Lots of big bull reds and jacks are being caught at the Port O’Connor jetties. Forget about live or dead baits. Tie on a Wind Cheater shallow diver for jacks, and a white Money Minnow jig for bull reds. -Robert Sloan photo.
I had two customers out on my Mowdy just recently and as the heat set in about 10 a.m., they began to talk about heading to the dock for lunch and a nap. The major fishing time for that particular day was about 11:30 a.m. There was no way I was going to cut a trip short just before fish were supposed to come to life.
We stuck it out and fished through 2 p.m. and guess what, we ended up with nine trout, three reds. My clients were thrilled for one big time reason – all those fish were caught on topwater lures like a Heddon Super Spook Jr. in blue/chrome and a Bomber Badonk-A-Donk in a natural pinfish color. The trick was to drift fish right down the middle of Pringle Lake in about 18 to 24 inches of water. It just goes to show you that even though it’s hot and borderline miserable, the topwater bite can be great if you hit the right spot at the right time.
The key to fishing Port O’Connor during the hot summer months is to consider all the options. On any given day that will include considering tidal movement, peak feeding times, water clarity, depth, bait fish abundance and lure selection. Two of the most important options include tidal movement and major and minor feeding times of fish. A big confidence builder is to idle up to a designated flat or reef and see moving water, lots of mullet and a couple of slicks. That’s when you know it’s game on.
Speaking of game on fishing, the bite at the jetties for huge reds and big jacks has been excellent. One sure fire way to catch them is to soak live croakers and hunks of dead bait on bottom in about 25 to 55 feet of water along the ship channel. But if you really want to have a blast, tie on a 6-inch Bomber Wind-Cheater in silver/blue or green/mackerel. This is a shallow running lure that can be cast a country mile. It looks like a shad or menhaden. This is like a long range sniper that can be cast like a bullet. That’s important when you’re trying to drop it on surface busting jacks that will eat anything that won’t eat them first.
Another option is to fish a 6-1/2-inch Yum Money Minnow on a ½-ounce jig head. On a recent trip to the jetties I had my anglers fishing white Money Minnows on bottom in 25 to 35 feet of water with an incoming tide. The trick was to spray them with Yum shrimp or garlic scent. All the bites came when the jig was falling. And the bite was subtle, like the tap of a bass hitting a worm. The average bull red and jack on that trip weighed 25 to 35 pounds. It was an epic morning of fishing. My clients were worn out by 10 a.m..
The fishing options in POC vary from one day to the next, and like I said, hitting the right spot at the right time is the key to game on fishing adventure.
Capt. Robert Sloan, with High Tail Angler fishing charters, can be reached at 409 782 6796 or emailed at sloan288@aol.com. Check out www.hightailangler.com.
