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Mid-Coast Bays: September 2008
Rob Carson caught this 31 pound jack crevalle while fishing in about 18 inches of water.
Wind has been our worst enemy for most of the year keeping us from venturing to the open waters of our beloved San Antonio Bay and the bountiful Matagorda Island surf. The months of August and September are the hottest months of the year and usually offer us a seasonal break from all the gusty winds.
Just like August, it will be important to start very early in the morning or late in the afternoon when hoping to be successful in September. I like to be at my fishing spot at least 30 minutes before sunrise. As tough as it can be to pull yourself out of a comfy bed at 3:30am, once you're out there fishing and watching that sunrise the exchange of your pillow for your rod will be well worth it.
Recently I fished with some clients who were pre-fishing for an upcoming tournament and quality fish were on the agenda. Now quality and quantity is something we all like to strive for on a fishing trip; but lets face itit doesn't happen as often as we would like. When I know customers want to target the heavier fish I always remind them of the empty cast that will likely be their day-long companion, especially with the warmer water temperatures that are typical this time of year.
The lure I depend on when it comes to catching better-sized fish, whether it is trout or redfish, is the good ol' topwater. I know a lot of you anglers are skeptical of topwaters because of the lack of success you may have had while using them. Let me run you through the scenario we often encounter when fishing with skeptics.
We start our wade or drift after everyone has tied on a favorite topwater; which of course depends on the conditions of the day. After 30 to 40 minutes with little result, off comes the topwater and they're tying on the soft plastic. I can't help but laugh a little when this happens. I will tell you just like I tell all my customers, you cannot catch a fish on a topwater unless it is attached to the end of your line! Be patient and make yourself leave it tied on..no ifs, ands, or buts.
It is thrilling for me to watch a skeptic catch a fish on a surface plug for the first time. Once the first fish comes to hand it takes little coaxing for them to leave it tied on.
Now for the selection of topwaters that I prefer; if the wind is whipping pretty good I will opt for a larger, nosier lure like the She Dog made by MirrOlure. This is a lure that seems to have no problem getting the attention of fish in choppy conditions. I will say, though, bigger topwaters can be tiresome on the wrist and forearms of those new to the game. Switching to a smaller plug after an hour or so may become necessary. Also note that even a single blade of grass can alter the action of any surface lure, be sure to clean it before making your next cast.
When the conditions are calm I often throw a smaller, quieter lure such as the Rapala Skitterwalk or Excalibur's Super Spook Jr. Both are extremely easy to work and newcomers get the hang of it very quickly.
Catching fish on any surface lure requires learning to walk-the-dog. Basically, what this means is that you will make short, choppy motions with your rod tip while reeling the lure back to you. You'll know when you have it figured out as your plug will dart and jump slightly left-right-left-right like an anxious little dog on a short leash. I let the fish dictate whether I walk it fast or slow. Think of it like playing with your house catif you get blow-ups but no hook ups, slow your retrieve and make the fish think they have injured your offering by twitching it a few times then stopping and then repeating the same steps a few more times.
If I can't entice the fish to take the lure after a few twitches I quickly reel the lure back to me and make another cast just past the area I had the last blow-up. With a hesitant fish, it is important to stop working the lure about 10 yards from you and then quickly taking it away to keep the fish from following all the way in. If a fish gets a glimpse of you or your shadow it will spook and the possibility of another chance is eliminated.
Color choice for me is pretty simple. I like natural-colored topwaters with a little contrasting color to the underside. If I am fishing in low-light breezy conditions I will switch to a lure with a brightly colored head. Since these lures have some weight to them it is no problem making a long cast. A brightly colored head allows me to keep track of it and I can then see whether the action of the lure has been impaired by grass or other surface debris.
Now get out there, tie on your topwater and leave it tied on. It may not be the lure that catches you numbers, but it will almost always catch bigger fish. The blow-ups alone will keep you going cast after cast.
Just like August, it will be important to start very early in the morning or late in the afternoon when hoping to be successful in September. I like to be at my fishing spot at least 30 minutes before sunrise. As tough as it can be to pull yourself out of a comfy bed at 3:30am, once you're out there fishing and watching that sunrise the exchange of your pillow for your rod will be well worth it.
Recently I fished with some clients who were pre-fishing for an upcoming tournament and quality fish were on the agenda. Now quality and quantity is something we all like to strive for on a fishing trip; but lets face itit doesn't happen as often as we would like. When I know customers want to target the heavier fish I always remind them of the empty cast that will likely be their day-long companion, especially with the warmer water temperatures that are typical this time of year.
The lure I depend on when it comes to catching better-sized fish, whether it is trout or redfish, is the good ol' topwater. I know a lot of you anglers are skeptical of topwaters because of the lack of success you may have had while using them. Let me run you through the scenario we often encounter when fishing with skeptics.
We start our wade or drift after everyone has tied on a favorite topwater; which of course depends on the conditions of the day. After 30 to 40 minutes with little result, off comes the topwater and they're tying on the soft plastic. I can't help but laugh a little when this happens. I will tell you just like I tell all my customers, you cannot catch a fish on a topwater unless it is attached to the end of your line! Be patient and make yourself leave it tied on..no ifs, ands, or buts.
It is thrilling for me to watch a skeptic catch a fish on a surface plug for the first time. Once the first fish comes to hand it takes little coaxing for them to leave it tied on.
Now for the selection of topwaters that I prefer; if the wind is whipping pretty good I will opt for a larger, nosier lure like the She Dog made by MirrOlure. This is a lure that seems to have no problem getting the attention of fish in choppy conditions. I will say, though, bigger topwaters can be tiresome on the wrist and forearms of those new to the game. Switching to a smaller plug after an hour or so may become necessary. Also note that even a single blade of grass can alter the action of any surface lure, be sure to clean it before making your next cast.
When the conditions are calm I often throw a smaller, quieter lure such as the Rapala Skitterwalk or Excalibur's Super Spook Jr. Both are extremely easy to work and newcomers get the hang of it very quickly.
Catching fish on any surface lure requires learning to walk-the-dog. Basically, what this means is that you will make short, choppy motions with your rod tip while reeling the lure back to you. You'll know when you have it figured out as your plug will dart and jump slightly left-right-left-right like an anxious little dog on a short leash. I let the fish dictate whether I walk it fast or slow. Think of it like playing with your house catif you get blow-ups but no hook ups, slow your retrieve and make the fish think they have injured your offering by twitching it a few times then stopping and then repeating the same steps a few more times.
If I can't entice the fish to take the lure after a few twitches I quickly reel the lure back to me and make another cast just past the area I had the last blow-up. With a hesitant fish, it is important to stop working the lure about 10 yards from you and then quickly taking it away to keep the fish from following all the way in. If a fish gets a glimpse of you or your shadow it will spook and the possibility of another chance is eliminated.
Color choice for me is pretty simple. I like natural-colored topwaters with a little contrasting color to the underside. If I am fishing in low-light breezy conditions I will switch to a lure with a brightly colored head. Since these lures have some weight to them it is no problem making a long cast. A brightly colored head allows me to keep track of it and I can then see whether the action of the lure has been impaired by grass or other surface debris.
Now get out there, tie on your topwater and leave it tied on. It may not be the lure that catches you numbers, but it will almost always catch bigger fish. The blow-ups alone will keep you going cast after cast.