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South Padre: January 2011
Our water is in great shape and winter fishing is coming on strong.
It's hard to believe another year has flown by. 2010 brought some unexpected challenges as Mother Nature gave us the mother of all freshwater inflows. The effect on fishing was immediate and widespread and we had to learn new techniques and fish our way through it but, in the long run, we'll be better for having received it. Today, five months later, we are already reaping the reward. The future looks extremely bright for our fisheries, barring of course a deep freeze in the coming months.
A topic that has captured my interest yet will have little effect on my fishing is the discussion over reducing seatrout bag limits for the middle coast. My knowledge and experience here in the Lower Laguna and the results I have already seen in our fishery since the five fish limit was implemented in September 2007 tells me this will be a good thing for both the mid-coast fishery and the anglers.
With all that said, our trout fishing is currently off the top of the chart. Even though I am writing this in early December I am predicting it will be the best December we have ever had. Trout numbers and weights will only get bigger and better as the water temperatures continue to cool down in January. Our trout have begun to station themselves in their wintry holes like warmer, muddy areas near spoil islands and narrow guts near the ICW.
Hard sand areas near deeper water have also been strong producers. Sandy potholes a couple of days after a front have been hard to beat. Also, small muddy humps that you can only find with your feet have been producing very well. These humps offer a slight change in depth that trout favor. Our eyes and ears gather lots of information but our feet often tell us why they are there.
I mentioned last month that birds give us vital clues in winter but failed to mention groups of feeding dolphins. When I find an area that is frequently visited by feeding dolphins I make a mental note. Dolphins sometimes push fish to us and these areas are often productive later in the day when the dolphins are gone. This technique has allowed us to get on some quality trout.
Redfish have been numerous and the quality is impressive. Slot fish have acquired their "winter shoulders" and we are catching quite a few oversize specimens. Schools have been fairly easy to find in areas that have had lots of bait active on the surface. The magic depth seems to be waist deep over a variety of mud, soft sand and muddy pothole bottom. Seeing mud boils while running a flat can be a sure sign of redfish. Many boils in a small area tells you they are thick. Even if they won't bite you know they are there and the spot is worth visiting later when they are feeding.
Winter mornings often mean cold water temps and even though you're on fish you might have to slow your retrieve to catch them. Sometimes barely dragging your bait along the bottom will be the key in hooking up. And don't expect a big thump, sometimes a light tap or a heavy line is the only signal you'll get. A sensitive rod (like the FTU Green Rod XL1) helps tremendously. I have witnessed many times my line of wading anglers where one is crawling bottom and hooking up and his buddy is working his bait just a bit faster, above the strike zone. At times like these I remind everybody to slow down. Look to those that are having success and try to mimic their retrieve. It will make a fishy difference.
Another important factor in winter fishing is learning to recognize the presence of bait when it is not active at the surface. Careful observation is required to dial into the telltale subsurface flashes and flickers. Believe me; the baitfish are still there. They are just avoiding the colder water at the surface. Being observant and patient can make a big difference when the signs are few and far between.
In closing; winter fishing is no fun without the right gear. I trust the Simms line of genuine Gore-Tex waders, jackets and moisture wicking fleece and WaderWick undergarments. They have what you need from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet. May the New Year bring you fishing memories of a lifetime.
A topic that has captured my interest yet will have little effect on my fishing is the discussion over reducing seatrout bag limits for the middle coast. My knowledge and experience here in the Lower Laguna and the results I have already seen in our fishery since the five fish limit was implemented in September 2007 tells me this will be a good thing for both the mid-coast fishery and the anglers.
With all that said, our trout fishing is currently off the top of the chart. Even though I am writing this in early December I am predicting it will be the best December we have ever had. Trout numbers and weights will only get bigger and better as the water temperatures continue to cool down in January. Our trout have begun to station themselves in their wintry holes like warmer, muddy areas near spoil islands and narrow guts near the ICW.
Hard sand areas near deeper water have also been strong producers. Sandy potholes a couple of days after a front have been hard to beat. Also, small muddy humps that you can only find with your feet have been producing very well. These humps offer a slight change in depth that trout favor. Our eyes and ears gather lots of information but our feet often tell us why they are there.
I mentioned last month that birds give us vital clues in winter but failed to mention groups of feeding dolphins. When I find an area that is frequently visited by feeding dolphins I make a mental note. Dolphins sometimes push fish to us and these areas are often productive later in the day when the dolphins are gone. This technique has allowed us to get on some quality trout.
Redfish have been numerous and the quality is impressive. Slot fish have acquired their "winter shoulders" and we are catching quite a few oversize specimens. Schools have been fairly easy to find in areas that have had lots of bait active on the surface. The magic depth seems to be waist deep over a variety of mud, soft sand and muddy pothole bottom. Seeing mud boils while running a flat can be a sure sign of redfish. Many boils in a small area tells you they are thick. Even if they won't bite you know they are there and the spot is worth visiting later when they are feeding.
Winter mornings often mean cold water temps and even though you're on fish you might have to slow your retrieve to catch them. Sometimes barely dragging your bait along the bottom will be the key in hooking up. And don't expect a big thump, sometimes a light tap or a heavy line is the only signal you'll get. A sensitive rod (like the FTU Green Rod XL1) helps tremendously. I have witnessed many times my line of wading anglers where one is crawling bottom and hooking up and his buddy is working his bait just a bit faster, above the strike zone. At times like these I remind everybody to slow down. Look to those that are having success and try to mimic their retrieve. It will make a fishy difference.
Another important factor in winter fishing is learning to recognize the presence of bait when it is not active at the surface. Careful observation is required to dial into the telltale subsurface flashes and flickers. Believe me; the baitfish are still there. They are just avoiding the colder water at the surface. Being observant and patient can make a big difference when the signs are few and far between.
In closing; winter fishing is no fun without the right gear. I trust the Simms line of genuine Gore-Tex waders, jackets and moisture wicking fleece and WaderWick undergarments. They have what you need from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet. May the New Year bring you fishing memories of a lifetime.