Aransas Bay-Upper Laguna Madre

Reported by CAPT. RICHARD THOMPSON

Epic Times on Aransas

LISTEN: (3 Min, 17 Sec)

IT’S A STELLAR AND TRULY EPIC time of the year for trophy Trout enthusiasts to be fishing in South Texas!! The first thing that pops into one’s mind when folks think about catching trophy Trout is Baffin Bay. However, we want to change that mindset and spotlight some great areas that produce some solid Trout and Redfish in the Corpus Christi Bay system from Nueces Bay to the Laguna Drive shoreline.

The opportunity to catch solid limits of Trout and Redfish is possible because they are congregating around flats and drop offs like we have on the Laguna Drive shoreline. There are several areas like this topography i.e., North shoreline of Nueces Bay, Oso Bay, Night Hawk, and Bird Island. With that being said, we have asked our clients to be conservative when thinking about which fish and how many they would like to harvest. After the last major freeze, Texas Parks and Wildlife have put out new size limits which really did help our bay system. This past August, everything went back to the original limits and sizes. Keeping this in mind, that it really helped, we are trying to stress the importance of being responsible fishermen and not taking out of the system more than we need to. We personally agree and want to set an example that taking a picture of an over 25” Trout and releasing it to lay her eggs and for someone else to catch her later is very gratifying.

Krystal White of R&K Coastal Outfitters shows off a limit of Corpus Christi specks and reds.
(Photo: Capt. Richard Thompson)

When it comes to catching these over 25” Trout, typically, everyone talks about MirrOlure MirrOdine or corkys this time of the year. But, one of our favorite go to baits is a topwater when the conditions allow. Some of the lures that we recommend are the One Knocker Spook, She Dog, and the Skitter Walk are extremely successful for enticing these big girls to hit them. The retrieve of a walk the dog motion with a slight pause is a very successful method to get your best results. Watching that big yellow mouth engulf your topwater is one of the most heart pumping adrenaline rushes you will ever experience on the water.

Big winter trout action can be found throughout the Aransas/Corpus/Upper Laguna bay system.
(Photo: Cape. Richard Thompson)

Personally, I also like to feel that big thump when I use soft plastics and corkys to lure in the big Redfish and Trout alike. One of my favorite soft plastic colors I use this time of year is the Down South Victorious Secret Super Model with a pink lead head. That pink lead head may be more of a confidence thing, but it sure seems to work for me time after time.

We recommend targeting areas with particularly good bait action and as this time of year when you see a few mullet flips slow down and work the area thoroughly and slowly. Make sure you work grass lines and the edges of potholes and try not to rush through them.

We are excited to announce that our new Laguna Madre Lodge will be ready for you to stay with us as we are steps away from the Laguna Drive shoreline located on the upper Laguna Madre. We would love to be your outfitter that puts you on your personal best trophy Trout.

Email Richard Thompson at RandKCoastalOutfitters@gmail.com

Online: RandKCoastalOutfitters.com