That Elusive Trophy Trout May Be Yours This Month

March is really not the ideal time to seek trophy trout, but here are some tips that may enhance your chances of mounting that elusive show trout.

For whatever reason, wade fishermen find that large speckled trout seem to hit on long casts. Maybe they are more wary than the smaller ones. Take special interest in your tackle. Be sure you have a rod with plenty of backbone. One with too much bow may result in a missed trophy trout.

In addition, line size plays a significant role. Be sure to use no larger than 30lb braid by Sufix or 10 lb mono. Lighter line will cast farther and will drop through the water without being noticed as much as a heavier test line.

There will be a few days during the month that the tide and water clarity will be right for the asking. If possible, use double tides (two lows and two highs), along with trout water (approximately 12 inches of visibility) to start your trophy hunt.
Keep in mind, pods of nervous mullet or baitfish are essential. That show trout is lurking just beneath them.

Make sure of the entire Galveston Bay complex, areas like the south shoreline of West Bay, or the wading areas in East Bay (north and south). Don’t forget about Trinity Bay. When salinity is right, expect to find that career speckled trout.
A combination of layered clothing, covered by neoprene waders insures a comfortable guard against the winter water.

Bay water temperatures cool and the fish turn more to a diet of mullet and shad. Hard-bodied mullet imitations, such as She Dog, Jr., baby Spooks or Mirro-lures become real producers. That is not to say that soft plastics (Bass Assassin or Sand Eel, Jr. from Norton Lures) are not effective during the winter.

When the initial strike hits your rod, set the hook. Leave nothing to the imagination. Big fish are favored in the first few seconds. If she has the bait securely in her yellow mouth, you probably won’t lose her, if you remember to set the hook hard and hold the rod tip up. A tight drag is not necessary. Back off the reel drag. Let the reel fight the surges and dives she will make toward you. If necessary, use your thumb to keep pressure as she runs her course.

Some trout will tail walk and roll away in an attempt to shake the bait. At times, she will run at you in an attempt to gain freedom. Keep the rod at arms distance. Give yourself additional line by pulling the line yourself while keeping tension on the rod and line.

When you finally have her to within reach, don’t panic. She will be larger than life. Walk the fish in a semi-circle; making sure your stringer stays out of the way. Keep in mind, you will have only one chance to reach out and secure that trophy trout. You may need to raise the rod with a high arm to guide and hold the fish within reach.

Correctly grip her across the back behind the gills. When you are ready and the fish is lifeless for a moment, seize her. Reach out and grab with authority. Now place your rod under your arm and pull enough line to secure the trout in your donut or on your stringer. Your other hand may be necessary to hold the underside of the fish, being careful not to damage the gills, if you are going to release this beautiful fish.

Now you’ve finally done the impossible. Congratulations are in order. Maybe even a holler. Makes no matter, you won the battle.
Enjoy the moment. It will be yours for all time.
Have fun and be careful while fishing.
Good luck and good fishing.
See ya’ll on Galveston Bay.



Capt. Paul Marcaccio
http://www.gofishgalveston.com

Role of the Wind in Salt Water Fishing

Make no mistake about it, the wind can make or break your upcoming fishing trip or trips. Obviously, the stronger the wind, the rougher the water will have on your fishing trip. For general sport fishing, anything over 12 to 15 knots will make for an uncomfortable day.

The story of Texan saltwater fishing and the wind, however, is more than one of velocity. Direction too, plays a very important role. Then, there is the duration of the wind out of the same direction.

Start by looking at a map of the Gulf Coast. Beginning at Sabine and moving toward Corpus Christi, the coast runs northeast to southwest. However, from Corpus Christi to Mansfield and further south becomes almost due north to south.

What would you say are the best fishing winds? As a rule, the best winds are east to southeast along the coast, less than 12-15 knots. These winds blow in from the sea to bring in clearer and sometimes cooler water. That, folks are the ideal winds for our coastline. Even stronger east to southeast winds may make your fishing a bit unpleasant, but will have little effect on water clarity.

Now look what happens when the blow comes from the land to the sea? Meaning from the dreaded northwest or west. These winds are not conducive to fun fishing, because they drop tides below normal and water clarity becomes non-existent. There is an interesting note about northwest winds in the winter from mid-November to April. These “blue northers” generally cross the coast in excess of 25-40 mph. Old and seasoned fishermen call it “blowing the water out of the bay”.

Look for areas that hold land structure to give you some protection, such as Clear Lake, Moses Lake, Taylor Lake, Offats Bayou and numerous other bodies of water you can find on your Gulf Coast maps.

In addition, it is an ideal time to survey areas normally covered by normal tides. Bottom structure such as reefs or wrecks will hold bait. Remember, finding active bait; will most often result in finding game fish.

Strong and sustained winds from off shore, especially, those from the east, can be a fishing bonanza, making tides run higher than predicted. These winds flood the salt grasses and generally on a falling tide, can result in excellent catching of speckled trout and redfish along with the 3rd member and sometimes over looked flounder.

And last but not least, dead calm wind is generally slow to poor for fishing. There are no ripples on the bay to offset the noise a wader or someone drifting might make. Make no mistake, sound underwater travels 5 times that of what you hear on top, or so the experts say.

Next time you and yours plan a trip, keep this information and use it to make a wise decision for your outdoor adventure on Galveston or any area along the Gulf Coast.

Enjoy the out doors.

See ya’ll on Galveston Bay.

Capt. Paul Marcaccio

galveston bay fishing reports