HotSPOTLight: UPPER TEXAS COAST

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LOCATION: Freeport
HOTSPOT: Swan Lake
GPS: N 28 58.098, W 95 16.446
(28.9683, -95.2741)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Corkies or Catch 2000
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: In January the water gets a lot clearer and lower.You can do a lot of sight fishing with the majority for redfish.

LOCATION: Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: April Fool Reef
GPS: N 29 29.077, W 94 54.773
(29.4846 -94.9129)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Shrimp, croaker
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Fish live shrimp or croaker, work reef top and edges, drift; dawn-midday, dusk.

LOCATION: Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Halfway Reef
GPS: N 29 33.406, W 94 58.207
(29.5568 -94.9701)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Shrimp
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Fish live shrimp 2-3’ under popping cork, anchor or drift; dawn through afternoon.

LOCATION: Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Kemah Flats
GPS: N 29 32.777, W 95 0.648
(29.5463 -95.0108)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Shrimp, crab, topwaters
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Fish live shrimp or crab, work topwaters early, live bait later; dawn-midday.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay
HOTSPOT: Tong Reef
GPS: N 29 32.232, W 94 30.351
(29.5372 -94.5059)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Live and artificial trout bait
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Drift reef edges, fish afternoon through dusk & under full moon.

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay
HOTSPOT: Spillway
GPS: N 29 45.223, W 94 48.857
(29.7537 -94.8143)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Shrimp, finger mullet, topwaters
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Anchor or drift with live shrimp or finger mullet, fish topwaters early; dawn through midday, dusk.

LOCATION: Galveston West Bay
HOTSPOT: Greens Lake
GPS: N 29 16.245, W 94 59.539
(29.2708 -94.9923)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Shrimp
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Fish shrimp 18 inches under cork, fish shallow early; dawn through morning, afternoon through dusk.

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay
HOTSPOT: Brown Cedar Flats
GPS: N 28 44.406, W 95 42.09
(28.7401 -95.7015)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Corkys
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: You want a slow sinking bait, such as a yellow/chartreuse Corky; good all day.

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: Soft plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Drift with pumpkinseed soft plastics, looking for slicks; morning.

LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay
HOTSPOT: Oliver Point
GPS: N 28 38.265, W 96 13.92
(28.6378, -96.2320)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters, soft plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Wade the shoreline grass from Oyster Point to Oyster Lake; avoid midday, night.

LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay
HOTSPOT: Twin Island Reef
GPS: N 28 38.828, W 96 2.425
(28.6471, -96.0404)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Shrimp
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Anchor or drift the reef with shrimp under a popping cork; dawn-morning, dusk.

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

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live bait, soft plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Fish Stanley Wedgetails, jig-tipped shrimp, or fish live finger mullet.

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HotSPOTLight: MIDDLE TEXAS COAST

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LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay
HOTSPOT: Nueces Bay
GPS: N 27 51.894, W 97 21.132
(27.8649 -97.3522)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Fish Gulp! New Penney and any other soft plastic in purple are effective colors.

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

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

LOCATION: Mesquite Bay
HOTSPOT: Cedar Bayou
GPS: N 28 6.708, W 96 49.812
(28.1118 -96.8302)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Down South & Kelley Wiggler soft plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Fish seem to like the round body of Down South soft plastics, and the willow tail of Kelley Wigglers dipped in Garlic.

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

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastic Paddle Tails or live shrimp
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: January and February are almost identical as far as spots and baits. A big difference is there is no reason to be on the water at the crack of dawn. The fish are cold too. You can start fishing around 10 am.

LOCATION: Port Aransas
HOTSPOT: Quarantine Shoreline
GPS: N 27 54.468, W 97 3.5159
(27.9078 -97.0586)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastic Paddle Tails or live shrimp
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: The fish will be real lethargic, especially on the flats until the sun rises and warms everything up.

LOCATION: Redfish Bay
HOTSPOT: Dagger Island
GPS: N 27 50.1019, W 97 10.2659
(27.8350 -97.1711)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastic Paddle Tails or live shrimp
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Cut bait on the pot holes…it will all be good when the water warms up.

LOCATION: Rockport-Fulton
HOTSPOT: Long Reef
GPS: N 28 3.618, W 96 57.679
(28.0603 -96.9613)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Down South & Kelley Wiggler soft plastics
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Whatever soft plastic you choose, make sure to fish slow across the bottom.

LOCATION: San Antonio Bay
HOTSPOT: Guadalupe Bay East Shore
GPS: N 28 24.803, W 96 45.342
(28.4134 -96.7557)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout & Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live Shrimp under a popping Cork
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: When wading, concentrate around Panther, south of Panther and Cedar Bayou.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: King Ranch Shoreline
GPS: N 27 29.130, W 97 20.913
(27.485504, -97.348542)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Slow Sinking Artificial Baits
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: The color of the lure depends on whether it’s sunny or cloudy. Early in the morning, use a brighter color. Pink is a good color.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Pita Island
GPS: N 27 36.023, W 97 17.008
(27.600382, -97.283461)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Slow Sinking Artificial Baits
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: If you use a real light color in the morning, the fish are looking up and the light color will stand out.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Nine Mile Hole
GPS: N 27 5.159, W 97 24.621
(27.0860 -97.4104)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Slow Sinking Artificial Baits
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: If you use a real light color in the morning, the fish are looking up and the light color is sticking out.

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HotSPOTLight: LOWER TEXAS COAST

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LOCATION: Arroyo Colorado
HOTSPOT: Peyton Bay
GPS: N 26 26.122, W 97 22.3519
(26.4354 -97.3725)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish
BEST BAITS: 3 inch Berkley Gulp under a popping cork
SOURCE: Capt. Joel Ramos
956-626-5143
TIPS: Bounce the bait off the grass a little. Use a clear 18-20 inch monofilament leader under the cork. Give it two solid pops and let it sit for five or six seconds. Then move it and repeat the popping.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Kennedy Rocks
GPS: N 27 16.255, W 97 26.7329
(27.2709 -97.4456)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: MirrOlure soft plastics with either a 1/8 or 1/16 ounce jig head
SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
TIPS: When the water is clear, throw the Morning Glory color. Use the MirrOlure soft plastics because they are already scented. That enhances your chances of attracting fish.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Brownsville Ship Channel
GPS: N 26 0.405, W 97 16.465
(26.0068 -97.2744)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Snook, & Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, mullet or Berkley Gulp!
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Work the edges and you might catch a triple header: trout, snook, and redfish.

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

SPECIES: Flounder
BEST BAITS: Live bait, soft plastics in pearl, smoke.
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Fish the weedline along the edge of the ICW. Look for cuts into the weeds and sharpshoot into them. Use a 1/4 or 3/8 ounce jighead and fish slowly.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: North Shoreline
GPS: N 26 3.83, W 97 9.92
(26.0638 -97.1653)

SPECIES: flounder
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, live finger mullet. Gulp! Shrimp in New Penny, Ivory.
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: The best time to fish this area is during an early morning high tide. Fish both live shrimp and soft plastics under a popping cork. If you want to try and tempt any flatties in the area, then fish Gulp! Shrimp on a ¼ ounce jighead and bounce it along the bottom.

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

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

LOCATION: Middle Ground
HOTSPOT: Marker 9
GPS: N 26 59.831, W 97 26.944
(26.9972, -97.4491)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters, plastics, spoons
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Fish topwaters early and late—other times, go with red/white soft plastics, and gold or chrome spoons.

LOCATION: Middle Ground
HOTSPOT: San Antonio Shack
GPS: N 26 41.945, W 97 26.563
(26.6991, -97.4427)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Bull Minnow
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Purple/yellow Bull Minnow, work spoil islands with purple/yellow Bull Minnow; good spot all day.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield
HOTSPOT: Butchers Island
GPS: N 26 38.1019, W 97 23.149
(26.6350, -97.3858)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Corkys
SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas
Fishgame.com/fishgamegear
TIPS: Beginning in February it’s time again to be looking for that trophy trout.

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