On the last report I mentioned game changing fresh water inflows. As indicated, the fresh water is having the desired affect on Trout fishing. Full to near limits of fish ranging to 24” have been coming to hand for our guests.

Along with fresh water coming to bays for the first time in a long time, we are also seeing suggestions of another “pattern shift”. Thunderstorms brought on by daytime heating were a staple for the better part of our careers but have been distant memories since the 2009 drought. Sitting on the porch with Capt. James Cunningham, he and I were marveling at the towering clouds and storms piling up mid-afternoon. The sight and smell of these storms brings back distant memories and seeing them pile up is like seeing an old friend for the first time in a long time.

So perhaps the terrible spell of drought is behind us and we are re-entering familiar waters. It would be hard to not be upbeat about the environmental shifts we are seeing and welcoming as they relate to fishing. Freshwater will minimize chances for Red Tide and strengthen overall bay health and even the beat down Crab fishermen may get some relief. Crabbing has waned horribly since 2009, they are certainly due for some relief and better fishing.

Soft Plastics Keep Pace with Bait

Capt. James Eastep managed to light up the Reds while taking good numbers of Trout fishing paddle tail over area shorelines and shell reefs. Plum/chart and pumpkin/chart tipped with bare hooks and no lead heads was the ticket. Fishing with Randy M. and guests James reported that “we waded about 30 yards from the boat and started lighting up solid Reds in the slot”. After strong catch and release action on the Reds, the guests worked out deep taking Trout over shell.

More strong trout fishing yesterday with full limits coming in wade fishing and boat fishing. Capt. Chris Cady reported full limits coming to hand early off sand/grass shorelines early with boat fishing shell pads producing as well.

Back Lakes Beat

Airboat fishing the back marsh continues productive with pods of Redfish and Black Drum working mud/grass pockets in the shallow pocket lakes and sloughs. Capt. Chris Cady has been staying on limits to near limits with the occasional oversize fish coming to hand. Black Drum continue to appear schooling up and working sparse bottoms with little grass.

Testing The Waters

The next test will be Tropical Waves and Tropical Storms making their way back to the Texas Coast. If we manage at least one or two of these events, then we will know things are nearing the norms of what we have come to expect environmentally along the coast and I think the drought years will start to fade. This will have far reaching benefits for all Texans and not just those of us prying the waters for a living.

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Capt. Kris Kelley, Castaway Lodge
1-888-618-4868
 www.seadriftbayfishing.com
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The Eleventh annual Readin’-Ritin’-Reelin’ Fishing Tournament is set to hit Port O’Connor Friday, August 2nd and run through Saturday evening August the 3rd.  This family, food, and fun-filled event is hosted by Holy Family Knights of Columbus Council #9088 at the Port O’Connor Community Center and benefits Victoria Catholic School Nazareth Academy.

The registration for the event will begin at 5:30 Friday evening and is $60 per person.  This includes a cap as well as a meal ticket for Friday night’s “All you can eat” BBQ and trimmings as well as “All you can eat” fried-fish Saturday night.  Fishing begins Saturday morning at 5:30 am with weigh-in that evening between 3:30-5:30 pm. There is a limit of 6 persons per boat, not to exceed 4 persons 16 or over.  Kids under the age of 16 may fish free on a team with each boat representing an individual team.
Steve Branch, Nazareth Academy Advisory Board member reports, “This event gets bigger and better every year.  It has raised close to half a million dollars since its inception.  The food, fellowship, and fishing are all phenomenal.”  Proceeds have gone towards computers, smart boards, classroom supplies and the athletic program.  The Nazareth family expresses significant gratitude to the Knights of Columbus as well as the Port O’Connor community for their continued support.

Forty boats went out last year, with even more expected this year.  Trophies will be presented to the fisherman with the largest redfish and largest trout. Additionally,  a trophy will be awarded to an individual female, individual child, and Knight of Columbus that catch the  largest fish.  Pot entry rules can be found on the school website www.nazarethacademy.org. There will be a ton of different door prizes, cash prizes, live auction and a gun raffle–so come join in the fun (even if you don’t fish!).  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Scott Smejkal at 361-655-2658 or George Wenzel at (361)-649-7707.

Bay Flats Lodge, 6 pound trout released by Captain Nick Dahlman June 8, with his favorite top water in Carols Bay.

In a perfect world, all you would have to do in order to be considered a success at coastal angling is to launch your boat, run across the bay, hop into the water, toss your favorite lure, and begin catching fish. But we all know that this simply isn’t the way things happen in reality, at least not for me in the years that I’ve been fishing. I’ve generally had to rely on lots of planning, strategy, and due-diligence in order to reap the rewards that I have experienced in the past. Intuition has also played a large role in my years on the water, and I will even throw in the distinct possibility that I’ve been extremely lucky on several occasions by just being in the right place at exactly the right time. We’ve probably all been there at one time or another in our fishing careers, but that just isn’t the way fishing trips usually end-up happening for most anglers, most of the time. However, there are some simple things that anglers can try that can possibly enhance their success rate on a regular basis.

I absolutely love to fish, so I work hard at it. But at the same time, I strive to keep things uncomplicated. For example, you probably won’t ever see me rushing out to be one of the first to buy the latest-and-greatest saltwater lure that’s just hit the market and that everyone seems to be talking about. Nowadays, with all the new technologies and latest techniques, it can quickly become all too easy for anglers to lose sight of their main objective of catching fish. All kinds of new lures and new techniques have been introduced over the years, but I prefer using the ones which have repeatedly produced for me in the past. Why? Because I’ve come to be able to rely on them because I know that they work. Also, using a lure that you know works for you can build your confidence tremendously, which is something you’ll certainly need in order to be successful each time you’re out on the water – if you don’t truly believe in yourself and the tools you’re using, then you’re probably already halfway defeated.

In an effort of getting to another level of detail regarding lures, I think it’s also necessary for me to mention to you the importance of you remaining versatile in your selection. I realize I just mentioned that you should use lures which have produced for you in the past, but this isn’t to say that you should simply throw that favorite top water you caught all your fish on during your last fishing trip regardless of the conditions you may be fishing in today. Instead, let the water call the shots as to what color(s) to use. When the water is really clear I usually prefer using smaller lures and maybe even a smaller diameter fishing line while throwing brighter colors, unless the day is overcast. In dirty water I routinely will throw the larger baits in darker colors. Nonetheless, I work to restrain myself from simply tossing my favorite baits unless the conditions appear to support that decision.

If you’ve read any of my past columns, then you have heard me speak of my preference for starting out early each morning in shallow water before trying my luck out deeper. I always like trying the shallows first because I’ve found that following the bait can be very productive. Shallow water cools quite rapidly during the nighttime hours, making them a preferred environment for the bait. The shallows also offer protection to both the baitfish and the game fish in that it provides them with a safe overnight haven from other marine predators of surrounding deeper waters. Besides, it always seems to be much easier to catch fish in shallow water simply due to the fact that you don’t have to deal with trying to work different types of lures throughout varying levels of the water. My golden rule, again, is to start out early in shallow and then follow the bait out to deeper water as the day progresses and the shallows begin to warm under the heat from the morning sun.

There are a number of other things you can do to help enhance your odds at success like reading magazines, watching television, surfing the internet, or hiring a professional guide, but the one last topic I want to mention is one that’s become very important to me over the years. Use acceptable equipment! Spend a couple extra dollars for some good line, and replace it prior to your next fishing trip regardless of whether it looks like it needs, or not. It’s one of the least expensive things you can do to keep from having a break-off with a really nice fish. Another simple thing you can do is make sure everything else is in working order before your trip. As for your reel, I’ve discovered the hard way that trying to be “el-cheapo” in this area can be extremely costly. I’m not proposing you need to buy the most expensive reel available, but buying the absolute least expensive one can (and will) cost you dearly, especially in saltwater conditions and with larger fish. Just food for thought!

July is going to be here before we know it, and it can be a great month to catch plenty of fish if you fish wisely. It can also become a month of frustration for many anglers due to the transition that the trout generally make from shallow to deep. The successful July angler may need to start early, stay late, transition to a bit deeper water on occasion, and be properly prepared for a full day of hot sun.

Remember to practice CPR, “Catch, Photo, and Release”, whenever possible on trophy Trout and Reds…

Guide Chris Martin, Port O’Connor/Seadrift region. www.BayFlatsLodge.com…1-888-677-4868.