Trick or treat? Not yet. But this longtime Port O’Connor angler fooled this solid trout while fishing grass and sand with soft plastics in 2 feet of water. Capt. Robert Sloan photo

What do you get with the first cool fronts of September and October? How about this – bull reds, slot reds, big trout, limits of trout, tarpon, ling, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel and red snapper – It’s all right here, right now as tides begin to cool.

With cooling water temperatures fishing gets a jump start as summer heat gives way to fall.

Here are some big time fishing options at Port O’Connor right now:

Bull reds will be schooled up in the surf, at the jetties and in the bays. You can also find big schools of reds roaming along island shorelines. The other day I was wade fishing along Matagorda Island with three clients and one of them started yelling something about redfish everywhere. He had waded into a huge school of reds that were mostly slots in the 22 to 26 inch class. They smacked anything from jigs to topwaters.

Trout will be on a big-time feed on the flats. Wading is a great way to find ‘em, shallow with topwater plugs early. As the sun heats things up switch to soft plastics like a 5-inch Yum Money Minnow in white/chartreuse on a 1/8 ounce chartreuse jig head. Cast the jigs out and reel ‘em in like a spinnerbait. It’s that simple.

Solid trout can also be found in the surf just after a cool front lays the waves down and runs green currents up to the beach. This is also when you can sight cast to big reds feeding in the first gut. They will nail copper/penny colored jigs and gold spoons all day long.

Schools of tarpon, king mackerel and Spanish mackerel will be feeding at the mouth of the jetties and 3 to 5 miles offshore.

The bottom line is this – it’s time to catch fish and lots of them!

Give me, Capt. Robert Sloan, a call to book a trip at 409 782 6796 or email – sloan288@aol.com. Check out our photos, trip info and more at www.luckystrikeguide.com.

The Calhoun County Ducks Unlimited Banquet will be held at the Bauer Community Center in Port Lavaca on Friday, October 9th, starting at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets are $40 for a single; $60 for a couple; Greenwing $15. Tickets include annual membership.

Please come and enjoy an evening out and help a good cause at the same time. Meal and beverage will be served.

For more information, contact Jake Huddleston at 361-237-6803 or Albert Niccolai at 361-484-9495.

Tickets also available at the door.

John Crapitto & Team Mowdy POCO 2015 Winner Largest Trout

The fish weighed 7.4 pounds and measured 27.5 inches.

The Dolphin is sorry for its erroneous report in the August issue.

It’s almost hunting season again at Aransas National Wildife Refuge. The refuge holds an annual nine-day archery hunt for white-tailed deer and feral hogs in early fall.  Permits are required for all hunters, and cost $65 for adults and free for youth hunters, age 17 or under.  Permits are sold on a first-come, first-served basis online or by mail through Kinsail Corp. Visit www.aransaspermits.com to purchase your permit today.

Archery season begins Saturday, October 3 and runs through Sunday, October 11.  Gates open at 5:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. during hunts.  Permit holders will be given access to scout the 36,000-acre hunt area from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26;  Sunday, September 27;and Friday, October 2.  All Texas State Hunting regulations apply to hunting on Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Licensed hunters are responsible for following all state hunting laws and refuge specific hunting information.

Hunters who hold International Bowhunters’ Education Program (IBEP) certification will be allowed to scout early, on September 19 and 20, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Local IBEP instructors will be offering a course at the refuge on September 19 and 20, as well, and attendees will be able to scout in the afternoon.  For more information, call course instructor Danny McElroy (361-222-1152). Only 24 seats are available, and participants must attend class both days. There is a $15.00 registration fee for the class.

For more information, please contact Aransas National Wildlife Refuge at 361/286-3559.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.