MATAGORDA

Reported by CAPT. MARK TALASEK

That Warm Feeling Returns

 

I’M DEFINITELY A FAN of the warmer months. Hibernation during the winter is not my favorite time of the year. My desired wardrobe consists of shorts, t shirt, and flip-flops. I will growl when I have to walk out of the house with a coat. There is a limited amount of maintenance that can be done on your equipment before boredom begins to set in. I usually head south of the border a time or two to escape the cold. You guessed it. I can’t wait for the spring to roll around.

A successful Matagorda flounder haul.
(Photo: Mark Talasek)

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The Houston Fishing Show kicks off the start of a new season. I have been attending these for over 30 years since my dad started guiding in the 70’s. It’s a good time to meet new friends and talk fishing. Stop by and come see us. It’s a great way to see all the new fishing gear as well. 

Cold fronts come less frequently. Water temperatures start to rise. A new hatch of shrimp hit the marshes. Bait fish refill the bay systems. Who wouldn’t get excited about working a top water along the shoreline after being cooped up most of the winter? A lot of the sow trout lay their eggs this time of the year. Your chances of landing a personal best are higher. Work your favorite top water slowly over the grass beds. Glass minnows migrate along the grass on incoming tides. Trout and red fish fill up their belly after a long winter.

Flounder migrate in from deeper gulf waters. They are one of the only fish that go offshore to lay eggs with the help of water pressure. Most of the smaller males remain in the bay system. We catch them year round during a mild winter. Water clarity is better with the cooler temperatures. 

The bay system is revitalized.

Temperatures are mild. It’s a great time to be on the water.