“Makin’ Memories” – Capt. Cody Spencer, Bay Flats Lodge
If you have made it a point to not go to the coast recently for a fishing trip simply due to the blistering summertime heat, then you should start making plans to do so in September. The later weeks of September generally signify the first real relief from high temperatures as Texas begins receiving some of the year’s first notable frontal passages from the north. It’s at this time in the year when the temperatures will begin to slowly drop allowing for milder conditions all along our coastal regions. The waters shall begin their greening process, and some of the season’s initial flights of ducks will start arriving from the upper states. The beginning of autumn will soon be upon us, and we all need to be ready.
Coastal bend anglers have an advantage over others in that they are presented with some of the finest fishing waters in Texas due to our location. And because we have such good fishing, anglers should spend just as much time as they can out on the water this month. It’s true that it is rather easy to get caught up in spending unnecessary time determining whether its best to be spending the day wading the shallows of a protected shoreline, venturing into the back-country for red fish, or drifting open-bay shell pads. But, don’t let the choices overwhelm you, as another beautiful thing about the month of September is that you don’t have to make a choice between doing any of these things on any one particular day. You can spend most your days this month doing all of them.
Higher tides generally become more common later this month, so anglers should start looking to the various back lakes on Matagorda Island, and to the shell reefs of San Antonio Bay, to start producing some of the finest trout action of the year. As for the reds, many will begin searching for them in Guadalupe Bay, looking for sand pockets and pushes (wakes) rather than tails. It’ll probably be best for you to maintain your standard summertime routine of starting early in the morning and starting out in some really shallow water.
For the artificial enthusiasts out there, some of the best top water action usually begins during the last two weeks of September, so make an effort to begin each day tossing smaller top water baits like the Skitter Walk Junior or the Super Spook Junior. But, if “Tops” don’t work, then “Tails” might. In this case, offer any of an assortment of plastic baits rigged on either 1/8 or 1/16-ounce jig-heads. Absent of any unexpected tropical weather, area bay waters should be in good shape this month, so try some of the more brilliant tail colors until you find one they like. Have fun out there, and be safe!
Capt. Chris Martin, Bay Flats Lodge, Inc., 1.888.677.4868 Office, www.BayFlatsLodge.com
