Summer Ends on a High Note
Reported by CAPT. GERAD MERRITT
LISTEN: (3 Min, 8 Sec)
HOT WITH AN OCCASIONAL cool down tends to be the trend this time of year around Baffin Bay, the Laguna Madre and Land Cut. The recent bay activity, as of the writing of this article, has proven to be fairly satisfactory. Bait along with strong numbers of upper slot size trout seem to be very healthy.
Consistent rain and storms earlier in the summer brought our salinity down some and amended our water quality. On our calm, hot mornings, bait can be seen as you run through the bay and aquatic life is plentiful. I use these days to look for new fish and seem to find good solid trout, the occasional redfish and black drum on spots I did not expect.
Working an area with birds is not a normal practice for myself in Baffin Bay as they are more prone to holding gaftop, hard head, and skipjacks. Every once in a while, I will stop to check it out and periodically have a little luck. With that said, when we see bait working in a general area without birds, I will make the mental note and check it out at some point throughout the morning. If time and the game plan for the day allows, I will stop to check it immediately. I try not to second guess what my plan is from the start, but little adjustments never hurt. This time of year, we are still (hopefully) fishing with live croaker, even if we have to haul them in. We are either free lining them or fishing a slip weight, chatter weight or simple split shot if the need or location calls for it.
At times in the Laguna or Land Cut, the current is too strong to keep everything in order. If lines are tangling or bait won’t stay toward the bottom, I will attach the slip weights. In certain conditions it is better to add a chatter weight, and this can also help in a pinch. On average, I try to only use the chatter weights or split shots when having trouble keeping bait off the surface where birds can be a big problem. Using these types of sinkers can help but also hurt in the bay as the various rock structures will snag your bait and hook. These techniques need to be tended to frequently to avoid catching a famous Baffin Bay rock but can be rewarding when done properly.
Drifting the flats, bellies, guts, and grass lines is also another technique this time of year. Covering as much ground as possible but remembering that a slow drift is key. You need to be ready to stop the boat once you have found your desired fish quality. Next you want to move with them as they are more than likely following their food source (bait fish) or cooling off with the warmer water temperatures.
More cold fronts will be on the way soon and we will begin winter fishing. Get your waders ready and start planning your trip to Baffin to look for that once in a lifetime trophy trout!
Email Gerad Merritt at GeradMerritt@gmail.com
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