LOWER COST FOCUS—Lower Laguna Madre

Deep Kings & Shallow Snook

Reported by CAPT. BRIAN BARRERA

LISTEN: (2 Min, 42 Sec)

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER are great times to fish the Lower Laguna Madre for big fish. The best thing about these months is we usually get very calm weather. And on the calmest of days the blue water will make its way close to shore, where boaters will make their way out to the inlet in pursuit of the “smoking” kingfish. There are many ways to target these fish and I have a few that I prefer myself. 

The main way most people target kingfish is by trolling heavy rattle traps or other deep diving hard baits in many colors from solid red to fire tiger and my buddies personal favorite, the baby mahi. Troll these lures at slow speeds with a 5 to 6000 spinning reel and wire leader in depths from 30-60’. 

Another popular tactic for kingfish many anglers use is to drift out whole, dead ribbon fish using a two-hook system and either a balloon to keep it afloat or a small weight to keep it suspended in the middle of the water column. 

My personal favorite way to target these flashy fish is to Spot-Lock with my trolling motor along the current in the inlet and cast a 1 oz. jighead with 3” D.O.A. shad tails with a slow retrieve working it from the bottom and back up to the surface. These fish have incredibly sharp teeth so take precaution when handling them. 

Another one of my favorite types of fishing to do this time of year is to chase big snook in shallow water. With the warmer waters, these fish tend to get out of the deep water and spread out into the shallows hanging around on grassy points, flats, and shallow docks. Drifting shallow flats in 2’ or less of water over sandy potholes, preferably in an area with active baitfish, is the best bet for this scenario. Big single hook topwaters and 30-40 lb. leader line (minimum) will bring these big fish to the boat. I prefer “walk the dog” style topwaters while making a long drift across the flat, but I will go to a popper style topwater in areas where I’m fishing shorelines or structure where the strike zone is smaller. During the heat of the day, it’s never a bad idea to spread the net and fling out a couple of nice live baits in shadowy areas. This is the time of the year when the chance to catch a true giant snook exists. So, wake up early and fish hard.

Email Brian Barrera at CaptBrianBFishing@gmail.com

Visit Online: InshoreFishingSouthPadre.com

 

 

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