Keys to April Sight Fishing

April usually means high tides, but also high winds! Finding suitable days can be a challenge to go out and fish via sight cast, and these typically pop-up last minute. Usually, with the passing of a springtime front, there are a few days that offer calm winds and sunny skies. What makes April such a fun month is that you can typically get into small, secluded areas because of the higher water levels. With water temps still in the 60s to low 70s, redfish feel comfortable pushing far back into the marsh in search of small crabs and tiny grass shrimp.

We typically throw a 1/4oz. jig head to cut the wind, and it also allows the offering to fall in front of the fish faster, but our bait selection is small. Down South’s Burner Shad work perfectly for this approach. For us, what tends to work best is finding small creeks we can maneuver down that have shallow pockets or small “side” lakes off the main creek.

Although it is sometimes hard to see to the bottom of the creeks with the elevated water level, we try to go slow to avoid spooking anything. Upon coming to the entrance of a side lake, we stick the Power Pole and watch the entrance, but also stare into the pond through the mangroves to see if any fish are actively cruising or tailing in the pond. If we spot bait being flushed from the grass, or perhaps spot a fish, we will slide the boat into position to target them. It never fails, you spot one, slide into position and realize there are actually five or six fish working a pond together. Generally, with the nose of the boat sitting in the entrance, the fish will not blow out. After you catch the first one, sit and watch for 5-10 minutes, letting the others settle down again. On the right day you can catch almost all the fish out of each pond you find them in. This makes for an action-packed day, with very little down time, and allows you to avoid running from area to area searching for them.

Another factor that plays into what makes sight casting good in April is the springtime bull tide. Not only do a variety of bait fish species move in, but a lot of redfish ride this wave of high water into our bays from the Gulf passes and jetties. Especially, as we see the shrimp migration moving into San Antonio Bay, redfish and trout are not far behind. On days when we get favorable wind, certain outside shorelines can play host to numerous small pods of redfish.

Some of these small groups can be tricky and I have a theory on why. If you notice their color, they tend to be pale or silverish, not red like we all know them to be. I believe these fish have migrated recently from deeper water to the shallow flats and they are not necessarily interested in feeding until they settle into their new home. In the days and weeks to come, if you can stay on some of these groups, you will notice that they start to develop that characteristic reddish skin coloration. For the most part, then and only then do we have much success getting them to take a lure. We have also observed this tendency with scattered single fish. Throwing at the pale fish yields almost no success, and most of the time they don’t even flinch when your bait falls in front of them. On the other hand, the next fish coming down the shoreline has some color, you make your toss, and they seem to lunge at your bait.

Paying attention to these details and the timing of when these events occur has proven to make our trips more successful. I think we can all agree that the days of the “secret spot,” are long gone; success is in the details nowadays. The more you pay attention to the changes that are occurring, the more the bay system starts to tell you. Good luck out there and stay safe on the water!

Captain Nathan Beabout; USCG/TPWD Licensed
Full time guide since 2007
Seadrift, Port O’Connor, & Port Mansfield, TX
Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin (N&M Sportsman’s Adventures)
Cell (210)452-9680
Email [email protected]
Website www.nmsportsmansadventures.com