Taking it to the mats!

This month I want to talk about sight-fishing. Not actually casting to a certain fish, but to a specific type of structure. We can all relate to targeting specific areas of bottom structure and then focusing our casts to those specific areas. The types of bottom structure will vary depending on where you’re fishing. In many areas of the Middle Coast where I fish the majority of my days, I have the luxury of fishing multiple types of bottom structure each day and sometimes even during each wade. The more standard types of bottom structure are oyster reefs, submerged grassbeds, potholes, shoreline guts, drains or creeks, and shoreline drop-offs.

One of the most overlooked types of structure are areas of floating or suspended algae mats. These mats are actually forms of brown algae called DRIFT ALGAE. In the Upper Laguna, these forms of algae actually form temporary small islands. The algae that is actually attached to the bottom and commonly attached to oyster shell is called grassalaria.  The wind moves these floating grass mats, if that is really what they are. Floating seagrasses of other types collect and stack around the edges and increase the size of the mat over time. During strong winds; both from the SE or NE, these mats will roll in the direction the wind pushes them.

There’s also a stringy, brown algae that fouls our lures and is much harder to fish. So, it’s true algae, not grass. Thanks for the insight, Dr. Greg Stunz. I started fishing him many years ago and he always answers my questions without hesitation, and even a certain amount of excitement it seems. Texas is lucky to have the entire crew at the Harte Institute and Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi.

Over the last couple of days I have seen a growing number of algae mats and when I get in close and start looking carefully I find that these mats are loaded with small fish and crabs. Obviously, there are also smaller organisms, even microscopic, that contribute in their own way to the food chain. Our approach to these areas must be slow and stealthy; fan-casting as we inch forward, never closer than we can present a lure accurately on a long cast. I actually suggest stopping after a few casts and observing the water around you; giving the area time to settle.

Many times in the shallow water fisheries along the middle to lower coast we see a shut down after stopping and getting out of the boat. Our fish are way more educated today than they ever have been when it comes to boat and fishing pressure. If fish did not have the capability of adjusting to change, there would probably be way fewer of them.

Smart might not be the proper word, maybe more aware of  their surroundings would be better. I know I have definitely seen a change in the way they react to our presence in my career. With that said, we have to be in stealth mode more often than not, which is a problem for many. Stomping around in softer bottom and stepping forward or to the side with every cast creates noise and makes the fish aware that we have entered the area.

I don’t believe noise above the water spooks them nearly as much. If it did I would have ended up in some other career long ago. I do however believe that on extremely calm days, fish in very shallow and clear water can be spooked by normal voice tones. At the first sign of a fish being present I tell my guys to stop and work the area that is offshore of the mat itself. I believe that fish will stage offshore of the mat when they are not actively hunting. And yes, I think we can sometimes get fish to eat when they are not actively feeding. This can be especially true when there are significant numbers of fish staged offshore of a feeding zone.

When fish are actively feeding, I like the windward sides and points versus the leeward (downwind) sides. I once believed that fish circled the mats but further observation has led me to a stronger notion that they move up and down the windward side or from point to point.

The algae mats form very distinct walls that begin on the bottom and extend upward to the surface, much of the time. This type of formation requires accurate casts and the ability of the angler to allow the lure to fall straight down the windward face of the mat. Many times the bite comes just before you decide to lift the rod tip to impart action to the lure. The fish are focused on looking into the edges of the mat and along the face.

These mats actually move or roll along during periods of high wind. Wind will cause the size of the mats to grow as it stacks free-floating algae and grass along the edges. Given a choice, I prefer the smaller mats for the higher percentage of success I seem to achieve there.

These unique areas of structure are more likely to appear during months with cooler water temperatures. The warmer waters of late-spring and summer are not favorable for this type of algae. I definitely recommend planning your day around working these areas during solunar feeding periods, but I have to say I also have confidence in working these areas between feeding periods, provided that you keep your distance and fish in stealth mode. The smallness of the structure attracts me mentally. I just feel that smaller structures concentrate predators. This can be especially true if the smaller structures are scattered throughout larger expanses of water where bottom structure is limited. I try not to overthink things when conditions and feeding tables are not favorable.

I don’t really have a favorite lure for these areas. Everything I have in my wade box will work. In many cases I will swim or short twitch a Texas Double D, Custom Corky Fat Boy, or Soft-Dine along the edges of the mat allowing the bait to swim for short distances and then slowly rise or fall through the strike zone. Recently, during a period of slack wind with low tide and between solunar feeds, I noticed small pinfish umbrella out of the water around one particular mat. As I moved into casting range I began seeing very small pushes (surface bulges) as the pinfish breached. A quick cast to the area along a windward wall was met with an instant take from a 4-pound trout. A few minutes later the pinfish rose again and  small pushes were observed. A short pitch to the area and another even better trout was up and shaking on the surface against my drag. Over the next hour- to hour-and-a-half we sight-casted to the perch as they came to the surface and fish were caught almost instantly every time. The Double D worked very well, probably because its profile mimicked the pinfish so well.

Looking back, it was uncommon to see pinfish this active in the winter months. Guess I don’t know what I thought I knew about pinfish not being readily available in winter on the flats. I see this in the spring and summer months when targeting redfish and this pattern has actually won me and the boys some serious cash and boat prizes in redfish tourneys. The MAT THING is definitely something you need to add to your diary of game plans when fishing the middle to lower Texas Coast.

The video attached to this article speaks about and shows the mats I am talking about. I refer to the mats as grass mats in the video. That was prior to speaking with Dr. Stunz and Mike McBride. I am still learning and thankful that I still want to. Follow us on Instagram at jaywatkinsfishing for our weekly tips and monthly lure giveaway.