SABINE LAKE & PASS

Reported by CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

 

Layer Up

 

 

HELLO WINTER.  Welcome to Texas’ northernmost stretch of coastline.  Since there’s not much I can do to prevent you from making your annual appearance, I will welcome you with open arms and accept what you have to offer.  I realize that these next couple of months will not be the most comfortable when it comes to running the bay in pursuit of fish.  I also realize, however, that for those of us who are willing to throw on some extra layers and get out there, the Sabine ecosystem can pay off in a big way.

Years of logging countless hours of wintertime fishing have taught us a thing or two.  For starters, you have to be disciplined enough to grind it out in less than desirable conditions hoping for a few big bites.  Another thing Is fishing the clearest water that you can find is a key ingredient for success.  Don’t waste your time fishing spots with murky water.  Key on areas with good visibility and nice mud bottoms, preferably those where mullet are present.  Clear water warms faster than murky water, mud warms quicker and retains heat better than sand and bait is always our ally in chilly water.

 Although the difference in water temperature may seem very little to us, it can be huge to the fish.  The slightest variance in water temperature can mean the difference between casting and catching.  It may only be a couple of degrees or less but that is very significant to the fish in cold water.

Experience has also taught us that straight tailed baits are more effective than those with a lot of movement.  Wobbly baits like curl tails, which work great in warm water, don’t really do much for these cold-blooded fish in cold water.  A better scenario is to offer them a straight tailed or fork tailed soft plastic.  Use the lightest jig head that the elements will allow and gently twitch it once it’s on the bottom.  As usual, the slower you work it back to the boat the better when their metabolism is low.  Some other good bait choices are slow sinking mullet imitations such as MirrOlure Catch 2000 and Catch V as well as Corky Original and Devils.  These baits are designed to sink very slowly, so give them time to get down then twitch and retrieve slowly.  If you’ve got good sunlight penetrating the water, your best bet would be to use darker or natural colored bait.  Morning Glory, Red Shad and natural mullet or shad work well in bright sun conditions.  Lighter colors like chartreuse, limetreuse and White Ice are much more effective when the sky is overcast.  

The eastern bank of Sabine Lake has multiple bayous, cuts and drains that empty into the bay.  Some of these open up into big shallow ponds that have their own drains and cuts.  Because of the large amount of water that moves in and out with the tides, your chances of finding decent water to fish somewhere along the eastern shoreline are pretty good.  If you’re lucky enough to find clear water that’s also holding bait, chances are you’ll be happy you decided to layer up.