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The View: May 2013
Some say the magic number is 70 I say 72. Whichever, both opinions suffice. Catches consistently improve when water temperatures finally reach the 70s.
Why is the 70-something mark so magical? Warmer tides elevate activity among all species, baitfish included. When mullet, shad, shrimp and glass minnows are on the move, they are more readily available to predator species we target like trout and redfish. Think about it: you have become a lot more active since temperatures have risen and the sun has shown daily. The same applies to the specks and reds.
In West Matagorda Bay, glass minnows began to show up along the south shoreline on afternoon tides during the first week of April, mostly around grass beds. There should still be a few anchovies left in May, but the return of shad and mullet to the shorelines is what we are looking for to afford a consistent topwater bite.
Hopefully we will be ditching the waders for wet wading soon, but with changing weather patterns, you never know. Recalling Mays past, I can remember a cold front dropping temperatures as late as May 20 and the misery of that day on the water; I can also remember catching limits in the surf on May 15.
Our baits of choice will be Bass Assassin 5-inch shads in Chicken on a Chain, Roach, Morning Glory and Fire Tiger when jigging, and She Pups and Super Spook Jrs when plugging.
I can't wait to make my first wade on a hallowed flat stationed between the Port O jetty and Pass Cavallo. With an emerald incoming tide, few wading sessions rival it.
Of course, when waters are green in East Bay we will opt for heavier trout there. You have heard it like a broken record, but deep shell in East Bay holds quality fish; and, if my clients choose to stay in the boat for the day, and if the weather allows, I will be working the reefs. Specks there like plastics and Gulp! under corks as well as live shrimp rigged with a three-foot leader.
I tell all my clients if they will keep an open mind and let the weather dictate wading or drifting, we have a better opportunity to catch fish. Few bay systems in Texas rival wading mid-bay reefs in East Matagorda Bay with a topwater or plastic.
Texas' jetty systems are the lifeblood of its estuaries. Like an artery pumping blood to the heart, a jetty is a thoroughfare pumping new recruits of fresh brine to the upper reaches of bays and backwaters. It is a haven for shad, shrimp, anchovies, pogies, mullet, ballyhoo and crabs filtering in and out, and the jetty coughs up a new crop of fish with every summer tide.
On a normal May day, big reds, jacks, sharks and even tarpon hang out around the rocks; and, the largest speckled trout of the summer are routinely caught there as well. The new Matagorda jetty is nearly two years old now - ample time for fish to make it their new home, and you don't have to have a boat to fish it.
More boaters will be on the water this month. Be patient, courteous and treat others with respect. A smile and neighborly wave never hurt anyone.
Why is the 70-something mark so magical? Warmer tides elevate activity among all species, baitfish included. When mullet, shad, shrimp and glass minnows are on the move, they are more readily available to predator species we target like trout and redfish. Think about it: you have become a lot more active since temperatures have risen and the sun has shown daily. The same applies to the specks and reds.
In West Matagorda Bay, glass minnows began to show up along the south shoreline on afternoon tides during the first week of April, mostly around grass beds. There should still be a few anchovies left in May, but the return of shad and mullet to the shorelines is what we are looking for to afford a consistent topwater bite.
Hopefully we will be ditching the waders for wet wading soon, but with changing weather patterns, you never know. Recalling Mays past, I can remember a cold front dropping temperatures as late as May 20 and the misery of that day on the water; I can also remember catching limits in the surf on May 15.
Our baits of choice will be Bass Assassin 5-inch shads in Chicken on a Chain, Roach, Morning Glory and Fire Tiger when jigging, and She Pups and Super Spook Jrs when plugging.
I can't wait to make my first wade on a hallowed flat stationed between the Port O jetty and Pass Cavallo. With an emerald incoming tide, few wading sessions rival it.
Of course, when waters are green in East Bay we will opt for heavier trout there. You have heard it like a broken record, but deep shell in East Bay holds quality fish; and, if my clients choose to stay in the boat for the day, and if the weather allows, I will be working the reefs. Specks there like plastics and Gulp! under corks as well as live shrimp rigged with a three-foot leader.
I tell all my clients if they will keep an open mind and let the weather dictate wading or drifting, we have a better opportunity to catch fish. Few bay systems in Texas rival wading mid-bay reefs in East Matagorda Bay with a topwater or plastic.
Texas' jetty systems are the lifeblood of its estuaries. Like an artery pumping blood to the heart, a jetty is a thoroughfare pumping new recruits of fresh brine to the upper reaches of bays and backwaters. It is a haven for shad, shrimp, anchovies, pogies, mullet, ballyhoo and crabs filtering in and out, and the jetty coughs up a new crop of fish with every summer tide.
On a normal May day, big reds, jacks, sharks and even tarpon hang out around the rocks; and, the largest speckled trout of the summer are routinely caught there as well. The new Matagorda jetty is nearly two years old now - ample time for fish to make it their new home, and you don't have to have a boat to fish it.
More boaters will be on the water this month. Be patient, courteous and treat others with respect. A smile and neighborly wave never hurt anyone.