Let the Chaos Begin!

Winter weather in the Lone Star State is highly variable. In some years, we have bone-chilling cold for extended periods of time, but mostly our winters are mild. This winter was somewhat typical, with a few strong cold snaps interrupting generally benign conditions. Especially at the end of winter, Texas coastal anglers become impatient. The eager sporting men and women are ready for temperatures to climb and feed their adventurous spirits.

Often, late-winter arctic blasts act as productive triggers for better fishing on the beachfront. Soon after a late push of cold air, a metaphorical light on the horizon starts to shine, and the spring migrations begin to take shape. For the next couple months, the warming nearshore waters explode with a high volume of diverse species. In anticipation, anglers appropriately make their way to the coast, hoping to personally witness some of the spectacles.

Rising water temperatures start both forage species and their predators moving along the beachfront. Another catalyst for these movements is the change in the prevailing wind direction from north to south, which drives nearshore currents. The currents bring in offshore nutrients and vegetation like sargassum seaweed. The weed seems like a nuisance, but it plays a critical role in the ecosystem; copious amounts of larval and microscopic life forms cling to the rafts of floating vegetation.

Once the weather warms, and the currents begin moving steadily, the main focal point of the oceanic springtime mayhem is the relationship between predator and prey. Various species of baitfish congregate and run through the shallow surf-zone this time of year, the two most prolific species being mullet and menhaden. The menhaden gather in spherical schools, or bait-balls, while countless mullet string out in long trains. Both these concentrations of prey garner the attention of some feisty predators.

One of the iconic predators prowling the surf and attacking the swarms of bait in the warming waves is the jack crevalle. Jacks are impressively efficient at chasing down and devouring their hapless victims.In most years, right about the time of the Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Clean-up, we see our first signs of a jackfish invasion on the beach.

Days when these brutes are present in full force and slicing through the breakers creates the best opportunity for catching them by sight-casting.This is loads of fun, because pound for pound, jacks fight as hard as any fish we target. When these predators feed with full ferocity, they'll attack most any large lure thrown into their midst, including magnum topwaters and spoons. When casting conditions run optimal, jumbo swim-baits work well too.

Some other interesting species greet anglers in great numbers off the beach this time of year. Like the jacks, redfish will also chase the mullet trains. Some of our largest reds enjoy a feast before heading offshore for a few months. Smaller slot-reds will be around as well; they'll readily take live finger mullet and lures which effectively mimic them, like gold spoons.

In addition to the reds, the black drum will be around, especially at the start of the season, while the water is still somewhat cool. Like their red cousins, these drum vary in size. Anglers who cast out shrimp in hopes of bagging some late-season pompano often accidentally hook black drum, which range in size from little puppies to big-ugly behemoths.

To many folks, the smaller puppy drum rank high on the list of underrated table fare. Certainly, the fillets of small black drum are among my personal favorites to fry in hot grease. The larger ones, of course, usually contain spaghetti worms, so releasing upper-slot and oversized fish is the best plan.

The arrival of springtime along the coast also spurs the mass migration of sheepshead. Their presence along the beachfront correlates with their spawning patterns. During March and April, these fish may run the shallows in fairly large numbers. Just like the drum, they feed primarily on shrimp. Their meat, infused with a hint of shellfish flavor, is highly desirable for cooking. These tasty fish are often abundant at the jetties, around inshore rigs and in the surf at the same time.

Another fun fish to target in the breakers this time of year is the little tunny. These pelagic torpedoes are part of the tuna family; they school in fairly large numbers, and are only seen in the surf when optimal conditions occur during spring. To catch a little tunny from the beach ranks high on the list of rare and desired accomplishments for many beachfront anglers, like catching a thirty-inch trout or a twelve-foot tiger shark.

I've seen these stealth missiles cruising the crystal clear shallows close to the sand on a few days, and have had them crash like Kamikazes into my legs in shallow water. They chase and eat small baitfish and anchovies no more than an inch or two in length, so the only way to catch them on rod and reel is by using tiny lures like the smallest silver spoons. Just like the jacks, they put up a more than respectable fight after they're hooked.

Another group of powerful fighting bullies must be mentioned in any discussion of predators invading the Texas surf in spring. I've studied their habits throughout my adult life. Any sharker worth their salt knows this time of year is an exciting time to head to the beach and soak some big baits. The large, often pregnant, blacktip sharks feed frenetically with the copious amount of bait around. They're athletic and acrobatic mid-sized sharks.

On another scale, the great and powerful bull sharks show up this time of year, with the average size growing as the water warms. Many of the specimens caught this time of year measure between six and seven feet, but catching an eight-footer is not too rare. The bulls arrive hungry and will eat most anything of ample size.

In addition to the bulls, out of the dozen or so shark species we have this time of year, the mako provides perhaps the most exciting opportunity at a true Texas rarity. While just a handful have been landed on the sands of our beaches, the month of March has produced more than any other. Catching and releasing a mako from land would certainly rank high on any angler’s list of achievements.

Great diversity and abundance define the beauty of these springtime runs. Like many other anglers, I get excited to take advantage of this time of year. When the waters evolve from a seemingly sterile state and set the stage for such drama and chaos in such a short span of time, deciding which species to target can become difficult.

The allure of big-game battles with sharks and duels with jackfish weigh against the mission to bring home some food for the table.When trying to figure out which choice to make, it's important to consider how the weather and water conditions dictate which of the options makes the most sense. Days with thick fog, bull tides and gusty winds will wreck all hopes at times, but when the right windows of opportunity open, the trip of a lifetime might well unfold.