GALVESTON

Reported by CAPT. DEREK YORK

Email Derek York at spotstalkerfishing@yahoo.com

Put Winter Weather to Work

LISTEN: (3 Min, 03 Sec)

 

COLD TEMPERATURES, windy conditions, fog, rain and shorter days sure don’t sound very appealing to most fisherman, but wintertime fishing in Texas can be as good as it gets if you know how to use the weather to your advantage and get out on the better days we have early in the year.  Trophy trout fishing is king in most bay systems along the coast in the wintertime and Galveston Bay is no exception.  Whether you are fishing from a boat, the shoreline or wading you have a shot at a true trophy this time of year.  Corkies, Mirrolures and soft plastics produce plenty of quality fish in the wintertime with a slowed down presentation over mud bottoms which tend to warm faster than shell.  

When I am drift fishing, we will be throwing artificials and live shrimp under popping corks.  I also have a lot of luck on heavier spoons of ½ ounce or bigger for long casts at working birds.  Kastmasters and the Johnson Sprites are always a good bet when fishing spoons for trout and reds.  I will also concentrate on fishing marsh drains this time of year when the tide is right as these fish will always focus on these ambush areas when bait is readily available.

Whether you are fishing in West Bay, Galveston Bay, East Bay or Trinity you can find fish this time of year when using these tactics.  The main thing is just to go when you can and have a variety of baits and lures to offer the fish.  I will also spend a lot of my time fishing in smaller bodies of water like Clear Lake, Moses Lake and the upper Houston Ship channel.  

And when the weather is right the jetties can be a big producer of some great catches for reds, black drum and sheepshead.  Late February into early March is when the real push of big Black Drum start to run near the passes and deeper waters.  This is also when the Sheepshead will start to transition out of the bay to the jetties for their annual spring spawning season.  

Just remember to stay weather aware this time of year.  Be prepared for the unexpected and have a plan if something were to go wrong.  Always check your safety equipment (life jackets, first aid kit, signaling devices and any other items) and think about adding an emergency blanket, extra water and food and a change of clothes to your boat.  Hypothermia can set in quick and being prepared could be the difference.  Making a float plan is always a good idea even if it is just a simple text to a friend saying where you are planning on going and expected return time.  

So make sure to get out and enjoy some of the great fishing we have this time of year and remember to always try and take a kid fishing!

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