Enjoyable Morning

May 25, 2007-Ran again into West Matagorda (winds puffing at least 20 from SSE) again this morning. We had high hopes for another excellent morning; off the bat, we caught four solid 18-20 inch specks as we waited for the tide to move in over the grassy flat. The bites grew fewer and fewer and we kept telling ourselves the fish were going to move in on the incoming tide.

Lately we have had the fish like clockwork.

We finished up with five fat specks. We were nailing plenty of small specks by working the lures very slow; however it was a necessity to keep the lure above the grass on the bottom. The tide lacked a lot of movement.

Morning Bite

May 23, 2007-After yesterday afternoon's wade for specks went so well, my buddy and I packed up our gear and went again this morning.

We were greeted with lighter winds and an incoming tide and a very strong bite occured for about an hour.

Wading waist deep, we caught solid keeper-sized trout on the same jigs as yesterday along with an Eddie Douglas Special. That gold broken back spanked 'em this morning. It may be time for a new one..it took on some damage today.

We made a few wades in the same area and it somewhat became a grind to catch fish that weren't an inch or less away from 15 inches. However I did tie on the new Brown Lures solo and caught three of the biggest trout right off the bat before the bite really shut down.

I noticed countless missed hits on the solo; however, when one did take it, it was a very nice trout.

With about 12 specks on ice and countless released, I've decided I will go ahead and turn on the grease....

The new Brown Solo caught more solid fish at a faster pace.

Look Past the Wind

May 22nd 2007-Sure, the winds cranked up...and I mean really cranked up. It was dead calm at the start of the week and now trash can lids can be seen rolling down the street. However, I knew an area that would still be clear and the only thing I dreaded was the boat ride which ended up not being so bad.

Made the wade and boxed 13 between a buddy and I. Black/Chartreuse Brown Lure devils and a pumpkinseed/white/chartreuse tail I like to throw put it to 'em. Countless fish short striked and as a result we lost or failed to hook many specks.

Sharks continue to attack and linger around us wadefishermen. Come prepared....they smell fear. ;)

Small Trout-Big Excitment

May 20, 2007-Art Murray and Eric jumped back aboard in the morning and we left the harbor before sunrise. We were moving across the south shoreline of West Matagorda as the sun broke the horizon.

As soon as we passed the muddy water the dominant east wind caused we made a wade.

Twenty minutes into the wade, the water boiled with baitfish and the fish got hungry. Deeper water held a bite on a nearly every cast. Keeper specks came quickly and 12-14 1/2 inch soon entered the area in greater numbers. A fish came on ever cast for a few hours but nearly all were undersized by an inch or two.

Sharks soon followed. 4-6 foot sharks hit my fish basket several times. I never caught a glimpse of anything other than the tail back and attacking jaws until I was reeling in a skipjack that was annihilated by crusing shark. The jumps resembled a tarpon and the headshakes were furious. Line stripped and I fought the beast to a nearby boat. The 30 lb. Power Pro held until it was quickly sheared by its jaws. Talk about a drag burner....that shark made several runs but with a leader, I could have brought the trout-thief to the cleaning table.

Dark Strawberry/White Brown Lure small devils with heavy lead heads worked best. Black and Chartreuse devils was another color that drew big strikes.

Managing keepers was tough but didn't seem to bother Art or Eric-the fun of fooling the super-energized specks provided satisfaction to say the least.

Big Tugs!

May 19, 2007-Art Murray and his son Eric joined me for an afternoon run into West Matagorda. Strong east winds whirled shoreline water off-color.

Pre-trip scout trips proved shorelines would probably be on the slower side. I tried it anyway in an area with abundant bait and slicks. The wade produced nothing more than a small bite.

Wind calmed a few mph and tripletail became the target. I was told when I left the harbor, tripletail were out of the question; but I told myself I would figure it out on my own.

The first three stops produced three tripletail. Art and Eric both caught their first tripletail and thoroughly enjoyed it. We broke off two giants on the first two casts and caught three to 16 pounds soon after. A final wade in another bait-filled spot didn't pay off.

Tripletail and Trout

May 16, 2007-I spent the day guiding my girlfriend and her father on an excursion into West Matagorda. A stop at the surf provided five solid specks between 16-22 inches by using Brown Lure small devils in bone/orange and red/white.
Feeling the yearn for a big tug, we decided upon spending the rest of the trip searching for tripletail. The first three stops brought 3 big tripletail, ranging from fourteen to eighteen pounds, over the gunnels and we called it a day.
Reports flowed in that the surf was where it was at for numbers.

Check out the videos section.

The 20 pounder that had me bracing myself!

Triple-Tales

May 15, 2007-Chris Mckinley, Michael Kubecka, and his girlfriend Audrey along with myself took the afternoon off from specks and reds and spent the afternoon chasing tripletail.

This was the highlight of the afternoon when Michael caught the same tripletail he lost the day before after spotting his cork beneath the same platform.

We bounced platforms and patiently seeked out seven to 20 pounds.

Talk about an exciting afternoon.

Check out the videos section

Covering All Grounds

May 14, 2007-Woke early, left with a party of two. Fished the surf in several locations. Again, we found bait, water was clear, and the fish didn't show. At least more than three didn't. Reports were similar from others.

Motored into West Matagorda and caught 11 trout while wading grass beds in chest deep water on bone topwaters and dark colored brown lure small devils.

On the way in, a choice to drift some reefs paid off. We caught trout every cast for a solid hour and picked up another 12 keepers to 23 inches using heavy jig heads and any rubber you could find.

The Brown Lure Solo even brought in a nice keeper from the deep water. Finished up with 23 to 23 inches.

Back-Up Plan Afternoon

May 13, 2007-Hit the surf for the afternoon and waded it solid for over two hours. Bait was there, water was clear, fish were not there..or failed to bite.

Left went into the bay and boxed six solid speckled trout over grass and sand on plum and white brown lures by keying on frantic bait. The bird activity actually drew us to it.

Brown Lure Gang

May 10, 2007-Jake Brown and his buddy Clay, from Brown Lures arrived at the dock by myself and Frances at 5:00. Winds were suitable from the south and we were blazing atop the calm morning's water for West Matagorda Bay.

However, I first asked whether they wanted to target big trout or numbers; because both approaches have proved productive lately.

It was numbers they envied and our first wade was made on a sandy bar loaded with glass minnows and other small batifish exploding on the surface. It was the same routine on each wade. We caught fish in spurts; we knew the fish were there and they would bite furiously allowing us to catch four of five between 14" and 22" inches before shutting off again for 10 or so minutes-the wierd cycle continued.
I stuck with a purple and white brown lure before shortly making a change to a black and chartreuse small devil when I noticed how off color the water we were fishing was.
The highlight of my morning was when my girlfriend stuck her biggest redfish to date-a 6 ½ pounder.
I rigged her up a cork and a purple and white devil eye that really worked better for her.
Jake and Clay caught several very nice specks. Clay responded with a "Waterloooooo!" after every time he caught a fish; it soon became a war (Laguna Rods vs. Waterloo Rods) when I started yelling Laguna back at him…Laguna won by the way.
After catching specks on the edges of sand bars and within grassy guts on the south shoreline we retreated to a backlake and found that even the water within the lake looked dead and void of bait- identical to the south shoreline. We called it a day at 1:00 with two limits of specks and a very nice redfish…..and don't forget the Laguna win.

Wade the Murk!

May 9, 2007 After yesterday's grind in East Matty, a shift to wading for numbers in West was the plan. Two anglers jumped aboard and we made our first wade on the south shoreline in knee-cap depth in semi to off-color water.
Purple and White Brown Lure Devil Eye's showed up well enough in the murky water to get things fired off.
Bite was great for about two hours in several locations before shutting off. We spent the morning wadefishing bars before moving into shallow bayous and casting topwater plugs. Water was very nice in several spots but the fish bit best for us in the murk. Called in a day at lunch time. (Video Soon)

A Morning Grind

May 8, 2007-Tides are very high. Dominant south winds have caused bay systems to fill to the brim; high tides like we currently have in the Matagorda complex is known to cause fish to scatter.
A morning solo trip to East Matagorda was slow for big fish, but fair for keeper-sized fish. Water on the south shoreline was fishable, but the water out deeper was much more churned.
The bite was determined slow after a long two wades and two drifts. Jigs, topwaters, and Corky's were all fished with below average results.
Fish in the backwaters are much more consistent. Big trout and redfish reports are flowing from backlakes.
It is a grind, but it is only a matter of time. West Matagorda Bay has been fair to good as well.
...gotta report the bad with the good.

A FULL DAY

...on the lower coast

1:00 a.m. found us falling to sleep alongside the bay water. I stayed warm inside the sleeping bag, but the mosquitos made me want to leave the camp site and start my night wade. 4:00 a.m. found me casting plugs to brute-redfish and solid specks.

Pearl/Chartreuse Fatboys provided annihalating hits from redfish up to 29 inches and trout to 25 inches on a sand/grass bar.

At daybreak, the boats piled in and we retreated to a protected shoreline. Topwaters produced a speck or red here and there-nothing with any real size.

A switch to a jig brought the action in no time. We spent the afternoon with a release of a 27 and a mixed catch of trout to 26 and redfish. Limits of trout weren't very tough to come by. Trout were rather skinny compared to previous reports and bait was nonexistent. The water was beautiful.

Check out this blooper video!!..memory card was running out and this trout knew it! haha!

3 Boats
That’s right! We only saw three boats while fishing today. I have no clue why; the sun penetrated the clouds in the afternoon and winds were calm making conditions ideal today.
First wade was on a grassy bar filled with potholes and excited baitfish. Topwater plugs worked slowly down the edge and over the potholes worked best for a limit to four pounds. Fish bit best at daylight and dwindled slightly until our next wade over grass and sand up tight to the shoreline.

Just as yesterday, my partners and I kept our surface walkers on the line and made slow steps along a grass bed tight to the shoreline. Numbers of trout to 4 ½ pounds came quickly and full limits of reds arrived even faster. Red/White Devil Eyes along with light colored soft plastics were excellent in the crystal clear water. Trout and Baby Bass Patterned Super Spooks were best for the specks.
Sorry to those who missed out! ;p
-Kyle

March 24, 2007-Lower Coast Report
Rich with Bronze
Upper Laguna Report
March 24, 2007-Winds were blowing!! Just as they have for the last few weeks. Three anglers and I left the dock at daylight for a grassy bar holding potholes and an excellent drop off. The spot was gleaming with potential.
Boats drifted near us from behind and boats were stacked thick in the area. The early morning wade offered several smashes on super spooks and ghosts but the best bite for a few specks came on soft plastic.
Upon noticing frantic mullet, drifting over rocks became our approach for targeting specks and reds. Pumpkinseed, chartreuse, and white soft plastics was definitely the top color. Two specks, between 24-25, were the biggest of the day and two of several we caught in the area.
Wading grass potholes tight in beautiful water tight to the shoreline proved successful at lunch time until late in the afternoon. Redfish came on nearly every cast and numerous keeper sized specks entertained throughout the majority of the day. Awesome day....tomorrow will be spent looking for "one bite."

A Stop to Check-in on Baffin

Well if you have been tuning into my previous blog feeds you would know fishing was on the slower side for finding big trout. Not to mention, nearly all of the fish we caught were very scattered; making it almost rare to get into a good bite.
Saturday morning began with near-perfect weather...making it even tougher to pack up my bags to head back home.
One hour later, while passing through Riviera my buddy and I decided an afternoon run into Baffin just made sense.
We waded an area from around 2 until dark with high hopes for finally getting that trout we have been looking for....in other news, don't ask me about the big trout I lost today; I'm still recovering from it.

Kyle

March 16, 2007
In Search of Big Girls

Rediculously high north winds were definitely expected during weather forecasts for this morning. My group of guys and I strapped on the frog togs along with the waders and headed south in search of clean water holding some quality fish.

First wade consisted of a half limit of keeper specks using red/white soft plastics. Topwaters and Corky's just were not producing like they have in the previous weeks.

The following wade found us wading along the ICW spoils that have been producing for us lately with fair results. The water was great and the wind was not too much of a nuisance; the bite just never really turned on. It was an all morning grind for the fish we obtained until we took a break for lunch.

The afternoon was all about drifting with weedless spoons and red/white Brown Lure tails.

Making drifts across potholes to the south of Mansfield was productive for scattered specks and reds. Garrett boxed a redfish at 27 3/4 inches-a perfect tournament red. Sunset found us cleaning fish and preparing for some karaoke fun at El Jefe's. Saturday will most likely consist of a trip back home and hopefully Sunday will find me in East Matagorda chasing some big girls with hopefully more consistent action. It was a slot week here on the lower coast....you win some you lose some..I'd say we did in between!

-Kyle

Thursday, March 15, 2007
March 15, 2007

Working Hard for 'em
Just another day in the Lower Laguna: The only difference today was that we awoke to nonexistent winds and expectations to tear up some specks and reds on the first wade. 2 hours later, bait was no where to be found and our first wade over mud/grass in waist deep water produced only one speck on a Super Spook. Spoils along the ICW was our next destination.

This spot consisted of us casting brown lure tails in red/white to specks laying against the dropoffs and topwaters to trout holding in potholes. We made four to five more wades and several drifts with limited results. We ended the day with a limit of trout and reds. The last wade was an unproductive search for trophy trout and was over three hours long and produced an oversized red.

It was tough fishing with calmer conditions than we have been accustomed to down here in the Lower Laguna this week. Winds are pumping out of the north at 20 and we hope to track down some clear water!

Lower Laguna

& Ripping Winds

Awaking to high winds isn’t the envied by most Texas Coast anglers. While spending a week on the lower coast, this morning’s wade consisted of off-color water and one stiff South wind.
“Strap on some loud, black topwaters,” I said as I eased into the three foot depth over mud and grass.
Surprisingly this morning was warm enough to wet wade for the other five fishermen; I was comfortable in my breathable waders.
The initial wade lasted several hours. Positioned in an area holding fair colored water, at a place we knew held big trout, was our best bet for boxing several, fat trout for each angler.
I was chunking a trout colored Super Spook before switching to an all black Spook.

The biggest of the wade was a 26 along with an oversized red; which were also one anglers’ 2nd and 3rd fish ever on topwater.
We soon began drifting grass at a deep depth of 4-5 ft. for the rest of the afternoon. The fish were scattered but we stick with it using red/white Brown Lure Devil Eyes. Another 25 inch speck was released and several limits of redfish hit the deck!
It was an exciting day on the lower coast, but we definitely had to work for our fish.

Fighting the Slow Bite…
In the Lower Laguna
March 12, 2007-Driving dead into the face of 20 mph winds and blistering rain didn’t stop us from entering Port Mansfield Monday afternoon.
With two hours left to spare, we hit an area we have had good luck in the past with hopes of fooling a few specks on topwater.
Water was slightly off-colored, the flat was void of bait, and bites were tough to come by.
Several small trout were caught and released with time to spare before dark. We made a last drift before beginning preparation for the following morning.

March 13, 2007
The next morning, we greeted sunrise by throwing topwaters, Corkys, and soft plastics over a mix of grass and mud. With poor results, we made several other wades before finally walking into a solid group of fish. By working soft plastics along the ICW, we located keeper sized specks in good numbers. Chrome Super Spooks and Super Spook Jr.’s worked rapidly over potholes were successful for heavy specks as well. We worked hard for the fish we acquired. We ended the afternoon with releases of two specks in the 25-26 inch range along with half limits in the box for this week’s dinners.
It was a great way to kick off the week in Port Mansfield. Look for more Lower Laguna reports this week!

Saturday, March 10, 2007
A Fun, Quick Run
Finally! I’ve made my return to the salt after a busy intermission crammed with captain school, midterm exams, and the CCA Chapter duties at Texas State. A midday run to Matagorda’s deep shell exceeded expectations and boosted my outlook for an exciting week of fishing I have ahead.
I broke out the 25’ Explorer Flatsmaster and aimed her East down the ICW. Without an idea where the fish have been biting lately, I knew of an area that consistently furnishes fights with schooling reds and trout.
Drifting semi-cloudy water across a drop off of 3-4’ shell to 5-6’ mud/shell mix really didn’t provide amazing results, but we definitely hooked into some nice scattered fish. 1/8 ounce lead heads matched with bone, dark strawberry, and pearl Brown Lures' Devil Eyes stayed on the end of the line.

Only a couple trout were hungry but the redfish made a reasonable presence for us. For only being on the water a few hours this afternoon limits of redfish to 27 inches were more than we could ask for.
The type of fishing we did today will definitely help you distinguish a hang on shell from an actual “bite.” We were dragging the lures very slow; often bumping it across the bottom.
Look forward to more reports this week. I’m going to attempt to squeeze in 5 days in Port Mansfield and two in Baffin. Wish me luck!! ;)
-Kyle

Saturday, March 3, 2007
The Fishing Show

THE FISHING SHOW
I had an excellent time at the fishing show yesterday visiting with the good folks at Gulf Coast Connections/TSF, Brown Lures, Lone Star Outdoor News, Fishing Tackle Unlimited, Full Stringer Lodge,and Tran Boats among many others. I thoroughly enjoyed working the Laguna booth for a short while.
What the show has to offer and the amount of things to lay eyes on will probably take me back this weekend. I recommend taking a visit.

Here is what else the show has to offer:
32nd Annual Houston Fishing Show
Where: George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas (Located in downtown Houston) Exhibit Hall A, Houston Texas, 77010, 713-853-8000 View Map
When: Starts Wednesday, Feb 28 and lasts 5 days through Sunday, March 4th
Hours: Wednesday through Friday 12:00 noon to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission: Adults - $8.00 Children (6-12) - $2.00

Exhibit Space:
With over 200,000 square feet of space available, the 31st annual even will be the largest consumer fishing show in the nation.
Show Theme:
The emphasis will be on fishing tackle and fishing boats with all facets of the world of fishing fully explored through displays, clinics and movies.

Types of Exhibits
Fishing
The latest in all types of fishing equipment from manufacturers around the world
Equipment:
displayed and demonstrated.
Boats:
Bass boats from all over the South completely rigged with all the electronic gear and equipment that have made these boats famous will be displayed. Blue water rigs equipped to tackle the Gulf Coast fishing waters and smaller bay rigs play an important part of the boating display.
Guides:
Guides for both fresh water and salt water will be present in large numbers from all over the world.
Vacation:
National resort areas including exhibits from regional resort areas, marinas, fishing camps and seashore will have experts available to help the Southern fisherman plan his vacation
Seminars:
Seminars will be conducted on the subject of fishing. These “clinics” will be staffed with experts in each particular field of interest.

January 15, 2007 From Port Mansfield to East Matagorda Bay

“You want to head down to Mansfield for a few days?” Two hours after my buddy said the words we were loaded up rolling southbound. Without even the slightest clue where we were going to sleep, thoughts of arm-length trout danced in our heads.
Port Mansfield looked like a ghost town. It didn’t appear the same compared to my summer visits. It became apparent we were in the heart of Sportsmen’s paradise when we witnessed Boone and Crocket bucks busting racks in the middle of town and wild nilgai covering the country side.
While driving through town looking for a place to stay, a 12 point buck boasting two drop tines caught our eye. Without many affordable options, we resorted to an empty, little blue motel on the corner that offered hospitality 30 bucks each for the night.
With the first sight of dawn in the distance, we launched my fourteen and half foot, Chiquita scooter in Port Mansfield’s harbor without the first sight of another fisherman.

Within five minutes, the boat was anchored. Two casts later, Garrett set the hook on a solid speckled trout using a pearl Corky Fatboy. The morning was silent except for the abundant trout and redfish that shuddered saltwater at the surface. Mid morning arrived and stringers full of bounty proved fishing was better than expected.
A nap and quick lunch prepared us for an afternoon expedition for trophy specks. Immediately upon arrival at our morning trout hole, my buddy hammered fish in waist deep water using the same slow-sinking Corky. I waded shallow onto a shin deep flat where I noticed two does moving fast down the shoreline from a pursuing buck.

My attention was brought back to the fishing when an explosive blowup submerged my Super Spook. A 28 inch yellow mouth arrived at my side. Garrett quickly left the consistent keepers he located in waist deep water and joined me in the shallows to soon release a 25 incher of his own.
An evening of sharing fish tales and tactics with local guide, Captain Mike Mcbride and his wife Captain Tricia was equally enjoyable. Captain Mike joined us in the morning to release countless specks to 23 inches.

Friday found me back in East Matagorda Bay wading thick mud for trophies. A pink and white Super Spook failed to better my expectations for what I thought would be just another winter grind. Mid-wade, my buddy shouted and a glance revealed immense headshakes and stripping line. With the moon falling faster towards the horizon, a thirty and a quarter inch trout, Garrett’s personal best, surrendered. Another two hours later, a 28, three 25’s and a handful of 23-24 inchers were caught and quickly released. A combination of chartreuse backed, white bellied, green sided Corky Fatboys provided the attacks. Needless to say, my new Boga Grip fresh from the racks of Fishing Tackle Unlimited was broke in that day. Just when we thought the week couldn’t get any better, releases of a 26, two 25’s, and quality redfish during the following morning ended my fishing for the week.

I have begun to add Jason Brown's new line of soft plastic lures to my tackle box! The high quality and attracting look of the eyes offer excellent hopes for great numbers of specks and reds. I look forward to tossing the Brown Devil Eyes throughout the rest of winter, across the flats in spring, and over the grass flats I'll be fishing this summer.

From Port Mansfield to East Matagorda Bay, it was truly an excellent week of fishing to call an end to an awesome Christmas break.