August Will Be Hot But Don’t Let That Hold You Back

Seems like we couldn’t wait for summer and here we are entering the final full month. Temperature records have been falling almost daily as nearly all of Texas sinks into serious drought, reminiscent of 2011. A recurring question from our writing team this month asks, “After what we’ve already been through, how much hotter can it possibly get? Weather forecasters have warned that tropical developments loom larger than normal because of elevated sea water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico. Nobody wants to see hurricanes but some cloud cover and rain would certainly be welcome.

Fishing prospects for August are good, despite the heat. We fished Port Isabel recently, hoping to find some snook, but that didn’t happen. What we did find though was some very respectable trout action on flats near the Brazos Santiago Pass. What a relief to slip into thigh-deep 75° water streaming in from the gulf after spending the morning on super-heated flats.

Winds are typically much calmer in August, which brings potential for great surf conditions. Reports from anglers who have been lucky to hit the barrier island beaches the few calm days in late June and so far in July are encouraging.

Nearshore angling is another prime opportunity as seas calm during August. Tarpon, ling, dorado, and kingfish are usually abundant and offer great sport, whether trolling or tossing lures. The possibility of seeing tarpon rolling within sight of the beach and getting one to slam a lure is always a thrill, even if all we get is a few good jumps.

Our regular summer program also includes forays into Matagorda Bay for tripletail, along with tussling with bull reds and jacks at Port O’Connor’s Big Jetties. Tripletail are a true mystery fish, even biologists profess scant knowledge of the species. One thing is certain though, dangling a live shrimp or scented plastic under a cork against a channel marker or other permanent structure is a sure way to learn more about them. As for the bulls and jacks, pretty much all you need is a strong incoming tide during full or new moon in early morning for all the line stretching action you can stand. Where to pitch a heavy jig or large spoon isn’t hard to figure out. We often see huge bait fish eruptions at the surface as the hungry monsters blast through them. Heavier tackle than commonly used for trout and slot-size reds is highly recommended, lest you get spooled on your first hookup.

So that’s August in a nutshell. Don’t let the heat keep you off the water. Practice good manners and boating safety, and enjoy the Texas sunrise.