Elliot Jameson, his Dad, Kelly Jameson, and Larry McConathy caught a box full of Sheepshead on a windy day at the jetties. Elliot is the grandson and Kelly is the son of the late Frank Jameson, who many of us remember as a long time Port O’Connor fisherman.

Spring Break is underway and the crowds are building; parking lots are filling up and there are lines at the gas pumps. The fronts are passing less frequently; the temperatures are rising and the tides are finally getting back to normal. This all ads up to better fishing. We have had some pretty brisk southerly winds but the water in the bays and lakes has held up pretty well. It looks like the setup for some great Spring fishing.

Big Drum are plentiful in Saluria Bayou and Mitchell’s Cut. Most of the fish are in the 35 to 50 pound class. Fresh crab is the best bet for bait.

Trout fishing has been best over shell in San Antonio Bay. Live shrimp or soft plastics have been good for drift fishermen. Waders are scoring on topwaters and soft plastics. Reds have been holding near the shorelines both in the bays and in the back lakes. Everyone I talk to is surprised at how many Puppy Drum are in the bays and lakes. In some of the lakes its difficult to find reds because of all the drum. That’s a good problem to have.

At the jetties its mainly Sheepshead, Drum and Redfish. Many of the Sheepshead are really big, upwards of 5 pounds. The reds have been in the upper end of the slot or oversized. Most of us have been using live shrimp.

Capt. Bob Hill
Port O’Connor Charters
(361) 983-4325
www.fishportoconnor.com

Crossing Matagorda Bay on a calm day, March 12th.
-Photos by Joy Fryou