SPECK-TACKLER FISHING REPORT (Mar 15- April 16, 2008)

     

READ ABOUT “FAMILY FUN TRIPS” IN THIS REPORT
FAMILY FUN TRIPS RUN FROM MARCH 1-MAY 15.

All I can say about this Spring is “WILL THE WIND EVER STOP BLOWING”? Since March 1st, I have only been able to run 6 of my Family Fun Trips. The wind is blowing 18 – 25 mph from the North for 3 or 4 days, and switching immediately to the South and blowing 18 – 25 mph till the next front, and it starts all over again. It’s very frustrating when I have so many customers that come from out of town this time of year. The NWS is only right about 50 % of the time. I have to make the call at least two days in advance for my out of town customers, because I don’t want them to make a trip for nothing. Today for instance the forecast called for 10-15 mph from the SE. I told my folks to come on down, and when I got to the marina, the wind was in excess of 20 mph and rising. The area where I’m catching my fish is in open water. No way will I take folks out with small craft warnings.

When I can get out, the fishing has been pretty good. Last Monday, 4/14/08, I had the Zellmer family from Central Texas. We took two boats, and cleaned 90 nice fat Gulf Whiting, a great day with great folks. This is normal for my Family Fun Trips, big numbers, lots of fun, and lots of filets to take home. The dirty rough water doesn’t bother these fish. This is why I enjoy running these “Fun Trips” in the Spring. The fish are easy to catch, and take no special skills. I’ll continue to run these trips thru mid May. After mid May, it’ll be nothing but Speckled Trout and Reds for the rest of the year. I still have some days open between now and May for these “Fun Trips”.

The Speckled Trout fishing has been almost non existent unless you’re a wade fisherman. The rough, and muddy water has really killed the Trout bite. There are a few fish being caught on the shorelines by waders, but even the waders are struggling. There’s trout in the Bay, but Mother Nature just won’t let us get to them. I don’t mean to sound so negative, but the truth sometimes hurts. We’re not far from the fishing bursting wide open, all we need is the right conditions. When those conditions happen look for East Bay and Trinity Bay to get hot quick. The best bite will be on live shrimp under a popping cork. Drift the open bay reef’s for the best action. Doing the same thing with soft plastics will also pay off for the fisherman who prefers lures.

In late May, my favorite bite will start. This will be the beginning of the LIVE CROAKER bite. I get chill bumps just thinking about it. Last June, July, and August was the best “croaker bite” I can remember in years. If you want one of these great trips, better book it soon. I only have a few days left in June, and not many more in July. I’ll talk more about the Croaker Bite in my next report.

Hope I haven’t dowsed your fishing appetite. There will be better days ahead, and when they come, I’ll see you on the water, but not too close.

Capt. Bob