Heads or Tails
Easily, one of the most common ways to describe an unknown situation that has the potential to be either off-the-chart good or soul-crushingly bad is to call it a coin toss—a totally random act influenced by nothing but fate. On one side of the coin is heads, an optimistic hope for success based on positive actions from previous encounters. On the other side of the coin is tails, the feeling of impending failure that seems to come around and ruin every little bit of hope that has falsely presented itself.
Each time the coin is flipped, there is a split second of heightened anticipation that is met with celebration or dejection, depending on what side comes up. At this point in time, most Sabine Lake anglers are in that split second where the coin is up in the air. All are hopeful for the prospects of an even better year than 2025, but are also scared to death that things will somehow revert back to the difficult days of previous years. Each one feels like Charlie Brown getting ready to finally kick the football, believing Lucy won’t pull it away at the last second. Only time will tell.
Taking a few moments to appreciate how far Sabine Lake has progressed in its “spotted seatrout comeback” does nothing but put a smile on my face. During 2025, especially the final quarter, one would be hard-pressed to ask for better overall conditions. Water clarity and salinity levels were borderline perfect, and that contributed greatly to the success most anglers enjoyed. Both of the big freshwater lakes to the north—Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn—stayed well below normal pool levels, which kept discharges to a minimum. These consistent conditions for most of the year were a welcome change from years where fighting changing salinity and diminished clarity was a constant battle. It was such a treat to be able to see structure in some areas because the clarity was so good. I personally found several hidden gems I had never seen before, and they produced some exceptional fishing throughout the year. Many of these newly discovered areas will hold fish during the colder periods of the year, so finding them should pay dividends in February and March when we typically see our lowest temperatures.
To truly feel like Sabine has returned to a somewhat normal state, we need to see some big trout showing up—the kind that turn your head and make you take a second look. For a long time, I wondered if we would ever see anything but 14-inch trout, because it seemed like that’s all there was for quite some time. This past year, we really saw an increase in better fish—the 17- to 22-inch class trout that had disappeared for a while. After seeing those quality trout make a nice showing, it wasn’t long before a few 5- and 6-pound fish made an appearance, giving us hope that more and bigger fish are coming. I will truly be happy to see one of those 8- or 9-pound trophy trout finally get caught—even if it’s not me—just to know they still exist in our waters.
One fish that never had to make a comeback because it never left was the redfish. 2025 had to be “the year of the redfish” because they were thick all year long and always willing to cooperate. For a good part of 2025, it didn’t matter what pattern you chose—from shallow to deep or marsh to Gulf—the redfish were there and ate everything you threw at them. The sheer numbers of redfish in the Sabine system have to be near some sort of record level, and that’s a huge bonus for anyone fishing this area. If there is any downside, it’s that many of them seem oversized, with slot fish fewer at times. The numbers of 30- to 35-inch redfish cruising the lake are mind-blowing, and it seems like more show up every day—which is a great problem to have. These fish should continue to be prime targets even during the colder months ahead.
As of late, thanks to the consistent bite on Sabine, I’ve been able to pare down my tackle choices, which is a major feat because I typically pack entirely too much. I’ve had great success with the new ZMan Prawn Starz in the 3- and 3.5-inch models for both redfish and speckled trout, with the occasional flounder mixed in. ZMan soft plastics are ridiculously durable and have incredible action, making them a favorite of mine when fished on a jighead or under a rattling cork. My affinity for swim and jerkbaits continues to grow as speckled trout eat them like there’s no tomorrow. I’m convinced these baits trigger reaction strikes when others won’t. I never leave the dock without a good selection on hand and rely on them as a safety blanket when things get tough. Other staples include Corkys, Soft-Dines, five-inch paddle tails, and assorted topwaters, giving me coverage throughout the entire water column. These will be my everyday go-to baits over the next several weeks as we hunt for better fish.
While on the subject of gear, I have to give a nod to the new Fenwick Eagle spinning rods. I had one on the boat recently and put it to work on some big redfish, and it performed very well. These rods are surprisingly sensitive with a solid backbone. The Eagle I fished was paired with a new Penn Clash spinning reel, making for a well-balanced outfit capable of handling a wide variety of species.
Looking forward, we’ve finally reached the most anticipated time of year for the big-trout crowd—late winter and early spring. Some of the best fish of the year will be caught during the next few weeks all along the Texas coast. I’m hopeful Sabine will rejoin that party and begin producing those class fish again.
Until that happens, there are plenty of other options to fish up and down the upper coast, and I plan to take advantage of them. If chasing fish in cold weather isn’t your idea of fun, don’t forget you can always stop by the Houston Fishing Show at the George R. Brown Convention Center, February 18–22. Come say hello or swap a story. And if you do get on the water, please stay safe, wear a PFD, and remember cold water can become dangerous very quickly. Hope to see everyone on the water or at the show. Make 2026 a great fishing year!