SABINE LAKE & PASS

Reported by CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

 

The Fall Tradition

 

 

WHAT AN EXCITING TIME for outdoorsman in the great state of Texas! Over the next two months we should experience more of the same hot, muggy conditions that we’ve grown so accustomed to, as well as a glimpse of the cool, autumn conditions that are right around the corner.

We really don’t know what to expect because it can go from warm to cool and back to warm in the blink of an eye. Regardless, this is the time of year when outdoor enthusiasts across the state are able to switch gears and begin to slowly tweak their angling strategies as well as start thinking more seriously about upcoming hunting opportunities.

Here on Sabine Lake, it is usually more of a gradual transition from traditional summer patterns to those geared more toward fall fishing. We are probably not quite done with the dog days yet, especially in September, and for that reason, a lot of our time will still be spent south of the causeway working the ship channel and jetties.

The topwater bite should remain consistent early and late for the next few weeks with some impressive stringers of speckled trout and redfish. Once the topwater bite begins to taper off a bit, soft plastics bounced off the bottom on 1/8 or ¼ oz. jig head, or about 24” under a popping cork should keep you on the fish. Proven locations with good bait-holding bottoms and fluctuating depts such as Cheniere, Golden Pass LNG and Lighthouse Cove are areas that you want to key on. The abundance of baitfish coupled with very good tidal movement is what keeps these spots at the top of most people’s list. 

The same holds true for the jetties. We’ve still got a few more weeks of very consistent fishing there also. Again, throwing topwaters early, then switching to soft plastics around mid-morning should result in some nice stringers. Skitter Walks and She Dogs in pink/silver, bone and black/chartreuse are excellent choices for topwater plugs. Some hard to beat soft plastics include Zoom Super Fluke, Down South Lures and D.O.A. C.A.L. series in pink, white ice and chartreuse.

If we’re lucky we’ll get a nice cool front in September. Then we can quickly switch into fall fishing mode and take full advantage of a much-welcomed change of pace. The north wind that these early fronts bring gives me visions of shrimp pouring out of the marsh and the mouths of the bayous on the eastern shoreline of Sabine Lake. Fishing the points and mouths of these bayous can be super productive in these conditions.

Tidal movement is a very important key to your success. Check the charts and plan your trip accordingly. Be sure to check behind you periodically for working gulls. If we get that early front in September, we’ll be out there doing our best to jump-start the transition from the dog days to some fantastic fall fishing. Come help us get it started.