LOWER LAGUNA MADRE
Reported by CAPT. BRIAN BARRERA
Email Brian Barrera at CaptBrianBFishing@gmail.com
Visit Online: InshoreFishingSouthPadre.com
Gear Up for Big Fish
LISTEN: (2 Min, 52 Sec)
TIME TO PUT AWAY the light tackle and gear up for some big fish! With July and August in mind all I can think of is the winds start to calm, the bugs start to bite, the mornings are sticky, and the fish are BIG!
More consistent weather with calm mornings and slightly breezy afternoons create lots of new opportunities for anglers in our fishery. From deep water schools of big bull reds, to kingfish flying out of the ocean and shallow water snook, to big black drum, anglers can pick their poison on what they’d like to try to catch that day.
Big bull reds out to 45 inches can be found cruising the inlets or deeper waters like the Intracoastal Waterway, bridge channels and deep coves. The best way to get bit by one of these behemoths is surely a live or cut bait rigged drop shot style cast away from the boat towards structure or dropped directly off the side of the boat, if in deep enough water. Hold on tight and bring some bigger gear in the 4000-6000 size range with minimum 30 lb. braid and 30-40 lb. leader. If lures are your game, then try a big spoon or weighted pre-rigged swim bait such as a D.O.A. Lures Baitbuster.
Kingfish can be caught at Rapalas or free lining ribbonfish into the current, trolling RatLTraps and Rapalas, or chunking heavy spoons either off the boat or off the jetties. Look for these fish to be more aggressive and showing up in numbers during heavy incoming tides that provide clear water within casting distance.
Snook tend to hang out on the flats in number during these months. Don’t be afraid to throw a big topwater out with a 30-40lb leader line on it, if they’re being picky try bottom.
Try bouncing a heavy jig around them, and if they’re being really picky give the ‘ol cast net a toss and see what you can pull up to toss at ‘em. I suggest fishing structure for snook, oysters, docks, grass beds, and channel edges.
Where are all my meat haulers? This is the time to shine with easy limits of black drum. They tend to gather in giant schools providing quite the fun fishing experience for all anglers, especially for novice fisherman or children. Cruising channel edges using sides can help you locate them quickly. Live or dead shrimp are generally what they like to eat best. These kinds of schools can create a gathering of many boats, side by side (drum wars!) Try to enjoy the fun, so upsize your gear a little bit so you can control your fish a little better and don’t get tangled up with other anglers around you.
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