The Fishing Connection

Saturday started out as one of
those South Texas days with no
wind and lots of sun. It started to
get hot early while we sat in the
sun. An ole friend I grew up with
had made his way to South Texas
out of the snow drifts and cold of
the Midwest. David “Studdly”
Feathers of Patoka Illinois made
the trip to chase and possibly set
the hook on a monster Red like
he had done in the past.
We boarded the Sponge out
of Laguna Vista headed north
and the weather was cooperating
totally. As we drove up the west
side we saw several Reds but not
any pods or schools. As we neared
where I wanted to fish we started to see
small pods of Reds, some had up to five
and others had as many as 15, so we
shut ‘er down and started to drift.
At first the smooth water was easy
to see the Red devils swimming and
feeding. I hooked one on the top water
lure, and as I reeled him in I noticed
the wind starting to pick up from the
north. It was slight at first helping us
put a good drift together then all hell
broke loose the wind speed went from
very light subtle to 30+ mph. I thought
it was going to blow my ears off.
Some times while fishing so shallow
one can get stuck on bottom so I have
to get off and push the boat to some
deeper waters. First time I got in to
push, it was warm. The second time the
wind was blowing like crazy and I got
wet. Cold and wet does not mix and I
started to shake a little. Believe me,
there is a lesson to learn here.
Always be prepared for anything to
happen on the Laguna Madre, bad
weather to mechanical problems or
even taking on water in the boat. None
of the three are good at the time.
We headed back to the house. I was
disappointed that David didn’t get to
catch a fish but he understood completely.
Anglers, don’t forget to take a
jacket to fend off the sudden fronts we
have. You won’t regret it. And, like I
told David, “We’ll do it again”!
Anglers are having a field day on the
waters once more. Big Reds on both
sides of the bay and lots of keeper Trout
are being put in the coolers. Anglers
fishing the channels are catching some
real nice Flounders for the oven.
In South Bay you almost have to
take some water with you to get in and
out of there. It’s very shallow but Reds
and Trout are there. Along the Island
keeper Trout are feeding in the channels
and around the docks. Use live bait.
You can find big Trout around the
Causeway, Use live bait on a popping
cork and hang on!
Mesquite Flats has fish but
not the numbers of fish I would
expect for that area. They are
there but you have to hunt for
them. Use live bait on a popping
cork.
Gaswell Flats had lots of boats
fishing there so the Reds had to
be hanging around. The vast area
around the Drum Boat has small
schools of Reds roaming in the
shallows. Spoons, Cocohos, Top
Water lures and live bait we fill
the coolers.
Green Island has some small
schools roaming on the south side
in the skinny water. Best bet in the
shallows is a Spoon or Top Water lure.
Primera Island had some 20 to 22 inch
Trout and an occasional monster Red. I
mean big boys up to 36 inches. The
gentleman I spoke with said he and a
friend caught three big ones and a mess
of Trout there in four hours using Gold
Spoons. What a great day for those
guys!
South of Cullen’s house Reds are
running in the shallows but if you don’t
pay attention, they may lure you into
the point of no return. The shallows
have enough water to float you into it
but not enough water to get the boat
out, so be on your toes. Be careful not
to get stranded. If you do, don’t feel
bad. My last stranding lasted seven
hours till the tide came up enough to
move the boat. Being a half a mile from
the nearest water on your boat is a sad
sight!
Have fun, be safe and be prepared!