MATAGORDA

Reported by CAPT. MARK TALASEK

Second Best Time to Fish

 

I WANT TO FIRST WISH everyone a very happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.  I hope everyone enjoys spending time with family and friends.  Maybe you were able to get out on the water.  

I am on the water 125 days a year on average.  The most common question is when is the best time of year to go fishing?  My answer is anytime you can go.  Followed by the best month is November for catching.  Water traffic is slower with half the outdoorsmen hunting.  Another portion are busy with school, kids, holiday plans, etc.

Cooler weather makes being out much more enjoyable than the summer heat.  It also means redfish pods in the shallows.  Schools of trout under diving birds. Trophy trout hitting top waters.  Flounder migrating to the gulf.  Fish catches grow exponentially in the fall.  It doesn’t get any better than November. 

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I like taking customers in my flounder boat up on the flat.  Pods of reds feed in less than 6” of water. I’m able to maneuver the shallow water with the help of my air motor.  It’s a beautiful sight watching the tails stick out of the water.  Cast your favorite bait in the vicinity and you are going to get a hookup.  It’s not unusual to have four people hooked up at once.  The pod will usually disperse but will eventually, with patience, regroup.  

Standing in the water on a middle bay reef is another favorite tactic   I have caught some of my biggest trout throwing top water in the fall.  Chinquapin reefs are a favorite area to lure a big girl.  Try not to crunch the shell much while walking.  Being quiet won’t spook the fish, enhancing your chances for success.   Remember to practice catch and release unless you plan on putting it on the wall. 

For those who want to stay in the boat, chasing birds is a good option.  Birds diving in the water are a good sign that fish are pushing them to the surface.  Maneuver upwind of the birds and drift into them.  Cast towards the school.   In my experience the fish are bigger down deep. So let your bait sink lower for the big ones. 

Flounder migrate to the gulf. Working cuts and channels are the ticket for snagging a big flattie.  If you want guaranteed success, come on my gigging boat and experience the bay coming to life at night.