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Cold Temperatures and Hot Fishing
Hugo hit a home run on his first wade fishing trip.
We are fortunate in Deep South Texas in that we only get a few really cold days out of the year. If history repeats itself, February is sure to throw us a few cold punches. The good thing is that the cold temperatures don't last but a day or two. As of this writing, our winter has been mild. As a matter of fact, ever since the first good cold snap we received at Thanksgiving, the fishing overall has really improved.
During late November through December and January, our trout numbers have increased considerably. Not only are we catching numbers, but big trout are showing up too. We have been enjoying many windless days with bay waters smooth as glass. It's during such times that you can see exactly what's below the surface; and boy, have I seen some impressive trout. The majority are stationed in potholes of three to four foot depth. The areas we have been sighting and targeting these big fish have a quick deep water access route. Knowing where they like to hang out during winter helps.
Something that we have done to increase our chances of landing a trophy is to spread out in line formation at different depths ranging from waist to knee deep and sweep the area where they have been known to hold. Before we jump off the boat I explain what usually works, what the bottom looks like, along with instructions to keep my pace. As we wade, I am paying attention to who's at the end of the most bites, what's working, what's not, slow down the wade, or wade faster. You could say that I am a drill sergeant out there.
When I see the fish are at a certain depth, I instruct everyone to zero in on it. One day we might find the majority of the fish in knee deep water, and returning the next day we might find they have moved to waist deep. One thing I can say, if you did your homework last winter, you will come to find out that they are in the same winter holes again this year.
The weather conditions and water temperatures will dictate where the fish comfort zone will be. Our water temperatures have fluctuated from a chilly fifty-eight to a warm seventy-one degrees. From my daily logbook I have noted that our best big trout days this winter have come when the water temperature has held between sixty-four and sixty-seven. I have fished before, during, and after frontal passages, and all conditions have produced some very nice fish. A few times we were lucky to fish just as the front arrived and the bite was impressive, The birds became really active right before the front hit, and the topwater action was unbelievable.
On a couple occasions we found the trout desperately hungry for topwaters despite north winds exceeding twenty mph and air temperature in the low sixties. Fishing has also been exceptional after frontal passages, especially when the sun has warmed the grass flats. It's during these warming trends that we have found redfish traveling in small schools and lots of singles in crystal clear water and hungry for any easy target.
Be sure to check the weather before going out because conditions can become downright nasty in a hurry during February. I personally like to check several sources anytime a front is expected. Not too long ago I did the usual thing of checking the weather on the net and then doubled checked by calling the local meteorologist. The forecast did not look too bad so we headed out in a ten mph north breeze, thinking the front was in. How wrong we were!
As soon as we dropped anchor the boat swung to the north and we saw a massive dark-blue frontal formation headed our way. We decided to stay put and wait it out. Wrong again! The ten mph north breeze whipped up to thirty with gusts of thirty-five and more. The water turned chocolate within a matter of minutes. I knew then it was going to be a rough ride back to the dock.
Three foot waves were rolling one way and the current was flowing in the opposite direction. These conditions made us feel like we were in a big washing machine. It's the time of the year where the weather can become unpredictable; make sure you don't get caught out there as we did, but if you do, let someone know of your whereabouts.
I mentioned earlier that the magical water temperature seems right around the mid-sixties mark. The fish have been really active on big topwaters and the best retrieve has been fast and loud. Best overall weather has been has been north or southeast wind less than fifteen, air temps in the mid-sixties to lower-seventies with strong tidal current. Surprisingly, the areas we are targeting and catching our bigger fish have had little or no bait activity. However - just because the bait is not active at the surface doesn't mean they're not there. Our best indicator has been gulls sitting on the water. If nothing else they told the depth we needed to work.
Consistent winter baits have been big topwaters, Corky Devils, and Brown's smaller sea devils. These baits have nabbed big trout, reds, and trophy snook this winter. In addition to all the good trout and redfish action that has been going on, the winter snook fishing has been outstanding as of December thru the first of the year and should continue to stay strong thru the month of February. Right now it seems like the Lower Laguna Madre has a variety and lots to offer. If you can dress warm, stay dry, and bear the cooler temperatures of February, you will not be disappointed.
During late November through December and January, our trout numbers have increased considerably. Not only are we catching numbers, but big trout are showing up too. We have been enjoying many windless days with bay waters smooth as glass. It's during such times that you can see exactly what's below the surface; and boy, have I seen some impressive trout. The majority are stationed in potholes of three to four foot depth. The areas we have been sighting and targeting these big fish have a quick deep water access route. Knowing where they like to hang out during winter helps.
Something that we have done to increase our chances of landing a trophy is to spread out in line formation at different depths ranging from waist to knee deep and sweep the area where they have been known to hold. Before we jump off the boat I explain what usually works, what the bottom looks like, along with instructions to keep my pace. As we wade, I am paying attention to who's at the end of the most bites, what's working, what's not, slow down the wade, or wade faster. You could say that I am a drill sergeant out there.
When I see the fish are at a certain depth, I instruct everyone to zero in on it. One day we might find the majority of the fish in knee deep water, and returning the next day we might find they have moved to waist deep. One thing I can say, if you did your homework last winter, you will come to find out that they are in the same winter holes again this year.
The weather conditions and water temperatures will dictate where the fish comfort zone will be. Our water temperatures have fluctuated from a chilly fifty-eight to a warm seventy-one degrees. From my daily logbook I have noted that our best big trout days this winter have come when the water temperature has held between sixty-four and sixty-seven. I have fished before, during, and after frontal passages, and all conditions have produced some very nice fish. A few times we were lucky to fish just as the front arrived and the bite was impressive, The birds became really active right before the front hit, and the topwater action was unbelievable.
On a couple occasions we found the trout desperately hungry for topwaters despite north winds exceeding twenty mph and air temperature in the low sixties. Fishing has also been exceptional after frontal passages, especially when the sun has warmed the grass flats. It's during these warming trends that we have found redfish traveling in small schools and lots of singles in crystal clear water and hungry for any easy target.
Be sure to check the weather before going out because conditions can become downright nasty in a hurry during February. I personally like to check several sources anytime a front is expected. Not too long ago I did the usual thing of checking the weather on the net and then doubled checked by calling the local meteorologist. The forecast did not look too bad so we headed out in a ten mph north breeze, thinking the front was in. How wrong we were!
As soon as we dropped anchor the boat swung to the north and we saw a massive dark-blue frontal formation headed our way. We decided to stay put and wait it out. Wrong again! The ten mph north breeze whipped up to thirty with gusts of thirty-five and more. The water turned chocolate within a matter of minutes. I knew then it was going to be a rough ride back to the dock.
Three foot waves were rolling one way and the current was flowing in the opposite direction. These conditions made us feel like we were in a big washing machine. It's the time of the year where the weather can become unpredictable; make sure you don't get caught out there as we did, but if you do, let someone know of your whereabouts.
I mentioned earlier that the magical water temperature seems right around the mid-sixties mark. The fish have been really active on big topwaters and the best retrieve has been fast and loud. Best overall weather has been has been north or southeast wind less than fifteen, air temps in the mid-sixties to lower-seventies with strong tidal current. Surprisingly, the areas we are targeting and catching our bigger fish have had little or no bait activity. However - just because the bait is not active at the surface doesn't mean they're not there. Our best indicator has been gulls sitting on the water. If nothing else they told the depth we needed to work.
Consistent winter baits have been big topwaters, Corky Devils, and Brown's smaller sea devils. These baits have nabbed big trout, reds, and trophy snook this winter. In addition to all the good trout and redfish action that has been going on, the winter snook fishing has been outstanding as of December thru the first of the year and should continue to stay strong thru the month of February. Right now it seems like the Lower Laguna Madre has a variety and lots to offer. If you can dress warm, stay dry, and bear the cooler temperatures of February, you will not be disappointed.