Alamo Fly Fishers
July 30, 2011
Hot and sunny, low winds…. the summertime in Texas is really underrated for some fantastic fishing. For a sightcaster, this time of the year is a slam-dunk. Big reds, black drum and an occasional monster trout lurk super shallow all summer. They are all there for just one reason… to eat. Granted, when the sun is high and the temperatures are hot, skinny water predators do fall off into the deeper waters. During that time, shallow water anglers are enjoying a siesta in the air conditioning, or, perhaps, venturing just outside the jetties, looking for feeding activities in the blue water.
Bring on the heat, bring on low wind days. Starting early mornings, look for tailing redfish and black drum super shallow in the grass. As the morning wears on, venture off into the sand and sightcast to cruising redfish looking for crabs, small shrimp and other critters. On those prime days when low winds flatten the surf, the first and second gut along the beach, outside the jetties of Texas (whether Port Aransas, Packery or the East Cut of Port Mansfield) are filled with reds, trout, jacks, and tarpon, along with other toothy critters that make sightcasting a blast.
Be prepared, however, with the right tackle, whether you’re using light spinning, casting or fly rods. Proper leaders are essential. If you don’t know how to rig, find someone who does! Dave Hayward at the Swan Point Landing/Orvis shop in Rockport is a valuable resource and one who is willing to share his expansive knowledge on near shore fishing, whether light tackle or fly. Another great place to hang out for insider knowledge is Roy’s Bait and Tackle in Corpus Christi. The internet, of course, also has some great info, but talking to a real person in a real shop in the areas that you will be fishing has so many more benefits.
Don’t get trapped into fishing the same places and the same ways. The summer is a great time to venture out and learn something new. Kayaking, fly fishing, sightcasting and targeting new species, such as Jacks and Tarpon are a few things to add to your arsenal.
Don’t listen to your friends that tell you it’s too hot to fish the coast. Not true. Summer can be some of the best fishing of the entire year. Time it right, fish early and fish tide movements (if you are fishing the Rockport/Port A area – Baffin Bay has no tide). Late afternoon/early evening fishing can be dynamic as well, as the shallow waters begin to cool down with the sunset. Ever consider night fishing? Nighttime fishing from a kayak can be some of the most fun fishing you’ll do. Throw a topwater lure in the shallow water at night and hang on. Pick a shallow water area that you know well, launch while it’s still light and fish until the moon is shining bright. Make sure you have a light, a gps and other communication devices. Night fishing is cool, productive and exciting. Give it a try!
Summertime fishing offers so much more to any angler, but expecially shallow water fishermen. Venture offshore and fish for tarpon and jacks, go kayaking at night, or just enjoy the sunset while stalking a forever shoreline. Cool morning sunrises are inspiring and the dip in the pool or nap on the couch in the cool air conditioning after a morning of fishing feels even better. Don’t miss some of the best fishing of the year just because it’s hot!
See you on the water,
Capt. Sally
Website: www.CaptainSally.com
email: Sally@CaptainSally.com
Facebook:
Fan Page: Captain Sally’s Reel Fun Charters, Personal Page: Sally Ann Black
Blog: www.captainsallysblog.blogspot.com
Twitter: @Captainsally
Captain Sally's fishing articles, stories, tips, insight and photos from the Texas Coast... See daily fishing reports on Facebook, "Capt. Sally's Reel Fun Charters"
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Prime Time for Shallowists
May – June, 2011
Saltwater Texas
Prime-Time for Shallowists
June and July usher in some sweet conditions for shallow water anglers. While enduring the changeable conditions of the Spring, it seemed that just about the time things got really good, the weather got windy and cloudy. Fronts still trying to force their way into Texas brought lots of tiresome winds which keep some shallow water anglers and sight casters off the water, waiting for the prime times of May, June and July.
Besides the weather and winds leveling out a bit, the grass in the shallow water has recuperated and is in full form, being home to an incredible host of bait. The new shrimp migration that arrived in April and May is beginning to mature while feeding the hungry masses of redfish roaming there daily. This now thriving estuary is home to everything that a big pod of redfish is looking for. Glass minnows, pin perch, shrimp, crabs and finger mullet are the foods of choice and most of it is hiding in the grass and along the shorelines.
Fly fishermen and other sightcasters stalk, wade, paddle a kayak or pole a skiff into this knee-deep or shallower smorgasbord, looking for a chance to present a fly or lure to a hungry group of fish. Most won’t be disappointed as predators are now in abundance taking part in this early summertime feeding frenzy.
Wading birds, such as egrets and herons along with diving seagulls and terns, show anglers the way as they work with the hectic pods of redfish mowing through the grass and down the shorelines kicking up lots of tiny morsels. Anglers must pay close attention to all of the signs of feeding fish as in the “prime time”, there are many.
The Rockport area is filled with marshes, estuaries and back lakes offering a variety of water levels, tide conditions and bait. Anglers must watch moon phases and tidal movements to target the right place to fish and when. As conditions stabilize, these factors become more and more important. Major and minor feeding periods, brought on by the solunar movements, give anglers an advantage. Pair this information with moving tides and “right” water levels and the odds of “catching” go up, especially along the mid-coast of Texas. As the summer wears on and water temperatures rise higher, the tides become more and more important in finding feeding fish. Watch sites such as NOAA Tides Online (http://tidesonline.nos.noaa.gov/geographic.html) for real-time reports of predicted and actual tide movements and levels near your fishing area. This can be invaluable, especially when predicting water levels falling to levels too shallow to paddle or float your boat!
Move farther down the coast to Baffin Bay and the Land Cut, and tides virtually become non-existent. Water levels creep ever so slowly in one direction or the other. Wind blown current can help, but stable conditions there create consistent fish feeding activities. Find shallow areas with good grass and other structure and there will be tailing and feeding redfish, trout and black drum. Clear waters are plentiful and offer day-long wading, paddling or poling opportunities. The shallow water in Baffin proper is virtually un-fished, as is a lot of the lower parts of the Upper Laguna Madre. Step out of the comfort zones and find new waters to fish. The rewards are great and so is the adventure!
Fish are feeding on shrimp, crabs and baitfish during this time of the year, so pair your flies or lures to match. Tie flies with natural colors (white, brown), paired with an attractant color such as chartreuse, pink or orange. Spoon flies are also great producers as well as small topwater “popper” flies. Use smaller hooks, such as a #4 to more closely match the size of the food in the system.
Lure casters use small topwaters, such as the Super Spook Jr, or the baby Skitterwalk or baby X-Rap Skitterwalk in a variety of dark and light colors such as white, bone, black, gold chrome with the same attractant colors as the flies, pink or chartreuse. Small soft plastics, such as the Bass Assassin 4” paddletail on a 1/16th ounce jig head and a #1 or #2 hook should be thrown in the same colors as above for the best results. Natural colors with attractant colors are great producers up and down the coast.
The “Prime Time” is much anticipated and should be taken advantage of by all anglers, beginners and seasoned alike!
See you on the water,
Capt. Sally Black
Website: www.CaptainSally.com
Email: Sally@CaptainSally.com
Twitter: @CaptainSally
Facebook: Fan Page: Capt. Sally’s Reel Fun Charters
Personal Page: Sally Ann Black
Blog: www.CaptainSallysBlog.blogspot.com
Need more? Sign up for my newsletter at www.CaptainSally.com
Saltwater Texas
Prime-Time for Shallowists
June and July usher in some sweet conditions for shallow water anglers. While enduring the changeable conditions of the Spring, it seemed that just about the time things got really good, the weather got windy and cloudy. Fronts still trying to force their way into Texas brought lots of tiresome winds which keep some shallow water anglers and sight casters off the water, waiting for the prime times of May, June and July.
Besides the weather and winds leveling out a bit, the grass in the shallow water has recuperated and is in full form, being home to an incredible host of bait. The new shrimp migration that arrived in April and May is beginning to mature while feeding the hungry masses of redfish roaming there daily. This now thriving estuary is home to everything that a big pod of redfish is looking for. Glass minnows, pin perch, shrimp, crabs and finger mullet are the foods of choice and most of it is hiding in the grass and along the shorelines.
Fly fishermen and other sightcasters stalk, wade, paddle a kayak or pole a skiff into this knee-deep or shallower smorgasbord, looking for a chance to present a fly or lure to a hungry group of fish. Most won’t be disappointed as predators are now in abundance taking part in this early summertime feeding frenzy.
Wading birds, such as egrets and herons along with diving seagulls and terns, show anglers the way as they work with the hectic pods of redfish mowing through the grass and down the shorelines kicking up lots of tiny morsels. Anglers must pay close attention to all of the signs of feeding fish as in the “prime time”, there are many.
The Rockport area is filled with marshes, estuaries and back lakes offering a variety of water levels, tide conditions and bait. Anglers must watch moon phases and tidal movements to target the right place to fish and when. As conditions stabilize, these factors become more and more important. Major and minor feeding periods, brought on by the solunar movements, give anglers an advantage. Pair this information with moving tides and “right” water levels and the odds of “catching” go up, especially along the mid-coast of Texas. As the summer wears on and water temperatures rise higher, the tides become more and more important in finding feeding fish. Watch sites such as NOAA Tides Online (http://tidesonline.nos.noaa.gov/geographic.html) for real-time reports of predicted and actual tide movements and levels near your fishing area. This can be invaluable, especially when predicting water levels falling to levels too shallow to paddle or float your boat!
Move farther down the coast to Baffin Bay and the Land Cut, and tides virtually become non-existent. Water levels creep ever so slowly in one direction or the other. Wind blown current can help, but stable conditions there create consistent fish feeding activities. Find shallow areas with good grass and other structure and there will be tailing and feeding redfish, trout and black drum. Clear waters are plentiful and offer day-long wading, paddling or poling opportunities. The shallow water in Baffin proper is virtually un-fished, as is a lot of the lower parts of the Upper Laguna Madre. Step out of the comfort zones and find new waters to fish. The rewards are great and so is the adventure!
Fish are feeding on shrimp, crabs and baitfish during this time of the year, so pair your flies or lures to match. Tie flies with natural colors (white, brown), paired with an attractant color such as chartreuse, pink or orange. Spoon flies are also great producers as well as small topwater “popper” flies. Use smaller hooks, such as a #4 to more closely match the size of the food in the system.
Lure casters use small topwaters, such as the Super Spook Jr, or the baby Skitterwalk or baby X-Rap Skitterwalk in a variety of dark and light colors such as white, bone, black, gold chrome with the same attractant colors as the flies, pink or chartreuse. Small soft plastics, such as the Bass Assassin 4” paddletail on a 1/16th ounce jig head and a #1 or #2 hook should be thrown in the same colors as above for the best results. Natural colors with attractant colors are great producers up and down the coast.
The “Prime Time” is much anticipated and should be taken advantage of by all anglers, beginners and seasoned alike!
See you on the water,
Capt. Sally Black
Website: www.CaptainSally.com
Email: Sally@CaptainSally.com
Twitter: @CaptainSally
Facebook: Fan Page: Capt. Sally’s Reel Fun Charters
Personal Page: Sally Ann Black
Blog: www.CaptainSallysBlog.blogspot.com
Need more? Sign up for my newsletter at www.CaptainSally.com
June Fishing Forecast
Kayak fishing in 54 mph winds? It was interesting, to say the least, but the fishing this past Memorial Day was still great in a little hidey-hole in Baffin Bay. But now, the winds are finally laying and a summer pattern may be upon us. It’s about time…. That weather pattern was getting a little old, even for a fishing guide like me!
After a very windy spring, it’s time to start sight casting for big redfish and trout in the shallow waters of Alazan Bay, Baffin Bay and the shallow waters of the Upper Laguna Madre, my new home waters. This spring, even with the winds, the fishing has been awesome. The fishing in Rockport has been equally productive, with really big redfish and trout hanging in the shallow waters of the back lakes of San Jose Island and the Lighthouse Lakes Trails.
This Spring, although the conditions were very difficult, the quality of the fish being caught, both in Baffin and in Rockport has been very impressive to say the least. We are looking forward to a most exciting early summer with lighter winds and clear water. Prime time for shallow water sightcasting and fly fishing is finally upon us.
A renewed interest in kayak fishing has lead me to a new kayak sponsor, Legacy Paddlesports, the makers of the Native Ultimate Kayak. Bending Branches are providing lightweight carbon paddles and I could not be happier. Finding totally un-fished waters here has been an eye-opener! In the back of Baffin Bay, the shallow water is unmolested, the fish are big and the waters are clear. What a dream for a Rockport kayaker, used to being run over by airboats and a steady stream of shallow water boats. The “last best place” on the Texas Coast is a pretty fine place to kayak and I am blessed to be there exploring it for the first time. This place is truly a “grand adventure” for the explorer in all of us. Add to Baffin Bay the Land Cut and the 9 Mile Hole and any kayaker looking for a new place to ride won’t be disappointed. It’s awe-inspiring here, but, it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s remote, big and beautiful, but not easy to find. That’s what makes it so good.
June and July not only offer the best in shallow water sightcasting but bring everyone a chance to venture off-shore on low wind days. Tarpon and other big game fish are roaming the first and second guts and bars along the beachfront and for those of us with the desire to catch one on the fly, we will be taking the opportunities as they come. Sneaking out the jetties on one of “those days” can be very exciting, but make sure you have the right fly rods, lines and leaders for the most success. Swan Point Landing’s Orvis Shop in Rockport has exactly what the near-offshore fly angler needs, along with the knowledge to put it all together.
Embarking on this new season, finally, a new weather pattern and an awesome fishing adventure is very exciting, and provides a renewed interest in so many things. Finding unfished waters, paddling new kayaks and hanging out in one of the most fantastic fishing places on the Texas Coast makes it all worth while. Hope you can join me here in Baffin for an awesome summer!
See you on the water,
Capt. Sally
www.captainsally.com
After a very windy spring, it’s time to start sight casting for big redfish and trout in the shallow waters of Alazan Bay, Baffin Bay and the shallow waters of the Upper Laguna Madre, my new home waters. This spring, even with the winds, the fishing has been awesome. The fishing in Rockport has been equally productive, with really big redfish and trout hanging in the shallow waters of the back lakes of San Jose Island and the Lighthouse Lakes Trails.
This Spring, although the conditions were very difficult, the quality of the fish being caught, both in Baffin and in Rockport has been very impressive to say the least. We are looking forward to a most exciting early summer with lighter winds and clear water. Prime time for shallow water sightcasting and fly fishing is finally upon us.
A renewed interest in kayak fishing has lead me to a new kayak sponsor, Legacy Paddlesports, the makers of the Native Ultimate Kayak. Bending Branches are providing lightweight carbon paddles and I could not be happier. Finding totally un-fished waters here has been an eye-opener! In the back of Baffin Bay, the shallow water is unmolested, the fish are big and the waters are clear. What a dream for a Rockport kayaker, used to being run over by airboats and a steady stream of shallow water boats. The “last best place” on the Texas Coast is a pretty fine place to kayak and I am blessed to be there exploring it for the first time. This place is truly a “grand adventure” for the explorer in all of us. Add to Baffin Bay the Land Cut and the 9 Mile Hole and any kayaker looking for a new place to ride won’t be disappointed. It’s awe-inspiring here, but, it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s remote, big and beautiful, but not easy to find. That’s what makes it so good.
June and July not only offer the best in shallow water sightcasting but bring everyone a chance to venture off-shore on low wind days. Tarpon and other big game fish are roaming the first and second guts and bars along the beachfront and for those of us with the desire to catch one on the fly, we will be taking the opportunities as they come. Sneaking out the jetties on one of “those days” can be very exciting, but make sure you have the right fly rods, lines and leaders for the most success. Swan Point Landing’s Orvis Shop in Rockport has exactly what the near-offshore fly angler needs, along with the knowledge to put it all together.
Embarking on this new season, finally, a new weather pattern and an awesome fishing adventure is very exciting, and provides a renewed interest in so many things. Finding unfished waters, paddling new kayaks and hanging out in one of the most fantastic fishing places on the Texas Coast makes it all worth while. Hope you can join me here in Baffin for an awesome summer!
See you on the water,
Capt. Sally
www.captainsally.com
Windy April and May, But the Fishing is Awesome!
Despite the unrelenting winds and dry conditions of April and early May, the fishing remains fantastic. The local meteorologists are predicting a change in the weather pattern, so, hopefully, by the time you read this, it’s a fact and not just a guess! After two months of windy, cloudy and terribly dry conditions, almost any change is welcome.
Baffin Bay, my new home, is becoming more familiar and has been very rewarding, with great catches of fish in numbers and in size. A large shrimp hatch as well as a plethora of “right-sized” mullet has offered our anglers large numbers of 20-25” trout on all of the rock piles and grassy shorelines. Topwater action has been great, but soft plastic paddletails have really paid off. Small lures, such as the Saltwater Assassin in almost any natural color on a 1/16th ounce jig head has become a staple. When it’s a little windier, the new Saltwater Assassin “Die Dapper”, which is a big-bodied paddletail is producing big strikes. This lure can be worked almost like a suspending bait, which makes it very effective for big trout.
All this trout talk coming from a dyed-in-the-wool redfish guide? Well, when in Rome…. But, even though the trout fishing has been off the charts, now is the time to get shallow, shallow, shallow. Legacy Paddlesports, the makers of the Native Ultimate kayak, have offered a coveted spot on their pro-staff this year. Armed with a set of brand new Native Ultimate 12’s, the back lakes of Alazan Bay, the South Shoreline of Baffin Bay, Landcut and 9-Mile Hole are getting ready to be daily destinations. Rockport is still just as good as ever and the back lakes of San Jose and the Lighthouse Lakes are really on fire, as would be expected for this time of the year. An abundant shrimp population, clear water and lots of healthy, shallow grass have made this year’s skinny water action very consistent.
May and June are about as prime time as it gets for fly anglers and shallow water sightcasters. Getting past the windy memories of March and April will be tough, but all it will take is a week of glorious weather and that will be in the past. It’s time to move on to the next phase of fishing….. beautiful conditions, clear water and a good, strong fishing pattern.
At the recent Fly Fishing Federation Conclave in San Antonio, my new seminar entitled “Discovering the Un-Fished Fly Waters of the Middle Texas Coast” was met with great interest. Instead of a list of “un-fished” places, the talk consisted of the methodology of finding these places, even in the midst of crowds on the water in Rockport. And, yes, there are even un-fished fly waters in Rockport! Open minds, creative technology and a sense of adventure will pay off for the angler interested in finding waters that are un-travelled. Satellite maps, books and charts are some tools, but there are so many more, beginning with looking deeper at the places that you already fish.
Tired of fishing with a hundred of your closest friends? Branch out, risk it and discover these un-fished places. When you do, the simple rule is to “keep them to yourself!!!” After the pain and uncertainty of adventure and discovery, why post it on an internet chat board?
The fun of fishing somewhere new and different, even it you don’t catch fish, is well worth the effort. For me, learning Baffin Bay, Alazan and points in between has been a grand adventure which has really paid off. Discovering these new, hidden places that hold unmolested fish has been like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Risk can hold great reward! Go forth and discover!
See you on the water!
Capt. Sally
Website: www.CaptainSally.com
Email: Sally@CaptainSally.com
Twitter: @CaptainSally
Facebook: Fan Page: Capt. Sally’s Reel Fun Charters
Personal Page: Sally Ann Black
Blog: www.CaptainSallysBlog.blogspot.com
Need more? Sign up for my newsletter at www.CaptainSally.com
Baffin Bay, my new home, is becoming more familiar and has been very rewarding, with great catches of fish in numbers and in size. A large shrimp hatch as well as a plethora of “right-sized” mullet has offered our anglers large numbers of 20-25” trout on all of the rock piles and grassy shorelines. Topwater action has been great, but soft plastic paddletails have really paid off. Small lures, such as the Saltwater Assassin in almost any natural color on a 1/16th ounce jig head has become a staple. When it’s a little windier, the new Saltwater Assassin “Die Dapper”, which is a big-bodied paddletail is producing big strikes. This lure can be worked almost like a suspending bait, which makes it very effective for big trout.
All this trout talk coming from a dyed-in-the-wool redfish guide? Well, when in Rome…. But, even though the trout fishing has been off the charts, now is the time to get shallow, shallow, shallow. Legacy Paddlesports, the makers of the Native Ultimate kayak, have offered a coveted spot on their pro-staff this year. Armed with a set of brand new Native Ultimate 12’s, the back lakes of Alazan Bay, the South Shoreline of Baffin Bay, Landcut and 9-Mile Hole are getting ready to be daily destinations. Rockport is still just as good as ever and the back lakes of San Jose and the Lighthouse Lakes are really on fire, as would be expected for this time of the year. An abundant shrimp population, clear water and lots of healthy, shallow grass have made this year’s skinny water action very consistent.
May and June are about as prime time as it gets for fly anglers and shallow water sightcasters. Getting past the windy memories of March and April will be tough, but all it will take is a week of glorious weather and that will be in the past. It’s time to move on to the next phase of fishing….. beautiful conditions, clear water and a good, strong fishing pattern.
At the recent Fly Fishing Federation Conclave in San Antonio, my new seminar entitled “Discovering the Un-Fished Fly Waters of the Middle Texas Coast” was met with great interest. Instead of a list of “un-fished” places, the talk consisted of the methodology of finding these places, even in the midst of crowds on the water in Rockport. And, yes, there are even un-fished fly waters in Rockport! Open minds, creative technology and a sense of adventure will pay off for the angler interested in finding waters that are un-travelled. Satellite maps, books and charts are some tools, but there are so many more, beginning with looking deeper at the places that you already fish.
Tired of fishing with a hundred of your closest friends? Branch out, risk it and discover these un-fished places. When you do, the simple rule is to “keep them to yourself!!!” After the pain and uncertainty of adventure and discovery, why post it on an internet chat board?
The fun of fishing somewhere new and different, even it you don’t catch fish, is well worth the effort. For me, learning Baffin Bay, Alazan and points in between has been a grand adventure which has really paid off. Discovering these new, hidden places that hold unmolested fish has been like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Risk can hold great reward! Go forth and discover!
See you on the water!
Capt. Sally
Website: www.CaptainSally.com
Email: Sally@CaptainSally.com
Twitter: @CaptainSally
Facebook: Fan Page: Capt. Sally’s Reel Fun Charters
Personal Page: Sally Ann Black
Blog: www.CaptainSallysBlog.blogspot.com
Need more? Sign up for my newsletter at www.CaptainSally.com
The Game Begins for Shallow Water Anglers
The Game Begins for Shallow Water Anglers
It’s officially Spring when, as the water temperatures continue to warm, redfish and trout begin to ever so slowly sneak away from their wintertime comfort zones and reach more deeply into the shallow back waters.
Finally, sightcasters with cabin fever emerge to fish the skinny waters once again, this time with consistency as many conditions converge to create a fish feeding frenzy.
Spring time tides begin to rise and Mother Nature ushers in a new shrimp migration to hide in the burgeoning grasses and moss of the shallow estuaries. Consistent water temperatures in the 70 and above range tell predators and bait that it’s safe to roam away from deeper areas and leave their semi-dormant state. Redfish move in large groups to feed on the emerging shrimp and bait populations in the shallow waters. Mixed within the big pods of redfish are pre-spawn trout, feeding up as well. Black drum and flounder come alive and complete the awakening, making March and April some of the most dynamic fishing of the year.
Just like a bear in a den during the winter, redfish and trout eat sparingly and conserve energy when the water temperatures are cold. But, as water temps consistently rise, the overbearing hunger drives the predators into the warm, shallow water where all life converges. Teams of redfish hungrily root along the bottom and through the sparse grass, chasing down hundreds of tiny shrimp and glass minnows. Birds follow and dive down from above, using the redfish as their scout. The cycle begins again for everyone and everything, waiting for the winter to come to an end.
The one caveat during this early time of Spring, however, is the constant threat of a closely approaching cold front from the North. Winds will howl as fronts try to come through without success. March can still be chilly, with longer periods of warm conditions, so prepare to move back and forth from a winter pattern to a spring pattern and back again until the approaching cold fronts no longer have an impact on the area.
Watch water temperatures closely, just as in the winter, to find the most consistently warm conditions. If cold weather drops the water temperatures drastically, fish will evacuate the skinny water and may be leery to return immediately. Fall back into a winter time fishing pattern until temperatures moderate and the sun warms the flats again.
“Matching the hatch”, so to speak, is very important in the spring. Everything in the system is small such as the new shrimp migration and tiny glass minnows; it’s an emerging estuary. Toss smaller flies and smaller lures to closely mimic the size of the food that is available for the predators to eat.
Natural colors are proven producers at this time of the year, such as white, bone, pumpkinseed and the like, mixed with chartreuse and pink accents. Whether flies or lures, these colors work great. Rainy, windy or cloudy days, add black or other dark colors to the above selection for more contrast and effect. Use small paddletail plastics on 1/16th ounce jig heads, or weedless and weightless, depending on the conditions. Topwaters, such as the Super Spook, Jr., small Skitterwalk or the louder X-Rap are great producers beginning in the spring. Fly casters toss the usual array of clousers in white and all of the natural colors. Go to a little smaller fly (#4 or #6) to mimic a tiny shrimp, with light bead chain eyes.
Keep an eye toward the sky, watching for early spring storms which can be very violent and dangerous. Make sure that every angler has a safety kit and be ready for any circumstance. In the rush to get out there to fish after a long winter, review all safety gear, VHS radios, GPS and first aid kits. Sting ray boots or guards are essential, (especially for kayak anglers), purchase a new PFD, flares and horn.
Spring is a great new beginning for most anglers and it can’t get here soon enough.
See you on the water!
Capt. Sally Black
Website: www.CaptainSally.com
Email: Sally@CaptainSally.com
Facebook: Capt. Sally's Reel Fun Charters and Sally Ann Black
Twitter: Captainsally
Blog: http://captainsallysblog.blogspot.com
It’s officially Spring when, as the water temperatures continue to warm, redfish and trout begin to ever so slowly sneak away from their wintertime comfort zones and reach more deeply into the shallow back waters.
Finally, sightcasters with cabin fever emerge to fish the skinny waters once again, this time with consistency as many conditions converge to create a fish feeding frenzy.
Spring time tides begin to rise and Mother Nature ushers in a new shrimp migration to hide in the burgeoning grasses and moss of the shallow estuaries. Consistent water temperatures in the 70 and above range tell predators and bait that it’s safe to roam away from deeper areas and leave their semi-dormant state. Redfish move in large groups to feed on the emerging shrimp and bait populations in the shallow waters. Mixed within the big pods of redfish are pre-spawn trout, feeding up as well. Black drum and flounder come alive and complete the awakening, making March and April some of the most dynamic fishing of the year.
Just like a bear in a den during the winter, redfish and trout eat sparingly and conserve energy when the water temperatures are cold. But, as water temps consistently rise, the overbearing hunger drives the predators into the warm, shallow water where all life converges. Teams of redfish hungrily root along the bottom and through the sparse grass, chasing down hundreds of tiny shrimp and glass minnows. Birds follow and dive down from above, using the redfish as their scout. The cycle begins again for everyone and everything, waiting for the winter to come to an end.
The one caveat during this early time of Spring, however, is the constant threat of a closely approaching cold front from the North. Winds will howl as fronts try to come through without success. March can still be chilly, with longer periods of warm conditions, so prepare to move back and forth from a winter pattern to a spring pattern and back again until the approaching cold fronts no longer have an impact on the area.
Watch water temperatures closely, just as in the winter, to find the most consistently warm conditions. If cold weather drops the water temperatures drastically, fish will evacuate the skinny water and may be leery to return immediately. Fall back into a winter time fishing pattern until temperatures moderate and the sun warms the flats again.
“Matching the hatch”, so to speak, is very important in the spring. Everything in the system is small such as the new shrimp migration and tiny glass minnows; it’s an emerging estuary. Toss smaller flies and smaller lures to closely mimic the size of the food that is available for the predators to eat.
Natural colors are proven producers at this time of the year, such as white, bone, pumpkinseed and the like, mixed with chartreuse and pink accents. Whether flies or lures, these colors work great. Rainy, windy or cloudy days, add black or other dark colors to the above selection for more contrast and effect. Use small paddletail plastics on 1/16th ounce jig heads, or weedless and weightless, depending on the conditions. Topwaters, such as the Super Spook, Jr., small Skitterwalk or the louder X-Rap are great producers beginning in the spring. Fly casters toss the usual array of clousers in white and all of the natural colors. Go to a little smaller fly (#4 or #6) to mimic a tiny shrimp, with light bead chain eyes.
Keep an eye toward the sky, watching for early spring storms which can be very violent and dangerous. Make sure that every angler has a safety kit and be ready for any circumstance. In the rush to get out there to fish after a long winter, review all safety gear, VHS radios, GPS and first aid kits. Sting ray boots or guards are essential, (especially for kayak anglers), purchase a new PFD, flares and horn.
Spring is a great new beginning for most anglers and it can’t get here soon enough.
See you on the water!
Capt. Sally Black
Website: www.CaptainSally.com
Email: Sally@CaptainSally.com
Facebook: Capt. Sally's Reel Fun Charters and Sally Ann Black
Twitter: Captainsally
Blog: http://captainsallysblog.blogspot.com
Monday, February 14, 2011
February Cabin Fever
Saltwater Angler Magazine
On-Line Edition
February 9, 2011
About mid-February, a shallow water angler’s patience is growing thin. With the recent freeze scare and cold snap after that, everyone hopes that it’s about over. It does appear that the bays, fish and anglers were spared a major freeze and fish kill event this time. Thank God for that.
After reviewing the long-range forecast, late February looks to be trending warmer. In South Texas, thankfully, winter only lasts a couple of months and hopefully it’s about over!
Cabin fever is a tough thing for Texas coastal anglers to endure, and ever since duck season ended, the cabin has been getting smaller. No matter what the weather, however, there are a lot of hearty souls out there who brave the elements in search of a trophy trout or hungry redfish in the winter. But most anglers hang back and wait for the weather to get warmer. Post cold front fishing can be fantastic, however, and after a few days of warm sunshine and not much wind, these cold-weary fish are going to inch ever so slowly into the shallower waters to warm up and then feed.
Don’t totally write off fishing until temperatures rise, however, just watch the weather and take advantage of the good and productive days when they do come along. Water temperatures in the shallow water need to remain in the above 60 range to hold fish, so target sun-warmed areas near deep water, out of the wind, if possible. The Intracoastal is the place where lots of fish drop into to survive, so stay close. Find bait lurking around darker, grassy or muddy bottoms and your odds go up. Also, with the water levels so very low, lots of flats are empty, so it makes it even easier to pinpoint where to fish. These classic winter-time rules really do work!
Since it’s the dead of winter, there are always a few events scheduled to keep us all in tune with the outdoors and fishing. The first one is the TPWD Crab Trap Cleanup event. “In order to help clean up the Texas coastline, the 9th Annual Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program will run from February 19-28, 2011. During the ten day period, all Texas bays will be closed to crabbing as volunteers assist in collecting traps.” Give your local TWPD office a call and find out where you can get tarps and other gear to pick up the traps, and find out where the collection points are.
Also, on February 19th, Bass Pro Shops in Pearland will again be presenting their day-long event, “Fly Fishing Texas and Beyond”. With a great array of speakers and demonstrations that last all day long, anglers can learn about fly fishing in saltwater and freshwater from some of the leaders in the industry. I will be speaking there at 10:30am and doing a kayak fly fishing demonstration at 2:00pm. Check out their website for all of the information and please stop by and say hello!
March 2nd through the 6th will be the 36th Annual Houston Fishing Show at the George R. Brown Convention Center. This is a “must attend” event where anglers can talk fishing with most of the guides in Texas and check out all of the new fishing gear and kayaks. The daily seminar line-up is a who’s-who of Texas fishing. As usual, I’ll be in booth 518, and hope to see you there. I’ve got a lot of new adventures up my sleeve for 2011!
The 16th Annual Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Cleanup will be held on March 19th. Go to www.billysandifer.com for all of the details, but, if you can be there, it is an inspiring, fun and exciting day, filled with new friends, fresh air and lots of exercise! Capt. Billy Sandifer is an icon of the saltwater. If you’ve never met and talked with him, or fished or birded on the beach with him, you are missing one of the great adventures of life.
Add Spring Break and the end of winter to this list and, before you know it, you’ll be trading in your Under Armor Cold Gear for sunscreen, shorts and flip-flops! Time flies when you are having fun!
See you on the water soon!
Capt. Sally
On-Line Edition
February 9, 2011
About mid-February, a shallow water angler’s patience is growing thin. With the recent freeze scare and cold snap after that, everyone hopes that it’s about over. It does appear that the bays, fish and anglers were spared a major freeze and fish kill event this time. Thank God for that.
After reviewing the long-range forecast, late February looks to be trending warmer. In South Texas, thankfully, winter only lasts a couple of months and hopefully it’s about over!
Cabin fever is a tough thing for Texas coastal anglers to endure, and ever since duck season ended, the cabin has been getting smaller. No matter what the weather, however, there are a lot of hearty souls out there who brave the elements in search of a trophy trout or hungry redfish in the winter. But most anglers hang back and wait for the weather to get warmer. Post cold front fishing can be fantastic, however, and after a few days of warm sunshine and not much wind, these cold-weary fish are going to inch ever so slowly into the shallower waters to warm up and then feed.
Don’t totally write off fishing until temperatures rise, however, just watch the weather and take advantage of the good and productive days when they do come along. Water temperatures in the shallow water need to remain in the above 60 range to hold fish, so target sun-warmed areas near deep water, out of the wind, if possible. The Intracoastal is the place where lots of fish drop into to survive, so stay close. Find bait lurking around darker, grassy or muddy bottoms and your odds go up. Also, with the water levels so very low, lots of flats are empty, so it makes it even easier to pinpoint where to fish. These classic winter-time rules really do work!
Since it’s the dead of winter, there are always a few events scheduled to keep us all in tune with the outdoors and fishing. The first one is the TPWD Crab Trap Cleanup event. “In order to help clean up the Texas coastline, the 9th Annual Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program will run from February 19-28, 2011. During the ten day period, all Texas bays will be closed to crabbing as volunteers assist in collecting traps.” Give your local TWPD office a call and find out where you can get tarps and other gear to pick up the traps, and find out where the collection points are.
Also, on February 19th, Bass Pro Shops in Pearland will again be presenting their day-long event, “Fly Fishing Texas and Beyond”. With a great array of speakers and demonstrations that last all day long, anglers can learn about fly fishing in saltwater and freshwater from some of the leaders in the industry. I will be speaking there at 10:30am and doing a kayak fly fishing demonstration at 2:00pm. Check out their website for all of the information and please stop by and say hello!
March 2nd through the 6th will be the 36th Annual Houston Fishing Show at the George R. Brown Convention Center. This is a “must attend” event where anglers can talk fishing with most of the guides in Texas and check out all of the new fishing gear and kayaks. The daily seminar line-up is a who’s-who of Texas fishing. As usual, I’ll be in booth 518, and hope to see you there. I’ve got a lot of new adventures up my sleeve for 2011!
The 16th Annual Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Cleanup will be held on March 19th. Go to www.billysandifer.com for all of the details, but, if you can be there, it is an inspiring, fun and exciting day, filled with new friends, fresh air and lots of exercise! Capt. Billy Sandifer is an icon of the saltwater. If you’ve never met and talked with him, or fished or birded on the beach with him, you are missing one of the great adventures of life.
Add Spring Break and the end of winter to this list and, before you know it, you’ll be trading in your Under Armor Cold Gear for sunscreen, shorts and flip-flops! Time flies when you are having fun!
See you on the water soon!
Capt. Sally
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Winter Marches On (not quickly enough....)
Saltwater Angler Magazine
On-Line Edition
January 26, 2011
Winter marches on, but not as quickly as it needs to! For shallow water anglers, cold weather means “fishus interuptus”. Between the fronts, there are great days of fishing, with warm temperatures, no wind and hungry fish. And then it’s another week of cold, windy and cloudy days which keep the fish out of the clear, shallow water.
The only consolation to this pattern of “fishus interruptus” was the fabulous duck hunting which kept us on the water nearly every day, no matter what the conditions.
Our hunting clients and my young black lab Kelly made this winter and all that cold weather very worthwhile.
Now that the hunting season is over, however, it’s time to get down with the business of full-time fishing. So, on those not-so-bluebird days, maybe a new pursuit will be trophy trout on Baffin Bay. Since Capt. Aubrey Black is the best teacher in town, this new endeavor will be a great way to pass the time until good, consistent shallow water action returns when water temperatures moderate!
During many recent duck hunting pursuits, lots of new shallow water fishing territory has been discovered. Rockport is like an old friend, easy to understand and fun to be with. But, Baffin Bay is uncharted shallow water territory, filled with lots of nooks, cranny’s and back lakes that no one has ever fly fished. When I say no one, I mean no one. The bays of Baffin are the “last best places” to find this remote, unfished water. On warm and sunny days between now and Spring Break, these “virgin” waters will be my new stomping grounds.
Kayak fishing is a great way to scout new places to fish. Using the Curlew with the kayak rack, and brand new Native Ultimate 12 kayaks, I’ll be paddling through lots of new water this year. Scouting new fishing places is an art and a science. It’s not just about the place, but what water level is the best time to fish it, what kind of grass is there, where do the fish hang out, how does the water flow through, which way the wind blows through and more. Keeping records of scouting trips are very important as well. Scouting new fishing water is time well spent, even if you don’t catch fish every time you go.
The Houston Fishing Show is coming up in March (2-6) and I’ll be there in booth #518, as usual! This is my 10th year to exhibit and speak there and it’s always a great show. Soon the seminar schedule will be up on their website and I’m working on a new PowerPoint Presentation. Come on by and chat or sit in on a seminar to two. All of your favorite fishing guides and tackle companies will be there. Don’t miss it!
On another note, Capt. Black and I have experienced a catastrophic website crash this past week. Our web host server went bankrupt (unbeknownst to us…) and our websites (and booking calendars) just disappeared. It’s been a challenge for sure, but new websites are slowly coming back on line. Although the websites are a work in progress, our new booking calendar is now available. We are both very sorry for the inconvenience. Looking at it on a more positive note, maybe we’ll have even better websites when they are completed! Keep up on our progress at www.captainsally.com or www.captblack.com. If you have any suggestions or requests for information to be included there, now is the time. Please call or send an email, text, Facebook post or Twitter!
February and early March are always a challenge for outdoorsmen. Use this time wisely and the payoff will be tremendous. Get your gear in order, fix up your boat or get a new one, buy some new Laguna Rods or an Orvis Helios or Hydros Fly Rod, upgrade your wading boots by going Ray-Guard or get into kayak fishing. Throughout the years in the outdoors and on the water, I’ve discovered that the most important things are safety and using the best gear you can afford. Keep it simple and straightforward and it will be more fun! See you on the water…. Soon!
On-Line Edition
January 26, 2011
Winter marches on, but not as quickly as it needs to! For shallow water anglers, cold weather means “fishus interuptus”. Between the fronts, there are great days of fishing, with warm temperatures, no wind and hungry fish. And then it’s another week of cold, windy and cloudy days which keep the fish out of the clear, shallow water.
The only consolation to this pattern of “fishus interruptus” was the fabulous duck hunting which kept us on the water nearly every day, no matter what the conditions.
Our hunting clients and my young black lab Kelly made this winter and all that cold weather very worthwhile.
Now that the hunting season is over, however, it’s time to get down with the business of full-time fishing. So, on those not-so-bluebird days, maybe a new pursuit will be trophy trout on Baffin Bay. Since Capt. Aubrey Black is the best teacher in town, this new endeavor will be a great way to pass the time until good, consistent shallow water action returns when water temperatures moderate!
During many recent duck hunting pursuits, lots of new shallow water fishing territory has been discovered. Rockport is like an old friend, easy to understand and fun to be with. But, Baffin Bay is uncharted shallow water territory, filled with lots of nooks, cranny’s and back lakes that no one has ever fly fished. When I say no one, I mean no one. The bays of Baffin are the “last best places” to find this remote, unfished water. On warm and sunny days between now and Spring Break, these “virgin” waters will be my new stomping grounds.
Kayak fishing is a great way to scout new places to fish. Using the Curlew with the kayak rack, and brand new Native Ultimate 12 kayaks, I’ll be paddling through lots of new water this year. Scouting new fishing places is an art and a science. It’s not just about the place, but what water level is the best time to fish it, what kind of grass is there, where do the fish hang out, how does the water flow through, which way the wind blows through and more. Keeping records of scouting trips are very important as well. Scouting new fishing water is time well spent, even if you don’t catch fish every time you go.
The Houston Fishing Show is coming up in March (2-6) and I’ll be there in booth #518, as usual! This is my 10th year to exhibit and speak there and it’s always a great show. Soon the seminar schedule will be up on their website and I’m working on a new PowerPoint Presentation. Come on by and chat or sit in on a seminar to two. All of your favorite fishing guides and tackle companies will be there. Don’t miss it!
On another note, Capt. Black and I have experienced a catastrophic website crash this past week. Our web host server went bankrupt (unbeknownst to us…) and our websites (and booking calendars) just disappeared. It’s been a challenge for sure, but new websites are slowly coming back on line. Although the websites are a work in progress, our new booking calendar is now available. We are both very sorry for the inconvenience. Looking at it on a more positive note, maybe we’ll have even better websites when they are completed! Keep up on our progress at www.captainsally.com or www.captblack.com. If you have any suggestions or requests for information to be included there, now is the time. Please call or send an email, text, Facebook post or Twitter!
February and early March are always a challenge for outdoorsmen. Use this time wisely and the payoff will be tremendous. Get your gear in order, fix up your boat or get a new one, buy some new Laguna Rods or an Orvis Helios or Hydros Fly Rod, upgrade your wading boots by going Ray-Guard or get into kayak fishing. Throughout the years in the outdoors and on the water, I’ve discovered that the most important things are safety and using the best gear you can afford. Keep it simple and straightforward and it will be more fun! See you on the water…. Soon!
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