In my last article I addressed the necessity of me having to adapt to the long run of slack-tide conditions that we have had for the better part of the summer brought about by the strong influence of Southwest and West winds. In that same previous section, I also spoke of my anticipation that redfish shall begin to school in greater numbers along our neighboring shorelines in the not-so-distant future. Well, it now seems as though my premonition may just be coming to fruition. Just after the middle of August we began experiencing winds out of the Southeast, bringing with them some higher water levels. And higher tides should only become more consistent as we venture into September. But the fact that there is now, and that there should continue to be, a greater amount of water is not the only welcomed amenity to all of this. We should also see the minor cooling of water temperature that is almost always associated with a higher water level, even in the absence of any pre-autumn frontal passages out of the north. This slender cooling effect upon the water temperature that is generally affiliated with higher water will only boost bait movement and liveliness along our area’s grassy shorelines, and both the trout and the reds shall begin to feed on a more regular basis and throughout the course of the entire day. They will once again begin lurking in grassy camouflaged hiding places that previously were readily uninhabitable due to low tides – places such as back lakes, marshes, sloughs, and coves. So, before you spend an enormous amount of energy wading up to your neck out deep, think shallow first. It was just yesterday that the majority of the fish taken by our parties came out of waters that were no more than two feet deep, and the bite was ‘on’ from early morning through late afternoon. Get ready to go get ‘em!
The end of August and the beginning of September mark a time in the year which brings wonderful opportunities for those who pursue redfish with artificial lures. Autumn begins with the September equinox, this year on September 22nd, and runs through the December solstice, but the redfish action has already gained momentum for us over the past week. These fish have provided us and our clients with some of the most exciting angling action that we have experienced all year long, with Norton Bull Minnows having been some of the top producers. But, the upper water column is where true excitement can be found, where Super Spook Juniors seem to currently be more effective over that of the larger top water baits. We are finding these reds to be holding over grass patches in the sand in one to three feet of water in San Antonio Bay and Espiritu Santo Bay. With prize trout action remaining as sporadic as it has been all summer, and by the time the time you read this article, some of the most awesome fishing for redfish will have already begun to take place. With each passing day we should begin witnessing calmer winds, with some of those even being out of the north, and these light winds will flatten both the surf and the bays and fast action will be imminent during the low light conditions associated with the first two hours of daylight.
The fishing forecast for September looks favorable provided we don’t encounter any major tropical weather. This calm hurricane season so far is not unusual, but some of the most disastrous storms in history have waited to make their debut until the month of September. The latest El Nino event has come on quickly and forecasters say its associated levels of vertical wind shear tend to decrease the levels of Atlantic hurricane activity, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed in hopes that the experts know what they’re talking. Anyhow, locating both trout and reds for the coming month will continue to include locating active mullet. We’ve recently run across redfish feeding in knee-deep water along leeward shorelines of Espiritu Santo and San Antonio Bay. Within those schools of reds have been some nice trout in the three to five pound class, but like I said earlier, the taking of these really nice trout has for the most part been intermittent and isolated in nature. This record-setting hot summer has placed us in a pattern where we have gotten familiar with fishing deep during low tides and an outgoing current, and fishing tight to the grass during periods of higher tides with an incoming current. With that said, I’ve heard great reports recently of areas in West Matagorda Bay continuing to produce nice fish – along the Cedars, the Ranch House shoreline, at Cottons, and at Greens. And such recent reports indicate grass beds having been the most productive for the redfish while the deeper sand bars located between waist and shoulder depths have been holding most of the trout.
When it comes to shooting ducks, it’s hard to beat the Texas Gulf Coast, especially the Seadrift and Port O’Connor areas for Pintail, Widgeon, Redheads, and other variety of ducks. Let Team Bay Flats show you the hunt of a lifetime with an action-packed day of waterfowl hunting, fishing, or even both. Our “Blast & Cast” packages include morning wing-shooting for ducks followed by a relaxing afternoon on the water while bay fishing for trout, redfish, and flounder (or, returning to the blind to finish-out your duck limit with an afternoon of hunting). Either way, your afternoon is totally booked. Until next time, be courteous while on the water, and remind yourself to always approach wade fishermen while idling slowly, or pass them with good distance. 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.
Captain Chris Martin
President
Bay Flats Lodge, Inc.
P.O. Box 580
391 Bayside Drive
Seadrift, Texas 77983-0580
1.361.785.2686. Office
1.361.785.4176 Fax www.BayFlatsLodge.com Chris@BayFlatsLodge.com
We specialize in "Lodge Exclusivity" for larger groups, a sportsman's dream, with fine accommodations, awesome views and exceptional dining.
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