Capt. Jeff Larson

Do you remember the old saying? Some days chicken, some days feathers. That sums up February and the first of March. The bottom line outdoors was, fishers and hunters had to play the weather to bag their quarry. The warm stable weather days made fishing predictable, with easy limits of either trout or reds or both if you fished hard. Goose hunting was the same, you had to take advantage of the foggy and windy days. The hard core waterfowlers had to really stay on top of the area geese. The patterns changed with the weather but the seasoned guides usually had a back up plan if the weather changed overnight. Hog hunting was another sport that many hunters took up after deer season. Hogs are becoming an epidemic in our county not to mention the State. We have plenty of areas and time for hunters to take advantage of bagging a few hogs. The hogs that were shot last month were donated to charities across the State to feed the hungry. Proud to be a Texan – we enjoy our outdoors and share our harvest to help people in need.

February proved to be a great month for some trophy trout fishing. The local guides fished their hot spots where they put customers on personal best. My groups were able to throw some reds in the cooler for half shelling and fillets. Wading was still the key to bigger stringers of trout, reds and drum. Drifting was the second best to boat trout and reds. Anchor fishing was a drummers dream, red and black. A side note to Feb/March months, white bass fishing is turning on throughout the State. The Trinity River is a hot spot and fairly close from here. The Sabine River up by Carthage is another place to take advantage of the white bass run.

March, SPRING BREAK time, it is looking like the weather will not be the most comfortable. I don’t see laying out catching rays will be on the menu, fishing will be good and has been good. Limits of reds were easy to come by the first week of March. Trout catching was consistent until the cold front blew down. The bait of choice was soft plastics while drifting, I recommend the color that you have the most confidence with, when chunking and winding. The live bait of choice is the old standby, shrimp, live for trout, dead for drum catching. Topwaters should be on the line soon depending on how this month’s weather shakes out. I am using this 1st cold front to get a jump on my report so I can get back on the patterns for our customers. We have to take care of the kids who will be visiting the Lodge and wanting to go catch some fish during their break.

Oh, and do not forget, Turkey Season opens for the Youth of Texas in the Middle of March. There are different zones that determine opening day so look at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Annual to find the county you will be hunting. Spring turkey hunting is so much fun. If you have never done it, I highly recommend it. The best part of the hunt is when you hear them before you see them. They gobble, spit and drum causing the biggest ruckus. Hearts pound when you hear the thunder chicken gobbles get closer and closer. Then their head pops up out of no where looking around for that sexy hen decoy. Then you start shaking, knowing that your center stage of the annual mating ritual of Texas Turkeys. I’m getting pumped up writing about it.

Wade fishing paying dividends.Capt. Jeff Larson

The fishing tables, charts and apps seem to be on target for the major and minor feeding times. A general rule of thumb, if you do not follow solar or lunar tables, is if you see cows up walking around and feeding, the fish are usually feeding. So, as you drive to your favorite boat ramp take a look around at the local cows and wildlife. If you see cows, deer, rabbits, etc. up moving around eating, then you can rest assure that fish are feeding.

We recommend that everyone needs to bring plenty of clothes and foul weather gear just in case the weather turns rainy or cold. Its better to have plenty of warm clothes available than not enough. You can peel off the layers as needed throughout the day. We have already had full days where the mornings were chilly then it turns out hot when the sun pops out then by the afternoon on the way in the clouds come back bring down the warmer temps. Even with the crazy weather patterns fishing has been really good so do not ruin your trip by not being prepared for the day.

March fishing will be off the charts so come visit the Saltwater Lodge and let Scott coordinate your lodging and fishing guide. The Saltwater Lodge reservation line is: 361-785-DUCK (3825).
Wishing you all a memorable break outdoors, with weights on the bottom and sharp hooks on your lines.

Captain Jeff Larson
281-217-0399

The cleaning table cheering section. – Capt. Jeff Larson