Looking back in my journal that I’ve been keeping for years we are entering my favorite time of the year for catching good size and numbers of speckled trout and redfish while wade fishing throwing lures working the water column.

The surprise of strong cold fronts are almost a distant memory and the bay water temps are slowly creeping back up to the high 60s and 70s. We will be spending days on the water during February and early March enjoying these cool waters wade fishing in depths of a few inches to chest deep. This is the time when we get larger trout and solid redfish by offering a myriad of sinking plastics and plugs. Customers that have gotten out of the boat have proven why this is a favorite time of the year with good numbers of fish on their stringers and by releasing many more.

The key to success will be having the right gear and clothing to enjoy a day in the water. Layering of clothes and having leak free waders are a must along with a stable pair of wade boots for ankle support. Since we spend the day in the water and often times we get foul weather with drizzle and wind a waterproof jacket will save the day. Wade belts should include all tools necessary for you to work alone fifty yards from the next guy so spreading out to attack a flat is the norm. Pliers, net, stringer, etc are available almost anywhere tackle is sold so prepare before the trip and get the gear right.

Some days are a grind and you will work hours without a bite but then stick the fish of a lifetime so go knowing this is as much about patience as any angling skill. Wade fishing is an art and one of the most relaxing methods of catching these beauties in salt water so keep that in mind and absorb your surroundings. Notice the wildlife that abounds on the coast and take in the feel and smell of the salt air. Try to identify the scores of birds by studying up beforehand on what you might see on your wade trip. Enjoy the serenity of a prolonged trek across a peaceful stretch of shoreline. Bask in the sun as it gleams through a cloud and gives you a hint of sunshine warming your soul. Take the time to slow down and appreciate the fish you are hooking and release a few bigger ones for next time.

Wade fishing is one of the best getaways you can do by yourself or with some good buddies. Learn from your guide his or her techniques for better more successful angling. Doing all of these things or only a few of them will make you a more experienced fisherman or lady angler and will surely add to your enjoyment of our magnificent coastal resources.

Capt Stephen Boriskie Bay Flats Lodge Seadrift, Texas 888-677-4868

Specktacular Day – Capt. Chris Martin

The March equinox, which marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere, will be 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 the fishing time this month will 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 winds to become more of a southeasterly flow rather than northeasterly, and for the tides to begin increasing once again. We’ll also find water clarity beginning to come off of that of being air-clear to more of a greenish color. We can also anticipate water temperatures to begin warming now, 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 above warming sands and grass found along area shorelines just off the main bay systems.

Days that are less windy this month will find many anglers looking to setup 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. Anglers should start out the 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 atop mud and grass during the cooler parts of the year, you should start making a slow change from mud to hard sand this month, as doing so can often mean the difference between fishing and catching.

March is probably one of the more 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 period of cold water. 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 the same fish for several days if the conditions are right, and if 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 slow-sinkers, as well. Have fun, and keep grindin’!

Capt. Chris Martin, Bay Flats Lodge, 1-888-677-4868

Crawfish season is in full swing now and that can only mean one thing, March has arrived and it’s time to shake off the ice and cold and put on the lighter jackets and gear because things are warming up quickly and the fishing is going to get hot!

This is one of my favorite months of the year because it just seems like anything is possible coming off the colder days and more into the warmer ones.  This is a great time to make any final improvements to my boat and gear and get things in line for the upcoming busier season.  I love going through all my tackle boxes and bags and cleaning out the old rusty junk and drying it all out and then going shopping for new lures and gear!  Sort of like Christmas all over again there are just so many cool things for fishing to purchase and stock up on again.  I like buying 1,000 hooks at a time so that they will last me all year and my order is already placed for some Eagle Claw number 5 and 6 kahle hooks and a couple dozen of my favorite corks-the Outcast by MidCoast Products.

The Middle Texas Coast is one of wonder and amazement.  You wonder if the weather is going to cooperate and when it lets you out on the water there are times of amazement at how good your catch was that day.  Wading with soft plastics in your favorite colors works very well and for me that would be an assortment of Texas Trout Killers, Killer Flats Minnows and Killer Hustlers in Morning Glory, Geaux Gleaux, Who Dat and Texas Roach, all with either a chartreuse or fire tail.  I love Corky Devils as well in similar colors.  Top waters like the Super Spook Jr in most any shiny color are fantastic this time of year too, so keep the topwater in your arsenal and mix it up to see what’s working, start at day break with a darker color and move to the lighter ones to shiny as the sun get’s up and if that doesn’t work reverse it!

March is one of those months when it seems that almost any method you use of angling fish works just as good as the next.  During this time I will have clients fishing out of my boat launching outcast corks with a live shrimp under it on a two foot monofilament leader with the number 5 kahle hook.  I use these hooks because they are a proven immediate hook set and also because they are easier to dislodge from the mouth of the fish and they tend not to get deep hooked so the fish not going into the take home box will live after hook up.

Equally effective is boat fishing chunking lures such as any of the myriad of topwater plugs and also we will work the water column with both slow and faster sinking soft plastics.  There are days in March with the wind too high for drifting and so on those we can get out of the boat and wade fish using the same offerings.
My live bait customers enjoy this time of year and I gotta say it’s a fun time to be the guide.  Most of the day is spent baiting hooks with live shrimp, netting fish and then doing it all over after the ensuing ‘high fives’.  Action and more action whether it’s solid keeper sized Speckled Trout or Redfish or Black Drum or Sheepshead, throw in Flounder and the myriad of other fish you catch using this method.  So you catch three Lady Fish and a few undersized Specks and then a keeper Speck, GREAT…you are catching fish and guess what, use that Lady Fish for cut bait later for Redfish!  Works great along with cutters like Mullet.  Plenty of bait this time of year and plenty of fish to catch around these parts and all over the Texas coast.

It’s going to be windy, it’s most likely going to be cool, and it’s definitely going to be choppy on the water so spend some time getting your gear in line and your layered clothing in case that late cool front smashes you around and the rain is too cold not to be prepared for it.  Dress for the conditions and you can stay on the fish longer and enjoy it more.

Remember this is your time on the water away from the distractions of work-life-stress so take your time on the wade-don’t move too fast-slow the retrieve at times and try it that way, no need to cover the entire area fast to get to the next one, the tortoise wins this race at the end of the day.

CCA Port O’Connor Chapter 2018 Annual BANQUET
Saturday, March 24, 2018
POC Community Center
$800 Redfish Table
Premium Seating for 8
Includes meal, beverages,
table server during live auction, table gift, CCA membership
$60 Individual Tickets Includes Meal, Beverages, CCA Membership
For More Information:
Bill Moore: 361-983-4690 wildbm@tisd.net
Taylor Rieck: 713-626-4222 trieck@ccatexas.org