South Padre: January 2024

I want to begin by wishing everyone a Happy New Year! I hope it brings plenty of tight lines and remarkable experiences on the water for you.

Local rainfall during October and November amounted to almost ten inches, which is a good thing, and will help keep the salinity level down in our bays. As of today, December 3^rd, I would say our fishing success has thus far been pretty much typical for early winter. Fish patterns begin to vary somewhat as we get into January; northers become more frequent and air temps remain colder for longer periods. As a general rule we don’t get as many days to fish in January because of this.

During winter, what signs can lead you to productive days on the water? I rely on birds more than any other indicators this time of year to point the way to fish – pelicans, seagulls, and the osprey. I look at it this way; humans will not remain very long in area where no food is available. So, why should we expect our feathered friends to be any different? Bait is not always visible on the surface during winter, but their keen vision allows them to see the bait lower in the water column. That’s why I rely on their presence and feeding activity to show me the way.

Another sure sign is mud boils. You’ve likely seen these but perhaps did not realize they are made by fish that get spooked when lying near bottom. They make a hard kick with their tail and it stirs bottom sediments. It often signals that they are not actively on the prowl and feeding, more likely resting and waiting for food to come to them. A slow-rolled lure usually works better than a fast retrieve whenever mud boils are prevalent.

Fish are cold-blooded, which means the environment regulates their body temperature. A water temperature gauge is essential in locating their preferred temperature. Once fish are located you can search for similar temps where another school might be staged. Afternoon and early evening hours during days of warming trends can be most productive.

Another critical factor is weather conditions. If you viewed my December video, I discussed barometric pressure and how it affects feeding patterns. Well, it's not only the pressure that affects fish; you must also consider wind speed and direction. Cloud cover can also determine where fish will stage. Fish tend to frequent shallow, clear flats more often with cloud cover than in sunny conditions.

As mentioned earlier, it has been an average winter as far as catching is concerned. Redfish seem to be thriving; lots of undersized fish out there, but also plenty in the low-twenties to middle-slot range. If you desire upper-slot or oversized reds; the East Cut or Brazos Santiago Pass would be my choice.

Sandy potholes can be like gold mines this time of year. Sometimes the fish prefer potholes of a foot or less, other times those of three to four feet. I believe it goes back to water temperature; shallow potholes warm sooner than deeper ones. Think of the water as their wardrobe; on warm days we wear lighter clothing, heavier clothing when it’s colder. I mentioned earlier the importance of a water temperature gauge. If your boat is not equipped with one you need to get one, even a handheld unit can be very useful.

Trout will become more predictable as water temperatures continue to decline; and they are more temperature sensitive than redfish. So, for the most part, trout tend to stage in deeper holes unless a warming trend lasts more than a few days. Remember this when targeting them.

I am excited for January to deliver greater numbers of six, to seven, and even some eight and nine-pounders in coming weeks. I hooked and fought one of the largest trout I’ve seen in several years recently…only to have her thrash and get loose right next to me. Disappointed? You bet! But more than that I’m even more focused and determined.

In closing I want to commend JL Marine - Power Pole for introducing the MOVE trolling motor. I recently received and installed one my boat. Its quietness, power, lightweight, and unmatched durability have all impressed me, especially its titanium shaft. The quietness of this unit has enabled me to get closer to fish without spooking them than I ever dreamed possible. If you are thinking of a new trolling motor you definitely need to check it out at your dealer and on their website: www.power-pole.com.