Hooked Up: April 2016

Things have been moving along at an unrelenting pace here on the Upper Laguna and Baffin. Rising at 4:00 a.m. and trying to be asleep by 8:00 p.m. is a feat in itself. I pull it off daily, with a smile, but would be lying if I said I did not look forward to sleeping in on Saturdays.

Clients often say, "Man, I love fishing, but how do you do it every day? I am exhausted after just two days." The truth of the matter is that it takes GREAT mental focus, TONS of passion, a STRONG back, and a LOVE for watching others succeed with your guidance. It's a rewarding gig but really is harder work than the romantics make it out to be. Wouldn't change a thing, though!

Mother Nature has thrown us another unexpected curve this year in the form of receding seagrass. The 2015 rain put much-needed fresh water in the system and water quality has been the biggest winner–best in five years. At the same time, and for whatever reason, we have lost tons of grass in many key areas. The root systems are still there, but the expansive grass beds have "come up short." Without going into detail on why seagrass is such a positive for any bay system, it is the relationship between grass, wind, and water quality that I want to discuss.

The beauty of the Upper Laguna is that it is, normally, flush with tall grasses on the bay floor, and the way this grass functions as a filter. As wind hits max rpm the grass helps prevent bottom sediments being stirred into the water column, thus providing vast areas of "fishable" water.

Unfortunately we are experiencing the opposite this spring. The grasses have receded (no filter), the wind blows hard, and the great water quality we have been experiencing goes to crap. With wind coming from every imaginable direction during this season, the redistribution of ugly water blows from one side of the bay to the other. The good news is that it settles out quickly during low wind periods, usually during the night. For that reason early-morning starts on the Upper Laguna Madre, Meadows, and Yarbrough are essential for catching versus just casting.

Fishing has been solid all spring. Getting bites and hookups has not been much of an issue and should only get better as we get further into the month. April has always been a five-star month in my book. Between the spawn, max fatness of the trout, topwater antics and spring's tides, there is much to like about April.

We will see a big push of water towards the end of the month, known locally as "the Spring Tide"(not to be confused with spring tide that refers to periods of abnormally high and low fluctuations when the moon is at perigee.) This is without a doubt a highlight of the fishing year. Much new life will be pumped into the bay in the form of tide-runner trout and a slew of baitfish. Truly a magical time that will afford some of the best fishing of any given year.

Some of the best fishing will occur in the Land Cut itself as the fish start pushing through. As they advance north, look at areas along their travel routes–Kenedy shoreline (Rocky Slough), spoil islands along the ICW and rock formations around the mouth of Baffin for some of the most consistent opportunity.

Your best lure selection is whatever you are most confident with. For most, it's soft plastic (perfect choice). The 5" Bass Assassin on 1/16-ounce jig is highly recommended for wade fishermen and 1/8-1/4 if working out of a boat. Colors will depend on water quality. If the water is stained, I go real dark or bright. Clear water for me means natural-colored lures. Bass Assassin only has about a million in every shade known to man and Roy's Bait and Tackle here in Corpus always has the best colors for the season in stock. (They actually listen to us–what an amazing concept!) If topwater explosions are your game there is no need to have anything in the box other than MirrOlure He Dogs and She Dogs, in a variety of colors. Loud, proud, and most importantly, producers!

Charters are now wide open for June through September. Please get on the books now. Waiting last minute usually equates to not getting the dates you want. Don't be that guy! Looking forward to having y'all back and meeting the new ones.

Remember the buffalo! -Capt. David Rowsey