Cold water wading results. Bay Flats Lodge

The spring equinox is the moment when winter ends and spring begins, and it occurs on March 20th this year. But don’t let the start of spring fool you when you’re planning your next coastal fishing trip. The early part of spring along the Texas coast often brings with it weather that still fluctuates at times, to include strong and variable winds, chilling rains, and unstable water temperatures. A lot of fishing time this month can typically be spent in the numerous back lake areas, or within the confines of the Victoria Barge Canal or the Intracoastal Waterway, as anglers drop in for some immediate protection from high wind and rough water. Any time you’re forced into these secluded places in March, always keep a watchful eye for the presence of mullet. Any mullet, whatsoever!

Look for the wind to become more of a southeasterly flow rather than northeasterly, which will soon make for increasing tides and greener water. We can also anticipate water temperatures to begin warming, and to continue doing so for the next few months as we progress through spring and into summer. This will mean that it will not be long now before you can start your search for speckled trout along sandy and grassy shorelines just off the main bay systems.

On March days with less wind, setup your morning wading sessions along leeward shorelines located throughout the San Antonio Bay area that can be influenced by the day’s forecasted tide and currents. Start your day by wading mud and grass, and then transition to hard sand, or sand and shell, as the sun reaches high into the sky and the shallows atop the flats begin to warm. While it is important to fish over mud and grass during the cooler parts of the year, learning to accept the slow change from mud to hard sand can often mean the difference between fishing and catching this month.

March is probably one of the most fun months to be out on the water. The bays are once again beginning to come alive with baitfish activity, and the trout are hungry after a long, cold period. If you happen upon some decent fish this month in a private hotspot of yours, there’s a good chance you might be able to stay on those same fish for several days if the conditions are right and things don’t change drastically from one day to the next. Look to enjoy some premium action on top waters, and don’t forget to pack a couple of slow-sinkers also. Have fun, and keep grindin’!

Red Hot Airboat Action
Bay Flats Lodge