South Padre: February 2025

A target area is a specific region or location identified for a particular purpose or action. One of the primary purposes of fishing is to catch fish, and the areas we target are locations we think will hold fish. They do not always have fish, but when we guess right, it's always a blast to experience tight lines, especially in the middle of winter.

Some say February is a “killer” month, referring to its reputation for producing trophy trout. Unfortunately, that name would also apply to February’s history of below-freezing temperatures and significant fish kills. Let's hope this is not the case this year as our trout fishery is making great strides in recovery since the last one in February 2021.

Water temperatures will fluctuate more widely during February than any month of the year, which means fish movements and feeding habits can also vary widely. The colder the water gets, the more these fish will travel to locate more comfortable conditions. So far it's been a mild winter but that can change overnight with a blast of arctic weather.

If and when a cold blast arrives, fish metabolism will slow down and they’ll hunker near bottom, even in relatively shallow water, and especially on high-pressure days. Mud puffs or mud boils will be common this month. Seeing a mud boil pattern in the areas you are fishing will tell you three things. You must work your bait slower – the bite will be a slight tap – and they will not travel far to eat it.

Referring to the beginning of this article, what and where are the most likely target areas this month? For one, a temperature gauge can be an invaluable tool. Once you find fish, check the water temperature and work other areas of similar temperature. Pay attention to bottom ledges whether slight or significant when wading, and also your depth finder when drifting. Think of water depth as a blanket; deeper is warmer. And by the same token, shallow water warms quicker when the sun pops out. Another thing to consider is that water adjacent to a land mass will often be warmer than open water.

Redfish are hardier than trout and thus more tolerant of colder water temperatures, albeit a bit lethargic at times. Present your lures a bit slower and lower than normal and expect the bite to be light. Study Google Maps and find areas near the ICW with grass beds and potholes. A depth of two to three feet is all they need to hold and feed, and then bail off into the ICW’s depths when the weather worsens. Redfish have a tendency to bunch up this time of year; hooking one may bring another and another.

I increase the weight of my jigheads this time of year. Instead of my usual 1/8-ounce I switch to a 1/4 or even 3/8-ounce at times. The ZMan Texas Eye jighead is a perfect setup because your bait can be worked slowly near the bottom without getting hung up. A bigger presentation with a paddle tail, like the Diezel Minnowz or a Paddlerz, seems to work well during windier, off-color water conditions.

If I could pick only one month for targeting trophy trout it would be February. Trout are less tolerant of colder water temps than redfish, so they tend to move further to find sustainable water temperatures. Cold snaps can send them to the deepest water. During warming periods between fronts they can be found in abundance in thigh-to waist-deep water, usually in areas with lots of potholes.

Typically, where you find one big trout, you can almost bet there will be more. However, the pursuit of trophy trout is never easy. They are extremely wary creatures and very aware of their surroundings, plus they do not feed as frequently as smaller trout. Still, landing a 30-plus trophy fish is what drives us and the reward is definitely worth the effort. Just ask any of the few anglers who have accomplished it. Here’s hoping 2025 is your year!

Our snook have headed deep, and as far as numbers I would say we are enjoying as good a year as I can remember. Lots of small to keeper-size snook can be caught if you catch the right tide. Oversized snook have been few and far between but the bigger ones will become more predictable as water temps continue to decline.

Pay close attention to the weather forecast. Every year boaters get into trouble by ignoring approaching frontal systems. Dress warm; you can always remove a layer if it gets warm. Use extra caution navigating lower than normal tides.