Port O’Connor is where you’ll find clear, blue-green tides and islands as far as you can see. A more appropriate name for Port O’Connor would be islands in the sun. It is where anglers come to tap into some of the best wade fishing for trout and reds on the entire Gulf Coast. Much of that wading is done along the many islands that include Matagorda, Blackberry, Dewberry, Grass, Bayucos, Farwell, Steamboat and Long.
The big draw at POC is the raw beauty. This is where the Gulf Coast tides are clean and green, and on some flats the water can be gin clear. I’ve been fishing POC since about 1970. Not much has changed except the pre-dawn line of anglers at the Speedy Stop grocery store checkout. One thing that hasn’t changed at POC, over the past four to five decades, is the scenic wade fishing on the clear water flats. You’ve probably seen paintings of what I’m talking about. Artists like John Cowan, John Dearman, David Drinkard and Sam Caldwell have captured the essence of Port O’Connor flats fishing on canvas.
Even with ever increasing angler presence at POC there are still places that offer some of the best and most scenic wade fishing you’ll ever find for trout and reds.
One of my personnel favorites is the surf along Matagorda Island. The beaches here are undeveloped, isolated and only accessible by boat. What you want to do is head toward the old Coast Guard station, then out Pass Cavallo. From there go south and begin fishing anywhere you take a notion. If the surf is clean and green to the beach you can anchor the boat and wade the first and second sand bars. When the surf is calm and flat the wading can be exceptional. One of the best lures you can use is a 1 ounce Badonk-A-Donk in either red head/flash or natural mullet. This is a topwater mullet imitation plug that can be cast a county mile. Another option in the surf is the Bomber Super Pogie. This is a lipless rattle bait that looks just like a shad or pogie – two baitfish that can be found on any given day running the surf.
Some of the most popular areas to fish can be found east and west of the Army cut, that is south of town by several miles. Once you pass through the cut look east and you’ll see the water along Blackberry Island; look west and you’ll see the shallow flats along Dewberry Island. Both islands are very popular among waders and can be crowded on the weekends. Along either of these islands you’ll find hard white sand mixed with grass and lots of clear water.
If you’re looking to wade gin clear flats for reds you’ll want to make a run to Matagorda Island where it runs into Lighthouse Cove. From there you can fish south along the island towards the Army Hole. That’s a lot of water to cover, but it’s a good escape from the near-town islands crowded with weekend waders. Up along the bank in about a foot of water you can sight cast to reds with 1/8-ounce weedless spoons in gold or copper. This is where fly fishing is a good option as well. You can move away from the shallows and fish the flat where it drops off into deeper water. This is where the bigger trout and reds will be feeding. Top lures in the deeper water will be a Chug’n Spook or the new 5 inch Super Spook XT. Top colors are bone, ham bone flash or red/white head.
Espiritu Santo Bay runs from Port O’Connor down to South Pass. From there you’ll enter San Antonio Bay. From the Army Hole and south along Matagorda Island you’ll have miles of excellent flats for wading. This is mostly clear water that looks like the Caribbean. This is where a chrome/blue Super Spook Jr. rules. From about 30 minutes before sunrise till 8 or 9 a.m. the Spook is the go-to plug for both trout and reds. Once the sun is up and shining bright trout will move out to 4 or 5 feet of water. In that situation you can fish a soft plastic jig under a Bomber Paradise Popper rattle float.
A very good wade fishing option within rock throwing distance of town can be found to the left of the town jetties. This is the far south shoreline of West Matagorda Bay. It’s mostly firm sand and provides excellent wading for trout and reds. This is several miles of shoreline. Once you clear the town jetties the first cut you’ll see is Boggy Slough. The best wading option is between Boggy and Huckleberry Bayou. This shoreline continues on down to the mouth of Powderhorn Lake. It’s all good wade fishing, and generally clear water. Look for reds up close to the bank and trout out in the deeper water. The grass is sparse along this shoreline and is perfect for topwater plugs early and late. This is where you’ll want to fish something like a jointed Rebel Saltwater Minnow in silver/blue for trout or black/gold for reds.
If you’re new to fishing Port O’Connor it’s usually best to hire a guide to show you around. Spending a few hours on the water with a guide will save a lot of trial and error. Plus, it’s a lot more relaxing.
For details on fishing with Capt. Robert Sloan call 409-782-6796, email him at sloan288@aol.com or go to www.hightailangler.com.
