“Fishing Future”
Bay Flats Lodge

Cold temperatures will be in store for anglers as we enter another new year along the Texas Gulf coast. We can expect periods of exceptionally strong winds out of the north that will almost certainly be pushing a lot of water out of area bays, producing lower tides as a direct result. This should signal to boating anglers the need for them to heed extra caution while underway in any body of water, even those they may be fairly familiar with. Additional safety measures should include layered-clothing, extra dry clothes, rain gear, and leaving a copy of your float plan with family or friends before heading out. It’s also a good idea to always make sure everyone’s cell phone is fully charged and that each of the phones are stored securely in a dry spot in the boat.

Whenever the water turns cold, the trout are going to get cold, too. When the trout get cold, they’ll begin looking for warmer surroundings. This might mean locating water that’s only a few degrees warmer. And because mud is efficient as it is in its ability to absorb, store, and discharge heat means that the fish will be exploring muddy areas. The many lake areas like Pringle, Long, Contee, South Pass, and Panther are all good choices, along with Shoalwater Bay.

If January turns really, really cold, and consequently causes bay water temperatures to simply plummet, anglers can anticipate the need to look for the trout in some of the deeper locales around the region. A popular deep spot is The Army Hole that’s located across Espiritu Santo Bay out on Matagorda Island. Another deep water alternative is the approximate 19-mile stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) between Port O’Connor and San Antonio Bay. Occasionally, this particular leg of the ICW serves a dual purpose in that it can also provide protection from nagging winds on most days. Unless we experience an unexpected heat wave, January’s going to be cold, so plan to look for mud and for deep water (or mud that’s in deep water)! Good luck, and keep grindin’!

Hefty Double”
Bay Flats Lodge

“Hungry”
Bay Flats Lodge