Trying to predict the fishing forecast is as much of a gamble as that of predicting the weather, and if anyone tells you differently then they simply may not be telling you the truth. However, there are fish to be caught this month for any saltwater angler who is willing to brave one of the hottest times of the year. Let’s take a glimpse at what we might expect to catch as we head into August along the middle portion of the Texas coast.

August is historically an exceptional month for fishing over oyster shell whenever weather conditions allow anglers to do so effectively. Unless stained by heavy winds, the water over mid-bay oyster reefs is generally clean and clear during the late summertime months, and this month should be no exception for such reefs in East and West Matagorda Bays, Espiritu Santo Bay, San Antonio Bay, and even down in Mesquite Bay. You should try to fish the reefs early in the day when the sun is rising, starting out by offering top water baits early and then transitioning to slow-sinkers or plastic tails as the water begins to be warmed by the heat of the sun.

One of the best ways to locate the fish will be to pinpoint active bait fish, as bait activity usually means there are gamefish nearby. Water quality will also be an important thing for you to take into consideration while searching for the fish, remembering all the while that cleaner water is almost always better than dirty or off-colored water, especially when looking for that strong trout bite.

Although speckled trout may be your primary target this month, good catches of redfish, black drum, and even flounder can also be recognized. If you can’t get out to the shell, look for trout over sand and grass flats all along the length of Matagorda Island. Without changing your strategies, offer top water baits early in the day, followed by plastics later in the morning – fish shallow early and move to the edges of the sandy, grass flats as the sun warms things up. Anglers should also look for sandy holes surrounded by heavy grass in the flats, as trout love to sit in these holes and wait for their next meal to be delivered to them by the moving tide.

Have a great August this year, and keep grindin’!