What a Great Problem to Have!
If you were to pick a random person off the street and ask them the first thing that comes to mind when somebody says they have a problem, their response is likely to be something negative. Seldom do we ever associate having a problem as a good thing, but that’s exactly what we are going to have during the month of June because we have so many different ways to fish. I guess you could say that deciding what to do and how to go about doing it is a good problem to have.
Like the lyrics from the old 90s country song Too Much Fun by Daryle Singletary—what exactly does that mean? Would that be like having too much money? I can’t even imagine what that’d be like. Well, we almost have too many options this month, and that means there is a pattern or program for everybody, all the way from the shallowest marsh pond to the wide-open gulf and everywhere in between.
During the early part of this year, Sabine Lake was spared from what we’ve begun to view as typical springtime runoff from the big lakes to our north, which meant we had an absolutely fantastic start to 2026. Solid trout that we once thought were gone forever have made a sizeable comeback—much to the delight of the Sabine faithful. Having such a promising start to the year leaves many anglers, including yours truly, with elevated expectations for this summer, provided we continue to get reasonable cooperation from both the weatherman and Mother Nature.
With so many quality choices to pick from, it’s hard to make a mistake, so we’ll just start in shallow water and work our way out. The backwater redfish bite is about as good as it gets this time of year, right up until the air and water temperatures soar in late July and August. June typically provides that perfect combination of bait availability, water temperature, and clarity that makes for some epic fishing days. Small brown shrimp and crabs will be running for their lives, as the redfish will be active and swimming around in numbers.
The redfish pattern for me falls into one of two categories—can I see them or not? For the fish that I can see, I almost always reach for a surface offering, something like a topwater or a Z-Man frog rigged weedless. For the fish I can’t see, it’s all about covering ground, and that usually means a Coastal Pro rattling cork rigged with my choice of soft plastic on a 1/8-ounce jighead.
I will also add one more lure to my arsenal, and that’s a spinnerbait. I opt for the spinnerbait over a spoon because I like the vibration it offers, especially in off-colored water conditions. I’ve been throwing the Flatwater Baits spinnerbait rigged with their Flats Shad, and I really like it. The hardware is top-notch and withstands those big redfish strikes that will ruin other versions. With just these few baits, you can keep from overcomplicating things, spend less time changing lures, and more time fishing.
A few more options come into play as you leave the shallow water and head out into the open lake. Most folks who will be concentrating on speckled trout can do several things, from drifting live bait to wade fishing at night, and have success just about any way they decide to go. Perhaps the most popular pattern will be patrolling the rocks along the jetties with a swimbait or shallow-running crankbait, looking for better-quality fish.
Don’t sleep on the early morning topwater bite at the rocks either; it can be quite a show when you catch the tide conditions just right. Fish those rocks with a parallel retrieve to keep your bait at the right depth for longer periods and increase your odds of getting bit. One thing to be on the lookout for this summer will be the presence of tarpon on the jetties. Yes, I said tarpon. Last year we saw tarpon down there on just about every trip, and I would go as far as saying it may be even better this year, given the water conditions. Knowing those fish are in the area gives you a whole new thought each time you feel that bite, because it could be a ride you won’t forget.
Farther away from the jetty, down the beachfront, there will be all kinds of opportunities to get your string stretched, as the herds of gulf-class redfish will be shadowing the schools of pogies, along with more than enough sharks for anyone to handle. When these fish get into aggressive feeding behavior, you can’t miss it because of all the surface action and bird activity. Bring a big rod and hang on, because some of those sharks are absolutely full-grown.
Another option along the beachfront will be chasing tripletail. These fish can be sight-cast as they sun along the surface, so lots of folks will cruise and look for them. Live shrimp under a cork is almost a certain bite and is rarely refused by tripletail. Many anglers like to fool them with artificials, while some opt for a more delicate approach with a fly rod. Once you get your first tripletail hookup and land one, you’ll see why these fish have become so popular.
With all these options, it’s really easy to see why June is such a highly anticipated month, but there is still more to look forward to, and that’s Father’s Day. Every year, I try to include a few ideas for those who are looking to buy gifts for that special fishing dad, and here are a few to share:
Plano has a new line of storage boxes called GoNow, and they are perfect for the angler or hunter in your life. These boxes are weatherproof and customizable, which gives you plenty of flexibility. Plano has also come out with some new waterproof storage pouches that are really slick—perfect for organizing tackle or virtually anything. The Stow Zip Pouches come in several different sizes and are great for everything from boat and kayak storage to carrying along while wade fishing. These are just a couple of ideas that will certainly make Dad smile.
