Ling on the flats in San Antonio Bay this morning (5/17)! 47 inches!
Angler Jesse Sabia from Houston, Texas was down at Bay Flats Lodge with Alliance Company when he landed this big fish, fishing with Capt. Nick.
The summer months, naturally, present warmer water temperatures, and the month of May is only the first of a long stack-up of hot ones to come for the year. It is at this time in the year that many shall begin taking their wade sessions to the point where they sometimes are wetting the underside of their chins in an attempt at placing the next cast into the cooler water column of that somewhat unreachable deeper water. Why? Because speckled trout prefer a cooler environment…right? Although it is a commonly known fact that trout will pursue the coolness of depth during warmer months, one must keep in mind the fact that speckled trout, themselves, are simply another link in a seemingly endless food-chain, and that the trout, too, have their own feared predators. The warmer months will be accompanied by higher salinity levels in our bay systems, attracting larger marine life as a result – natural trout predators such as the porpoise and shark. So, next time you find your deep-water quest to have suddenly shutdown or is non-productive for the immediate period, entertain the possibility of incorporating a change by investigating nearby shallows. You may just discover that the trout have made a hasty retreat in an attempt to stay off of the day’s menu.
This next situation may have fogged your better judgment at times over the years, but you may have taught yourself to accept the need for change based upon the conditions at hand. The circumstances referred to here are those days when you may have spent the majority of the morning, or day, surrounded by truly perfect trout conditions, but with few results to show for it. The water is clean and clear, and you’ve managed to wade well-protected shorelines, out of the way of a howling 30mph wind. Sporadic groupings of baitfish are present, but none are notably active. It’s time for a change, so you raise the power pole and you are on your way.
It isn’t until you happen upon an unprotected shallow body of water that you see any noticeable signs of life. The shallow leeward shoreline is being pounded by the strength of the wind with resultant water clarity equal to that of an old-time Coke-Cola ice-cream float, but baitfish are popping. What to do, what to do?
Your opinion of the conditions tells you at first glance that any attempt to fish productively in such an area is simply a waste of your precious time out on the water, but your previous hours in textbook conditions has left you with little to write home about. You decide that you are ready for a drastic change in strategy, so over the side you go with top waters loaded. After spending just a couple of hours site-casting to frenzied mullet, you manage to end the day with extreme results. You realized beforehand that it was contrary to all popular belief that such conditions would ever prove productive for you. However, you also had determined that you were strong enough to accept the fact that a change was necessary in order to recognize success given the immediate conditions. Job well done!
Now that the water is getting warm enough to wet-wade without the aid of waders, it will be important for everyone to take caution with the approaching heat associated with our Gulf coast summers. This time of the year can be hazardous to your health, literally!
Remember to protect your arms and legs with long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and protect your exposed skin with an ample of amount of sunscreen during the day. Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, and remember to eat when you get hungry. You’ll be glad you did!
