Bay-to-Bay Differences and Similarities

Let’s talk about big trout. This story kind of overlaps a bit timewise, beginning in March and continuing into April. Guiding in two very different bay systems this time of year shows many similarities and differences. I fish Port Mansfield from December through April, specifically for big trout. I also fish my home waters around Seadrift year ‘round, which means when I’m not in the Lower Laguna Madre this time of year I’m probably in San Antonio Bay . While many parts of our coast give up big trout in the winter months, the San Antonio Bay area holds back a bit. Yes, a few big trout are caught during the months of December through March, but from experience, late March on through May, we start seeing them in better numbers.  I believe part of this is due to the pre-spawn activity this month.  These big trout will gorge themselves in preparation for the lengthy spawning during April.  

Whatever bay system I happen to be fishing this month, when I jump out to make a wade, I want to make sure there are plenty of redfish cruising the flat we are about to fish.  Why redfish you ask? From my experience, I have seen and caught more big trout when it is hard to keep a redfish off your line. My answer to what is happening here is that trout are super smart.  Redfish leave so much carnage behind from feeding, it allows the trout to lazily swim along not expending any energy to obtain their food.  Because the redfish are aggressively feeding, it does make some of these trout harder to catch, and can cause frustration especially when you can see them.  My advice, just like I tell my customers, is to slow down and grind through the reds.  These trout can be tricked into eating a Corky, topwater, or soft plastic…it just takes a little extra patience sometimes. 

These big trout are also on the feed, just going about it smarter.  Storing energy and protein for the spawn, which in the San Antonio Bay area kicks off at the end of March-first of April; we typically have to see a big warming trend in our bay waters in order to get this process started.  If the redfish are not abundant like mentioned above, we are catching a lot of small male trout and we will stick around for a bit.  Catching small male trout almost every cast is a sign, because for the lack of a better word, they are trying to entice the female to drop her eggs so they can fertilize them.  Trying to get through these small trout can be as frustrating as the redfish, but sticking with it can also yield your personal best trout. 

This is not scientific evidence, but it is my belief from years on the water and experiences each time I or my customer has caught a big trout.  You would be amazed at what you can learn from watching the waters around you and storing that info each time a big fish thumps the line.  This time of year, I pay close attention to what the water is telling me every day, on every wade.

Once our spring winds start to calm and the summer heat starts to set in, we will hang up the wading boots and begin to chase reds from the tower. We will perhaps do a little of this in April, but the wind usually dictates when we get to go. 

I have dedicated myself to running a full-time guiding operation since 2007 and will do my best to meet the needs and standards of any customer.  Much of this wouldn’t be possible without great companies and fine folks standing beside me.  I am thankful I get to make my living sharing my saltwater experience with people.   I would like to thank Kresta’s Boats and Motors in Edna, Texas for always keeping me on the water.  Majek Boats for building a dependable and smooth ride. Laguna Rods in Katy, Texas for an awesome product that allows me fishing rods with excellent strength and sensitivity. FINS Braid for making line I can depend on to never fail when fighting fish. I have been using their 40# Windtamer Pitch Black since it became available; and also Hookset Marine Gear for great wading products. Their wading belts offer so much back support, I do not ache at the end of a long day. Last but definitely not least, thanks to Down South Lures for providing me and my customers with durable soft plastics that have great fish-attracting action, especially the Big Smooth.

Captain Nathan Beabout
USCG/TPWD Licensed
Full time guide since 2007
Seadrift, Port O’Connor, & Port Mansfield, TX
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