Fish Talk: October 2009

October, one of my favorite fishing months, historically yields numerous opportunities for memorable fishing. It seems like everything begins to fall in place this time of year. As our water temperature declines, we will see shrimp populations bunching up for the migration to the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, our bays are sustaining plenty of mullet. This scenario provides our trout and redfish in East and West Matagorda Bays excellent feeding opportunity and they always gorge themselves in preparation for the cold winter months ahead. This is a yearly pattern beginning late September-early October and extending through the end of November. Depending on our cold fronts and how cold the water temperature becomes, bird activity has been known to extend well into December. So for all you bird chasers, this may very well be a good year for you.

My personal preference will be wade fishing shorelines, reefs, and mud flats at the same time looking for prime spots with mullet and jumping shrimp. At times, birds may be working in waist to thigh deep water and what a blast for wade fishermen. Don't overlook the lakes off the Intracoastal Canal and in East Matagorda Bay check out Austin Lake at Chinquapin. West Matagorda Bay affords Oyster Lake as another possible option. Both these lakes pack a lot of fish in October and you will more than likely find some bird activity as well.

Perhaps the Colorado River may play into our list of favorites this year. In the past, the river has saved many fishing trips from Gloomsville. Executive decisions to retreat to the river have occurred when nasty cold fronts came in and messed up bay fishing. As long as the river is not fresh from run-off, and along with the Diversion Channel, these areas can provide some darn good fishing for trout and reds.

Typical top water baits to throw this time of year can include favorites such as Super Spooks, Rapala Skitterwalks, Corkies, and the Eddie Douglas special. Of course, you would have to pry my fingers from Bass Assassins as they are top picks all the time. Whatever you fish with expect to get some good activity because these fish will be hungry preparing for the coming winter months.

One last thing I want to touch on briefly is the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's gill net surveys here in our local bays. These reports are holding a rather grim outlook for Rockport, Port o' Connor, and West Matagorda Bays as current fish populations are becoming similar to what we had following the 1989 freeze. Guys, this is fact not fiction. East Matagorda Bay results indicate a disappointing downward trend as well. The remaining bay systems like Baffin Bay, Port Mansfield, and Galveston have remained stable compared to those mentioned. I personally don't have a clue as to what TPWD is going to do but I will encourage that you keep an eye on the situation at hand. This fall season will tell the story on these surveys and until then it's all up in the air. Be safe on the water and good fishing. God BlessCapt. Bill