Planning Needed for Trophy Speckled Trout, Redfish

This is that time of year when you better plan your fishing trip for trophy trout or redfish. Luck has a lot to do with it, but don’t leave anything to chance. If you are prepared, the odds will be in your favor.

Clothing is essential. Dress in layers, so as you can peel them off as the day’s activity and sun heats up. Neoprene waders are needed to block the frigid water temperature. Usually, you can wear soft cotton sweats and thermal underwear to block out additional chill from the water.

Lure selection should be that of larger deep running plugs. Examples are the “Corky”, She Dogs by Mirrolure, Skittle Walkers by Rapalo and the Baby Spook. Top water lures can sometimes jump-start your heart with their erratic actions, causing “blow-ups” as you retrieve it. Switch to a deeper plug as mentioned earlier.

Remember, almost every large trout is going to be a female. The males don’t grow as big, nor do they live as long as the female.

Interesting enough, the odds of catching large trout or reds in the winter are reasonably good. The fish are more sluggish from the cold, but the larger ones are more active feeders.

In the winter, the larger fish are more tightly schooled. You may find larger trout running with their smaller friends.

Come spring and summer, the bigger specs tend to shy away from schools. They travel in small pods, maybe six or less. Often, the larger fish are loners.

Try fishing at night under the lights. People with bayfront property and pier owners can catch a good many big trout and reds by rigging overhead lights to beam down on the water. The lights attract a lot of bait and with the bait comes the game fish. Usually, the bigger trout will be more active around the fringe of the lights.

To use live bait, selections can include small piggy perch, croakers or mullet. Using live shrimp, place this bait under a popping cork about three or four feet deep.

In the winter, areas that may produce larger trout and red catches are around deep holes, where there is a minimum of current. Large ship basins and areas adjacent to the ship channel where there are dead ends are good places to catch fish. Offitt’s Bayou, Moses Lake and Clear Lake, to name just a few.

During the spring and early fall, work the fringes of salt grass marshes early in the morning or late in the evening on a spring flood tide. By the way, these times coincide with the trout spawn periods. The trout’s roe is dropped in the vicinity of tall grass. As soon as the eggs hatch, the young fish use the grass for food and cover.

What a lot of anglers may not know is that trout are cannibalistic. After the spawn, they return to feed on the young trout. I remember my grandfather using small trout (six-to-eight inches long) as bait for larger trout. Of course, that was before the minimum size limits were in place.

For obvious reasons, the best way to catch the above mentioned is with a licensed, professional guide. It is their business to follow the movement of the fish. They often have a few special techniques to entice the larger ones.

A point to keep in mind about the big ones. They are extremely easy to spook. The reason for their size is their awareness and caution. If you fail to keep this in mind, you will obviously never find one on the end of your rod. Most fishermen in search of large trout will wade fish, using boats simply as a means to reach the fishing grounds. This method allows them to approach these areas with a minimum of noise. Make your cast so the bait strikes the water with as little fanfare as possible.

Pay close attention to what’s happening in the water. Be aware of baitfish activity. Any activity will aid you to catch that trophy speckled trout.

Remember: Structure, bait, and water movement will result in good catches of large speckled trout and red fish.

Presentation and Patience. Sounds easy. Just try all winter and you will be rewarded. Best bet this time of year has been the soft plastic Assassins, or the Stanley Jigs. Use em’ right on the bottom in that mud area or near shell reefs.

As always, the best time to go fishing, is any time you can.

See ya’ll on Galveston Bay.

Capt. Paul Marcaccio

Artificial Lures Provide for Quality Fishing

If your interest in fishing is solely about catching fish, then by all means, use natural bait. But, if your interest in fishing is centered around catching “quality “ fish, you need to try mastering the art of using artificial lures.

Warning: Successful lure fishing does not come easy. You can cast for hours and catch very little. Once you have confidence in the art, though, the size of your fish will be a treasure to everyone around you, and yourself, of course.

Over the past few years, I have done 75 percent of my fishing with artificial lures. When it comes to wade fishing, I never use anything but artificial stuff. However, there have been times when anglers have stood toe-to-toe with me using live bait. I take a back seat to those anglers on those days, as live bait will out-catch my artificial lures.

As a young man growing up in Galveston, my grandfather and I always used live bait. The bait back then, some 40 years ago, consisted of live shrimp, live mullet or cut bait. Dixie spoons worked wonders on those sow trout. We caught a lot of fish back then, but I really think it was because the fish were so plentiful. We were good fishermen, but there were a lot of fish to be caught.

Regardless of the species we caught, most of the fish were school size. Remember that we had no size or bag limit. We caught and kept a lot of fish in the 12” to 15” range, There were times when we caught trophy-size fish, but there wasn’t a great deal of fanfare then as compared to today. Catching big fish was commonplace. We all knew the smaller fish were better tasting, and we could always find the trophy fish with little or no effort.

I became a serious lure fisherman 25 years ago while starting my guide service. There were many times when I contemplated switching back to natural bait. But, competition among myself and other guides along the Gulf Coast forced me to stick it out until my confidence with the artificials was strong enough and I had begun to consistently catch those fish with the artificials.

In order to be successful with lures, you have to be persistent. Fish are in the water within casting distance around you, but don’t simply make a few casts and expect success. Fish will often trail a lure without striking until they see your shadow or that of your boat in the water.

Fishing out every cast means working and imparting action in the lure through the entire retrieve. A lure at rest on the bottom or floating on the surface won’t normally land you the strike desired.

The key to successful saltwater fishing with a lure is to thoroughly work all of the water within the casting range. If you only make a dozen or so casts and then move up or down the shoreline or surf, you just might be leaving the area about the time the fish pick up the lure vibrations in the water and start homing in on that area. I have been successful while, during the course of a morning, I have moved less than a mile from my original spot, all the while catching good fish.

Fish can only move in on lures when they have picked up the vibrations of the lures moving back and forth, or when the lures catches their attention. If you have patience and are persistent, then by all means, take a serious look at fishing artificial lures. But, if you have trouble paying attention to your fishing, then stick with natural baits. If you opt for the latter, keep in mind that you’re going to miss out on a lot of trophy-size fish.

It’s your game. You make the call.

As always good luck and have fun outdoors

See y’all on Galveston Bay.

Capt. Paul Marcaccio

Paul and Jaime Fishing East Bay

 You don’t need a huge bay for good fishing. A small bay with great structure plus marsh embossed borders can fill the bill.

 
That’s the case of East Bay, the smallest of the major bays in the Galveston Estuary. For years it was the best redfish bay on the upper Texas Coast, but back in those years it was also the best kept secret. East Bay is still the best upper coast redfish bay, but that’s no longer a secret, and the bay now gets heavy play from boaters and waders alike.

 
Starting with Hanna’s Reef on the southwest end, East Bay is rich with structure: scores of deep oyster reefs and pipe stands, Hanna’s Reef is a favorite of anglers who like to anchor their boats to fish cuts and drop-offs along the reef. Drift anglers favor the deep reefs to the northeast of Hanna’s Reef and Intracoastal Waterway and those who like to fish the birds.

 
Recently, Jaime Ybarra and myself tested the waters in East Bay. With a stiff North wind we found protected shoreline. I knew fish were holding, especially on an outgoing tide, flushing the bait out on the flats, but to both our amazement, we had no idea what was to follow.

 
Using lime-truse Bass Assassins and pearl chartreuse sea devils, Jaime and I found a bonanza of fish. Jaime limited on reds 27 inches and I had only 1 redfish. Then Jaime caught another fish, thinking it was another red he made the statement “I’ll work on your limit”. This time when the fish surfaced, it was a huge speckled trout. Later we weighed the fish on a certified scale at Eagle Point; it was a healthy 8.7 pounds and 27-3/4 inches long. Jaime and myself scored numerous other big trout that day. Our total that afternoon was 13 trout and 5 reds weighing in a 105 pounds.

 
Awesome Day……………

 
The boarders of East Bay offer excellent wade fishing, especially the stretch along the Bolivar Peninsula side. This stretch from Goat Island, the bay’s junction with Lower Galveston Bay, back to Elm Grove, offers excellent fishing for speckled trout, redfish and flounder. When the wind is light and parallel to the length of Bolivar Peninsula, some of the bigger coves can be fished by drifting. Whether you drift or wade, a boat is needed to reach these waters because you have to cross the Intracoastal Waterway that runs the length of Bolivar Peninsula.

 
The whole of Chambers County side of East Bay can be waded, with the best action generally on the flats behind the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. Access is either by the refuge or near Smith’s Point.

 
Some of the best redfish action in this bay is during the oyster season. Working oyster boats make the bay quite sandy and at times downright muddy. This isn’t conducive to decent fishing for speckled trout. The working oyster boats, however, stir up a lot of marine life upon which redfish feed. Don’t bother to fish in the immediate vacinity of the oyster boats. Instead, fish the flats and along the saltgrass marshes on the Bolivar Peninsula side of the bay.

 
East Bay is like West Bay in that it is a Galveston Estuary body of water little affected by fresh water runoff from heavy rains. This bay has two close connections with the Gulf of Mexico. Consequently the salinity level in this bay remains fairly constant, The connection with the Gulf of Mexico is Rollover Pass about 20 miles from the tip if the Bolivar Peninsula. The other connection is the Lower Galveston Bay at the mouth of the entrance to the seaway between the North and South Jetties.

 
Rollover Pass deserves special attention; it offers boatless anglers excellent flounder and golden croaker fishing every fall and spring.

 
There is no lack of fishing facilities (tackle and bait stands, boat-launching ramps, eating establishments) on Bolivar Peninsula. They are located all along the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s a different story on the Chambers County side of the bay. There are launching facilities on the roads leading to the bay, but all the concession stands selling bait, tackle, ice and food are located near Smith’s Point.

Live Bait's Best, but Don’t Ignore Plastic Alternative

For some saltwater anglers, the recent shortage of live shrimp in Galveston Bay has put their weekends on hold. Others do not seem to notice.

Keep in mind there are times and places in which live shrimp is a must, but springtime along the Texas coast is not one of them. Hatching of the South Texas brownies along with their migration, sometimes is slowed by Mother Nature.

Fishermen who like to fish for the fun of it, shouldn’t let the absence of the white flag alter their fishing trips.

With a little persistence and some well placed luck, the use of plastic can be every bit as productive as the real thing on speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and maybe almost as good for gafftop and sandtrout.

Live shrimp is a fisherman’s tool, just like his rod and reel or his outboard motor and boat. But sometimes, this tool can be a crutch. Often times, some fishermen are too dependent on live shrimp. Typically, diehard live bait fishermen try the plastic route once or twice. If they are not successful, back to the live well igloo.

There are no guarantees even with a live well full of bugs or hoppers. And don’t give this writer the old adage, the family will go without, unless I bring home the bacon, if that were the scenario, the $12 or more it takes to buy a quart of bait would go much further in a discount food store.

Fishing is fun and part of that fun is being able to fool’em. Time, place and water conditions still matters as much, but you can do so choosing the correct lure and making it wiggle just so.

Granted, this is not easy, but the skills needed for most salt-water applications, come with patience and presentation.

Fishing with plastics is not like open-heart surgery. Experience is the best teacher and your classroom is always open. Soft plastic shrimp and shad imitations are for the most part productive and most user friendly along the Texas Gulf coast. Give me a hand full of jigheads and tails, and this writer will surely have fun fooling a few of the Texas big three. These lures can be worked both horizontally and vertically to cover all the necessary water to attract a surprising variety of fish. Texas big three are the prime targets (trout, redfish and flounder).

The Rat-L-Trap seldom sees salt water action in Texas. If you don’t like this lure and it’s kin. Ask Texas bass fishermen for a recommendation. They are available in many colors and finished with corrosion-resistant hardware and they work on any fish that eats piggy perch or menhaden.

Spoons are a must to carry on the bays of Galveston, but this writer has noticed a real downturn in the numbers anglers throw these days. Man, they can cut through a howling southeast wind like a sharp paring knife. Use ¼ oz-3/4 oz depending on the depth and distance you are trying to cover. A wide body spoon wobbles near the surface, while a narrow body plows more deeply through the water. Many a redfish have been landed with a gold spoon as well as other types of plastic imitation shrimp and shad bodies. You can chunk and wind all day with a spoon.

Mirro-lures, Jumpim’ minnows and Corky’s are among a family of somewhat advanced lures, but there is no single, magic way to work any of them.

Start with a slow steady retrieve and have a fishin’ friend begin with a quick erratic pull. Keep it moving. Let it sit. Try anything. And when a fish hits the plug, try and remember to retrieve it the same way the next time.

The length or weight of my stringer does not measure the success of my personal fishing trips any more. More so, the uncanny ability to fool one speckled trout or redfish on a fake bait.

Remember, have fun outdoors. Good luck and god fishing.

See Y’all on Galveston Bay.

Capt. Paul Marcaccio

Gulf and Sand Trout – A Gap Filler

For the use of better words, speckled trout and redfish are the king and queen of Texas inshore fishing all along the gulf coast. Although they are available year round, there are times when they are hard to find. It is during these slack times that the fisherman can look to other fish to take up the slack.

Two species come to mind of this writer that can take you out of the fishing doldrums. They are the “kissin’ cousins”, sand and gulf trout.

These fish are found the year round in Galveston Bay waters, but from early autumn through most of the winter months, they are bunched up like sardines in a can. It is not uncommon to catch and ice chest full of both species.

Actually, the sand trout and the gulf trout are very similar in looks and can fool even this writer. Depending on whom you ask, there are ways of telling each of them apart.

The gulf trout is larger in size and metallic in color. The sand trout has the look of fresh cut straw.

Both are excellent to eat fried or baked. Remember to eat these fish fresh, the day they are caught or the next day. If you should freeze these fish, the next time you defrost them, you may find them a bit mushy.

A huge plus for fishing these two dynamic duos is that you do not need to be a rocket scientist to catch them. In the case of either, the speckled trout or the redfish, one must use live bait or artificial to consistently reward oneself. You can catch all the sand and gulf trout you want on fresh dead shrimp, and if you run out of that, then just cut a sand or gulf trout up and use that for bait. Sand and gulf trout are caught on artificial at times, with the gulf trout attacking an artificial lure more so than the sand trout.

The nicknames “sand” and “gulf” are tips as to where you may find these fish. Sand trout are basically bay fish, where as the gulf trout is taken almost exclusively from the Gulf of Mexico or deep water areas immediately adjacent to the gulf.

Ideal areas to find sand trout are in the ship channel, boat basin and along the fringes of relatively deep-water areas of the bay. Sand trout often mingle with the gulf trout in the beachfront waters, during the mid-fall to early winter period; they usually constitute a major part of the catches made from beachfront piers.

Particular good sand trout pay off spots in the Galveston Bay include Seawolf Park, Pelican Island Bridge, the railroad crossing at I-45 and the causeway, the Texas City lighted pier, the 18th street pier in San Leon, the spillway at San Leon, Baycliff, Rollover Pass and Sylvan Beach Park in LaPorte, Texas. During the winter months, especially after a blue norther, fish the deep holes in Offats Bayou, Lake Madeline, the Texas City turning basin, Hitchcock diversionary canal Moses Lake.

The best areas to find gulf trout are along the channel side of the north and south jetties. Offshore, fish around oil platforms and any artificial reefs you may know about. Fish close enough to the legs of the platform and near the rocks of the jetties, paying close attention to get just beyond the snags of those pesky rocks.

Whether you are going to fish foe sand trout or gulf trout, do so on the bottom. Use a 30lb. Leader while rigging two hooks, wide gap are great, usually a #2 or #3. This will aid you from snagging the bottom, as treble hooks have a tendency to act like grappling hooks. A leader with two (2) hooks is best, because it will cut down on having to reel in and bait the hooks again, and when the fish are running, it is not uncommon to catch two (2) at a time.

Neither of these fish are timid about taking the bait, and they strike hard enough to hook themselves. Of the two species, this writer believes the gulf trout puts up the best fight. Both fish will test your rod and reel time and again. However, when fishing the gulf trout, you may elect to use a heavier rod due to the other species that are in the same area of the Gulf of Mexico, around those oil platforms.

Neither the gulf trout or the sand trout have a bag limit, nor do they have a size limit. How many you catch depends on your equipment holding up and the time you wish to spend cleaning this ice chest full of sand and gulf trout.

This writer recalls seeing anglers with a hundred or more sand and gulf trout. Be sure to leave time to clean these good fish before dark overtakes you. The average weight for gulf trout is about a pound with others to about two(2) and three (3) pounds not uncommon. The sand trout is smaller and usually can be around three-quarters (3/4) pound.

As always, have fun while fishing and be mindful of others.

See y’all on Galveston Bay

Capt. Paul Marcaccio

Flounder Fishing – for Everyone

Successful flounder fishing is not for everyone. If you simply cast out the bait and wait, you may catch a flounder or two, but in general you’re in for a disappointment and frustration. Successful hook and line flounder fishing rates right at the head of the class. If you can successfully catch flounder on hook and line, you have bragging rights and should consider yourself an expert.
This writer can give a lot of tips on catching flounder, but when it comes to actually setting the hook in the mouth of a flatfish, it all boils down to two items: “Concentration and Experience”!
“It seems everyone else can catch flounder except me.” I hear that so often this time of year, when the flounder make their migratory move to the Gulf.

First off, the flounder has no swim bladder. This simply means the fish goes through life swimming or lying on or near the bottom. They are unable to suspend themselves motionless at any depth. Furthermore, it doesn’t have the fin structure nor body shape for fast swimming. It tends to move in short darts that appear to be fast, because when flounder move they raise a lot of silt off the bottom.

The fish normally feed from ambush, lying partially hidden on the bottom until food matter moves or drifts close by. The fish quickly raises off the bottom, grabs the food and sinks right back to the bottom. This is where your experience comes into play. Most fish tend to engulf the bait. The flounder instead, hold it tightly with its teeth for a few seconds before ingesting. Some marine biologist say the fish does this to kill the bait before taking it deep into its mouth.
If you try to set the hook the instant you feel a pick-up. Odds are excellent you’ll tear the hook out of the bait and give the flounder a free meal. Instead, wait approximately ten (10) seconds before striking or setting the hook.
This writer prefers to palm my reel, letting the line run lightly between my thumb and forefinger. You would be surprised at what the flounder telegraphs up the taunt line. You can feel the fish working the bait, and you can feel when the fish takes the bait deep into its mouth. That’s the moment of truth to strike and set the hook. Experience this a few times and you will never forget it………

Since flounder normally feed on matter that drifts close by, successful flounder fishermen and women are those who fish every foot of the bottom within casting range. Do this by inching the bait along the bottom. When you feel the line taunt, treat it as if a flounder has grabbed the bait and not as if the hook fouled a snag. Wait the magic ten (10) seconds before setting the hook. This tackle can be modified to be used with a float in wading depth. Rig the float to hold the bait just a few inches above the bottom. Cast up current and allow the current to carry along the float so a lot of bottom can be covered.
When a flounder takes the bait, the float will stop moving and simply lean over in the current. Wait the magical ten (10) seconds, then set the hook. If the float starts moving against the current, you can bet money that the infamous blue crab has grabbed the bait and moved off with it.
There are a number of good terminal rigs for flounder. I prefer a slip sinker attached to the line followed by a swivel, then 18 to 24 inches of leader line (20 to 30 lbs.) followed by a wide gap (circle hook) either #2 or #3. The best bait is either live mud minnows or finger mullet. When the bay temperature cools down under 70 degrees. Live shrimp will also work as well.

The most effective artificial lure is any soft plastic bait. Bass assassin, shrimp tail, or chad tails. Use either 1/8 to ¼ oz. lead head. I prefer the Norton lazer screw on hooks or the new Bass Assassin screw on as well. Work the bait right on the bottom with your yo-yo effect on lifting and dropping the rod tip. I prefer the new All-Pro titanium rod made by Fishing Tackle Unlimited in either 6-1/2’ or 7’.

Hopefully, these tips give you a leg up on your next successful flounder trip.

Good luck and good fishing.

See y’all outdoors on Galveston Bay.

Capt. Paul Marcaccio

Fishing gear 101

It is often said that approximately 10 percent of the fisherman catch 80 percent of the fish.

If so, what are the fisherman that make up the other 80 percent doing wrong.

Many times it the little oversights that lead to a fisherman’s downfall and allow a trophy fish to escape the hook and net.

Here are a few ways I have managed over the years to lose fish.

Old line – Neither braided or monofilament last forever. Long periods of unuse, as well as constant action and excessive heat, weaken a line and cause it to break at the wrong time.
How often an angler needs to change line depends on how much he or she fishes and the type of water they fish in.Long hours of wade fishing around shell and structure might call for a line change every three or four trips. As a general rule, the average angler should change line with each season (approximately four times a year). Reels should be stored where line is not exposed to direct sunlight or excessive heat. You may select any number of lines. Personally, I prefer Suffix Elite or Pro-Mix. Other named brands are P-Line or Berkley. Cost is different with each.

Frayed line – Abrasion is probably the single greatest threat to a fishing line.

A wise fisherman will scan the line or lightly run it through his fingers to check for any rough spots before each fishing trip. Some anglers make it a habit to strip off and discard line before a fishing trip. Check rod eyes (guides) for rust or rough spots, which could damage line.

Damaged hooks – Dull hooks mean lost fish. Either sharpen the points or replace the hook.

Some fishermen make the mistake of reusing hooks, which have been spread open. Bending the hook back into shape weakens the metal.

And, of course, rusty hook should be replaced. Use Mustad triple grip.

Boat inventory – I had a nice trout at the side of the boat. When I reached for my landing net, it was tangled in my client’s feet. I lost the fish before I could free the net. To be prepared for such instances, an angler should be certain of three areas:

1. To be able to move freely around the boat if need be, without stepping in an open tackle box, or getting tangled in something (anchor line or landing net).

2. The landing net is within easy reach.

3. Once the fish is on board, there is a storage box or ice chest to put it in so it won’t flop overboard, which has happened on more than one occasion.

FUEL- always has a FULL tank of gasoline when leaving the dock. Never try to do it with less. Either weather or your ability will cause you to run out. It’s expensive to call the Coast Guard or you’re soon to be distant friend. By keeping the fuel tank full, condensation will not form in the tank, which could turn to water and cause the motor to stop. Water and gas is no marriage on the bay.

REELS- always carry an extra reel in your tackle with line on it. That way, if you have a professional override (backlash), you can replace the reel and continue to catch those pesky specs and redfish.

RODS- some will bring a extra rod for that moment when you least expect it to break. Most guides have adequate room for just that. Check the rod after each trip for nicks or stress areas after you may have hit the gunnels rail or a t-top.

BOAT TRAILER- now here a subject that if not properly keep checked, folks will wave at you as they drive by on the way to the bay or gulf. Pay close attention to your buddy bearing, check them after each trip and use a small amount of pressure to place additional grease in the tube. Not too much or you will blow out your seal. Check the springs and lubricate after each outing. Wiring important for turn lights and running lights. Sportsman Trailers in Sante Fe has great parts for all your trailer needs.

There are many other ways to lose a fish. Lack of concentration, not playing the fish long enough, poor net handling or lack of confidence can all set fish free.

See ya’ll on Galveston Bay.

Captain Paul Marcaccio

Wade fishing : Classroom 101…

As we try to find other methods to capture those speckled trout, this writer would suggest that one might try and get out of a perfectly dry boat, commonly referred to as wade fishing. Many are called, few are chosen to this art of catching great fish. It seems that there is some who would believe that you could successfully catch bigger fish, while in the boat. That is further from the truth………………………

Successful wade fishing depends a lot on how you dress. Wearing apparel that can be seen under water from more than a few feet can penalize you by spooking the fish. Remember that fish are skittish when they search for food in shallow water.

Additionally, the wrong apparel can be downright dangerous, especially in waters with deep holes or along the fringes of cuts and channels or in areas where very soft mud can become dangerous bottom.

Don’t wear clothing that will reflect light. A person all decked out in white clothing can really spook fish, especially speckled trout, in shallow water. Instead wear any dark colored pants. When wet, these materials will make your legs look like posts. It’s not at all wise to wade fish bare legged. Long pants will protect your legs from hooks, fins and jellyfish. Guys that wade in shorts, spend a lot of time in the boat, recovering from the sting of those pesky critters.

Some kind of footwear is a must when wade fishing the bays. Bare feet can get you into all kinds of trouble. I prefer tennis shoes or lightweight wading shoes. Boots can get you into a lot of trouble if you happen to step into too deep a hole. So be careful when you purchase those wading boots. Make sure they are at least a size larger. That way, you can lose them should you need too. This is especially true if hip boots are worn. They can quickly fill with water and will practically anchor you to the bottom. Never wade alone. I know what you are thinking. No one else will go or you want to move more quickly to cover the water area. This writer has personally saved several from possible serious injury or worse. Wade in teams of at least 2(two) fishermen. You can really cover more water and when you find those speckled trout or redfish, you can hold them for a time.

The very worst way to wade fish is to go bare footed. I still see this often when the water along the beach front is clear and waders are out seeking speckled trout. Instead of going bare foot, wear very lightweight tennis shoes. It’s very important that these shoes can be easily kicked off if you happen to slip into water over your head and be faced with a situation of having to swim for shore. This is a thing that occurs all to frequently when waders invade the waters of San Luis Pass.

Of course, some sort of insulated wear is needed for wading in the winter. I prefer chest high neoprene waders by Simms Outdoors. Waders, however, can get you into trouble if you venture into water too deep. So always walk with a shuffle to feel the ground ahead so you can dodge holes and avoid slipping off the edge of cuts and channels.

A belt around the outside of the waders can make the apparel serve as a makeshift flotation device if you step into a deep hole or slip into a channel. The belt will help to trap air inside the waders to give you a certain amount of flotation. The thing to do if you go into a hole is to abandon your fishing gear and start paddling to shore. Buying new fishing gear is far less expensive than having your family come to visit you at the area hospital. Remember that you can become numb very quickly in cold water. Hypothermia is nothing to fool with. The water temperature today is slowly moving down toward colder conditions. Presently, it’s 64 degrees and dropping as these cold fronts continue to assault our coastline.

Be sure and layer you apparel when wading. It’s much easier to take it off, instead of not having that pair of sweats of light jacket.

The ideal way to wade fish is to wear some sort of flotation device. There are several on the market that instantly inflate when an access cartridge is popped. With a device like that you can save your life as well as your fishing gear. Otherwise, you can purchase those that are already made to wear. Be sure that they would hold your weight. Check the tags for instructions.

It’s extremely important to wear gear that will seal out moisture as well as the cold when wade fishing in the winter. Wearing several layers of clothing is better than a single heavy garment.

Another important aspect of wade fishing is to always let someone know just where you plan to fish. Your family and friends can use this to start a search for you, if you fail to arrive in a timely fashion. Carry your hand held GPS, so you can let them know where you are at with that implanted (cell phone) we all now carry. Be sure and carry an extra phone battery.

Fishing this time of the year is as good as it gets. Take care of your homework at home or office, and experience a moment of a lifetime.

As always, have a good time in the outdoors.

See y’all on Galveston Bay.

CaptPaul Marcaccio,B.O.I.