Robin the Barber on her day off with Captain Ed Campbell. Slinging live mullet, or as Ed likes to say, “Ed Wigglers”.
Capt. Jeff Larson
This Spring has been riddled with high winds and numerous cold fronts which has made fishing unpredictable. The only constant over the last month has been a fisherman’s desire to catch fish. Some want trophies others want freezer bags full of fish. Is your desire to catch fish stronger than the daily weather pattern? If so, communicate with your guide give him/her a call and ask him what is the best plan for your goals. It is best not to just show up without knowing his/her strategy based on the current weather predictions.
Guides make it happen, usually their way but with changing weather patterns it’s best to make some calls to prepare yourself. So you might have to gear up and trust your guide. If he suggests wade fishing then by all means do what it takes to wade with your guide. Not every fisherman wants to wade, most every guide wants to wade. Wading or stalking your prey is an exciting and productive way to fill stringers. Once you ease into the zone its game on. If you want to catch a Trophy Trout wading is a MUST. Oh it can happen on a boat you may break a personal record but easing into the water and stalking those spring time flats, combing the areas that hold big trout, even on those questionable weather days like we been having lately is by far the best way to catch a Monster Trout.
Remember when trophy trout fishing you are looking for 1 Big Bite not a bunch of bites. You will know these things with preparation conversations with your guide. He has the plan and knows what baits you will need to throw to catch that Lifetime Trophy.
If you have called me lately, we would be talking Combat Redfishing. Back Bay Skinny Water find em, feed em and catch em. This style of catching has been very productive for some of us that guide out of airboats in the back bay skinny water marshes. We make memories and fill coolers.
As I’m working on this report, we are experiencing pre frontal high south winds waiting on another north wind to hopefully hurry up and pass through so we can start planning our next trophy quest with decent weather.
Most of my guide buddies are getting ready for the Rojo Tourney while I’m headed out to Kentucky to meet my Buddies for some Spring Turkey Hunting.
Good Luck to everyone fishing the tournament and the others sharing the bay system. Watch the weather and be careful.
This April has given us a wild weather ride and good fishing. Some days were better than others. The best trips have been mid day or late afternoon. This time of year you don’t have to beat the heat. Waking up, drink coffee and have breakfast is usually the norm for this time of year. But, beating the wind has been the best strategy to get your day started on the water. Getting to the Jetties or across the Bay before the wind kicks up makes for a more pleasant experience so prepare accordingly and think about your return.
Fishing will remain good thru April, May will be just as good if not better. Croakers are already available and being sold to the fishers who love that THUMP. I use em but haven’t tried yet this year. Topwaters are tons of fun and I throw em every chance I get. Then there’s those days we want to smash and grab with soft plastics.
Yesterday evening, Veteran Mike Kopecinski and I went out for a Wicked Tuna type Redfishing Trip. We left late morning just before the wind went to whipping status. The Airboat wheeled through the marsh until we started marking reds. We found a pond with 5 or 6 upper end slot reds and sat ‘er down. I slung some shrimp and mullet out for the reds to have brunch. They never bit. We called it quits after a couple more strike outs. I told Mike the fish are here lets take a break and come back later before dark. We went back about 5:30 and by 6:30 we were having 2 and 3 take downs at a time. It was definitely the right call for that day. Fish have to eat it’s just when are they?!?!?
That’s where Billy can help you with booking your next trip at Saltwater Lodge. His number is (713) 907 4796, just give him a call for Lodge Availability. We have a team of guides that meet your fishing goals and needs.
We hope the weather stabilizes, the tides rise and you make it out this spring.
Captain Jeff Larson
(281) 217 0399
