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Chilling temps send fish to winter haunts

Trout and redfish flock to mud and shell for steady heat

Wading in the bays provides an ample opportunity for trout and redfish.
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  • Sonny Long •
  • Originally published January 31, 2009 at 11:34 p.m., updated January 31, 2009 at 11:34 p.m.

Groundhog Day is tomorrow and here's hoping Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow and comes out of hibernation, signaling the end of winter. I am ready to smell green grass and wade wet; however, that may not be going to happen until March, so make the best of the chill and search out fish accordingly.

That means mud and shell. The mud acts as an insulator to hold in the heat that it absorbed during the sunshine part of the day. Therefore, the basement provides a constant thermostat. Trout and reds like constants.

"When the weather allows we have been catching nice boxes of trout and reds over mud and shell," said guide Charlie Paradoski of Matagorda. "Bouncing plum Bass Assassins along the bottom has been best for me."

Rivers adjacent to bays on the middle coast are also strong winter players during the daytime hours. Yet, often they are overlooked because anglers are not patient to fish slower and methodically bounce their shad or shrimp imitations along the bottom.

River fishing is like taking a page out of the bass angler's play book. As the sun comes out and heats up during the day, the fish move close to the bank and hang on the drop offs. Troll or drift in the deep and launch topwaters, buzzbaits or crankbaits toward the shallows or any structure present (broken limbs, stumps, grass).

A three-eighths-ounce jig head keeps the bait on the bottom. Fire tiger, salt/pepper, pumpkinseed/chartreuse, morning glory, plum and glow/chartreuse are the colors of choice.

Lately, the Colorado River has been a hit-or-miss affair; however, another round of cold temperatures should deposit more fish in its waters.

"We have been catching mostly little trout at night with a few sand trout," said retired guide Melvin Talasek. "The fish will come back when we get more shad and mullet in the river."

In East Matagorda Bay, mid-bay reefs are the ticket. With light winds, Raymond Shoals, Five- Mile Drift, Cleveland Reef and the Tripod Reef hold specks and reds. Best bets for success are Bass Assassins, Trout Killers, Stanley Wedgetails and Norton Sand Eels.

In West Matagorda Bay, the lower the tide the better for redfish. Waders work the guts of Green's Bayou, Cotton's Bayou and Middle Grounds and find hordes of redfish willing to hit gold spoons and soft plastics.

"It hasn't been hot and heavy, but we have been getting our limit of reds," said guide Bobby Gardner of Matagorda. "If the fish are not in one gut, go to the next. The lower the tide the better."

In Espiritu Santo Bay and San Antonio Bay, mud and shell is the ticket. The mouths of Contee Lake and Pringle Lake are good on a falling tides, as well as any other bayou that is dumping water. Corkies, Catch 2000s and soft plastics are best bets for success.

"Look for mullet," said guide Lynn Smith of Port O'Connor. "Any kind of moving or flipping bait usually points you to the fish when it is cold."

Farther down the Golden Crescent, Rockport's California Hole adjacent to the Estes Flats is a rally point for herds of redfish. As the name implies, the hole is deep and allows chilly fish a chance to warm in the deeper water.

Nearby, the Lydia Ann Channel is a thoroughfare leading to the Gulf of Mexico. The flats adjacent to the channel, namely Super Flats and Mud Island, is perfect structure for winter fish. For pluggers, a sunny afternoon session produces large trout on suspending baits like Corkies, MirrOlure Catch 5s and Catch 2000s.

"Hang tight to the dropoffs when it is cold then climb on the flats in the afternoon," said guide Rhett Price of Rockport.

Baffin Bay is beginning to heat up despite the cold temperatures.

"Some of the fish have come from the rocks and others have been on sand, mud and grass," said guide Jesse Arsola. "We are beginning to see some big trout, lots in the 5-7 pound range. It will only get better."

Bink Grimes is a freelance writer, photographer, author and licensed captain. Contact him at binkgrimes@sbcglobal.net.


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