PORT O’CONNOR

Reported by CAPT. KIM GOULDEN

Tactics for Fall Fishing

LISTEN: (3 Min, 1 Sec)

AS WE MOVE THROUGH the dog days of summer, our attention turns towards fall with cooler temperatures and hungry fish. If you like fishing during summer, you will absolutely love it in the fall and winter. 

When air temps begin to decrease, water temperature will do the same. Cooler water will encourage targets like speckled trout to hang around shallow water longer.  A flat with sand pockets, grass beds, proximity to deeper water, flipping bait and water movement is going to be a good bet. 

If you’re interested in fishing with artificial lures, this can be a great time of year to try them out.    

Below are a few common challenges I see during fall/early winter and some suggestions. 

1. Changing wind direction or no wind.

Wind plays a significant role in water movement. Water movement is important for fish to eat. If you have no wind or tidal movement, find a point with adjacent drop-offs.   Water will naturally gravitate around this type of structure, giving you some movement. Even the slightest puff of breeze can immediately result in a bite.

Frequently changing wind direction often requires adjustments from anglers. This can be a tough one. There’s no one rule for this. You may be able to adjust your direction and/or presentation to continue drawing a bite.  Or, you may have to relocate altogether. 

 2. Lure weight. 

 When targeting speckled trout in shallow water, try lighter jigheads. Avoid using heavy jigheads to lengthen a cast.  That heavy jighead will divebomb to the bottom and/or wear out your arm trying to keep it in the strike zone.  Instead, opt for a 1/16oz with a smaller hook gap and pair with a MirrOLure Lil John XL.  This combination casts like a bullet and provides plenty of erratic action with minimal effort. Trout, redfish and flounder are often willing on this combination. 

Texas Custom Lures 1/16oz 2-0 Watermelon Red jighead with a Watermelon Red Glitter MirrOLure Lil John XL is a deadly combination. 

3. Approaching your fishing area too fast. 

Once you have selected the area you want to fish, slow down and idle up to the area or use a trolling motor.  This will give you time to evaluate bait presence, water movement and color changes.  Being stealthy by easing into an area quietly and walking a little bit if you are wading can work big in your favor.  Bumped fish may still eat, but spooked fish may take much longer to return to normal.  

If you are new to fall and winter fishing, consider putting this on your short list this year.  It truly is a magical time of year on the Texas Gulf Coast. 

As always, be safe and be nice to each other on the water. Tight lines!

 

Email Kim Goulden at KimGouldenFishing@gmail.com

Online: PortOConnorFishingTrip.com