SABINE LAKE & PASS

Reported by CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

Spring Loaded

 

EARLY SPRING is in the sights of fishermen up and down the coast and we are all anxiously awaiting more and more angling opportunities to slowly begin to pop up. Knowing full well that we have no idea what type of weather conditions we’re going to have from week to week, we are excited about the warm, comfortable days that will be mixed in with some late winter-type conditions. 

If you get the opportunity to take advantage of some of the milder, fishable days, I highly recommend it. For a lot of people, myself included, there is much more to it than just catching fish. In fact, catching fish consistently this time of year is anything but a guarantee. With the exception of those days that spawn lifelong memories of getting a bite every cast, the unpredictable weather means you may have to work a little harder to put a successful pattern together. But this time of year comes with a promise – a promise of new life, warmth and good things to come. It reminds us that spring conditions are right around the corner and summer is not far behind. 

The big tides of spring will soon push water deep into places we haven’t been able to fish in awhile. New hatches of shrimp and baitfish will ride these tides deep into the far reaches and begin to rejuvenate the entire ecosystem. From the gulf to the back lakes, these signs of new life will be obvious. As the water temperature slowly begins its ascent up the thermometer, more and more young of the year shad, mullet and shrimp will lead anglers to the big 3 as well as an assortment of other species. The fish’s metabolism will increase with the water temps, and they will begin feeding more aggressively and often. 

Trout and redfish should begin to gang up on the eastern shoreline of the lake as we progress through April and the water continues to warm. As you work the bank, keep an eye out for birds working over the new recruits of shrimp on the upper end of the lake from Blue Buck Point to Pleasure Island Marina. 

Flounder are also starting to make their way back from the gulf and can be intercepted in the ship channel and passes. Fishing points in the Sabine Neches Waterway are an excellent place to start. GULP! Shrimp and Swimming Mullet are great choices for plastics when dragged slowly along the bottom. Live mud minnows and finger mullet will also get good results. The mouth and eastern shoreline of East Pass can also be red hot for flounder, especially as we get into April. 

Hopefully the milder days outnumber the tough days, and I can see you here on Sabine this spring.