The Speckled Trout and Redfish bite has been very good because of this warmer than normal weather. Metabolisms are up and the fish are getting hungrier especially when we have cool fronts that move through and knock down the water temperatures. Funny how that is the complete opposite from last year when warmer water spikes were needed to spark the best bite. Look for most of the normal springtime areas in West Bay and Trinity Bay to really turn on this month. Live shrimp under a popping cork is the best way to get the most bites but Corky’s Mirrolures and soft plastics are also getting it done when conditions are right.
Drifting and wading shallow flats along shorelines and reefs will be productive on good weather days. Cloudy, windy, rainy days associated with cool fronts are going to spark the best bite so look for these patterns to really get on them. Try to stay shallow this month with 2-5 ft. being ideal. Shell and mud are the areas to key in on so keep that in mind when drifting or wading. One great thing about wadefishing is that you are in constant contact with the bottom and once you walk a shoreline then you will gain a better understanding of where the shell and depth changes are. That is why I suggest you constantly feel the bottom with your fishing pole when drifting along shallow flats. Use your net or other device to continually learn the bottom. In most areas I fish I can look out across the water and instead of seeing water I can envision what the bottom looks like and this helps me tremendously.
The Black Drum have invaded our bay system and they are just about everywhere. Anywhere you can find thick shell you can bet you will find black drum. They just love eating clams, crabs and mollusks and can eat quite a large amount per day. They are feeding machines which means any shrimp or crab on a hook presented near the bottom will greedily be eaten up and then the fight is on. They come up through the jetty system and travel along the main ship channel and can be found all along the spoils and flats throughout our entire bay system. They are an incredibly diverse and important species to our fishery both commercially and recreationally. As table fair the best ones are definitely the ones in the lower portions of the slot limit (14-30 inches). They can be caught on spoil banks, reefs and flats with very heavy shell all along the main ship channel all the way up to and past the Fred Hartman bridge. The North and South jetties are also overrun with the giant bruisers hanging out for their annual spawning and typically that is where you will catch the biggest of the “Big Uglies”.
Spring Break is in the air for the kids and nothing makes a child happier than catching fish. I always look forward to Spring break because it is so much fun watching kids having a blast. It is a great time for families looking for something to do together as a family unit. Don’t be surprised when the kids outfish the parents because it always seems to work out that way on my boat. And that is the way it should be!!
Everyone stay safe have a great Spring Break and always take a kid fishing!
Capt. Craig Lambert | Galvestoninshorefishing.com | 832.338.4570