Aransas Bay-Upper Laguna Madre

Reported by CAPT. RICHARD THOMPSON

A New Fishing Season

 

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SPRING HAS SPRUNG, and we are excited to begin a new fishing season. The transition is upon us with a blink of an eye and can catch you unprepared. Here are some suggestions and tips that we focus on and would like to share with you to prepare you for the change in strategies.

We have more confidence fishing shallow flats with a prevailing Southeast wind targeting spoils and shorelines where hard sand and scattered grass beds exist.  The windward shorelines will hold more bait in the off-colored water which will concentrate more game fish in those areas. 

The myth surrounding water clarity is overrated. Understanding that off- colored water holds more bait fish and better opportunities for our game fish to ambush. We have this debate with fishermen all the time about water clarity. In our experiences we have caught our best trout in off-colored sandy water with bait activity. It’s all about your confidence that fish are in that area and obviously your lure selection. 

Some of the best lures we use during this time are MirrOlure, Little John “Purple Demon”, Down South Lures, Super Model, “Red Shad”, Coastal Brew Lures, 6” Dart “Plum Punch.” I read in an article a long time ago that fish care far less about water clarity than fishermen and thought wow, that makes a lot of sense. So, moving away from the mullet imitation artificials and throwing in more soft plastics is the recipe for our success. 

When game planning fishing trips during this time, be mindful of the Spring pattern being interrupted by late seasonal fronts which drops the water temperatures and pushes tides out for a few days. Adjusting and being flexible to the changes and conditions is key.  Fishing can be difficult and frustrating if you are fishing in the same areas prior to the front. These fish have more than likely dropped off the shallow flats into deeper water. 

We prefer wade fishing as one of the most effective methods of catching trout but when conditions arise with late season fronts don’t rule out drift fishing as the fish have dropped off the shallow flats and staging in that 4-5 ft depth of water waiting for tides and water temperatures to come back up to the shallow flats. 

As the Springtime patterns stabilize with fewer fronts and more southeast prevailing winds, water temps hit that magic number of 70° and typically make spring months hot and heavy for catching speckled trout. 

As you are planning your Spring and Summer fishing trips, we are excited to announce that our new Laguna Madre Lodge is up and running and would love to help you book an all-inclusive fishing experience with us!

 

Email Richard Thompson at RandKCoastalOutfitters@gmail.com

Online: RandKCoastalOutfitters.com

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