideservice.com

Or Visit Online: macattackguideservice.com

 

THE NUMBER OF FISHING REEL offerings these days is staggering. Long gone are the days when a handful of manufacturers were about all one had access to when pursuing the great sport of fishing. Mitchel, Abu Garcia, Zebco, Penn pretty much were what we had to choose from.

Now, like grains of sand, a new manufacturer seems to emerge every day. In the U.S. the fishing tackle market is expected to exceed 31.5 million dollars. Most reel manufacturers source their products from China.

Some manufacturers, such as Kastking, IRT Reels, Accurate Fishing, Avet Reels, ZeeBaas and Seigler build reels in the U.S. Only a fraction of Penn reels are manufactured in the U.S. Many who make reels in the U.S. source parts from China.

These China manufacturing facilities are NOT exclusive, they can and do manufacture parts for various reel brands on the same manufacturing floor. If that doesn’t give you an idea of their quality, or lack of quality, nothing will.

So pervasive are defects and poor assembly that retailers are told to simply give customers a new replacement with no return policy required. One manufacturer shared with me their business plan includes calculations for replacement reels due to defective parts. In one study of sporting equipment sourced from China, a defective return rate of 25 percent was not unusual.

In the past 15 to 20 years this consumer (me, myself, and I) witnessed poor workmanship, metallurgy issues, design deviations, lack of instructions, mislabeled products, reels that fell apart in clients’ hands, hooks that are better Christmas ornament hangers than fishing tackle, 1-800 numbers that require overnight camping, staffed by individuals with the most egregious attitudes who were…. wait for it…wait for it… apathetic, with a total disdain for their customers.

Are overseas manufacturers such as China, Korea, Taiwan really to blame, or does the shoe fall a little closer to our shores? You’ve heard me say it before: the devil is in the details. 

As contracts are written to boost margins for the brand owners, the manufacturer’s margin often is at cost, leaving no room but to cut corners in quality control, cycle time, packaging and expertise. To boost margins, manufacturers often run additional brands on the same line with the same workers with little to no training or expertise of each brand of reel.

Follow the money upstream, and it will almost always lead you to the source of the problem with its roots seeded in greed. There are times now when that old cane pole I fished with as a boy, along with cotton fishing line tipped with a bent eight penny nail look pretty good to me.

• • •

THE COLD IS UPON US, and YES the fishing does slow down this time of year, but this is a great time to pull out the soft plastics and do some R&D fishing in the much clearer winter water. When you do find the bite, it’s often over dark sand and mud bottoms, which hold the heat.

Copano Bay: The sheepsheads are still a go-to at the LBJ Causeway. A 1/0 or 2/0 kahle hook tipped with cut squid or frozen shrimp works well.

Free-lined is best. Set the hook at the slightest tap. New penny Jerk Shad works well at the mouth of Mission Bay. This area holds some nice reds and keeper trout.

St Charles Bay: The salt grass in Cavasso Creek is a great area for reds and black drum. Work the grass edges midday using a silent cork. The mouth of Salt Creek is a good spot on a high tide for black drum. A light Carolina rig works best, using peeled shrimp.

Aransas Bay: The ICW close to Dunham Bay is a good spot for reds. Free-lined jumbo shrimp are the ticket. Anchor in the shallow edges and throw just off the transition to deeper water. Be patient. If no bites, slowly work down the ICW edge until you find the bite.

Carlos Bay: Carlos Trench is the best spot on cold winter days. Soft plastics in new penny and morning glory colors are best. Yellow jig heads with red eyes have worked well here for me.

Mesquite Bay: Cedar Bayou is a good spot on blustery days. It offers protection from the wind, and there is usually some black drum feeding along the bayou shorelines. I have caught some large flounders here. Free-lined peeled shrimp is the ticket. Beldons Cut often holds reds with the go-to bait being finger mullet or cut mullet on a fish finder rig.

Ayers Bay: The east shoreline is a good spot for black drum using a silent cork. This is also a good wade area for trout on warmer days using Berkley gulp shrimp under a bubble cork.

Bank Bite: The south end of the LBJ Causeway opposite the boat launch is a good spot to wade for trout and an occasional red. I like spoons in this area, either gold spoons with a red inset or silver spoons tipped with a hot pink skirt.

•  •  •

HotSPOTLight:

•  •  •

LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay
HOTSPOT: Corpus Christi Bay Front
GPS: N 27 44.957, W 97 22.511
(27.7493, -97.3752)

Corpus Christi Bay: Corpus Christi Bay Front

Corpus Christi Bay: Corpus Christi Bay Front

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Silver Spoons
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: A spoon retrieved steadily through the surf can provide some sudden excitement.

LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay
HOTSPOT: Corpus Christi Wells
GPS: N 27 44.764, W 97 11.141
(27.7461, -97.1857)

Corpus Christi Bay: Corpus Christi Wells

Corpus Christi Bay: Corpus Christi Wells

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastic shrimp tails
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Fan cast, throw a few different types of baits and styles until you find something the fish are keying on.

LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay
HOTSPOT: Nueces Bay
GPS: N 27 51.893, W 97 21.13
(27.8649, -97.3522)

Corpus Christi Bay: Nueces Bay

Corpus Christi Bay: Nueces Bay

SPECIES: Speckled Trout & Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Don’t hesitate to throw in an area a hundred times if you are looking for that big trout before you start moving down the shoreline.

LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay
HOTSPOT: Portland Shoreline
GPS: N 27 52.51, W 97 18.013
(27.8752, -97.3002)

Corpus Christi Bay: Portland Shoreline

Corpus Christi Bay: Portland Shoreline

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Live Bait or Gulp under a popping cork
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: This time of the year is great time to find a spot on the surf line. Look for diving birds in surf to try your luck.

LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay
HOTSPOT: Shamrock Cove
GPS: N 27 45.437, W 97 9.717
(27.7573, -97.1620)

Corpus Christi Bay: Shamrock Cove

Corpus Christi Bay: Shamrock Cove

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Clouser Flay
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Try sight fishing for reds in November using fly rod and flies. You just kind of leave all the bait fishermen behind…they are not around. You are free to cover a lot more water.

LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay
HOTSPOT: Contee Lake
GPS: N 28 17.784, W 96 33.682
(28.2964, -96.5614)

Espiritu Santo Bay: Contee Lake

Espiritu Santo Bay: Contee Lake

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Skitter Walk topwaters
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: November is a good time of the year for schooling redfish. A good color is pink. Pink is one of the hardest colors for fish to see. Try the larger size Skitter Walk.

LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay
HOTSPOT: Long Lake
GPS: N 28 16.772, W 96 36.698
(28.2795, -96.6116)

Espiritu Santo Bay: Long Lake

Espiritu Santo Bay: Long Lake

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Try the Mid Coast Popping Cork because of the sound it makes and durability.

LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay
HOTSPOT: Pringle Lake
GPS: N 28 18.984, W 96 30.865
(28.3164, -96.5144)

Espiritu Santo Bay: Pringle Lake

Espiritu Santo Bay: Pringle Lake

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: When using lures, go with purple/chartreuse soft plastics.

LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay
HOTSPOT: South Pass Lake
GPS: N 28 17.534, W 96 35.365
(28.2922, -96.5894)

Espiritu Santo Bay: South Pass Lake

Espiritu Santo Bay: South Pass Lake

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Crab
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Free-line crab, using a #6 Eagle Claw Circle C hook…the fish pretty much hook themselves. Use no weight, just the crab.

LOCATION: Port Aransas
HOTSPOT: Dagger Island
GPS: N 27 50.217, W 97 9.967
(27.8370, -97.1661)

Port Aransas: Dagger Island

Port Aransas: Dagger Island

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Gold or Silver Spoons
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: The redfish should be up on the flats around the islands or along the shorelines.

LOCATION: Port Aransas
HOTSPOT: Estes Flats
GPS: N 27 57.058, W 97 5.331
(27.9510, -97.0889)

Port Aransas: Estes Flats

Port Aransas: Estes Flats

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Cut Bait or Live Mullet
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Redfish fishing should be on fire using cut bait and live mullet.

LOCATION: Port Aransas
HOTSPOT: Outside of Traylor Island
GPS: N 27 55.995, W 97 4.494
(27.9333, -97.0749)

Port Aransas: Outside of Traylor Island

Port Aransas: Outside of Traylor Island

SPECIES: Speckled Trout & Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live Mullet
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Trout will be moving up shallow before cold fronts pass through, and they go deep.

LOCATION: Port Aransas
HOTSPOT: South Jetties
GPS: N 27 49.966, W 97 2.548
(27.8328, -97.0425)

Port Aransas: South Jetties

Port Aransas: South Jetties

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastic shrimp tails
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: You definitely want to slow your retrieve, but more so it’s continually walking to find the fish.

LOCATION: Redfish Bay
HOTSPOT: Morris & Cummins Cut
GPS: N 27 52.624, W 97 6.866
(27.8771, -97.1144)

Redfish Bay: Morris & Cummins Cut

Redfish Bay: Morris & Cummins Cut

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastic shrimp tails
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: A good place for redfish…the deep water with a muddy bottom holds a good strip of warm water. On low tides, fish stack up along the sides of the edges.

LOCATION: Port O’Connor
HOTSPOT: Bird Lake
GPS: N 28 24.01, W 96 24.992
(28.4002, -96.4165)

Port O’Connor: Bird Lake

Port O’Connor: Bird Lake

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Sardines or shrimp
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Use live bait, either sardines or shrimp. Rig it as a bottom dropper, a 1 1/2 oz. sinker about 12 inches and a #4 Kahle hook, fishing close to the bottom. Put it in the water and let it sit.

LOCATION: Port O’Connor
HOTSPOT: Jetties
GPS: N 28 25.212, W 96 19.544
(28.4202, -96.3257)

Port O’Connor: Jetties

Port O’Connor: Jetties

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish
BEST BAITS: Sardines or shrimp
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Water depth is the key. Once you find the fish at a certain depth when the tide is moving, they will always be at that depth. You will catch fish.

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

San Antonio Bay: Half Moon Reef

San Antonio Bay: Half Moon Reef

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: The lakes have a lot of grass pockets and by November you should be picking up some decent fish.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Emmords Hole
GPS: N 27 30.186, W 97 19.733
(27.5031, -97.3289)

Upper Laguna Madre: Emmords Hole

Upper Laguna Madre: Emmords Hole

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics on a 1/8 oz. jig head
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: The King Ranch shoreline will keep you out of the high north winds. You’ll be able to work areas and cast a little easier without the north wind in your face.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: King Ranch Shoreline
GPS: N 27 29.134, W 97 21.108
(27.4856, -97.3518)

Upper Laguna Madre: King Ranch Shoreline

Upper Laguna Madre: King Ranch Shoreline

SPECIES: Speckled Trout & Redfish
BEST BAITS: Gulp under a Popping Cork
SOURCE: Capt. Nino Gonzalez
361-332-1568
www.captninogonzalez.com
TIPS: Try the STX Tackle popping cork. It’s a solid cork, but it has a ceramic bead underneath the cork about the size of a marble, and then a little bead under that. Pop it and it has a deep sound.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Packery Flats
GPS: N 27 37.821, W 97 12.879
(27.630351, -97.214645)

Upper Laguna Madre: Packery Flats

Upper Laguna Madre: Packery Flats

SPECIES: Speckled Trout & Redfish
BEST BAITS: Gulp under a Popping Cork
SOURCE: Capt. Nino Gonzalez
361-332-1568
www.captninogonzalez.com
TIPS: The first cold front will light the fish up, get the redfish stirred up and ready.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Pure Oil Channel
GPS: N 27 31.839, W 97 18.449
(27.5307, -97.3075)

Upper Laguna Madre: Pure Oil Channel

Upper Laguna Madre: Pure Oil Channel

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics on a 1/8 oz. jig head
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Stand in knee deep water and fish the rocks and sand pockets.

•  •  •

Merry Trout Season

BAFFIN BAY & LOWER LAGUNA

Reported by CAPT. GERAD MERRITT

Capt. Gerrad Merritt

Email Gerad Merritt at GeradMerritt@gmail.com

Visit Online: ParadiseGuideServices.com

 

THIS TIME OF YEAR can be exciting for trout fishing in our bay system.

The trout are becoming heavier, and as the temperatures drop, top water action becomes more aggressive as you start finding bigger fish in shallower waters. As in other months, flats over grass that hold bait fish should be an obvious sign there are fish worth looking for in the area.

Once the sun shines for several hours and the water warms up, I have found that fish tend to slowly ease out a little deeper. With that said, in the evenings they’ll tend to come back into the shallows to attempt to warm themselves back up.

More often in clear, shallow water, I try to identify what the bait fish are and adjust my lures accordingly to mimic the bait fish the best I can. Sometimes just something flashy and simple works best. I will also keep it simple and use gold or silver spoons and “broke back” top waters, along with simple top water rigs.

It’s a good idea to change up lure colors and tail combinations frequently to find what works at a particular time and place. Following what these fish eat at certain times of the year is also a good strategy.

As croakers start to move into the gulf or laguna, trout and redfish do not necessarily follow them. If shrimp and other bait fish are still around, they might simply switch their diet, and you might see that croaker fishing just will not work anymore.

This is when I will start using live shrimp under a popping cork. Also, a gulp or something similar, under a cork does just as well. If you’re fishing from a boat, drifting to cover as much ground as possible tends to serve a good purpose. Making the same drift multiple times when you find good fish can be key.

When I do this, I make sure I am a good distance out of the school before I loop back around, so I don’t spook the bait, school of trout or red fish. Controlling your speed on a drift is key, and you want to try to move at the same speed as the school you are chasing. Pick up a little speed when the bite slows down to cover more ground.

Fishing has proved to be extremely successful for us when we use these tactics. As we continue through winter, we hope to see more of the impressive fish Baffin Bay has to offer.

•  •  •

HotSPOTLight:

Middle Ground, Texas

•  •  •

LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Badlands
GPS: N 27 18.228, W 97 24.338
(27.3038, -97.4056)

Baffin Bay: Badlands

Baffin Bay: Badlands

SPECIES: Speckled Trout & Redfish
BEST BAITS: Popping Corks with Gulp
SOURCE: Capt. Nino Gonzalez
361-332-1568
www.captninogonzalez.com
TIPS: If it’s cool in the morning, the trout will be sitting around the potholes.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Badlands South
GPS: N 27 16.386, W 97 25.266
(27.2731, -97.4211)

Baffin Bay: Badlands South

Baffin Bay: Badlands South

SPECIES: Speckled Trout & Redfish
BEST BAITS: Popping Corks with Gulp
SOURCE: Capt. Nino Gonzalez
361-332-1568
www.captninogonzalez.com
TIPS: This time of year, you should be mainly looking for slicks potholes and just grinding it out.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Cat Head
GPS: N 27 18.382, W 97 26.263
(27.3064, -97.4377)

Baffin Bay: Cat Head

Baffin Bay: Cat Head

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Use live shrimp under a popping cork if you are drifting.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Kennedy Shoreline
GPS: N 27 15.672, W 97 25.29
(27.2612, -97.4215)

Baffin Bay: Kennedy Shoreline

Baffin Bay: Kennedy Shoreline

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Topwaters & Soft Plastics
SOURCE: Capt. Nino Gonzalez
361-332-1568
www.captninogonzalez.com
TIPS: Best baits for redfish here are a popping cork with a 1/16 ounce jig head with Gulp underneath, 18 inch drop and 3/0 croaker hook.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Tide Gauge Bar
GPS: N 27 18.248, W 97 27.593
(27.3041, -97.4599)

Baffin Bay: Tide Gauge Bar

Baffin Bay: Tide Gauge Bar

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics on a 1/8 oz. jig head
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: For clear water use a clear or natural colored tail. For dark or murkier water, use a bright or darker color. If it’s really over cast, use a darker presentation, like a red/black or pink.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Oil Field Flats
GPS: N 26 15.079, W 97 15.943
(26.2513, -97.2657)

Lower Laguna Madre: Oil Field Flats

Lower Laguna Madre: Oil Field Flats

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork
SOURCE: Capt. George Strader
956-434-9971
spicharterfishing.com
TIPS: Trout and reds will be on gas wells in December under winds 15 or higher out of the north.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Three Islands
GPS: N 26 16.621, W 97 17.732
(26.2770, -97.2955)

Lower Laguna Madre: Three Islands

Lower Laguna Madre: Three Islands

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork
SOURCE: Capt. George Strader
956-434-9971
spicharterfishing.com
TIPS: In the heavier winds the fish are coming off the drop offs, getting where the grass is, you can catch them on plastics or cut mullet using a bottom rig.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Unnecessary Island
GPS: N 26 12.592, W 97 16.582
(26.2099, -97.2764)

Lower Laguna Madre: Unnecessary Island

Lower Laguna Madre: Unnecessary Island

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork
SOURCE: Capt. George Strader
956-434-9971
spicharterfishing.com
TIPS: Rig your popping cork with one ounce weight and a 4/0 J hook, then fish it about 10 inches off the bottom.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield
HOTSPOT: East Cut
GPS: N 26 33.8, W 97 17.029
(26.5633, -97.2838)

Port Mansfield: East Cut

Port Mansfield: East Cut

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: K Wigglers and Gold Spoons
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Wade fishing on the sand is productive with a red and white Kelley Wiggler. It draws a lot of attention.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield
HOTSPOT: East Cut Sloughs
GPS: N 26 33.62, W 97 17.403
(26.5603, -97.2901)

Port Mansfield: East Cut Sloughs

Port Mansfield: East Cut Sloughs

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: K Wigglers Soft Plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Fishing the sandy bottom along and anywhere around the East Cut should produce trout in November.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield
HOTSPOT: North Jetty
GPS: N 26 33.93, W 97 16.303
(26.5655, -97.2717)

Port Mansfield: North Jetty

Port Mansfield: North Jetty

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: K Wigglers and Gold Spoons
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Besides Kelley Wiggler and gold spoons, cut bait freelined, or under a popping cork, works for redfish along the jetty.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Bowie Park
GPS: N 26 11.541, W 97 10.327
(26.1924, -97.1721)

Lower Laguna Madre: Bowie Park

Lower Laguna Madre: Bowie Park

SPECIES: Pompano
BEST BAITS: Live shirmp, fresh shrimp.
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Fish two hook rigs with 1 to 2 ounce sinkers (spider weights are best if the surf is sloppy) in the first or second gut (the latter on an outgoing tide) to target all them.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Queen Isabela Causeway
GPS: N 26 4.97, W 97 12.06
(26.0828, -97.2010)

Lower Laguna Madre: Queen Isabela Causeway

Lower Laguna Madre: Queen Isabela Causeway

SPECIES: Black Drum
BEST BAITS: Live Shrimp, crab chunks
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear
TIPS: Fishing the edges of the Intercoastal Waterway with either live shrimp, or fresh crab, shrimp, or sea lice on a dropper or Carolina Rig works.

•  •  •

 

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