Spring is definitely springing! I hope everyone has been able to take advantage of the beautiful weather this Spring.  Have you noticed all the beautiful Texas Blue Bonnets and Indian Paintbrushes as you’ve been driving around? This is a great annual event and this year it seems to be better than ever. The wet winter really  helped the wildflowers and grasses. The most beautiful sight is when you see a big ol’ Tom Turkey strutting in a field of wild flowers.  There has been plenty of turkey action throughout the county.  Did you bag a bird yet?  We have taken several off of the Ranch.  The quota for the year has been reached and there are plenty of birds for next year.  We have been doing some predator control as well to protect the nesting hens.

Topwater fishing for trophy trout and reds is in full force.  Like they say, “Come get you some!”  Saltwater Lodge Guides are filling stringers and coolers. They are not just on top waters but all types of fishing is off the charts.  It seems that all the bays, backwaters, shorelines, jetties, and offshore are producing plenty of fish for all fishermen.  It is setting up to be a great year for all species of fish.  Flounder are being caught by many anglers using soft plastics. Reports from Gigging Guides are good, some nights they are everywhere and some nights you have to cover a lot of territory to get your limit of flat fish. The average size is running from the minimum 15 inches to some 20 inches plus flounder hitting the box.

The river has also been holding plenty of catfish. The bigger blue cats are coming easier when the water is flowing fast. Basically, when the Dam Gate is open, is when the river flows at a faster rate. There are plenty of nice eating size blues being caught even when  the gate closes and slows the flow. Catfish are still being caught even when the flow slows but it takes just a little longer to catch a mess of ‘em. Cat fishing is a great way to fish for fish frys.  The sports fisherman limit is liberal enough so a few guys can fill a cooler pretty quick once you find the right eddy.

The first two weeks of April has been pretty calm for the most part.  The Jetty Guides have been reporting catching plenty of fish on live or  dead bait, plus they are catching fish on artificial baits as well.  This weekend forecast is windy and rain. This forecast should not change the pattern. It will just change tactics and where you can go to catch ‘em.

I had a great wade fishing trip with Delaney Restoration. Ed is a seasoned wade fisherman and he brought his family down to expound on his kids wade fishing techniques. Julia, Ed’s daughter, and I let the boys bail out of the boat and take off down the shoreline while we concentrated on casting and shuffling our feet. Julia was quick to use the wind to help her cast but then we worked on throwing into the wind. She was making great casts.  Then I taught her to look for targets to throw at, always keeping in mind how the wind affects the cast. She hammered a nice 3 pounder within minutes out of the boat. It really came together generating a Texas Size Smile.  Dad was proud, Thomas, her brother, and Friend Matthew were bound and determined to catch a bigger one.  Let the competition begin. So Julia and I egged it on a little bit. We caught the 1st one, lol.  Really it’s about the memories with family and friends.  It is the most gratifying when the smiles break out.  I really felt like a Fishing Coach and we just won the big game.  I appreciate the monster catches and viewing them on Facebook. As a guide coaching new fishermen and fisherwomen from their 1st fish to their personal best is the most rewarding part of guiding.  The memories of the day are the icing on top, of the WATER.

The Saltwater Lodge is a perfect location for all levels of fishermen to enjoy great Texas Size Amenities and create great Texas Size Memories and Stories.  We pay attention to details and we make sure everyone has a Big Time. Give Scott a call and let us handle your next Middle Coast Excursion. The Saltwater Lodge hotline is: 361 – 785 – DUCK (3825).

Come get you some, Middle Coast Memories, I’m going fishing!

Captain Jeff Larson,
The Fishing Coach
281-217-0399

Capt. Jeff Larson

Ed and Julia making Father/Daughter memories in the Outdoors. – Capt. Jeff Larson