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Fish Talk: September 2008
July fishing trips hit the mark but August was another story. An abundance of southwest winds narrowed our catches. What happens in a scenario with west and southwest winds? If you've been fishing long enough you know that these types of wind directions affect both East and West Matagorda Bays in a negative way for fishermen. Water levels drop 1-2 ft below normal and clarity turns to mud with these wind conditions because there is a lot of mud and shell at the bottom of both bays. The Colorado River runs into West Matagorda Bay which can help keep the water a little clearer at times especially past the Cullen Houses.
September, for the most part, is a transition month between summer and fall. Some outdoor enthusiasts can't wait for dove and teal season to start. Maybe we will have some cooler temperatures arrive in late September to trigger our fishery to move into the fall mode. September will dictate to me what our fall fishing picture should look like. Right now we have a lot of shad and mullet in our bays which have fattened up trout and reds. I'm projecting a great fall season.
East Matagorda Bay
Early departures from the dock to fish reefs and places on the south shoreline with mud bottoms will be my plan for September. During this time of year, especially mid to late September, our shrimp will be burying themselves in mud and consequently gamefish will be in the area. Chances are for bird activity as well while you are wading which can be a lot of fun fishing diving seagulls.
Options to get started might include areas between the Gulf Cut and Boggy Cut on the north shoreline along with muddy spots like Brown Cedar Flats and west of there all the way to the Oyster Farm and even Eidelbach Flats. As far as fishing the reefs, Three Beacon, Long Reef, Drulls, Half-moon, and the reefs on the north shoreline from Boggy Cut all the way to Bird Island could be producers. Sometimes around mid-morning I'll stop wading and then cruise the bay looking for some bird activity, slicks, or even some seagulls sitting on the water. I'll make long drifts over muddy bottoms with scattered shell choosing areas such as Half-moon to the south shoreline, in front of the Oyster Farm, Boggy Cut, Gulf Cut, and Tripod on the far west end of the bay.
West Matagorda Bay
Bird activity may happen in West Matagorda Bay as well. If I do fish this bay system, I'll be wading the guts and fingers coming from the south shoreline into the bay and watching for mullet. Areas to consider will include the Cullen Houses all the way down to Greens and Cottons. It's possible to look at drifting or wading spots on the north shoreline like Twin Island and Shell Island which can be very good if you have water clarity. Don't overlook Oyster Lake for big reds and black drum.
Bait Picks
A major factor for any fisherman throwing artificial lures is to possess confidence in the bait you choose to throw. If you don't have confidence in the bait, for Heaven's sake, don't throw it. When you get up and out of bed in the morning you have faith that your two legs are going to walk you to your kitchen for that first cup of coffee. Throwing lures is in the same ballpark. As you can determine in the photo, these are the baits I use and do so with the utmost trust that they will do the job. You'll find me chunking these lures now and throughout the coming months because they have proven themselves to me as both dependable and reliable.
My favorite Bass Assassin baits for this fall will include Roach, 10W40, Pumpkinseed, Red & White, and Glow in 4 or 5" sea shad. Topwater picks are MirrOlure 83MR She Dogs in 83MR-GCRCH, 83MR-CHPR, 83MR-CRBC, MRGCRRH, and MRCRBN. My list also includes MirrOlure 51MR-EC, TTR808, and 51MR-CH. Of course, I'll also use the Corky and Corky Devil, pearl chartreuse with gold sides and also pearl chartreuse. Everything will fall in place once your confidence builds. You'll find it as relaxing as a walk in the park.
To sum everything up, fishing has been fair to good and I think it is going to get even better this fall, maybe one of the best falls ever. Until next time keep those Shimano reels cleaned, oiled, and in good shape. Take a day off to go fishin'.
September, for the most part, is a transition month between summer and fall. Some outdoor enthusiasts can't wait for dove and teal season to start. Maybe we will have some cooler temperatures arrive in late September to trigger our fishery to move into the fall mode. September will dictate to me what our fall fishing picture should look like. Right now we have a lot of shad and mullet in our bays which have fattened up trout and reds. I'm projecting a great fall season.
East Matagorda Bay
Early departures from the dock to fish reefs and places on the south shoreline with mud bottoms will be my plan for September. During this time of year, especially mid to late September, our shrimp will be burying themselves in mud and consequently gamefish will be in the area. Chances are for bird activity as well while you are wading which can be a lot of fun fishing diving seagulls.
Options to get started might include areas between the Gulf Cut and Boggy Cut on the north shoreline along with muddy spots like Brown Cedar Flats and west of there all the way to the Oyster Farm and even Eidelbach Flats. As far as fishing the reefs, Three Beacon, Long Reef, Drulls, Half-moon, and the reefs on the north shoreline from Boggy Cut all the way to Bird Island could be producers. Sometimes around mid-morning I'll stop wading and then cruise the bay looking for some bird activity, slicks, or even some seagulls sitting on the water. I'll make long drifts over muddy bottoms with scattered shell choosing areas such as Half-moon to the south shoreline, in front of the Oyster Farm, Boggy Cut, Gulf Cut, and Tripod on the far west end of the bay.
West Matagorda Bay
Bird activity may happen in West Matagorda Bay as well. If I do fish this bay system, I'll be wading the guts and fingers coming from the south shoreline into the bay and watching for mullet. Areas to consider will include the Cullen Houses all the way down to Greens and Cottons. It's possible to look at drifting or wading spots on the north shoreline like Twin Island and Shell Island which can be very good if you have water clarity. Don't overlook Oyster Lake for big reds and black drum.
Bait Picks
A major factor for any fisherman throwing artificial lures is to possess confidence in the bait you choose to throw. If you don't have confidence in the bait, for Heaven's sake, don't throw it. When you get up and out of bed in the morning you have faith that your two legs are going to walk you to your kitchen for that first cup of coffee. Throwing lures is in the same ballpark. As you can determine in the photo, these are the baits I use and do so with the utmost trust that they will do the job. You'll find me chunking these lures now and throughout the coming months because they have proven themselves to me as both dependable and reliable.
My favorite Bass Assassin baits for this fall will include Roach, 10W40, Pumpkinseed, Red & White, and Glow in 4 or 5" sea shad. Topwater picks are MirrOlure 83MR She Dogs in 83MR-GCRCH, 83MR-CHPR, 83MR-CRBC, MRGCRRH, and MRCRBN. My list also includes MirrOlure 51MR-EC, TTR808, and 51MR-CH. Of course, I'll also use the Corky and Corky Devil, pearl chartreuse with gold sides and also pearl chartreuse. Everything will fall in place once your confidence builds. You'll find it as relaxing as a walk in the park.
To sum everything up, fishing has been fair to good and I think it is going to get even better this fall, maybe one of the best falls ever. Until next time keep those Shimano reels cleaned, oiled, and in good shape. Take a day off to go fishin'.