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Let’s go fishing
By: RON MATSON
We witnessed baitfish scattering as unseen predators slashed through the meandering schools. At the dock we took time to catch a dozen pinfish for a third bait. It wasn’t long when my rod with a free-lined pinfish doubled over and the fight was on with the familiar power runs redfish are noted for and also the revealing top-water roll and power dive. The fish had the girth of a much longer fish which accounted for the power it exhibited throughout the battle.
After carefully removing the hook, the measurement revealed a perfect redfish specimen which was less than 1/16 of an inch short of the minimum size of 20 inches. This fish was quickly released to do battle another day.
The wind was out of the north at about five to 10 miles per hour putting a slight ripple on the water with virtually no tide to help our scent pattern. After repositioning my free-lined pinfish, wham, I had just turned my back to the rod when it hit me in the back as a feisty fish attacked the fresh live pinfish! It was another fight with a long run under James’ line and then back over his line creating a Keystone Cops scramble around the boat. When all was said and done it turned out to be a twin to the first redfish with exactly the same length with the deceiving girth normally associated with a keeper-sized fish. This one had five spots on one side as compared to the other which only had two on the same side - brothers? sisters? - maybe!
James’ rod bent way over as he exclaimed, “This has my lightest test line and it also is a light action rod!” He had no problem with the two-pound hardhead catfish which kept shaking its head as he pulled it in toward the boat. Soon he had a better fighting fish only to bring in another hardhead catfish.
We were throwing some very nice live shrimp under a popping cork and free-lining with absolutely no takers which is very unusual. I decided to switch to a piece of cut pinfish and it was only in the water a couple of minutes and there was a solid strike and hookup. It turned out to be a small redfish and at the same time James was landing another catfish
Another hour had elapsed with nothing happening so it was time to move to the east shoreline of the bay. We anchored up in a spot littered with “drum noodles.” Not only were there “noodles,” there was disturbed water with grass particles floating on the surface. It looked prime but turned out to yield only one more redfish which was short on one end. Time to move north along San Jose Island to a spot on the south end of Pauls Motte which yielded no action and it was time to call it a day.
What’s happening in bays?
Some fishers are saying the “dog days of summer” are here while others are having some good days! Typically at this time of the year the habits of the fish change with the conditions which dictate where and when they will feed. Early in the morning and late in the day tend to be the best times to fish. The where to fish is another story along with what bait to use. A variety of bait is a must whether you are throwing artificials or natural baits. For almost three weeks we were only catching fish on live shrimp. Yet today the only bait working was live pinfish for redfish. The speckled seatrout fishers have done well on live croaker or on their favorite soft plastics. Some reported very good action on the white shrimp frauds in muddy water. The Port Aransas jetties have been good for a mixed bag catch.
Today’s tip
Try fishing the mid-bay reefs for some good action on speckled seatrout. If you are not familiar with where these reefs are get a good bay fishing map and locate these structures. Then program them into your GPS for future use.
This week’s hotspot
The most consistent action has come from the Dagger Island area of Redfish Bay and the Super Flats by Mud Island. Speckled seatrout early with scattered redfish in the sand pockets. Try top-waters early switching to soft plastics as the bite slows.
Have a blast out on the water and stay safe!
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