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Howdy folks, and welcome to 2026! We here at Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine wish you all the happiest, healthiest, and most prosperous of New Years. May your time in the outdoors be most enjoyable and may your fishing efforts be rewarded with lots of catching.
I have never been one for New Years resolutions, too many of these are halfhearted promises that nobody really intends to live up to, even as they’re making them. However, if you might be willing to try something different and easier than promising to lose weight or some other silly notion, we encourage that you pledge to share your love of the outdoors and fishing with a youngster or two, or three in the coming year. It’ll do your heart a lot of good, just seeing those youngsters eyes light up when you welcome them aboard your fishing boat for the first time, step into a duck or deer blind, or stroll out into a dove field. And, if by chance you have no youngsters in your life, the next best thing you can do is to share your passion with an adult who has never fished or hunted before.
As warm as it has been thus far into the winter season it’s hard to
imagine we could possibly receive any dangerously cold weather, but I remember having similar thoughts back around Valentine’s Day 2021…and you know how that turned out, right? So here’s to keeping our fingers crossed that anything remotely close to Winter Storm Uri stays the hell away from our precious and fragile coast.
We went fishing a few days ago and I am happy to report that we had one of the best days in San Antonio that I can ever recall. We found trout at every reef we stopped on and I’m not talking pencils. We didn’t keep count but three of us had to catch at least a hundred between us, and probably twenty or more longer than the keeper slot of 20”; and that is no exaggeration.
When that nasty storm abated four years ago and all those trout began to float – it just flat made me sick to my stomach – and I’m not talking about the stench. I feared it would be many years before we would ever enjoy solid fishing again in San Antonio Bay.
My goodness, what a difference four years can make – four years of concentrated conservation effort from the recreational fishing community – and four years of outstanding management effort from our friends at TPWD-Coastal Fisheries.
What I witnessed on that bay last week was nothing short of a miracle and I am personally very thankful. Now let’s all go fishing and enjoy it!
Choose from either up to $10,000 in instant savings or a 36 month HondaCare Protection Plan ® with the purchase of select new 40HP-350HP Honda Marine outboards. JANUARY 5- MARCH 30, 2026
Mike put on a clinic throwing a Flamingo Flash Saltwater Assassin Sea Shad in the sandy green water.
Different but Overall Positive 2025 IN REVIEW
STORY BY STEVE HILLMAN
My clients and I headed east as the early morning sun broke the horizon to bless us with yet another flawless watercolor painting made up of purple, blue and orange hues to start our morning. I had a plan and knew exactly where we needed to go to get on some solid trout. One of my customers said, “Man! We’re gonna hammer them today!” I normally don’t want to hear things like that when we haven’t even made a cast yet, but fishing had been so good that I didn’t worry about it. I’m somewhat of a superstitious fella, but fishing was so incredible during this stretch that I could’ve walked under a ladder with a black cat crossing my path and I would have been just fine.
We pulled up to the middle of Deep Reef in East Galveston Bay. There were four or five slicks about the size of my Whaler popped up on the west side of the reef where a local oyster dealer had recently been transplanting oysters. A blue plastic jug marked the spot. I used my trolling motor to get into position, then—like a duck hunting guide instructing his hunters—“Okay guys! Take ’em! Go ahead, cast!” We caught more than 60 trout up to 6 pounds in less than two hours. That giant school lived on that stretch of live reef for the entire summer and fall. Several other guides and I caught so many trout from that spot that I joked with one of them that I was going to have some t-shirts made…Team Blue Jug. There were plenty of areas throughout our bay system producing results like this during that period. This was about 15 years ago.
I talk about those days more often than some folks probably care to hear, but these days are quite different. We still have plenty of fish to catch, but they aren’t necessarily in the areas they used to be. We’ve had to make adjustments and relearn where the new hot spots are in the Galveston Bay Complex. Reefs like Deep Reef, Middle Reef, Whitehead, and the spoil reefs along the Houston Ship Channel don’t produce like they did over the past decade. Trinity Bay areas like C Lease, F Lease, Jack’s Pocket and Anahuac Pocket have their moments, but those moments are fewer, farther between, and mostly produce smaller trout. All of that being said, we’re still catching plenty of decent trout—just not where we used to catch them.
I take this time and space in the magazine each year to look back over the previous twelve months and evaluate the state of our fishery based on all of my experiences from January through December. My evaluation won’t change the way things are, but hopefully it paints a picture of where we currently stand so those who read this can visualize where we’re headed. Planning our fishing trips is much easier when we have a good idea of what to expect.
January of 2025 was characterized by big cold fronts, northwest winds, high barometric pressure and low tides. Fishing was very good on the days we could go, but those days were few and far between. We caught some really solid trout on Saltwater Assassins and twitchbaits such as Double Ds, Leles and MirrOdines. There were lots of fish in the deeper guts, bayous and back lakes—if you could get to them. Salinity was high, so fishing up the rivers was good. Soft plastics like Saltwater Assassins and MirrOlure Provokers worked well on 1/8-ounce jigheads when cast into the deeper troughs, especially after the big fronts.
February was a decent month considering the high winds associated with the fronts. Low tides continued to be an issue, and some days I couldn’t find a ramp with enough water to launch. Fishing was good when we could get out because trout were stacked in certain areas. February basically mirrored January.
March of 2025 ended up being typical March fishing—windy and inconsistent. My Galveston Bay trips averaged 12 to 16 trout with some redfish mixed in, but sizes were solid with some 3- to 4-pound trout. Wading coves was more productive than drifting. My East Matagorda trips produced better results than Galveston for the most part—but that’s usually the case for me this time of year. The spring transition just doesn’t affect those trout like it does up here.
April is always a coin toss. Trout are in a serious transitional state because of temperature fluctuations and microscopic bait concentrations. High winds add to the early-spring challenges. But April 2025 offered a pleasant surprise. East and West Galveston Bay
shorelines produced well for us, especially while wading. When I didn’t have wading clients, the bayou drains and back lakes got the job done drifting over shallow reefs with bulled-up tides. Not the 30- to 50-trout days we had wading, but good enough to keep everyone smiling. Tails and twitchbaits, with a few topwaters mixed in, produced solid results.
May is always a month where fishing busts wide open, and 2025 was no different. We experienced an incredible shad hatch and brown shrimp migration. Everything lined up for an awesome late-spring/ early-summer trout run as resident trout formed tighter schools while tide-runner specks moved in from the Gulf. We had several 30- to 40-fish mornings and could’ve caught more if we wanted to lean on them. Fishing over live oyster reefs was the ticket. Soft plastics were our main choice, but just about anything worked most days.
June and July were steady fishing months as trout settled into summertime locations on deeper reefs, near wells and along manmade rock barriers. We also continued catching mid-slot trout wading south shorelines of both East and West Bays. Fishing structure was key on days without visible signs like slicks.
We found plenty of solid trout during August and September by focusing on old wells and unmarked well pads in deep water with nearby live reef. Most of our fish were caught on Assassins and Lil’ Johns on 1/4-ounce jig heads, but some days we did very well throwing soft plastics on lighter heads and even topwaters in 10 to 13 feet of water!
The first three weeks of October kept us fishing deep, but I could tell some fall areas were close to popping because of new bait concentrations near softer-bottomed guts and ledges. We just needed a front or two. Sure enough, the first real front blew through near the end of the month and trout fishing busted wide open in those areas.
As I type this on November 20th, we’ve had only two legitimate cold fronts. The first was October 29th; the second pushed through November 9th, dropping air temps into the mid-thirties and briefly
It was another good year for flounder with lots of really solid ones like this one Mike Silva caught!
Tom Purdy came down from Michigan and was able to trick some nice trout while drifting over live reefs.
Jim Hardwick caught this 29” redfish on his very first cast of the morning!
bringing surface temps to 58.5 degrees. Both fronts triggered weeklong feeding frenzies for trout, redfish and flounder. Speaking of flounder—fishing has been exceptional again this fall, and I’m not even targeting them! Redfishing has been hit or miss for slots, but oversized reds seem to become more plentiful each year.
By the time this publication reaches your mailbox, inbox, or store shelf, December will be winding down. Based on how things are shaping up, I predict we’ll experience a pretty darn good month to close out the year, especially with more frequent cold fronts. For December, we’ll continue focusing on ledges when water temps are in the fifties and low sixties, then spend more time on adjacent shallow flats during warm-ups. Softer bottoms with mud and shell are prime this time of year.
Here are the key takeaways for 2025, based on my experiences: Overall fishing was steady most of the year, with plenty of exceptional days. I observed older age classes of trout (more 3- to 4-year-olds) than I have in the last eight years (since the Harvey floods of 2017). Salinity remained suitable for trout throughout the entire Galveston Bay Complex—the best it’s been in about 11 years. Out of necessity,
we continued doing more spot and structure fishing versus relying solely on slicks and rafting mullet like years ago. Schools of slot reds aren’t as easy to find as they once were, but oversized reds seem to be year-round residents. Flounder numbers—and size—appear strong. Limestone rocks planted for new oyster reef growth are working; we just need more. Seagrass beds are slowly returning in parts of West Galveston Bay, but we have a long way to go. Focusing on areas with some form of live habitat will greatly improve success.
And last but not least—time on the water gives anglers a bigger advantage than almost anything else when it comes to catching speckled trout these days. Always be willing to try something new, because things are different now. I hope everyone has a very Happy New Year with their families and loved ones! God Bless!
STEVE HILLMAN
Steve Hillman is a full-time fishing guide on his home waters of Galveston Bay. Steve fishes the entire Galveston Bay Complex, wading and drifting for trout, redfish, and flounder using artificial lures.
Phone 4 09-256-7937
Email captsteve@hillmanguideservice.com
Web w ww.hillmanguideservice.com
Bob Peel with his nice slot red to complete his Texas Slam!
Cindy Peel wasn’t about to let Bob out fish her!
Breaking Down
the Badlands
STORY BY KEVIN COCHRAN
While working on my latest fishing book, Active Tracks —a collection of stories and reflections from a lifetime on the water—I realized something I hadn’t fully appreciated until assembling it all on paper. Much of the action in those narratives unfolds in a legendary stretch of Baffin Bay. The area occupies a permanent place in the mental apartments where I store my most cherished memories.
Situated west of the Intracoastal Waterway between the Point of Rocks and Penascal Point, the Badlands is perfectly positioned to produce truly exceptional trout. It checks all the boxes I use to define a high-potential fishery—consistent productivity, year-round opportunity, and resilience to changing weather. It sits near a main-bay point and lies at the junction of two of the most celebrated trophy-trout regions on the Texas coast.
Part of what makes the Badlands so productive is its diversity. The area varies dramatically in depth, with shallow structures lying close to deeper water. Four distinct bottom types—mud, sand, grass, and serpulid rock—create a habitat rich in bait, protection, and ambush opportunity. This mixture produces consistency, even under shifting conditions.
Roughly three miles long and more than a mile wide at its widest point, the Badlands is very much an area, not a spot. Its mix of grass beds, serpulid rocks, and shallow flats provides ideal habitat for growing large trout. The small prey species thriving among the grass and rocks draw in larger fish—exactly the kind mature speckled trout prefer. The result is a place where anglers can legitimately expect to encounter giants.
But the same rocks and structure that nurture big trout also create serious hazards. Many dangerous obstructions lie unmarked beneath the surface. Even the deeper portions can fool boaters into believing they are traveling safely. No map system accurately displays every rock in the Badlands, and several uncharted boulders sit squarely in areas anglers commonly traverse. Anyone fishing this area should do so with extreme caution, and only after supplementing their GPS with detailed, reliable tracks.
The Badlands breaks naturally into three major sections, each with its own characteristics.
To the north lies the Point of Rocks Meadow—a wide flat that many people run across far too casually. Despite its appearance, unmarked obstructions here can wreak havoc, especially when a boat is trying to climb onto plane or settle off it.
South of the Meadow sits the Badlands Crown, a muddy, grassy, rock-strewn hump with significant navigation hazards. Shallow, soft-bottomed water dominates its eastern stretches, while the western section is firmer and slightly deeper. It’s a classic refuge for big trout—protected, complex, and difficult for all but the most determined anglers to fish correctly.
Moving farther south, the Central Badlands presents even more challenges: grassy humps, deep holes littered with unseen rocks, and the famed area near the floating cabin known to many as Hell’s Half Acre. This portion includes gut systems and transitions that funnel fish between shallow and deep water—a dynamic that explains why so many trophy trout have been caught here.
At the southern edge of the region, four PVC pipes mark a safe
path across the Spine of the Badlands—a narrow ridge leading into deeper, mixed-bottom water. Farther south, the Badlands becomes a tight sand bar armored with large serpulid rocks and bordered by deep water on both sides.
These serpulid formations differ from rocks found elsewhere, such as those in Rocky Slough near the Land Cut. Scientists tell us the Badlands rocks are the fossilized remains of extinct marine worm colonies. Whatever their origin, they pose serious risks—risks that every angler navigating Baffin or the Upper Laguna Madre must respect.
The purpose of this introduction—and the three features that will follow—is not to teach people how to safely traverse the Badlands. Rather, it is to define the area, outline its major sections, explore the patterns that make them productive, and document the enormous influence this place has had on my fishing career. I’ve logged countless days here, and many of my best catches came from these rocks, grass beds, and mud flats.
Nearly half of all 30-inch trout caught by my clients, friends, and me have come from the Badlands. Five of the top ten trout of my life were caught somewhere within its boundaries. My longest trout to date came from this area, and several other well-known anglers landed their personal bests here too—some their heaviest,
The captain breaks the Badlands area into three separate parts, shown here.
The bite can become briefly epic when strong cold fronts first roll over the Badlands. This beautiful trout inhaled a big twitchbait during such an event.
some their longest, and a few both.
When I think back, I can still feel the mix of anticipation and fear from my first ventures into the Badlands. I remember pre-fishing for the first Troutmasters tournament held in this bay, riding with
my buddies Hector and Jesse as we eased toward Hell’s Half Acre with no GPS, just two landmarks lined up in the distance. The rocks lurking on both sides were easily visible through the clear water, and the danger only amplified the magic. This was my introduction to Baffin Bay—the place most anglers dream of when they dream about giant trout.
Though time and experience eventually allowed me to navigate the area with more confidence, I’ve never lost my respect for its hazards…nor the awe I felt on those early trips. A friend once told me, “A man could make a career out of learning every detail of this place. Someone ought to become the guru of the Badlands.” He wasn’t wrong. This place is vast, diverse, and endlessly fascinating.
I didn’t devote my entire career to mastering only this single area, but I’ve spent enough days here—left enough footprints in the mud, cast to enough potholes, and fought enough big trout— to say the Badlands has shaped my life as an angler more than most places ever could.
It remains one of the most storied and mystifying locales in all of Texas, a place where every cast carries the possibility of meeting the trout of a lifetime.
KEVIN COCHRAN
Kevin Cochran is a long-time fishing guide at Corpus Christi (Padre Island), TX. Kevin is a speckled trout fanatic and has created several books and dvds on the subject. Kevin’s home waters stretch from Corpus Christi Bay to the Land Cut.
T ROUT TRACKER GUIDE SERVICE
Phone 361-688-3714
Email kevincochran404@yahoo.com
Web www.captainkevblogs.com
Captain Kev’s longtime customer Adrian Valdez caught an impressive number of big trout while fishing in the Badlands, including his first thirty incher.
Wading the Badlands at night can produce encounters with monsters, especially when the water runs really clear.
Redfish are often more plentiful than big trout in the shallow parts of the Badlands.
Chris Leslie with a 37” redfish that took him for a ride.
on the RojoRun
STORY BY CHUCK UZZLE
There are very few things that warm an angler’s cold hands like a solid thump on the line followed by the surge of a well-timed hookset. Countless winter hours can feel mundane or downright grueling—until that long-awaited strike jolts your senses and suddenly everything is right with the world again. For many anglers, this time of year conjures thoughts of magnum speckled trout, and judging by the number of articles dedicated to them this month, that’s no surprise. But as the great Lee Corso always said, “Not so fast, my friend.”
For some reason we tend to dismiss redfish as second-class citizens during winter, especially when everyone is chasing that elusive giant trout. Ask any veteran guide, though, and they’ll tell you the same thing: more winter trips than they can count have been salvaged by hungry, willing redfish. Don’t overlook these bruisers—they’ll be ready, willing, and able on most winter days when trout decide to sulk.
I’ll fully admit my appreciation and admiration for redfish. They’re what drew me to saltwater as a young angler. In fact, my introduction to them came in the winter, probing the banks of the Sabine River with Rat-L-Traps on some of the coldest days of the year. I remember that first fish like it was yesterday—the power compared to the freshwater species I’d been chasing, the thump, the spool-peeling run. That was all it took to spark a lifelong love for redfish.
This month, anglers will quite literally have to chase them. Through the fall on Sabine, these reds have behaved more like greyhounds—always on the run. Pinning them down has been a challenge as they’ve keyed heavily on swimming crabs and, surprisingly, shad. Much like trout feeding on shrimp, redfish stay put longer when shrimp are the main forage. But when they’re chasing fast prey, they roam. A common scene this fall has been birds working over schools of small trout or undersized keepers—then out of nowhere, reds blow through and scatter everything. When the birds move on, calm water often reveals reds cruising just under the surface, hunting shad and crabs while remaining on the move.
You’ll typically get one or two fish from a school before you have to chase them down again. It’s a constant battle to stay with them, but the effort is worth it once you get back in range.
Monte Beckman with a uniquely spotted redfish taken under feeding gulls.
A quality trolling motor like this Minn Kota Terrova on the kayak is a necessity when chasing these redfish.
Solid slot-sized reds will congregate near marsh drains and feed aggressively on tide changes.
Jonah Lemoine and Michael Billiot doubled up on some gorgeous oversize reds.
A good trolling motor is essential for staying on these openwater reds. I recently watched a kayak angler absolutely dial them in, and his setup was impressive—a Minn Kota Riptide Terrova designed for kayaks, complete with GPS integration and Spot-Lock. His ability to run down and stay on those fish was something to see.
If you’re chasing reds by boat, keep your batteries charged and approach strategically. Boat position relative to the school is everything. Stay far enough to make a long cast, yet close enough to stay ahead of the moving fish.
Our best lure setups have been simple: soft plastics on jigheads or under rattling corks. The ZMan PrawnStarz Shrimp, Mulletron, and Berkley Gulp Ripple Mullet have all performed well. Rigged on single hooks, they’re safer and easier to unhook when the action gets fast and frantic. Nobody wants to dig treble hooks out of a net—or worse, a fishing partner.
Sure, reds will crush topwaters, but they’ll also destroy hooks and hardware in the process. Single-hook jigheads are simply more efficient when the bite is hot.
If the birds don’t cooperate, or you prefer to wade, expect redfish along shorelines near marsh drains and cuts feeding into Sabine Lake. It can be comical watching an angler’s expression when they discover the $15 Corky they just cast has been mauled by an oversized red instead of the trout they were hoping for. Re-tuning a Corky that’s been balled up like tinfoil is practically an arts-and-crafts project—but with patience, most can be revived.
As we wrap up the year and head into 2026, I can’t help but smile at how far Sabine has come. I’ll proudly put Sabine’s redfish population up against any along the Texas coast—the numbers and overall health are incredible. And the trout fishery made huge strides this year as well. I’m eager to see what spring brings and whether some true big fish finally make their return.
As we celebrate this holiday season, please remember to wear your lifejackets and PFDs. Cold water is no joke, and that gear can be the difference if something goes wrong.
Thank you to all my customers and readers of this great magazine. I look forward to seeing you on the water or at a fishing show in 2026.
Have a blessed Holiday Season and Happy New Year!
CHUCK UZZLE
NEED A BIG
Whale sharks show up off the Texas coast each summer.
GGER BOAT
STORY BY JOE RICHARD
There are a few fish I’ve encountered over the years that gave us pause—moments when we instinctively knew we shouldn’t provoke whatever it was. Fish we had no business messing with. Encounters like these don’t come along often and seem even rarer nowadays. Sure, there are plenty of folks who will try to catch these monsters for YouTube views and advertising dinero. Some will even spear huge fish underwater without the slightest plan for what to do once the beast is actually in the boat. I call it the “slay the monster” syndrome—most common among shark hunters.
I was introduced to this on my very first charter out of Port O’Connor. Three young guys from a Walmart distribution center— working long shifts, sometimes doubles—showed up with two buckets of beef lung and a .357 Magnum. They wanted a big shark bad. Pass Cavallo was close, but it was April and still chilly. Their beef lung floated away like Styrofoam, drawing hundreds of gulls. Not a shark in sight. We should’ve fished deeper and drifted the big jetties instead. Those guys were dead set on slaying a monster.
I’ve slowed down since those days—stopped spearing big fish back in the late ’70s after being yanked around by giant goliath groupers and ling in fights where I might’ve drowned. Texas’ most legendary “dragon slayer” was a Galveston jetty fisherman named Gus Pangarakis, who caught the state-record goliath grouper and a sawfish for the ages. How he got those creatures ashore remains a mystery—likely with help from stunned onlookers. His sawfish measured 14.5 feet and weighed 736 pounds. That record will never be broken. Sawfish in Texas are functionally extinct after decades of getting tangled in shrimp and gill nets. An older friend in Port Arthur once told me the last sawfish he ever saw was in 1962.
Anyway—here are a few examples of fish we had no business dealing with:
> The Giant Ling Off Port Arthur
Sitting on an oil rig 30 miles off Port Arthur, we watched half a dozen ling cruise by. Nothing unusual—except the leader of the group. A monster female, six feet long and easily over 100 pounds. Maybe
even a state record. We were used to wrestling 30–50 pounders back then, but none of us cast at that ponderous beast. It was one of those, “You can count me out” moments. We saw her only once, but she made a lasting impression.
> The Hammerhead Longer Than My Jonboat
Launching at the old Fish Cut between Aransas and Packery Channel, we fought shallow conditions but made it out. Clear June morning, Gulf slick-calm, guys wading armpit-deep throwing trout lures. We spotted a small trout floating belly-up. Suddenly, a swirl—then a massive fin. The fin drooped at the tip, unlike an orca. Maybe a manta ray, I thought. But the shape drifted toward us like a submarine.
It was a great hammerhead longer than my 14-foot jonboat. Its hammer was four feet across. It passed directly beneath us. We sat absolutely still. Beer-can-thin aluminum was all that separated us from that shark. Nobody joked about tossing it a gold spoon.
> Swimming With a Whale Shark… or Not
We’d heard a whale shark was circling Rig 669 south of Port O’Connor, so we loaded the kids and went to swim with it. Clear blue water, tied off, snorkeled around—nothing. Heading back toward shore, I noticed a line of green water. A fin broke the surface, then another 25 feet behind it.
As we got close, the awful truth hit: they belonged to the same shark. We were about to run right between dorsal and tail. I slammed the throttle into neutral, but it was too late. We rode across the shark’s back; the engine’s lower unit bounced up and down. The tail thrashed like a submarine going to full power. It slid beneath the surface in seconds.
We stared at each other, engine idling. No one felt like swimming with a now-agitated whale shark in murky green water. We headed straight to Pass Cavallo.
Gus Pangarskis in 1939 Galveston with his state record sawfish.
Hammerhead sharks grow to 18 feet long. This one is a youngster.
> The Tarpon That Would Have Killed
Us
My friend Shannon Tompkins from the Houston Chronicle visited POC. My fiberglass boat was in limbo, so we took my jonboat. I cast-netted live bait—one was a croaker almost a pound in size. We reached Pass Cavallo with a ripping outgoing tide. Shannon lobbed out the croaker on his new Shimano TLD-20 with fresh 50-pound line.
Minutes later, the rod doubled over. Thirty feet away, a titanic tarpon—bigger than anything we’d ever seen—exploded out of the water higher than our heads. Twisting, writhing, terrifying. If it landed in that jonboat, we were dead. At least one person has died that way. By some miracle, the line snapped while the fish was mid-air. We sat shaking. We had no business with that fish.
> The Barracuda From a Nightmare Off Port O’Connor in 2019, something mauled my 18–20-pound kingfish. Expecting a shark, I pulled it up slowly. What appeared was a barracuda the length of a sofa, easily two feet longer than the Texas record. It stared at us from five feet away, chewing on my kingfish like a dog working a bone.
We had only trout tackle aboard Marilyn’s borrowed boat. Sure, there was an Ambassador 7000 with a short wire leader, but then what? Try to gaff it, and we’d be lucky to pull back a nub. Barracudas can leap incredible distances and have injured boaters before. That monster could have jumped in and chewed on us.
We let it have the king. Parted on friendly terms.
Another state record? Maybe. But we passed.
JOE RICHARD
Joe Richard has fished the Gulf since 1967, starting out of Port Arthur, but his adventures have taken him up and down the entire coast. He was the editor of Tide magazine for eight years, and later Florida Sportsman’s book and assistant magazine editor. He began guiding out of Port O’Connor in 1994. His specialty is big kingfish, and his latest book is The Kingfish Bible, New Revelations. Available at Seafavorites.com
Tarpon grow huge and they’ve jumped in a number of boats.
Hundred-pound barracuda chewing on my kingfish.
JAY WATKINS ASK THE PRO
ANNOUNCING TEXAS CUSTOMS JAY WATKINS SERIES SOFT PLASTICS
Texas Customs has introduced a new line of soft plastics –The Jay Watkins Series of Texas Customs Soft Plastic Lures is finally here. Lowell Odom, owner of Texas Customs, began working on these products a few years ago. It takes many hours of communication with developers just to get the first samples in hand. Field testing cannot start until molds have been made and some test baits are shot. From there, changes are made and designs are tweaked. Now, before I go any further, I want you to understand that I do not want to be a lure designer, nor do I want to own a lure company. I want to be a fishing guide and continue helping anglers become better anglers.
Fishing has never gotten old for me, but all that goes with guiding can at times become quite a chore. Maintaining all the vital equipment is key to success. This includes not only essentials like the boat, motor, trailer, batteries, trolling motor, tackle, and tow vehicle, but also physical and mental preparation. At 68 years of age, the latter gets equal attention.
I have never been a social person when it comes to my fishing clientele. In 48 years, only on a handful of occasions have clients joined me for lunch or dinner after a charter. I have things in my routine that do not allow for social stuff. While this does tend to create a bit of a
boring lifestyle, I believe it has been one of the keys to my longevity in the business. All this said, guiding is what I do and what I want to do. I believe the only value I have for my clients and any company that might be interested in me helping them with product development is the simple fact that I am on the water at least 200 days per year and continuously searching for better methods of catching fish. Fishing without catching them has never been very attractive to me. Maybe someday I will be able to look at it differently. Product development is an expected part of the industry, and it’s encouraging to see companies genuinely committed to creating quality products.
Someone asked me not too many years ago what I looked for in a soft plastic lure. My answer: I want a lure that casts well, is hard enough to last for multiple fish, soft enough to have erratic action, and has some type of natural action when I’m not imparting anything special during the retrieve. I hope that makes sense.
I had this conversation with one of my groups last week on a day when we had zero wind or tidal movement. The barometer was sky high with a light west wind – a pattern that definitely lends itself to tough fishing. A common winter pattern following dry cold fronts. As a guide, you’d better learn to adapt to this pattern and catch fish
anyway. Over many years, I’ve had areas that I trust to get bites on tough days. Even today, I continue searching out these small, out-ofthe-way areas that, for some reason, produce during the toughest of conditions. I believe this is an accurate statement: in ALL the bay systems I fish, I have discovered areas that seem to produce continually under patterns like the one described here. My “all systems” includes water from San Antonio Bay all the way to the Arroyo Colorado below Port Mansfield. Big area, huh? Remember this: “Trout water is trout water, no matter where you find it.”
Let me dive into one of the most overlooked aspects of soft plastic design – the ability of the lure to do something when I am doing nothing. In other words, creating movement on its own. I typically move the rod tip and break up my presentation cadence to add extra action to the lure. I also want my soft plastic to quiver slightly as it glides during the dead-stick portions of the retrieve. That’s the “doing something on its own when I am doing nothing,” if you get my drift. You want the pause to be brief and the quiver to be slight. “Less is more,” as the saying goes.
Being able to observe fish react to different lure actions in shallow, clear water has provided me with a great mental catalog of what they prefer in nearly every weather pattern. This education is something only acquired through many years on the water – not something that can simply be read,
repeated, and mastered. I’m thankful my health has allowed such a long career, providing the time needed to truly learn.
I want to make long casts to pieces of structure far enough away that the noise I’m making beneath the water isn’t affecting them. For the record, talking obviously doesn’t bother them much since I never shut up. If it did, I guess I’d have chosen a different profession, right?
It is possible to have a soft plastic heavy enough to cast efficiently yet soft enough to appear lifelike in the water. I have been fortunate to use some of the best soft plastics of my career. Understand that not all of them had great action in the early days. The Mister Twister Sassy Shad was one of the first soft plastics I used with a truly good swimming action. Blue and Pearl were my go-to colors over the shell reefs in St. Charles Bay back then.
My very first soft plastic was the old Boone Tout Tail. Zero action if I remember correctly, except for the popand-hop we put on them, but we caught fish. Kelly Wiggler came next, then Hogie. H&H Cocahoe Minnows followed, and after that came Bass Assassin. I caught a tremendous number of fish on the 5” Shad Bass Assassin, and I still use certain colors to this day.
MirrOlure’s 5” Provoker came along shortly after, then the Lil John and Lil John XL. Speaking of the Lil John – these baits cast extremely well and hold up as well or better than any soft plastic I’ve used. This lure has earned a permanent
spot in my wading box.
Now I have the new Texas Customs Jay Watkins Series soft plastics, and I truly think we’ve created a lure that casts extremely well, holds up well, yet remains soft enough to get that little “something” when we are doing nothing. I have been testing this lure for more than two seasons.
Getting down to the meat of the matter – does it really matter if the lure has a hook slot? Of course it does, or it wouldn’t be there!
For those rigging with traditional jigheads, a small slot allows the angler to align the lure correctly on the hook. If the slot is the right depth and length, it fits various hook sizes and lets the hook sit deeper, ensuring straight rigging. Straight rigging prevents excess line twist during both the cast and retrieve.
What about line twist? The unavoidable truth is that there will always be some line twist. The key is managing it. Cancel it periodically by dropping 50–75 yards of bare line overboard and letting it trail behind the boat on the way back to the dock. No, I do not use a small barrel swivel – that’s jewelry I don’t want above the lure. Maybe with spinning gear, but not with a baitcaster.
To this day I remain frustrated with anglers who don’t take time to properly rig their lures. For God’s sake, do it right and give yourself
Pothole Strategies 101
every advantage possible to tilt the catching scale in your favor.
Even after all these years I am still a basic-color guy. I don’t like dipped tails on my soft plastics. If I want chartreuse or white on a bait, I want it on the jighead, not the tail. The only time I use dipped tails is when I like a body color but the lure isn’t available without the dip. I use clear soft plastics on bright days with clear water, and darker baits for cloudy days or dark water. There are a few dark colors that work in all conditions for me: Watermelon-Red Glitter, Plum-Blue Glitter, June Bug-Blue Glitter, and Morning Glory-Red Glitter. Honestly, I had gotten away from June Bug and Morning Glory until the testing of the new Watkins Series baits – Lowell gave me only those colors, so I had no choice.
I am firmly of the opinion that many of the very best anglers on the Gulf Coast are exceptional soft-plastic fishermen. Continuously improving your soft-plastic game will make you a better angler overall.
May Your Fishing Always Be Catching!
– Guide, Jay Watkins
CONTACT
Jay Watkins has been a full-time fishing guide at Rockport, TX, for more than 45 years. Jay specializes in wading yearround for trout and redfish with artificial lures. Jay covers the Texas coast from San Antonio Bay to Corpus Christi Bay.
Telephone 361-729-9596
Email Jay@jaywatkins.com
Website www.jaywatkins.com
SHALLOW WATER FISHING THREE THINGS TO ACCOMPLISH IN 2026
I keep an archive of all my articles, each one labeled by the month and year it appeared in this magazine. Every time I come back around to the January file and create a new one for the year ahead, I’m hit with a mix of emotions. Some of it is a reminder that I’m getting older and time seems to move faster every year. But much of it brings a smile—memories of what the past year held and how fortunate I am to do what I truly love. When the year ends, all I can do is look back and be grateful.
Fishing on my end of the Texas coast was as good in 2025 as I can remember. I’d even say it was the best trout fishing we’ve had since Hurricane Harvey in 2017. After years of repeated storms and massive flushes of freshwater that set us back, a stretch of favorable weather and smart decisions by TPWD finally gave our fishery some breathing room. Our trout fishery is in a healthy place right now. That doesn’t mean we’re free of obstacles—there are still challenges ahead—but I believe we have the right people involved to keep pushing things in the right direction.
And now, with a New Year upon us, everyone seems
to come up with a fresh set of resolutions. If you’re an angler, why shouldn’t you have a few for fishing, too? I’ve been thinking on this for a while, and I’ve narrowed my own list down to three things I plan to accomplish in 2026. I’d encourage you to join me.
LEARN A NEW AREA
I know I’m not alone here—fishing the same “goto” spots day after day is easy. They’re reliable, they produce, and there’s comfort in routine. And yes, I know the golden rule: never leave fish to find fish. But I also believe it’s important to break out of that rut and broaden your range.
Wind changes, tides shift, water clarity comes and goes. An area you’ve relied on for years may one day be unfishable, while another area you barely know could load up with fish. There’s only one way to discover that—and that’s by going somewhere new. There will be a learning curve, and you may take a few lumps along the way, but the payoff can be huge. Add a new tool to your bag this year.
DAVE ROBERTS
TARGET A SPECIFIC SPECIES
We’re lucky on the Texas coast—we have options. Plenty of them. Personally, I target redfish about 90% of the time, with a little trout, flounder, and sheepshead mixed in. But talk to other anglers and their percentages flip entirely. Some people chase flounder like it’s a religion. Others couldn’t care less about redfish. Everyone’s different, and that’s what makes it fun.
This year, I’m setting a very specific challenge for myself: catch sheepshead on the fly.
And if you know, you know—they are the hardest fish on this coast to fool with a fly rod. They’re spooky, they’re selective, and half the time you swear they’re messing with you on purpose. Even if you get the right cast and the right fly, hooking them with those buckteeth is another challenge entirely. There’s a reason you don’t see many grip-and-grins of fly anglers holding sheepshead.
So here’s my suggestion:
Pick a species you normally overlook and dedicate real time to learning it.
You might surprise yourself with what you learn—and what you end up enjoying.
BRING A KID OR SOMEONE NEW FISHING
I saved this one for last because it’s the most important, and honestly, it shouldn’t just be a New Year’s resolution—it ought to be
part of our everyday routine.
Over the last few years, I’ve really come to appreciate the value of introducing new people to fishing and showing them what it means to enjoy the outdoors with respect. Teaching awareness, conservation, and stewardship should be at the heart of everything we do. If we get new anglers involved—kids, friends, co-workers—they buy licenses, they join conservation groups, and they become part of the community that protects our resources.
Without new anglers, the future of our fisheries could fade within a single generation. The more people we have fighting for our bays, our habitat, and our coastal rights, the better off we’ll be in the long run.
With all that said, I want to wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year. I hope you spend plenty of time on the water with your family and friends. Get out there and experience all that Texas has to offer—and always remember to take care of her.
CONTACT
Dave Roberts is an avid kayak-fishing enthusiast fishing primarily the inshore Upper Coast region with occasional adventures to surf and nearshore Gulf of Mexico.
Email: TexasKayakChronicles@yahoo.com
Website: www.TexasKayakChronicles.com
STEPPING INTO 2026
CCA Texas wrapped up another outstanding year in 2025. As we close out the year and look ahead to 2026, we reflect on a season filled with meaningful achievements in fundraising, habitat work, advocacy, and education. In total, CCA Texas funded more than $6.9 million toward habitat restoration, scientific research, game wardens, and coastal education in 2025. This level of support is unprecedented and only possible through the unmatched dedication of volunteer chapters across the state. Our continued growth and impact are a direct
reflection of those volunteers.
Although Oyster License Buyback and Certificates of Location were highlighted in recent issues of Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine and elsewhere, they are worth revisiting. Oysters are the bedrock of Texas coastal resources, and as a conservation community—alongside responsible partners in industry—we must continue educating the public about the critical importance of mindful oyster management.
The Value of oysTer reefs
Oyster reefs are far more than a seafood resource. They are a foundation of Texas’ coastal ecosystems. Reefs act as natural breakwaters, slowing storm surge and reducing shoreline erosion, while providing structured habitat for more than 300 species— including blue crabs, sheepshead, red drum, and spotted seatrout.
Oysters are also exceptional filter feeders. A single oyster can filter more than 50 gallons per day, removing excess nutrients like chlorophyll and phytoplankton, improving water clarity, and even helping with carbon sequestration. Their complex, three-dimensional structures support greater biomass than many other coastal habitats, including seagrass and marsh.
Economically, restored oyster reefs provide ecosystem services valued far beyond the market price of harvested oysters. Depending on reef health, annual ecosystem service values range from $2,000 to $40,000 per acre. Recreational angling benefits alone are estimated at $23,000 per acre. In contrast, the commercial harvest value of oysters on public reefs is only about $800 per acre.
oysTer license
BuyBack Program
Reducing pressure on overworked reefs remains essential. Texas will likely need to reduce the number of oyster licenses from 546 to around 175–200 for long-term sustainability. In 2025, license holders were offered $30,000 to voluntarily retire their licenses. Of 115 initial inquiries, 112 licenses were retired, eliminating more than 20% of the total licenses in a single year. Another round is planned for 2026, and CCA Texas—along with donors, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and conservationminded industry partners—anticipates another strong response. CCA Texas proudly contributed $1 million to the 2025 effort. Bay-BoTTom lease exPansion
Expanding state-managed bay-bottom leases gives commercial oystermen the ability to invest in, build, and sustain their own reefs, reducing reliance on public grounds. Today, roughly 22% of Texas’ annual oyster landings come from 43 Certificate of Location sites in Galveston Bay, totaling about 2,300 acres. Efforts to further expand this program continue, and more than 100 new applications were submitted during the most recent application period, which closed November 30, 2025.
CCA Texas has long advocated for this program and is encouraged to see strong participation from conservationminded members of industry. non-harVesTaBle conserVaTion leases In addition to commercial lease expansion, conservation groups and research institutions will now be able to secure bay-bottom leases designated strictly for reef creation and restoration— permanently closed to commercial harvest.
CCA Texas, in partnership with Gulf Trust and Matagorda Bay Foundation, has submitted applications for 10-acre and 15-acre conservation sites in Mesquite Bay and East Matagorda Bay. CCA Texas has committed $500,000 to each project, and looks forward to working with our partners through the approval process and eventual cultch placement.
looking forward
The year 2025 was truly rewarding for CCA Texas, our volunteer chapters, and the thousands of members who make our work possible. Your continued support fuels our mission, and we look forward to making even greater strides in 2026.
Thank you—and here’s to another year of conservation, stewardship, and success on the Texas coast.
By Sofia Tyreman | Multimedia Communications Specialist | T PWD, Coastal Fisheries Division
FIELD NOTES
RESTORING WILD OYSTER STOCK THROUGH THE S. REED OYSTER BUYBACK PROGRAM
This year, during the ninth round of the Commercial Oyster Boat License Buyback Program, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), with the help of key partners, bought back and retired an astonishing 112 commercial oyster boat licenses. The purchase and retirement of these 112 licenses will ultimately result in a 21 percent reduction of all oyster licenses in Texas. Due to the negative impacts of hurricanes, droughts, floods, overfishing, and other habitat pressures, oyster fishing in Texas continues to decline significantly. As a result, the state’s commercial oyster fishery has become overcapitalized, with more licensed oyster boats harvesting from public reefs than the fishery can sustainably support. To help stabilize oyster fishing efforts and support healthy fisheries stock in the commercial oyster industry, TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division established the Commercial Oyster Boat License Moratorium in 2005, following the passage of Senate Bill
272 in the 79th Texas Legislature, whereby no new oyster licenses were issued by the department.
Through the passage of House Bill 51 in the 85th Legislature, the Coastal Fisheries Division established a commercial oyster boat license buyback program in June 2017. After receiving authority from the Texas Legislature to “buy back” oyster licenses that same year, TPWD held its first official commercial oyster buyback round in 2018. Although the newest buyback initiative solely relates to oyster licenses, the department had previously established commercial buyback programs for inshore shrimp, crab, and finfish fisheries, which had also been under license moratoriums since 2005 or earlier.
Like the buyback programs established before it, the oyster buyback program offers willing license holders a special opportunity to exit the fishery voluntarily, helping reduce pressure on wild oyster stocks and oyster reefs. The program’s initial eight rounds, which ran from
The most recent round of Oyster License Buybacks yielded an astonishing 112 licenses being offered for retirement.
2018 to 2024 (with license year 2021 offering two buyback rounds), operated like a reverse bid auction, where sellers bid the prices at which they were willing to sell their licenses. Only a total of three oyster boat licenses were bought back during those eight rounds.
This year, however, TPWD switched gears and tried a new approach.
After receiving feedback from the oyster industry and key stakeholders on how to improve the program’s effectiveness, the department offered a fixed buyback price for each license instead of using the reverse-bid process. This year’s unprecedented buyback round offered a fixed purchase rate of $30,000 per license—made possible only through outside philanthropic support.
To help raise funds for this year’s buyback initiative, TPWD partnered with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) to create a public-private partnership and establish the S. Reed Morian Oyster Buyback Program. The new TPWF program was named in honor of the former TPW Commission Chairman, a lifelong champion of coastal conservation. A volunteer-led group of conservation-minded individuals and foundations pledged their support, with key funders including: the Laurie and S. Reed Morian Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association, the Brown Foundation, the Earl C. Sams Foundation, Jeffery and Mindy Hildebrand, Beaver and Joanie Aplin, John and Mary Eads, and Bobby and Sherri Patton.
Reducing pressure on the oyster fishery and the number of oyster licenses in Texas has remained a top priority for both the oyster industry and conservation groups. Healthy oyster reefs act as nature’s water filtration system, removing harmful particles from the water column and improving water quality throughout our bays and
estuaries. Oyster reefs also act as wave buffers, protecting shorelines from destructive erosion and storm surges. In addition, various species of fish and invertebrates rely on thriving oyster reefs for refuge and nursery habitat.
What’s more, oysters support a significant coastal economy and are vital to the socioeconomic welfare of Texas’ coastal communities. Commercial oyster fishing is the second most valuable commercial fishery in the state. In a typical year, oyster landings are well distributed throughout the six-month season, which runs from November to April.
Although TPWD initially sought to purchase and retire 150 commercial oyster licenses along the Texas coast, the agency is still incredibly grateful for the milestone of retiring 112 licenses in a single round.
“Given the limited success in prior years, we knew we needed to adapt our strategy and could not have done that without the help of our partners,” said TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz, Ph.D. “Reducing pressure on the wild oyster population is critical, and this represents a significant step toward that goal.”
Check the TPWD Outdoor Annual, your local TPWD Law Enforcement office, or tpwd.texas.gov for more info.
ERIC OZOLINS EXTREME KAYAK FISHING & SHARKS FROM THE SAND
FRIGID FISHING ADVENTURES
Each winter, coastal anglers across Texas brace for the uncertainty our coldest season brings. While we usually see our first true cold fronts in December, the most severe weather typically arrives from early January through February. Predicting whether a Texas winter will trend warmer or colder is a gamble at best, and even the experts miss by a mile some years.
Modern weather models can offer a broad outlook on whether arctic air might push south in the coming weeks, but accurately forecasting the strength and timing of those fronts this far from the polar regions is nearly impossible long-term. Lately, there’s been talk about unusually cold systems barreling into Texas this winter. But the real question is: Will this winter grind shut down our coastal fishing scene, or will we find pockets of wintertime opportunity where fish feed aggressively despite the chill?
After a strong front passes, surf fishing usually hits its prime two to three days later—once winds settle, waves fall, and the water clears. It’s not a perfect rule, but it holds true more often than not. In those brief windows of calm, clear water, one of the surf’s tastiest targets
becomes especially accessible: the Florida pompano. Pompano aren’t giants—topping out around six pounds—but what they lack in size they make up for in pure table quality. These winter visitors thrive in cool, clean surf, feeding on ghost shrimp and coquina clams. Light tackle and simple baits like Fish-bites, Fish-gum, or peeled shrimp can quickly fill a cooler on the right day. I love catching and eating pompano, but most of my winter surf time is spent pursuing the ocean’s toothier apex predators. Traditionally, serious sharking happens from March through early December in Texas. But during winter’s bluebird days—clear skies, light winds, cold water—I run baits for sandbar sharks, a species that truly seems to enjoy chilly surf. Mature sandbars spend the winter along the South Texas coast, where they breed, feed, and often birth their pups. Targeting them on the calmer winter days provides excitement without the intensity of our big-shark summer season. When water temperatures sink below the mid-60s, most inshore species move out of the surf and seek deeper refuge. But two exceptions thrive in these conditions: red drum and black drum. Both species
Leah and Rory Ozolins enjoying a great winter adventure.
tolerate cold water extremely well, and during moderate winter fronts they’ll stack thick in the surf. Slot reds and bull reds eat almost anything fresh— shrimp, mullet, crab—while black drum favor shrimp for smaller fish and crabs for the big bulls. In South Texas, the largest surf reds are often caught from December through March, and the biggest black drum from January through March. But once water temps dip below 60°, the bite slows dramatically; below 50°, most fish vacate the surf entirely.
When the surf turns lifeless and icy, I turn to one of my favorite guilty pleasures: kayaking and wading the backside of Padre Island. With air temps in the 30s and wind chills in the 20s, my focus shifts to the Intracoastal Waterway, where dropoffs and channels trap warmer water. Predictably, redfish, trout, black drum—even late-season flounder—abandon shallow flats and stack deep, feeding aggressively. Over the past two decades, some of my best trout have come from these brutally cold stretches.
Anyone winter fishing should stay aware of TPWD’s temporary closures, designed to protect fish that pile into deep holes during freezes. These closures are essential and should always be respected.
Winter’s unpredictability doesn’t end with the fish. After a week of cold, a sudden warm-up into the 80s can spawn thick fog. Dense fog on the beachfront is dangerous—especially at night. Anyone camping or fishing the beach should set up high near the dunes, well away from the normal driving lane.
For me, the coldest season is also a rare break from the nonstop shark charter grind. It’s a time to fish for myself again—whether that means running offshore in frigid weather chasing makos or slipping back into the shallows to hunt trophy trout. I’ve always been an adventurer at heart, and winter offers a chance to cleanse the soul, restore the spirit, and put a few fresh fillets in the freezer.
It may be cold, unpredictable, and sometimes downright brutal—but winter fishing in Texas is anything but boring.
For the past decade Eric ‘Oz’ Ozolins has been promoting shark catch and release and assisting various shark research programs. Eric offers guided shark fishing on Padre Island National Seashore. Also renowned for extreme kayak big game fishing, Eric is the owner of Catch Sharks Tackle Company.
The Bob Hall Pier surf frozen over during the Feb 2021 Freeze Event.
A large wintertime pompano.
Seagrass is critical to good fishing. Marine organisms depend on it for survival—for food, shelter, and oxygen. But boat propellers are destroying Texas seagrass, which is seriously impacting saltwater fishing in the coastal shallows. When boaters do not lift their propeller in shallow water, the prop cuts and uproots the seagrass beds—leaving long barren trenches or “scars” that may take years to heal ... if ever.
Stop Prop Scarring –Lift, Drift, Pole, Troll
It is ILLEGAL in Texas to uproot seagrass with a propeller. Avoid damaging seagrass –lift your prop!
When in shallow waters, lift your motor and drift, pole, or troll through it. After all, there’s nothing like a redfish on light tackle in shallow water. Let’s keep it that way!
For more information visit: www.tpwd.texas.gov/seagrass
JAKE HADDOCK
MOSTLY SIGHT-FISHING
ADAPTABILITY THROUGH VERSATILITY
As I sit in my tackle room looking through notes for another potential topic to bore y’all with, something grabs my attention. No—not the cluttered mess of a fly-tying station that desperately needs reorganizing— but the light-tackle outfits collecting dust after a year of surprisingly little use. It’s not that I haven’t been on the water. It’s simply because most of my clients this year have been fly-only anglers.
A guide buddy and I often joke, “Where are all the light-tackle clients?” Somewhere along the way, many anglers began assuming that poling skiffs are meant exclusively for fly fishing. That couldn’t be further from the truth. A skiff is a fish-hunting tool. What weapon you choose to fire when you get within range—fly rod, spinning rod, or casting gear—is entirely up to you.
Now, not all skiff guides are created equal. Some purists would rather watch their clients whip themselves into knots with fly line and go fishless all day than dare place a spinning rod on deck. I am not one of those guides.
There was a time—at least for me—when fly fishing felt like a “step up the ladder.” Once sight-fishing with conventional tackle became second nature, fly fishing became the next challenge. And honestly, learning to sight-fish with conventional tackle is an essential step
Jake says the conditions were not primo for fly fishing; luckily he found the reds chewin’ on jigs wielded by light tackle baitcast gear.
Brad Feller gave up and opted for the camera on a day when the sightfishing conditions deteriorated.
Dain and Carson got into the reds on a windy January afternoon.
toward becoming what I call a fishy angler—someone who can read the fish, make the right move, and create the eat without much instruction.
For example, when a redfish is inches from inhaling my fly during that heart-stopping moment, I’ll sometimes pulse the rod tip instead of stripping line. It’s a trick learned from lure fishing that translates beautifully to fly angling and often triggers explosive strikes.
Anglers who have never sight-fished with conventional gear are easy to spot from the platform. If I don’t coach them through the process, they’ll drag the fly to the fish, stop moving it, and expect the redfish to pick it up like dead bait. BUMP IT. TWITCH IT. MAKE IT ALIVE. Our flies and lures aren’t scented; we must imitate prey trying desperately not to get eaten. Playing dead rarely works for a shrimp or baitfish in the wild.
Don’t get me wrong—I love my fly clients. Fly fishing is my niche and my passion. But there is nothing wrong with throwing conventional tackle to sharpen your game, especially when cloud cover, wind, or dirty water make fly fishing tough. Yes, we can adjust by targeting tailers or finding protected shorelines, but sometimes a fly-only day turns into storytelling and birdwatching. And hey, that’s still better than sitting in the concrete jungle.
For anglers wanting to stay productive regardless of conditions, here are a few artificial lures perfect for blind-casting yet deadly when a sight-fishing opportunity appears:
1. MirrOdine (Slow-Sinking)
Perfect when fish suspend high in the water column. It hovers in the strike zone and can even tempt big trout lurking beneath redfish schools.
2.
Light tackle lure assortment for sight-fishing.
A staple. Covers water quickly yet precise enough to drop right on a fish. Great for both sight-casting and blind work.
3. 1/8-oz Johnson Weedless Gold Spoon
Less intrusive than the 1/4-oz model and ideal for shallow, spooky fish. Still plenty effective blind-casting.
4. Banana-Head Bucktail Jig
Tied with a bit of flash and EP Craftfur or Foxy Brush. Works on a straight retrieve, jigged, or bounced along bottom. A killer sightcasting lure and a reliable blind-casting option.
Rig any of these on a 6–12 lb spinning or casting outfit with light braid and a 2-foot stretch of 15–20 lb fluorocarbon connected with a loop knot.
The point of all this?
Versatility catches more fish.
Fly, spin, and casting gear are all tools in the shallow-water toolbox—and all should get some use. As we enter 2026, I challenge you to pick up the form of tackle you’re least confident with and practice. Conditions will eventually throw you a curveball, and having another skill in your arsenal may save the day.
Until next time…
Jake Haddock grew up in the back bays of Port O’ Connor where he developed a great passion for saltwater fishing. In his younger years he was a youth writer for this publication. In present day he enjoys guiding light tackle and fly clients in Galveston and occasionally Port O’ Connor.
Phone 713-261-4084
Email frigatebirdfishing@gmail.com
Website www.frigatebirdfishing.com
Small Paddletail (Down South Burner Shad)
CAPTAIN
TREVOR “LITTLE BIRD” KUCIA BIRD’S-EYE VIEW
JANUARY: SLOWING DOWN, STEPPING IN, & SETTLING INTO THE WINTER GRIND
January usually marks the point where everything on the coast shifts pace. The mornings get colder, the wind carries a different bite, and the bays settle into their winter rhythm. But truth be told, the fishing has been solid. Clients have been coming out and having a great time. Whether we’re sight-fishing those calm windows or easing down a shoreline on a good wind pattern, everyone feels that anticipation building—because this is the time of year when fish start stacking weight and acting exactly like they’re supposed to. Each cold front seems to set things up a little better.
This is also when I really transition into wade fishing. As water temperatures drop, wading simply makes more sense. Fish aren’t moving fast, and neither am I. Slowing down becomes part of the program. From the boat, you can cover ground efficiently, but you miss the small things—the subtle pushes, the faint shifts in bottom texture, the way bait gathers or scatters around a pocket. On
foot, you see and feel all of that. You work an area the right way, not just pass through it.
Cold water changes the entire mindset of the fish. They don’t want to burn unnecessary energy, so they slide into areas where the bottom gives off a little warmth. Sand pockets, mud flats, darker bottom transitions—those become their heaters. You’ll even feel it yourself sometimes: a slightly warmer patch around your legs, or a softer piece of bottom radiating stored heat. That’s where they sit, and wade fishing lets you target those zones instead of drifting right over them.
Picking apart winter water requires slower, more intentional fishing. Casts aren’t wasted, retrieves aren’t rushed, and you learn to trust that a fish is there even when you haven’t seen a sign yet. Some days the bite is soft enough that you question whether you felt anything at all. Other days, they eat like they’ve got something to prove. But the pattern stays consistent—if you stay patient, stay on the right bottom, and move quietly, you’ll find them.
This is also the time of year when the right gear matters. That’s why I lean on my Waterloo Carbon Mag in winter. It just fits the style of fishing January demands. When I’m working Corkys, Soft-Dines, suspending baits, or even a topwater on the rare warm afternoon, the rod loads smoothly and casts with almost no effort. That becomes a big deal when you’re chest-deep, grinding through a long wade, or casting all day.
But what really makes that rod shine is the sensitivity. Winter bites aren’t always the big thumps people imagine. More often it’s a faint tick or that sudden “nothingness” feeling in the line. The Carbon Mag translates those tiny signals straight into your hand. When a trout
Science Sea and the
A Neighborhood of Ice Nests
So much of the ocean remains undiscovered because it is so difficult to reach, but the sea revealed more of its secrets in July 2017, when an iceberg nearly the size of Delaware broke away from a large ice shelf off the coast of Antarctica’s Weddell Sea. The slab of ice, about 2,239 square miles in size, separated from the Larsen C Ice Shelf in the Graham Land peninsula of Antarctica and left exposed a seabed previously hidden under 650 feet of ice.
Researchers sent a remotely operated vehicle named Lassie to explore the area in early 2019. When they discovered more than 1,000 dimples in the ocean floor, they were baffled at first. The dimples were not randomly scattered but were instead arranged in clear patterns. Some were shaped like a crescent, others like an oval, others in a line, and others in a sharp U-shape.
Scientists on board the research vessel debated what the dimples could be and added up the clues—their size, their shape, and knowledge of local sea life. They concluded the dimples were nests of yellowfin rockcod. Male yellowfin rockcod guard nests and their surrounding area for four months after females lay eggs, so the vast neighborhood of clustered nests likely enabled a network of guards to keep the eggs safe. Scientists suspect isolated nests on the outer edges were guarded by larger, stronger fish that could defend the area alone. About one in seven nests had pebbles in or around them, on which biologists think the fish laid their eggs to prevent rotting on the floor or predation from animals in the mud. Closer investigation also revealed that 72 of the 1,036 nests still contained larvae.
Discovery of this unexpected nursery area underneath an ice shelf supports the idea of establishing a protected area in the Weddell Sea to keep future generations of yellowfin rockcod safe.
Yellowfin rockcod nests were found in Antarctic waters after a massive iceberg broke away, revealing the previously hidden seabed. Credit: Valerie Loeb, NOAA
noses a Corky or a red lightly breathes on a lure, you actually feel it. In cold water, those subtle cues are the difference between hooking a fish and never knowing it was there. That sensitivity isn’t hype—it’s a true tool this time of year.
Winter wading forces you to fish with intent. There’s no rushing. You’re not hitting fifty spots or cycling through the whole tackle box. You’re committing to an area, reading the bottom, watching birds, watching bait, and trusting your instincts. It’s a slower grind, but it’s the kind of grind that makes you a better angler. January rewards patience more than anything else.
And if the first part of this month is any indication of what’s coming, we’re in for a strong winter. These fish are thick, the bait has settled, and every front seems to set the next few days up perfectly. As long as the weather cooperates, the wade bite will only get more consistent. Broader shoulders on the trout, heavier bellies on the reds—this is when they put on real weight.
January may feel slow on the surface, but the fishing is anything but. It’s more technical, more hands-on, and more rewarding. And from what I’ve seen so far, I’d say we’re just getting started.
CONTACT
James Kosub James Kosub says, “I fell in love with fishing as a child and my passion deepened when I discover the Texas coast. Shallow water redfish have become an obsession.”
Email Jammmeskosub@gmail.com
OYSTER TRIVIA
By Brian Henry
Editor’s introduction: Oysters are very popular this time of year and we thought perhaps a bit of background information to further explain these incredible mollusks you are enjoying might enable you to enjoy them even more. Whether you prefer fried, baked, roasted, raw or stewed – oysters are one of the oldest and most nutritious of foods that come from the world’s oceans.
Oyster shell middens in South Africa, estimated to be 140,000 years old, prove that human harvesting of marine life predated the development of agriculture and cities.
An oyster can change its gender multiple times during its lifespan.
Most oysters are ambisexual. They begin life as males, then become females, then change back and forth multiple times.
A tiny crab called an oyster crab lives inside oyster shells.
Spiny, or thorny oysters are also known as chrysanthemum shells because of their likeness to the spiky-petaled flowers. But they’re not really oysters and are relatives of the scallop.
Chinese tradition holds that oysters can cure freckles.
Oyster are the most profitable mollusks that are farmed.
A female oyster can produce more than 100 million eggs in a single spawning.
Oyster larvae is called spat.
Only about one oyster spat in a million survives to adulthood.
At one time, oysters were America’s number one fishery product.
There are more than 400 varieties of oysters.
The oyster cracker was invented by Adam Exton, a baker in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1847 and was known as the Original Trenton Cracker (OTC) and is still produced today.
The world’s only oyster museum is located on Chincoteague Island, Virginia.
The American Indian is credited with creating the first oyster stew.
Oysters were first served commercially in the United States in 1763 when a saloon was opened in New York City in a Broad Street cellar.
In ancient Rome, oysters were so highly prized that they were sold for their weight in gold.
Ancient Greeks used oyster shells as ballots in elections.
Union Oyster House, established in Boston in 1826, claims to be the oldest restaurant in the United States.
An oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day.
Oysters Rockefeller was introduced around 1900 at Antoine’s Restaurant in New Orleans as a nameless dish until the first customer sampled it and declared it “as rich as Rockefeller.” Its name appeared on the menu thereafter.
In 1819, English immigrant Thomas Kensett was the first person to can oysters and other seafood, and in 1825 established a thriving cannery in Baltimore.
Depending on their makeup, pearls can be white, pink, blue, yellow, and even black.
Musician Billy Joel once worked on an oyster boat.
The only commercial fishing vessels in the United States still powered by sail are the Maryland skipjacks, sailboats that dredge for oysters.
It’s a myth regarding the seasonal safety of oysters, that is, that they should be eaten only in months with the letter “r”. About 40 percent of instances of illnesses occur from September to April, all “r” months.
Mounds of discarded oyster shells have been found during archaeological digs in ancient Rome.
The Romans were the first to create artificial oyster beds to satisfy their demand for the mollusks.
The New York legislature passed a law in 1908 restricting the use of the term Blue Point oysters to those harvested in Great South Bay on Long Island’s Suffolk County coastline.
The Wheaton Shucking Machine uses infrared light to open 60 oysters per minute.
The National Oyster Shucking Contest (since 1967) is held each October at the St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival in Maryland, and pits the best female shucker against the top male shucker for the national title.
A Chesapeake stabber is an oyster shucking knife.
JAMES KOSUB
SKINNY WATER OBSESSION
WHAT I WISH I KNEW
If you follow any of the Texas fishing pages, you may have seen the post about spotting the “Box-Man,” who is often seen around the Galveston area. It is an older man in a simple red-and-blue boat that looks like a fiberglass box, with limited gear, who fishes in highly accessible locations. I cannot say for sure, but I would bet that old man puts some great fish in that unique little vessel. While the Box-Man might be a bit extreme, the anecdote effectively highlights one’s ability to be simple yet effective when fishing.
When I think about the lessons I’ve learned from seasons past, overarchingly, I am reminded to keep it simple. When trips didn’t go my way, I always assumed it had to be fishing gear-related. Seldom did I focus on location, winds, tides, and other factors that actually can improve fishing success. My go-to alibi was that the fish were there--I just didn’t have the right lure. I can honestly say I was on a mission to own every style and color of fishing lure I could find. I was determined that each new lure would make a difference in my results. I will be honest, though, while I still like some lures over others, most all of them have worked for me on various occasions.
I have since developed a reasonable and practical approach to choosing a lure. While I know there are numerous types of lures available, when I use the term lure in this article, I mean a 4-inch paddletail. I typically like three lures that cover all of my needs on the Texas coast. The first lure is a cop-out, as it is technically two lures in one, since it varies based on condition. I fish a simple dark or light pattern, depending on the water clarity and conditions. The light pattern is the Slam Shady by Salt Strong. The Slam Shady is the staple lure from Salt Strong and naturally comes in white. My preferred dark pattern is the Super Model Series - Texas Roach by Down South. A package of six only costs about $5.00 at Academy.
If water clarity is good and the sun is out, I typically throw the white or lighter pattern. If I am fishing stained water or have exceptional overcast, I’ll tie on the darker one. A small tweak I typically make is to utilize a darker lure when I get super shallow. I have seen occasions when the white lure will spook marsh redfish. However, I know a few excellent guides who swear the bone or
white color is lethal to shallow redfish.
I also like to keep a scented lure setup handy. I really like the Gulp Mantis with the chartreuse claws. I know what you’re thinking, go ahead, laugh it up. I know there is a large segment of the population that thinks Gulp lures are the punch line at the end of a joke. However, I have consistently caught more fish on Gulp than any other lure.
Finally, my favorite lure to keep rigged and ready is an unnatural color. Anything works here, but my favorite is a red and white paddletail. I never saw a baitfish with a red body and a white tail, but trust me, it works. This color combo seems to work well when fish are aggressively feeding. I also like a wild color profile when I expect to do a lot of blind casting. It helps me key in on what the fish are doing one way or the other. They either bite the lure or blow out because they don’t like it. Either way, they’re telling me where they are.
Jig heads are much simpler. For inshore fishing, I typically use 1/8 oz and 1/4 oz screw lock jig heads.
Storing sharp objects like hooks and knives properly could mean you don’t have to cut your fishing trip short to go for stitches.
Screw lock jig heads look like someone molded half a spring out of a ballpoint pen into the lead portion of the jig head. As you can imagine threading the lure onto that spring holds the bait very securely.
A weedless-rigged lure is always worth keeping in the box. While weedless setups can sometimes have a slightly lower hookup percentage, they definitely help us earn strikes we would not otherwise achieve if our lures are clogged with grass or weeds during the presentation. Typically called worm or swimbait hooks, they come in a range of sizes, both weighted and weightless. Rigging in a fashion that leaves only the hook point exposed will snag the least amount of grass, but don’t let the name fool you. There is no such thing as a completely weedless hook.
Rods and reels…let’s argue. I began this article by discussing simplicity, and I intend to maintain this theme throughout. I agree wholeheartedly that there are better rods and reels, but few will beat the value of my picks. Reels are easy for me; the Shimano Sedona series in the 2500-3500 range will catch monster reds and finicky trout, all the same. Rods are more precise; I’ve always been partial to Waterloo. The Phantom series, which is considered Waterloo’s midlevel rod, is a great value and built to last. If you’re limited in rods, get a medium-fast action 7-footer. The Phantom’s sensitivity compared to similarly priced rods is remarkable, resulting in more hook-ups. I k now the temptation of walking through aisles of lures, baits, and rigs that will be “the one.” More than once I have succumbed to irrational compulsive fishing purchases. It makes me laugh when you read marketing like – guaranteed to catch more fish – fish love it – and nothing catches more fish. I am going to break some hearts by saying
this, but you’re not guaranteed to catch more fish, fish do not actually love it, and other things do, in fact, catch more fish than the marketing wants you to believe.
What I learned the hard way is that all that gear just gets in the way. I like a landing net, a fishing measure board, a good set of pliers, a small knife, a de-hooker, and a stringer. I try to avoid clutter as much as possible when I fish, which means only bringing things I can store. One lesson I learned the hard way was to keep your knives covered and stored. I, unfortunately, grabbed my bare blade this spring, while reaching into my lure box. Five stitches later I can report a valuable lesson learned.
The other concern about surplus gear is that it not only gets in the way but it will eventually get lost or broken. If you have ever landed a big redfish on a cluttered deck you know what I am talking about. This includes soft plastics, miscellaneous tackle, snacks, drinks, everything.
From safety to success, a decluttered boat, kayak, or pier cart truly makes a massive difference. Build a simple tackle box and keep it stocked with a few good lures you trust. Buy tackle that makes sense and buy it as you need it. We all know how hard the coast is on gear— an added plus, your wife will appreciate your adjusted fishing budget.
James Kosub James Kosub says, “I fell in love with fishing as a child and my passion deepened when I discover the Texas coast. Shallow water redfish have become an obsession.”
Jammmeskosub@gmail.com
Fishing five on an airboat requires organization. Capt. Nick had to fix a few tangles.
A clean and organized deck is the expectation when fly fishing.
PRODUCT
Daiwa SALTIGA 15
The SALTIGA 15 is the cornerstone for jigging with lighter gear in depths formally reserved for much larger reels and heavier rods. The spool is narrow and deep, holding 330 yards of 30-pound J-Braid and 285 yards of 40-pound J-Braid. Great for red snapper, grouper, black, flounder, redfish, as well as pelagics like tuna and mahi-mahi. Feature-wise, the SALTIGA 15’s includes signature DAIWA features, like Hyperdrive Design earns it pole-position amongst the competition. “The Hyperdrive Housing, Hyperdrive Clutch, Hyperdrive Digigear, and Hyperdrive Double Support. The SALTIGA 15 might be the sweetest turning saltwater reel of all time. ‘Like butter’ isn’t an exaggeration. The combination of its Hyperdrive Digigear, DAIWA advanced lubrications, and the aluminum handle with T-Shaped Power Knob make it like no other saltwater reel you’ve ever fished. MSRP $599.99 Daiwa.us
ZMan ZWG™ Weighted Swimbait Hook
Berkley PowerBait Unrigged CullShad
The Berkley PowerBait Unrigged CullShad is a versatile swimbait designed for anglers who want full control over their rigging options and presentation. Featuring Berkley’s proprietary Honey Comb Technology, it offers enhanced durability and realistic swimming action, even at slower speeds. Perfect for mimicking various types of prey, the Unrigged CullShad’s natural head wobble attracts fish in any environment. Ideal for use with screw lock swimbait hooks, swimbait jig heads, or line-through treble hooks, it’s adaptable for a wide range of fishing techniques. Customize your setup and target big fish with the PowerBait Unrigged CullShad, the ultimate addition to any angler’s tackle box. ($7.99)
www.PureFishing.com
A simple solution for easily rigging—and securely holding— ElaZtech® swimbaits, the ZWG™ Weighted Swimbait Hook features an innovative plastic keeper molded on the neck of the hook that pins plastics in place, even on hard casts and missed strikes. Built around heavy-duty black nickel hooks with double-tapered needlepoints, ZWG hooks include a silicone bead to reduce the need for Texposing and are embossed with weights for easy identification. www.ZManFishing.com
HIGHLIGHTS
Bow Pro Thruster Integration With Suzuki Marine
By combining the reliability and power of VETUS’ advanced thrusters with Suzuki integrated AMD/BMD models, operators can pilot vessels during docking and close quarter maneuvering more easily.
Seamless integration with Suzuki AMD/BMD models and thruster(s) ensures optimal docking options.
The Suzuki advanced midsection with integrated steering and a built-in rudder angle sensor allowing easy integration with Vetus Bow Thruster.
Simple and efficient movement for docking and close quarter maneuvers - sideways, diagonally, forwards, backwards or rotating in place.
Precise command of Suzuki integrated steering models and thruster with one single-control device.
Okuma
The Okuma Tesoro LDJ is a mid-gear lever drag jigging reel built for saltwater anglers who demand strength, control, and lasting performance. Its rigid one-piece machined aluminum frame excels in vertical and slow pitch jigging under extreme pressure. The Carbonite Dual Force Drag system delivers up to 46 pounds of max drag, while the Triple Anti-Reverse ensures solid hooksets. XL stainless steel gearing and the Flite Drive system provide high torque with smooth cranking. A Spool Lock makes breaking off snags quick without harming internals. Finished with a machined aluminum power handle and EVA T-bar knob for maximum leverage, the Tesoro LDJ is a top-tier jigging reel. Available in 2000 sizing. OkumaFishingUSA.com
tightly. It accurately weighs fish up to 30 pounds, with weights reading on the shaft under the handle and has a flexible leash to attach to a belt, so it stays close to an angler’s hands.
www.FishingTackleUnlimited.com
Matagorda
Bink Grimes is a full-time fishing and hunting guide, freelance writer and photographer, and owner of Sunrise Lodge on Matagorda Bay.
Unless we get an arctic clipper barreling down from the north, expect more mild temperatures and solid catches in January. It has been a mild winter so far, and you won’t hear me complaining — I’m good with anything above freezing. I just need a good north breeze every couple of weeks to push more ducks across the Red River. By January, the shrimp have left the bays and speckled trout shift fully to finfish. That’s when slow-sinking, mullet-imitating plugs like Soft-Dines and Texas Custom Corkys earn their keep. Areas with strong tidal flow typically hold the biggest schools — reefs and mud flats adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway in East Matagorda Bay. Brown Cedar Flats, Chinquapin Reefs, Bird Island, Half Moon Reef, and The Log are all proven winter hotspots holding healthy specks.
Drifting is a solid play, especially with low-tide winter water levels. East Bay is often two to three feet below normal in January, depending on the strength of the north wind. Raymond Shoals, Boiler Bayou, Pipeline Reef, and Cleveland Reef produce well during winter, and when tides get extremely low, shoreline redfish drop off the flats and settle onto these mid-bay reefs.
Just be aware — trout don’t bite every day in January. One day they do, one day they don’t. You just have to keep going and hope you hit it right.
When the wind really howls, never overlook the Colorado River. Trout stack in its deep, warmer water, and if we stay in a dry pattern, the entire river all the way to Bay City can hold fish. December’s river fishing was outstanding, with most trout caught on Down South Lures, Bass Assassins, and MirrOlure Marsh Minnows.
Most days we cast toward the shore and work the drops. But when fish are hard to locate, we troll down the middle of the river and bump bottom until we find a school. The bank drops from two to five to nine feet, and trout position themselves along those breaks depending on water temperature.
We’ve outfitted our Haynies with trolling motors specifically for this kind of fishing. I run a Rhodan; others use Minn Kota. Both have spotlock, which is worth its weight in gold when you need to stay put.
It’s nice having the river and channels as a refuge when the wind wants to take your hat off. If you’ve ever bass-fished the banks, fishing the Colorado is essentially the same technique.
Duck season continues through January 25. November and December were fair overall — steady action, but we’ve had to ease off the pressure to keep our marsh fresh. November produced the fewest ducks I’ve seen since I started hunting — not the fewest harvested, just the fewest days hunted.
Here’s hoping for another brisk front to send migrants south. Not too brisk to harm the fish — just enough for a toboggan and a hot thermos of coffee.
Please continue to protect our estuaries and release more than you take.
Happy New Year!
“We
Port O'Connor Seadrift
Captain Shellie Gray was born in Port Lavaca and has been guiding in the Seadrift/ Port O’Connor area full time for the past 22 years. Shellie specializes in wading for trout and redfish year round with artificial lures.
Literally millions of people enjoy fishing here on the Texas coast, and for a great variety of reasons. Whether seeking the challenge of a trophy fish, catching one of the more unusual species, or exploring miles of pristine shoreline while wade fishing, our coast offers opportunities for all. Spring, summer, and fall can all be delightful seasons; January’s weather, though, can sometimes be a bit less appealing. Some will reschedule unless the forecast is warm and sunny. No matter the weather, though, there are almost always fish to be caught. Remember this the next time your fishing buddies invite you to share a January outing.
Frequent cold fronts, strong northerly winds, and occasional rain may be some of the challenges. Planning around these can be tough. Most of my clients who fish in January and February remain flexible with their schedules and are able to come within a day or two after the fronts move through and conditions improve.
If at all possible, I tell people to fish several days after a cold front has passed to avoid lingering north winds and high atmospheric pressure. Many cold fronts are accompanied by north wind gusts of 30 mph or greater, which is not only uncomfortable in colder temperatures but can also be downright dangerous, especially in areas with no natural windbreaks.
Selecting appropriate clothing is essential during this season. I recommend dressing in layers, beginning with a lightweight insulating undergarment that retains body heat and allows for additional layers. Southerly Fishing Gear offers quality apparel and breathable waders designed to provide warmth while ensuring comfort and ease of
The Herringtons got into some nice redfish action.
movement. Wear sufficient layers that can be removed as needed, rather than risk being inadequately dressed from the outset.
Because of ongoing north winds, water levels will likely be much lower than usual. Places that were easy to navigate a few days ago may now be extremely shallow and possibly difficult or impossible to access. Because temperatures have dropped and daylight hours have decreased, much of the shoalgrass that thrived on the bay bottom during the warmer months will now be largely absent from many areas. When grass is sparse or absent, casting artificial lures becomes significantly more efficient, as the risk of snagging grass is greatly reduced.
At this time of year, the water tends to be remarkably clear— sometimes impossibly so. Some days it will be challenging to find areas where the water is not entirely transparent or shows any hint of color. I specifically look for areas showing a slightly muddy hue, since that’s where baitfish seek protection from predators. Fishing in clear water can be challenging, except on overcast days. Cloud cover can conceal your presence, making it less likely for fish to see you compared to bright, sunny conditions. It is important to note that when the fish are visible to you, they are also able to see you, which can make them shy and spooky.
Water clarity is not the only factor to consider when determining a potentially productive fishing location. It is equally important to ensure the presence of abundant baitfish. During the winter months, mullet are likely to be the predominant forage species, as others have migrated to the Gulf or deeper waters. Observing surface activity is an easy way to find baitfish; however, on colder days, activity may occur below the surface. Look for less obvious indicators like swirls or flashes.
When temperatures drop, fish are usually less active and less likely to chase down fast-moving baits. Slow-sinking and suspending baits worked near the bottom become especially effective. Soft plastics suspended under popping corks are another great option. The cork keeps the bait suspended, making it easier for fish to strike. If you find yourself getting a lot of short strikes, switching to a scented soft plastic may increase their willingness to commit.
Some days the water can be so cold that the bite will be almost impossible to detect. This is when braided fishing line proves superior to monofilament for detecting those faint bites. I’ve fished next to others using monofilament who missed strikes repeatedly simply because they couldn’t feel them.
Sally Buck tricked this redfish with a soft plastic lure dangled under a popping cork.
I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! As I mature in life, I’ve come to realize that it really is the simple things that can bring us the greatest joy. I hope that all of you not only learn to appreciate those simplest treasures but are also blessed with good health and countless great days out on the water.
Upper Laguna/ Baffin
David Rowsey has 30 years in Baffin and Upper Laguna Madre; trophy trout with artificial lures is his specialty. David has a great passion for conservation and encourages catch and release of trophy fish.
If you’re anything like me, you’re transitioning out of a busy fall hunting season and turning your attention back to winter and spring trout. In years past, I used to feel a little guilty about spending so much time in a bow stand while cold fronts barreled through, convinced I was missing out on a big trout bite. But if these are the most complicated problems I ever face, I’ll count myself lucky.
As we’ve all noticed, it’s been a warm winter so far. This is the first year I’ve sat in that tree and not worried I was missing a trophy trout somewhere on Baffin. Decades of time on the water here have taught me a hard truth: the big-trout bite simply doesn’t happen until we’ve had enough true northerly weather to drop and hold water temperatures in the 55–65°F range. Until that happens, I’m not missing much—and I’m better off enjoying my time in the woods instead of forcing a bite that isn’t going to happen.
All that said—the time is now. The bow is hung up, the new Haynie is in the driveway, and the books are basically full. And that may not have been the case if the weather hadn’t finally shifted to the kind that puts big trout exactly where they
should be, exactly when they should be there.
If you’re retired or fortunate enough to choose your fishing days, focus on the warming days after a cold front—especially those with a 10–20 mph southeast wind pushing a good chop onto a shallow shoreline. Even better is when two fronts are stacked close together and you get that warm window sandwiched between them. That’s probably my all-time favorite setup when the goal is a true heavyweight bite.
Of course, most folks don’t get to cherry-pick their days. So let me remind you: I’ve never seen a big trout caught from the comfort of a recliner or from the boat deck while eating a taco with the lure snapped to the reel. You work with what you’ve got and make every cast believing this is the one.
Fishing with confidence is the difference between anglers who catch fish and anglers who simply cast. I learned that years ago fishing tournaments, and I see it every week with clients. The angler who booked the trip is usually dialed-in—focused, paying attention, reading water, watching bait. That guy catches fish. Meanwhile, thirdcousin Jimmy is checking Facebook and stock prices and might luck into one hit to the focused angler’s ten. Happens all the time.
That’s the fine line we walk every day—what turns a tough day into a successful one. On those magical days when everything clicks and the fish are practically jumping in the boat, confidence doesn’t really matter. But on the days when the fish fed overnight, the barometric pressure is sky-high, or the front blew in as you launched—that’s when confidence pays off. It’s what separates the anglers who grind out a bite from the ones who pack it in early.
Remember the Buffalo, Capt. David Rowsey
Buzzy Romine tricked this Upper Laguna 29-inch beauty with an old-school Broken Back. Some lures are just timeless!
Port Mansfield
Captain Wayne Davis has been fishing the Lower Laguna-Port Mansfield for over 20 years. He specializes in wade fishing with lures.
Telephone 210-287-3877
Email captwayne@kwigglers.com
WAYNE’S Mansfield Report
Greetings from Port Mansfield, and Happy New Year! 2025 went by in a flash, and it’s hard to believe we’re already stepping into 2026. That said, I’m optimistic—for this year and the years to come—especially for our trout fishery here in the Lower Laguna Madre.
Winter arrived late this year. Believe it or not, we were still wet-wading through Thanksgiving break and even a couple of days beyond. But as temperatures finally dropped, we began noticing clear changes in our fish—especially trout—in both appearance and behavior. The physical transformation of a spotted seatrout this time of year is remarkable. Just a few cold snaps can pack noticeable weight onto these fish. In my observation, a trout can easily gain half a pound in a short window of cold weather while expending very little energy. The bigger the trout, the greater that weight jump can be.
Let’s look closer at that. When a trout eats a sizable mullet and fully digests it, the fish retains valuable protein and fat. During cold stretches, they hold and build weight because they aren’t burning much energy. That’s exactly what happened two Januarys ago when I caught that 11-pounder a hair over 31 inches. The pattern favored the fish, I was in the right place at the right time, and the trout was both well-fed and genetically gifted.
With another late start to winter, I believe we could see that scenario repeat itself—maybe even better. A twelve- or thirteen-pounder is absolutely within reach this season. I’ve already seen promising fish in our waters, and with an 11-pounder recently on the board, the potential is real. Achieving it will require close attention to every variable, plenty of time on the water, and a little luck. The next few months will be prime time.
surprised to find them in two feet of water; during winter they often sit in that depth throughout most of the bay. If you find them grouped in a series of potholes, odds are they’re sitting in similar potholes miles away. As temperatures drop overnight, they drift deeper, then re-emerge the following days. If you have time to follow this pattern, you’ll be rewarded with exceptional opportunities.
As for lures, a wide range works—soft plastics, topwaters, and hard and soft subsurface baits. Choosing what to throw depends heavily on conditions. With no wind and water temperatures rising from the low 60s, I’m throwing a topwater. One big reason: distance. I can launch a Mansfield Knocker a mile, cover plenty of water, and work it fast or slow across potholes or mullet swirls.
When it’s windy and murky, with water temps in the high 60s to low 70s, I’m switching to plastics such as a Wigalo or Willow Tail Shad. When the water is “trout green” or trending clear, I’ll work a Ball Tail Shad. Slow-sinking twitchbaits remain great options on calm days and even some windy ones, as long as floating grass isn’t too bad.
In my last article I talked about keeping lure selection simple and included a reference photo. Everything above applies just the same. Here in the LLM, shallow water can warm or cool more than ten degrees in a single day. That vast expanse of skinny water demands that anglers stay flexible, prepared, and open-minded about what to pick up and when.
Until next time, remember—fresh is better than frozen.
Water levels have fluctuated over the last several weeks with each passing norther, and the fish have adjusted accordingly—unless the temperature drop was extreme. When it is, trout will hold steady until the sun warms the flats, and then they start moving again. Don’t be
a
Topwaters During Winter
Jake Dickey notched
personal-best trout that we tagged and released for the Harte Institute.
Father-and-son team Bo and Hal Gray enjoyed a solid day recently.
Arroyo
Colorado to Port Isabel
A Brownsville-area native, Capt. Ernest Cisneros fishes the Lower Laguna Madre from Port Mansfield to Port Isabel. Ernest specializes in wading and poled skiff adventures for snook, trout, and redfish.
Cell
956-266-6454
Website www.tightlinescharters.com
SOUTH PADRE Fishing Scene
I’m kicking off 2026 by sharing my approach to prepping for a day of fishing. It begins by checking three weather apps, and then calling the local meteorologist for greater clarification, if warranted. Winter weather changes quickly, so reliable data keeps me safe and boosts my chances. Next is tide predictions—how many, how high, how low, and which areas may or may not be accessible based on those tides. I already have an idea of wind direction and velocity from the night before. With all these inputs, and years of experience, I choose which spots will likely be most fishable. My goal is to be prepared so I can make the most of every trip.
When morning arrives, I check the major and minor feed times and the position of the moon in the sky. One of my core beliefs is that the best bite happens when the moon is forty-five degrees above or below the horizon. For me, fishing success means blending science with instinct.
Arriving at the dock, I reference the features I use to assess the tide level. These can be boards on bulkheads, marks on seawalls— anything that tells me exactly how much water I’m working with. Knowing the precise water level tells me where I can navigate safely and which areas to avoid.
Leaving the launch ramp, I know whether the tide is incoming or outgoing. This leads to another theory I’ve developed through years of observation. In my area, the tide travels an average of six miles per hour. This helps me determine when the incoming flow will reach an area I intend to fish.
With all the prep done, it’s time to search for fish. I look for bait on the surface, subsurface flashes and swirls, and feeding birds—all signs of where fish might be holding.
I’m often asked, “How long do you fish an area before moving on?” My answer: “It depends on the angler’s
Chuck Hopson with a “true thirty-incher!”
patience.” For me, personally, it’s 30–40 minutes, unless I know the fish are there but simply not feeding. I mainly wade, so I move forward steadily. If my wade turns into a 30–40-minute session with no bites, I start thinking about my next area and will soon move on.
Currently, our redfish are staged in shallow water, but that will change soon. January’s chill cools the bay enough that redfish begin seeking warmer depths… but only until a warming trend pulls them back shallow again. When reds return to skinny water, they’re usually hungry and willing to take almost anything you throw at them.
So, where should you be looking for them? Flats along the ICW are a great place to start, especially if bait is plentiful. Spoil islands attract lots of reds and plenty of bait this time of year.
We’ll begin to experience lower tides now, and deeper areas on flats will become redfish magnets—manmade and natural holes, old oilfield channels, and the ICW are all excellent winter spots. I suggest using Google Maps to identify deeper areas within your region.
We’re beginning to see larger trout showing up more regularly. The colder it gets, the better the big-trout season becomes. By mid-January, after a good number of cold fronts have passed, things really kick off, and from then on, it only gets better through winter.
Trout are more vulnerable to cold than redfish, so their migrations from shallow to deep and back again are more frequent. Trout also have a strong affinity for lying in potholes to ambush baitfish. These two facts help greatly when forming strategies to stay in touch with mature trout as they move with changing temperatures.
Much of summer’s bottom grass is now depleted, but weedless setups are still extremely useful for keeping baits in the strike zone without fouling. Hooks like Eye Strike’s Texas Eye and the Texas Eye Finesse are tops in this category.
This time of year, I’m throwing Z-Man’s five-inch PaddlerZ in Sexy Penny, Pearl, and Beer Run. The Big BallerZ straight tail becomes another of my winter favorites. My preferred colors there are Sexy Penny, Gold Fire, Troutcicle, and Plum-Chartreuse.
The Brownsville Ship Channel becomes a winter home to many species, including snook, jack crevalle, mangrove snapper, redfish, flounder, trout, and others. If you don’t mind the colder weather—or get lucky and catch a warm stretch—January will not disappoint.
Apps and websites: In addition to the Solunar and Tide Charts in this magazine, I use Windfinder.com, Forecast.Weather.gov, tides4fishing.com, and saltwatertides.com.
Michelle Rosas sight-casted a birthday redfish!
FISHING REPORTS AND FORECASTS from Big Lake to Boca Chica
Trinity Bay - East Bay - Galveston Bay | James Plaag
Silver King Adventures - silverkingadventures.com - 409.935.7242
In January, with some of the coldest weather of the year likely to occur, James looks forward to fishing for trout and redfish in some of the deeper parts of the Galveston Bay complex. “Fishing out in the middle is usually good this time of year. The old-school pattern of drifting around in water at least five or six feet deep in muddy streaks works great in West Bay. Of course, the deeper holes in the rivers and bayous will fill up with fish this time of year too, if we don’t have much rain. Right now, the water’s salty, and if it stays salty like this next year, fishing in places like the Trinity River, Hall’s Bayou, Chocolate Bayou and other similar spots will be good.
“With the cold weather, it’s important to fish lures the right way. Soft plastics work best for most people, because it’s easier to keep them close to the bottom, not moving very fast. People with more skill can do well on hard baits like 51- and 52M MirrOlures, working them low and slow. When fishing out of the boat, pointing the rod at the water during the retrieve helps keep these lures down close to the bottom.”
Jimmy West | Bolivar Guide Service - 409.996.3054
Normally, in January, the fishing becomes predictable for people like Jim, who have ample experience fishing all year. “We usually have reliable patterns come January. If it’s not way warmer than normal, we’ll have fish concentrated in the holes in the bayous. When that is the case, the fishing gets really simple. Anyone who understands how to use a trolling motor to keep the boat in the right places can catch plenty of fish, both trout and reds.
“With regard to the trout, fishing for them in the bayous is generally more of a numbers thing than an attempt to catch a monster, but we do catch some pretty solid fish working that pattern at times. Other than the bayous, the fish stay out in the middle of the bays, around some of the reefs close to deeper water most of the time in January. Out there, drifting is basically the only way to catch ’em. We usually throw soft plastics and work them in close contact with the bottom for best results. On fewer occasions, during prolonged warm spells when the tide fills the shallows temporarily, wading for big trout can be good, especially during the evening hours.”
West Galveston - Bastrop - Christmas - Chocolate Bays
Randall Groves | Groves Guide Service
979.849.7019 - 979.864.9323
In January, Randall finds himself fishing from the deck of a drifting boat more often than not. “This is the best month of the year to target trout and reds in deeper parts of the local bays, well out in the middle. We generally work to find our fish by looking for areas with lots of other signs of life and a diversity of types of marine life. Sometimes this means we are hearing pelicans dive into the water close around us on a regular basis, other times it means we’re watching big rafts of cormorants diving and coming up with their catch. Still other times we’re watching small terns circling and diving repeatedly.
“Ideally, we have some of all that going on around us, and we can see plenty of rafted mullet, or at least a few jumping occasionally. We’ll throw Norton Sand Eel Juniors in colors with red and gold in them most days, working the lures slow and close to the bottom when the weather’s cold and the bite negative, with more speed and erratic action higher in the water column when the weather warms up. The wading can be great too during a long warm spell with higher tides.”
Matagorda Bays | Capt. Glenn Ging - Glenn’s Guide Service 979.479.1460 - www.glennsguideservice.com
January brings true winter fishing. Wading the shorelines and reefs in East Matagorda Bay is the most popular option this time of year, with an emphasis on throwing mullet imitations for big trout. Drifting for trout over deep shell with soft plastics will also be a good option. Post-front tide dumps will stack reds up in marsh drains and deeper guts just off shallow flats in West Matagorda Bay. They’ll bite mullet, shrimp, and lures like Gulp! and other soft plastics. Paddletails rigged on eighthounce jigheads in dark colors work well when cast at grass beds along the edges of the guts.
Fishing in area rivers should continue to be good this month too, barring any runoff. As we get deeper into winter, the quality of the fish in the river gets better. Glenn likes drifting the banks and hopping soft plastics off the drop-offs, but many times in mid-winter he catches the best fish right down the middle of the channel. For winter river fishing, he favors a mix of jerkbaits like Coastal Brew Darts or Bass Assassin 5” Sea Shads, paddletails like the 4” Bass Assassin Sea Shads, and curl-tail grubs like Big Bite Baits 5” Fat Grubs.
By January, winter fishing will be in full swing in the Palacios area, and the fish will have migrated to their cold-water holes. Trout fishing should be very good in several locations around town. Area shorelines with muddy bottoms and shell in three to five feet of water will hold solid trout. Aaron targets them with Down South Lures in color X and White Ice. On warmer days, small topwaters like She Pups and Spook Juniors in chartreuse and bone produce great results.
The Tres Palacios, Colorado and Lavaca Rivers should be holding plenty of fish too. Coastal Brew Darts in watermelon red rigged on 3/8-ounce jigheads, fished slowly along the ledges, will usually produce some solid keepers. First Street Pier and Pavilion Pier in town have been on fire lately, with plenty of fish biting at dawn and dusk on Fat Boys and MirrOdines in bone flash.
Redfish have been biting readily along local creeks and shorelines. Lately, Aaron has been catching plenty throwing quarter-ounce gold spoons and red/white Hogie shrimptails. In January, with the coldest temperatures of the year usually prevailing, he looks for any signs of bait to decide where to fish.
Port O’Connor | Lynn Smith
Back Bay Guide Service - 361.935.6833
Lynn likes the fishing this time of year, when cold weather eliminates the need to leave the dock at the crack of dawn and fishing generally improves through the day as temperatures warm. “We like to wait a while before heading out to fish this time of year. I like to leave about 11 o’clock or so, then fish my way through the afternoon hours. The afternoon warmth heats up the water in the shallows, and this usually leads to a hot bite.
“One of the best patterns of all occurs on sunny days, when the tide has been fairly high, filling up the coves with water. The sun heats up the shallow water over the muddy bottom in the coves and lakes, then an afternoon outgoing tide dumps the water out of those pockets into the main bay. One of the keys to catching the fish in a scenario like this is to work the lures the right way. Generally, slow presentations work best, but the fish will have their heads pointed into the current
gushing through the cut in the shoreline. Presenting lures with the current or at least cross-ways to it is often necessary to earn strikes.”
Rockport | Blake Muirhead
Gator Trout Guide Service - 361.790.5203 or 361.441.3894
In January, while cast-and-blast season winds to its end, Blake takes every chance he can to optimize both the fishing and hunting opportunities. “Normally, after so many trips into the backwater areas in the airboat by this time, we’ve located some pretty dependable schools of redfish. So, when the shooting stops and we’ve got our limits of ducks, we usually start the fishing off by targeting the reds in the lakes and marsh.
“This month, the tide generally runs pretty low, so we find our reds in deeper parts of the lakes and in the creeks and bayous connecting them with the main bays. On the warmer days, with onshore winds pushing tides in, they’ll spread out more into the shallow areas. Those kinds of days are better for targeting trout too. They bite best over a muddy bottom with some shell scattered around on it this time of year.
“We catch best using dark Norton Sand Eels with bright tails on most days, but on the best days, we will have a good bite on small topwaters like Spook Juniors. When the bite is toughest, we won’t hesitate to bring out the split-tail Gulp! shads.”
Upper Laguna Madre - Baffin Bay
Captain James Sanchez Guide Service - 210.260.7454
Above-average temperatures over the last two months impacted the big trout action, but James and his clients managed to catch a few measuring up to 28 inches. “If this January is anything like last year, we can expect chilly temperatures and possibly an Arctic front. When water temperatures drop below 55 degrees, I recommend wading along the edges of channels, fishing muddy bottoms in waist- to belly-deep water. Since trout and redfish will be holding on the bottom, we’ll slowly work KWigglers Balltail Shads in Plum Perfect, Bone Diamond or Naked Margarita rigged on eighth-ounce or quarter-ounce jigheads.
“During pre-front conditions, increased southeast winds and warmer water temperatures have led to some good fishing. After a cold snap, redfish are more resilient than trout and tend to be the first to move into shallow areas, with trout following shortly after. I like to target them around rocks set in a muddy bottom, and along windblown shorelines with grass beds and potholes, using Wig-A-Los or Willow-tail Shads on 3/32-ounce jigheads. Paul Brown Fat Boys, Soft-Dine XLs and Mansfield Knocker Darters all work well during the middle of winter.
“Finding fish means looking for signs of activity like jumping mullet or feeding birds.”
Corpus Christi & Baffin Bay | Capt. Chris Elliott’s Guide Service captchriselliott@yahoo.com - 361.834.7262
As anglers transition from fall patterns into full-blown winter mode, Chris says they need to keep a few things in mind when planning their days. “First, we need to pay close attention to the water temperatures on a daily basis, accounting for what the temperatures currently are and what they’ve been on recent days. When water temperatures increase into the mid-50s, the fish will sometimes be quite active and aggressive, while a decline in temperatures to those same levels will normally cause a temporary slowdown in the action.
“Another thing to keep a close eye on is the solunar calendar. Personally, I’m not one to look at it every day and base my strategies on it during the summer, but in the dead of winter it seems to be more accurate in terms of predicting the better days and when during the day the fish are likely to bite. Because this is true, it’s important to time outings to coincide with predicted periods of higher activity, usually during the major and minor feeding periods. People who fish the same hours all the time often miss out on some great action, when the weather and solunar activity drive the fish into frenzies.”
P.I.N.S. Fishing Forecast | Eric Ozolins 361.877.3583 - Oceanepics.com
As we all know, January and February bring the coolest water temps of the year. On ultra-cold days, the surf may seem dormant, but on nice bluebird winter days there can be plenty of action. The Florida pompano run started strong this season, even with the warmer water temps we had during November. For surf trout, calmer days in good water may produce some monsters, but don’t expect big numbers in the winter. Working slowsinking twitchbaits at a very slow pace is usually the best way to target trout. Redfish of all sizes will be in the surf this time of year. Mullet is hands-down the best bait in winter, but cut whiting works well too. Remember, mullet must be under 12 inches to use until February 1. This time of year in the surf can also bring a bountiful supply of black drum, usually as bycatch while targeting pompano or whiting with shrimp. Sandbar sharks will be around and can reach lengths over seven feet. Smaller Atlantic sharpnose and bonnetheads are more numerous. Any time the water temps run 60 degrees or warmer in winter, sharks should be present.
Port Mansfield, Texas | Ruben Garza Snookdudecharters.com - 832.385.1431
GetAway Lodge - 956.944.4000
Cold fronts have been moving over the coast. This means lower tides than normal, so everyone should be cautious when navigating. It also means the fish have likely dropped into deeper holes. Smart anglers track water temperatures this time of year and fish where the water is slightly warmer. The cooler the surface temperature is, the more fish will retreat to deeper water. When it’s warmer than expected, they’ll push back shallower. Anglers heading south of Port should stay in the middle zone of the Saucer or close to the ICW drop-off by the cabins. The deeper water east of Bennies Island is also a good area, especially the deeper potholes. West Bay, east of the American flag, offers good chances at a big trout. The submerged spoils north of Bennies Island also produce a few whoppers. North of Port, the deeper potholes on the east side produce best. Water about waist- to mid-belly deep between Butchers and Dubbs islands has tremendous potential. On the west side, the Century Point shoreline is always worth a look. The area north of the King Ranch Pier up to Little Bay can provide steady action too.
Lower Laguna Madre - South Padre - Port Isabel Aaron Cisneros | tightlinescharters.com - 956.639.1941
With cooler weather and falling water temperatures arriving in South Texas, patterns in the Lower Laguna Madre have shifted. Lately, Aaron is finding the best concentrations of trout in depths ranging from three to four feet, mostly in areas with a grassy bottom scattered with bright sandy potholes. As usual, finding concentrations of baitfish like mullet is the best way to locate predators.
When the weather warms, the fish tend to move back to slightly shallower water over a firmer bottom. Then, Aaron catches better in depths under three feet. When the fish are deeper, he rigs his ZMan lures on eighthounce heads; when they move shallower, he prefers Texas Eye weedless heads in either eighth- or sixteenth-ounce. When they’re deeper, he works the lures slowly and close to the bottom; when they’re shallower, he speeds up and adds more erratic motion.
Redfish have generally been reliable on shallow, muddy flats with some potholes. When temperatures decline rapidly, they move to deeper water and become tougher to catch while they wait on warmer water to return. In that situation, working dark ZMan DieZel Minnows right on the bottom, puffing mud, is often the best approach.
Rich Gonzales Sabine Pass - 38” bull red CPR
Jamin Day
Bridge Harbor Marina, ICW - 48” black drum
Todd Littlefield, Brian Christen, & Wade Smith Continental Shelf - 195 lb yellowfin tuna
Todd Riedel Baffin Bay - 29” 8 lbtrout
Roye Strawn Galveston - 23” personal best flounder!
Tyler Byrket Chocolate Bay - 27” redfish
Mateo Morales Rockport - 22” black drum
George Baldwin Keith Lake, Port Arthur - 20” sheepshead CPR
First come – first published! Photos are judged on artistic merit and sporting ethic displayed. No stringer, cleaning table, or hanging board images allowed. Digital images only. Adjust camera to high or best quality. All images become property of TSFMag. Email to: Photos@TSFMag.com Include short description of your catch with name, date, bay system, etc.
Photo
Blaze Ousley 24” first red!
Ben Lalumia Port Aransas South Jetty - 26” redfish
Holly Chiarello Galveston East Bay - personal bes red!
Trish Seder POC - 28” redfish
Gage Moore Port Aransas - 140 lb southern ray
Erin Dougan Aransas Bay - 30” redfish
Stephen Burton Texas Bayou, Port Arthur - 32” bull red CPR
Got ideas, hints or recipes you’d like to share?
Email them to pam@tsfmag.com or send by fax: 361 792-4530
Place bottom crust in greased deep-dish pie plate, and bake, using pie weights, until lightly browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook until softened. Add soup, ground shrimp, evaporated milk, crushed red pepper, salt, and peppers. Add cornstarch mixture. Reduce heat to low, and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and fold in shrimp, crabmeat, green onion, and parsley.
Fill baked pie crust dish with crawfish mixture and place top crust. Bake until browned, 25 to 30 minutes.
