Sabine Scene: April 2017

No winter to speak of, no flooding, clearer and saltier water than we have seen in a long time, and accepting the fact that the wind is going to howl more often than not are all factors that continue to contribute to a more consistent trout bite on Sabine Lake.

This could change before this magazine even reaches your mail box, but I think that excessive rains are the only thing that can mess us up at this point. The number one reason that more local folks are currently catching more trout is that they are now gritting their teeth and dealing with the wind rather than simply staying home and complaining about it.

The use of drift socks, burying the Talon when needed and wading rather than drift fishing on the windiest of days are tactics that help diminish the inconvenience of fishing in white caps. The revelation is that with decent water conditions the fish are there all along, but we usually aren’t!

While we are yet to find eye-popping numbers of really big trout, the numbers of 17 to 21-inch fish has drastically improved. The patterns seemingly change every day, but there is usually a bite to be had for the more persistent angler. The fishermen that struggle the most are those that randomly pick a time of day to fish and expect the fish to cooperate with their schedule.

Taking advantage of tide changes is critical but, more importantly, I make it a point to never be riding around looking for fish during a major or a minor solunar feeding period. Our bite is good enough that simply staying put in an area that you have confidence in during these periods will usually pay big dividends.

Even though we are catching fewer magnum trout, it is still too early to pack away the Corkys and suspending hard baits like the Catch 5, MirrOdine XL and smaller Catch 2000.The smaller trout like them as much as their moms. Because patterns seemingly change by the hour, we usually start the day making long casts with plastics under a cork, swimbaits and 5-inch tails rigged on jig heads hoping to locate the fish a little quicker. Once we find them, we bury the Talon and go back to the suspending baits.

Because of a prevailing southeast wind and the fact that all the marsh drains are on the east side of the lake, those flats have been the clearest and most protected. Even when the trout bite is slow on these flats, the redfish are usually there and ready to crash the party. If you prefer to catch reds anyway, fish a GULP jerk bait under a cork, a Usual Suspect Swimbait or a Chatterbait from the bank out to 3 to 4 feet of water. When you catch or miss that first one, hold tight as they hunt in packs.

We have had better luck with the Chatterbait by removing the skirt and fishing it with a four-inch Sea Shad body only. Regardless of water clarity, we have seldom found a need to fish any other color than Chicken on a Chain. That goes for Bass Assassin’s new Salty Snack as well. While it was designed to compete with the Corky Devil during the colder months, it now looks as though it is going to be a year-round bait.

Unlike past years, our fall flounder bite was good, but not great. Thus far, however, the spring bite is off to a sensational start. While it is far from being the most reliable technique, we have already caught more flounder in the 16 to 20-inch class drifting the flats with suspending baits than I can ever recall.

I haven’t talked with many folks that have been targeting them in deeper water or around the drains with live bait and GULP, but as a rule they remain tight-lipped hoping to reduce the pressure on their honey holes. Flounder veterans that prefer to fish the deeper ship channel are quick to point out how rapidly one boat can turn into an armada south of the Causeway!

The Game Reserve is now open and back in play which greatly expands the playing field for flounder enthusiasts. Don’t forget…You need a Louisiana license to fish the Reserve or inside any cut on that side of the lake.

There’s a youngster eagerly awaiting your invitation to go fishing!