We should be looking at some cooler weather with the arrival of October. And with the presence of milder temperatures, coastal anglers should look for things to begin changing this month. One particular October change that will be noticed will be the short periods of strong north winds that accompany frontal passages. This means that anglers will be changing their focus on where to fish when this happens. They’ll need to begin looking away from the more common areas where they’ve been fishing throughout the warmer months, and start investigating northern shorelines as an alternative for when the north wind forces water out of the bay system.
The concept of change is often a hard thing for a lot of us to accept, especially when it comes to us trying to enjoy a pre-planned day of fishing. But you don’t have to make it more difficult than it has to be. Chances are great that if you took a minute to think about it, you’d realize that you have had to change your original fishing plans on numerous occasions in the past simply because of a change in the wind. Learn to keep things simple when searching for new places to fish in windy conditions, and you can do this in October by keeping in mind three basic things that you’ll need to always look for in your search – key on protected shorelines, water clarity, and bait activity. Those three ingredients have often carried many anglers a long way in achieving a perfect recipe for success.
Because we are dealing with frontal passages this month means that you should also be looking forward to the second or third day following these passages. This is the time that the north wind generally declines to almost nothing, and the sediment and sand in the water has had a chance to settle back upon the bay floor. It is at this time that you can start trying your luck amongst protected, open-water structure like the many oyster reefs and pads in San Antonio Bay (SAB). SAB is full of oyster reef opportunities, and they have produced some of the best fall fishing.
When the winds allow you to get out to the mid-bay oyster reefs this month, always remember to investigate the crown of the reef first. Over time, wind and waves can often carve subtle passages atop the crown, and you should look for these small guts and channels because they serve as a highway for bait. And where there’s bait, there’s often trout nearby. So, whenever you get a chance to experience a windward SAB reef surrounded by clear green water just after a frontal passage in October, go for it. Good luck, and keep grindin’!
Bay Flats Lodge, Inc.
P.O. Box 580
Seadrift, Texas 77983-0580
1.888.677.4868 Office
Wow, what a day! Kind of the “perfect storm” having very capable fishermen at the right time and place. Wading with lures with Chet Couvillon and crew. Thanks, Chet, for the business! Enjoyed watching you guys wear them out! – Bay Flats Lodge
