Matagorda Bay Texas Seatrout Fishing

Whereas big-trout lovers typically head south for the winter, East Matagorda Bay sits tranquil, serene and ­crawling with a number of the heaviest gator trout Texas has to supply. I do know, Baffin Bay is considered one of a trio of trophy trout haunts within the U.S. And although not as attractive because the Laguna Madre, East Matagorda stays a milieu for heavy, hungry, wintertime speckled trout. Listed below are 5 terrain varieties that produce them.

Fishing Deep Reefs for Seatrout

It’s not only a wading factor. You possibly can catch heavy specks over miles of shell lumps, humps, towheads and ­undulations discovered all through the center of the bay with out ever ­getting moist.

“You need to discover some streaky water,” says veteran information Charlie Paradoski. “The trout aren’t within the clear stuff as a result of the bait isn’t there.” Paradoski usually catches ­two-foot-or-better specks by working 4 to 5 ft of water with delicate baits and MirrOlures.

“Mullet are key within the winter,” he says. “If you see mullet leaping or flipping, there can be large trout within the space. This bay is legendary for it.” In his lengthy profession, Paradoski says he has seen many adjustments, particularly in fishing techniques.

Making lengthy drifts over rafts of mullet with rattling corks armed with Bass Assassins and Gulp! has been a boon for boaters. “I by no means owned a popping cork till about three years in the past,” says Paradoski. “Now I don’t go away the dock with out one.”

Wade Fishing Shorelines for Specks

Information Lee Warmke wades the south shoreline for giant trout within the afternoon. With quite a few 30-inchers (the massive leagues for big-trout chasers) beneath his belt, Warmke releases dozens of sevens, eights and approach too many five-pounders to rely. “Most days I’ll throw plugs for giant fish,” says Warmke. “However there have been different days when I’m not getting many bites, so I change to a delicate plastic and begin catching large ones.” Boiler Bayou, Kain Cove, Oyster Farm and Hog Island maintain stable trout since these muddy bottoms retain the solar’s heat a bit longer all through the day.

Intracoastal Waterway Reefs for Noticed Seatrout

Locales receiving probably the most tidal circulate typically maintain the vast majority of large colleges. Meaning reefs and dirt adjoining to the Intracoastal Waterway on the north shoreline of East Bay. Chinquapin Reefs, Chook Island Reef, Boggy Reef and Half Moon Reef are all confirmed winter spots holding wholesome specks. By mid- to late December, a lot of the white shrimp have left the bays and speckled trout adapt their weight loss plan to finfish. That’s when slow-sinking mullet imitating plugs go to work.

East Matagorda Bay receives most of its tidal circulate from the ICW, since there aren’t any direct inlets from the Gulf of Mexico, except for Mitchell’s Minimize on the far east finish of the bay. The fantastic thing about fishing in proximity to the ICW is that large trout grasp on the market for just a few apparent causes. The deep water is hotter within the winter, and when conventional winter low tides persist, specks slide to the better depths till new water covers the shell.

“Even when the wind blows, these reefs on the north shoreline can maintain clear water,” says Paradoski. “The complete bay could possibly be blown out with muddy water, however the water clears within the ICW on the incoming tide, making these reefs fishable when nothing else is.”

Fishing Inshore Reefs in Texas

The fantastic thing about East Matty is the hidden reefs smack dab in the midst of the bay. They don’t seem to be actually hidden anymore. Maps and GPS coordinates make them out there to everybody. Lengthy Reef, Three Beacon Reef and Drull’s Lump are large trout magnets however fished successfully solely by wading. “The tides get low, and all these large trout go to the center of the bay,” says professional Tommy Alexander. “The mullet go to the center and the trout comply with.”

East Matagorda Bay oysters have lengthy been cherished for his or her candy, salty savor. Look ahead to oyster boats dredging shell; harvested reefs are particularly good the subsequent day when waters settle after being overturned by the raking.

“More often than not, one of the best trout can be off the sting of the reef,” says Alexander. “Wade so far as you may with out filling up your waders, forged to the deep water, and work the lure slowly alongside the mud and shell.” Alexander says braided line is the distinction between feeling a refined winter chew and pondering the bait is held on shell. “It’s winter, it’s chilly, you’re bundled up, and the fish don’t at all times thump it like they do throughout summer time.”

Mud Flats Appeal to Seatrout

East Bay’s biggest depths are just a little greater than 5 ft on the highest of excessive tides. Since winter usually sees the bottom tides of the 12 months, a lot of the bay runs three to 4 ft deep in December and January.

The most important of big-trout catchers are waders. There isn’t a ­substitute for stalking a muddy bayou with a mullet ­imitation and a delicate graphite rod. Mud bottoms on the east finish of the bay are my favourite winter ­hangouts for trophy specks. Boggy spots like Brown Cedar Flats, Catch-All Basin and the Duck Blind check your ­cardiovascular stamina however reward you with breathtaking, arm-length trout.

North winds, grey skies and low tides typify a Texas winter. For these prepared to courageous the chilliness and cope with crimson earlobes and chapped lips, loads of large speckled trout roam the fertile waters of East Matagorda Bay.

The place Trout Go in Dangerous Climate

It doesn’t occur yearly, however in previous winters, the birds have labored in East Matagorda Bay by the center of December. Search for laughing gulls spinning over trout pushing shrimp to the ­floor. By no means low cost a gull sitting on water both. Many occasions the birds can see the fish and are ready for them to push the shrimp to the floor.

When the wind actually blows, the close by Colorado River saves the day. Low tides drain the delta on the mouth of the Diversion Channel and funnel all fish into the deep channel. Anglers drift throughout the channel with plum, black or glow delicate plastics or troll with DOA TerrorEyz. Nighttime is even ­higher beneath lighted piers as fish search the heat of the deeper river.