Structure Within Structure

Man, it’s hot out on the water right now. I know it is always hotter during periods of drought but it certainly feels much hotter to me than previous drought years. Water temperatures are definitely warmer than normal, I saw 91° on Estes Flats one recent afternoon, and THAT IS HOT!

I want to talk this month about what I call structure within structure. One of the accompanying photos, as well as my video, will help describe what I’m talking about. In the video I talk you through what I am seeing and where the ambush points are located. There is never a time when we should overlook broad areas of structure that have additional structure features within the primary area. That said, I have a firm belief that learning to identify and taking advantage of such structure features pays incredibly high dividends during the hottest days of summer.

Savvy anglers are already aware there needs to be a food source in place around all types of structure to attract game fish. This past week I have been concentrating ONLY on areas of structure within structure that have an abundance of baitfish activity in or around them. One of the first things you will notice about these areas is that they have slightly greater depths, occasional shallow bars or humps, submerged grass beds, underwater grass points, windward and leeward grass edges, and pinch points. In the northern portions of my home waters, scattered oyster shell takes the place of grass beds. Some of the shell will have stringy algae and other types of vegetation attached.

I believe the slightly increased depths in these potholes allows game fish to feel a bit more comfortable, from the standpoint of the dual role they play as predators, and also as prey themselves to larger, toothier predators.

Trout, being very cat-like in the way they lie in wait and pounce on prey, need ambush points and structure features that break up their outline. They will setup and pounce, or slowly mill throughout the numerous types of structure within the primary area of structure. I cannot tell you how many times I have eased up to a position offshore of a large washout and made numerous casts without a strike, but all the while I am seeing nervous bait that I believe are aware of the presence of trout or redfish. It’s a sense that I cannot fully explain but I know it when I see it and it is pretty reliable.

One day a week or so back we eased into the type of spot I’m describing. After sticking the first trout, a twenty-six-incher, we spread out and also backed up a short distance so we would not spook other fish that I felt were in the washout. Over the next hour we pulled over 20 trout, 2 drum, and 2 flounder out of that single washout. I was talking constantly to my guys about the importance of casting accurately to the numerous areas of structure within the basic structure of the washout.

“It’s the structure within the structure that’s holding the fish,” I told them. While we were standing there I made the comment to the guys to take a look at the next couple of washout to the south. “What jumps out at you?” I asked. “Coloration,” one guy said. He was dead on.

The next couple of washouts were a good deal shallower, and with considerably less submerged grass. It is very noticeable how the absence of one or two of the prime elements will influence the numbers of fish a washout will hold. I don’t think game fish set up camp in areas with singular structure elements nearly as well if there are areas close by that possess multiple options. Honestly, it’s simple to grasp once you have been able to experience a bite such as the one described earlier. Another interesting aspect of structure within a washout structure is that even though we could not prove the fish were moving from one area of the wash to the other, and then repeating the process, it certainly seems that is exactly what was going on.

I remember many years ago I had gotten to a point where I would literally time the period between bites when working larger potholes that had numerous types of structure within the main pothole itself. You would be amazed at what I learned and the confidence it provided me. I remember one particular pothole that I referred to as the seven minute pothole. When trout or reds were using that pothole it took about seven minutes for them to slowly work the windward grass edge from one end to the other. If I was on the left and stuck a fish, the guy on my right would hook up seven minutes later. Fish were coming from left to right. Seven minutes later the next guy even farther to the right would hook up, and then it was my turn again. This went on for more than an hour. OK, maybe not exactly seven minutes, but close. For a bit of historic perspective, the wristwatch I wore in those days was called a Swatch. Most of our younger readers likely never heard of it.

I also noticed on subsequent trips to the seven minute pothole certain features that made that particular one better than others nearby. It was slightly deeper, pinched down on each end, had smaller grass beds within it, and a well-defined sand-grass edge on the windward side. During the midday hours, when the water temperatures rose and SE winds picked up, this pothole saved many a day for this then young guide.

When fishing oyster reefs, I find that reefs with pockets where the shell becomes more scattered, and with individual standing shell clumps, begins to qualify for my structure within a structure pattern. Some of these areas have clump shell that actually has vegetation growing on it. Money, money, money is all I can say. Add some tidal movement and wind stacking water against the windward underwater wall of shell and we’re golden.

Moving water plays a huge role around our shell reefs in northern Aransas and San Antonio bays. I have spent very little time on those reefs since the freeze and destruction that has occurred from the commercial oyster fleet the past several years. Many of the areas I am talking about have been completely destroyed and no longer exist. If restrictions are set in place and logic wins out over politics, these reefs should rebound and again become productive fishing areas.

I am currently throwing primarily MirrOlure Lil John XLs, Lil Johns, Texas Customs Double Ds, MirrOdines, and 5”Shad Bass Assassins. I like to have lures in my box that I can put in their face and lures that draw instinctive strikes as well as reaction strikes. Many times the larger trout in these washes or potholes will want you to irritate them a little in order to get them to take the lure. The Double D or the MirrOdine are excellent for this application.

I am seeing a lot of small trout and this is very encouraging. I know that many of these fish are from last year’s spawn, which can only mean that they accomplished strong recruitment after the freeze. Thanks is due all of our clients as 100% have stepped up and released all their trout. Yours and all the other conservation-minded anglers contributions to conserving the species will definitely speed the recovery of the fishery. Great job!

May your fishing always be catching! -Guide Jay Watkins