CCA STAR Winning Strategies

Feature Story by TF&G STAFF

LISTEN: (6 minutes, 52 seconds)

 

THE STATE OF TEXAS ANGLERS RODEO (STAR) kicks off Memorial Day and gives anglers a legit shot at winning huge prizes.

First on everyone’s minds is catching a tagged redfish.

This division has always been a centerpiece of the tournament but with flounder and trout divisions gone, catching a tagged red is an even more popular among S.T.A.R. anglers.

While the released tagged redfish may be scattered along the coast and tend to roam once released, one thing remains certain: to catch reds, you must locate where they congregate. Tagged fish are caught in every kind of habitat the species tends to roam, so the best game plan is just to find a good redfish hole.

Here are some insights on finding summer reds in Texas.

During the summer, redfish along the mid-coast can be found feeding in seagrass beds within Aransas and Redfish Bays. While some areas are off-limits to boats with propellers, those open to anglers are prime spots for using live bait. Pitching live croaker or mullet into the sand holes between grass pockets is a reliable method for hooking reds.

In the Laguna Madre area, anglers target reds through fall along the edges of the Intracoastal Waterway and in various inlets between Corpus Christi and Port Mansfield. Utilizing topwater lures such as the Top Dog Jr. and Skitter Walk proves effective for sight-casting to reds in the region’s crystal-clear waters.

For anglers with boats, the Sabine, north Galveston, and Surfside Jetties are teeming with reds. Look for deep holes alongside the rocks, as they tend to hold the most fish, while boating cuts serve as a secondary but productive option. Live mullet reigns as the top bait for the jetties, although artificial lures also yield success. Chunking a ½-ounce gold Rat-L-Trap or a large gold spoon tipped with squid or shrimp into the deep holes proves fruitful for jetty reds. However, anglers should exercise caution when using lighter tackle with lures, as reds may dart into the rocks, risking both the fish and expensive lures.

Sheepshead are legal game in the tournament as well. 

Fishing live shrimp under popping corks with fluorocarbon leaders can attract sheepshead, especially in clear waters. Opt for sturdy hooks to handle their bite strength.

Live shrimp fished around any of the jetty systems can be killer but don’t overlook huge sheepshead around wrecks and buoys in the channel.

Ditto for gafftopsail catfish.

Look for pockets of these fish, particularly around jetty systems and nearshore oil and gas platforms. Use chum to attract them and employ simple rigging techniques with circle hooks or fish-finder rigs.

A great place to catch them inland are around deep reefs on the southern end of bays and deep holes in the ship channel.

Red Snapper inhabit reefs, wrecks, and other underwater structures in depths ranging from 30 to 150 feet.

Snapper are voracious eaters and readily strike various baits, including squid, cut bait, and live fish. Bottom fishing with a Carolina rig or a fish finder rig is effective in enticing these bottom-dwelling predators. Patience is key, as red snapper often take their time before committing to the bait.

Heavy tackle is recommended to handle the powerful runs of red snapper and prevent them from retreating into the structure. Use stout rods paired with braided line and a strong leader to withstand the fish’s abrasive mouth and the rough underwater terrain.

Dorado (Dolphin, Mahi Mahi) are pelagic species found in offshore waters, particularly around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. They are often encountered in depths ranging from 100 to 500 feet.

Dorado are attracted to brightly colored trolling skirts and surface poppers. Live bait, such as ballyhoo or small fish, also entices strikes. Trolling at varying speeds near weed lines or floating objects is a popular method for targeting dorado.

Medium to heavy trolling rods paired with monofilament or fluorocarbon line are suitable for dorado fishing. A selection of artificial lures and rigged baits ensures versatility in enticing strikes.

King Mackerel are commonly found near offshore reefs, oil rigs, and bait schools in depths ranging from 20 to 100 feet. Pay attention to water temperature and currents, as these factors influence their movement. They like to be along current rips and they are also fond of feeding behind culling shrimp boats.

King Mackerel are aggressive predators that readily strike live baitfish, such as menhaden, mullet, and cigar minnows. Trolling with spoons, plugs, or rigged baits at varying depths is an effective method for targeting king mackerel. High-speed trolling can trigger reaction strikes from these fast-swimming fish.

Medium to heavy spinning or conventional rods paired with wire or heavy monofilament leaders are suitable for king mackerel fishing. A sturdy drag system is essential to handle the fish’s powerful runs and prevent line breakage.

Catching cobia (ling) in the Texas Gulf of Mexico requires strategic planning and precise execution. These powerful fish often congregate near structures such as buoys, wrecks, and oil rigs. Anglers typically target them in depths ranging from 20 to 200 feet with the fish typically hanging near the upper tier of the water column.

Successful cobia fishing relies on understanding their behavior and preferences. Live bait such as small fish, crabs, or eels, as well as artificial lures like bucktail jigs and swimbaits, are effective in enticing strikes. Sight fishing is common, with anglers casting their bait or lure ahead of the fish and reeling it in to provoke a response.

Another great way to catch them is to rev your engine up around buoys or rigs. That may spook some fish, but cobia will often come up to see what’s going on.

Tackling cobia demands sturdy equipment. Medium to heavy spinning or baitcasting rods paired with strong braided line are recommended, along with a robust leader to withstand their abrasive mouths and potential encounters with structure.

And be careful when you have them in the boat. They flop like crazy and could easily break a leg.

Don’t let anything like that happen to ruin what should be an amazing summer of fishing in the S.T.A.R. tournament.

This tournament is CCA’s major member drive and helps connect tens of thousands to conservation of our fisheries. That makes it unique and a valuable asset to all Texas Gulf Coast anglers.

—story by TF&G STAFF

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