MATAGORDA

Reported by CAPT. MARK TALASEK

Between the Fronts

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone!  I hope all of you had a blessed holiday and were able to enjoy your family.  As my time decreases on the water during the winter I still enjoy fishing between the cold fronts.  East bay produces numerous trophy trout during the winter months.  

I’m going to talk about winter trophy trout tactics.  Everyone wants the big one to put up on the wall.  It’s not an easy feat to accomplish. It takes hours on the water studying patterns along with some good old fashioned luck.  Most people in the fishing industry consider anything 25” plus a trophy.  With current regulations you can only snap a couple of photos of one that size.  Hopefully with numbers increasing, size limits will return to normal, giving people a chance to get that wall hanger.  While most people want a skin mount you can get a replica with a few measurements. This way you can release the fish back into the water for another fight. 

To target one of these trophies I like to use a Corkie or subsurface lure.  Between cool fronts when the wind lays I will usually fish mid-day.  I will find a shoreline with some mud.  The mud will warm up faster than the sand which reflects the heat back.  Tide movement and bait in the area is a plus.  The bigger fish don’t eat as often in cold weather.  A bigger meal is what they search for.  So a bigger bait will attract bigger fish.  Patience is key.  I have waded all day for only a couple bites.  But the bite you receive is the one that you want! 

Warmer temperatures are a couple of months away for you fair weather fishermen.  

To book your next fishing or flounder trip to Matagorda give me a call at 979-479-1397.