Hooked Up: May 2026

Well, here we are, shedding those Simms waders for quick-drying technical clothing, also made by Simms, so that we blow dry almost as soon as we get out of the water. The warm weather certainly warrants the shift in gear, but I kinda like being dry all day in my G4 waders. That transition in gear sort of reminds me of opening day of dove season in reverse…summer is almost over, but not quite. The water is almost cool enough for waders in the morning, but way too warm a couple hours into the day. I guess transitioning is just part of our routine or tradition as outdoorsman. Trading one seasonal activity for another is something I think most of us look forward to, and a good excuse to buy more Simms gear!

May is one of the most exciting months of the year here in Baffin and the Upper Laguna.  Big, big tides will be rolling in on the full moon during the first week this month. New water that has come into the bay to this point has brought us game fish, bait fish, shrimp, and much-needed highly oxygenated water from the south.  All of that was a precursor to what happens about the time this article hits the newsstand. The new life forms just mentioned will be amplified tenfold in May and there will be fish on what seems like every corner. Whether looking for trophies or lots of bites, May always produces big in both categories.

As many of you understand the dynamic of having a warm winter that we just experienced, fishing has been less than typical of what we expect for a winter spring season here in Baffin.  Don’t get me wrong, we have caught some magnificent, large trout this season, but there were days when it required real effort to accomplish it. That warm water didn’t allow for a much-needed grass die off to open more structure to target, and our long drought has kept our bays excessively salty. Well, short of a major storm passing through and providing huge tidal rises, this big water coming on the May full moon is our only way of refreshing the bays for the summer season. I can’t remember a year where it’s been more needed than now.  

I receive an abundance of messages every week asking/stating something to the effect; “We are pretty green when it comes to wading and fishing with lures… are you ok with that?” I am not only ok with it; I love teaching folks new to this game. Watching a new customer, or kid develop over the years is truly one of the most gratifying parts of my job! The only thing I require is a good attitude, and a willingness to learn. 

As it turns out, the next couple of months, where bites are plentiful, is about a good a time as you can ask for if you are ready to jump into the game, get your feet wet, and begin to understand why this type of sport fishing is so popular in Texas. I’m blessed with some of the best lure fishermen on the coast that jump up on the deck of my Haynie 25 Magnum just to watch them get off as quick as they can for the first wade in that magic hour of first light.

Those are the easiest days as a guide, but there is really something special about developing someone new to the sport and watching them become a “top stick” in the game over the years. As I’m writing this my head goes to a guy that competed very well in the Legend Series this year with multiple fish in excess of 7-8 pounds. I can remember the day we went through the technique of “walking the dog” with a topwater and watching his lure being pulled in a splashy straight line to having it zig-zag and pause properly.  Thirty minutes later he smashed a real one!  

So… if you want to learn to fish lures in the salt, or fish them better, know when it’s time to switch from one style of lure to another, or simply understand how to “read the signs” of bait and structure… call me and let’s get on water together. Getting you to the next level is really not hard if you have the “want to” and willingness to learn.

Remember the Buffalo,