3 minute read

The View from Matagorda Bink Grimes

We pray for light north winds in July 85 degrees it takes the bay a little longer to clear. That’s nothing that drop temperatures a bit and new for July – we deal with it every year. flatten the surf. The attractive aspect Those low tides congregate fish in guts. All those redfish that of Matagorda is the miles of beach have been hanging out tight to the shorelines in June, school in available to anyone with a 4x4 or a boat. the middle of East Bay during July. Often we catch more reds than

Matagorda Whenever we can get in the surf we go. trout while drifting 4-5 feet of water. If you happen to see a slick you It’s important to try and fish the better fish it. surf the first day it greens and flattens. While wading, I like to be somewhere around the pass or jetty. It’s been my observation that trout Tides are going to be strongest around the pass. I like to work the Bink Grimes is a full-time fishing get tougher to catch by the third day grass beds within sight of Port O’Connor. Fish there love a Super and hunting guide, freelance of a green surf. Predators like sharks, Spook Jr. or She Pup and plastics like Bass Assassins, Down South writer and photographer, and mackerel, huge redfish, and tarpon Lures, and MirrOlure Soft Dines. owner of Sunrise Lodge on find the clear shallows and try to find The question concerning our trout stocks since the freeze remains Matagorda Bay. an easy meal. Yes, all of these fish eat the hot topic among anglers seeking charter information. I have had speckled trout. We prefer they eat some great days wading and drifting for trout since April. The neat Telephone all those shad, pogies, mullet, and thing is we have released hundreds of trout back to the bays. I am 979-241-1705 shrimp roaming the first Email binkgrimes@sbcglobal.net Website gut, but often specks get caught in the fury. matagordasunriselodge.com Since July is synonymous with westerly wind on our part of the coast, water clarity can become an issue. If we can find streaky water – off-colored water with hints of green streaks – we feel like we can find fish to catch.

West winds push dry, blistering air off the Mexican desert and give us arid days while sucking water out of the bays and draining tides from the shorelines. With tides low and water temperatures feeling like bath water, a change in fishing tactics is in order.

Though winds do dip below 10 knots this time of year, weak tides often do not allow bays to clear, especially when water temperatures are in the upper-80s and tides are two feet below normal. When the water gets around grateful for a customer base who cherish our estuaries and want to do everything they can to be good stewards of our waters. Attitudes are changing and hopefully more will get on board with the “keep only a few if you must and release the rest.” Jesus fed 5000 with a few loaves and two small fish – it shouldn’t take much more to feed you. Please take care of our natural resources. Pick up your trash, be good neighbors, treat others with respect, and let’s all be good Americans.

View The Video Open Camera and hover over QR Code. When link appears at top of screen tap to open in YouTube.