LOWER LAGUNA MADRE

Reported by CAPT. BRIAN BARRERA

Jetty Giants & Flats Runs

 

MAY BRINGS CONSISTENT warmer water temperatures and transitioning fish patterns. Some fish will still be working in their cold weather patterns, and some fish will be working in their hot weather patterns, so it can be hard to target them consistently during this month. For some reason, I tend to catch fish in a little bit murky and deeper water this time of year. Drifting or wade fishing the flats for slot redfish, and trout in deeper grass flats and channel edges with a slightly heavier jig, or a slow sinking/suspending style bait seems to be my go to. If I have clients that prefer to use bait this time of year and the fish have been in the murky water, I will use a loud popping cork with 15 to 20 inches of 30 pound fluorocarbon liter tied to a 4/0 circle, hook and fresh cut ballyhoo or mullet for bait. 

I use a bit of a different method in the clearwater this time of year, such as heavy top waters that I can launch far ways away or a heavy drop shot style rig with a circle hook and fresh cut bait. Although artificials are always my preferred, May tends to be a month where I use cut bait the most.

The extreme heat of June marks the beginning of a lot of bait, fish, migrations, and smaller bait. Fish start flooding into our flat system through the inlet from the ocean and with the mullet and menhaden you can rest assured that the giant bullheads and tarpon will soon follow. I like to cruise up and down both the channel and beat sides of the Jetty using my Humminbird Solix to locate schools of bait as well as schools of bigger fish, generally located somewhere close by. If the school’s a fish that seems to be sitting in one specific area, I will spot lock directly on top of them, give or take 20 yards, depending on the current and drop baits or lures directly down into the schools. If the school is a fish that seems to be moving or cruising around, then I prefer to drift using anything from one to 7 ounce weights to keep baits on or near the bottom. During low light conditions and peak times of the tide you can sometimes find these fish busting baits on the surface in which case I love to use a big soft plastic or if you have time to tie one on before the frenzy stops, a big top water popper. Redfish and trout on the flats will be fully into their summertime patterns by now, and a lot easier to target consistently. Early mornings, and late evenings tend to be the best bite this time of year.