Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce

2012 Spring Fishing Report

By Capt. R.J Shelly

It’s time to dust off your rods and reels, put some new hooks on your favorite lures and come on down to experience some of the finest fishing on the Texas Coast. March will see the spring break crowd coming down for a little break from the books. This is a good time to bring the entire family and let them catch a few fish. I’ll try to give you a few ideas of what you can expect to find.

If you are looking to do battle with a big fish you are in luck! The annual black drum run usually takes place during the spring. The best bait for big drum is half of a blue crab. Most of the bait stands stock them this time of the year. If you can’t get any crabs try threading a big shrimp on your hook. These big brutes usually show up first in Mitchel’s Cut and Saluria Bayou. You better brake out the heavy tackle because every year there are some monsters caught that weigh over 50 lbs. If you don’t have a boat, take a ride down to Powderhorn Lake. For a small fee you can fish at the Indianola Fishing Marina. The big Drum will run through Powderhorn Bayou which is located in front of the Marina. When a school comes through every rod can double over and the fight is on! Another good place to catch large drum without a boat is Magnolia Beach just south of Port Lavaca. If you want to find out what areas of the beach have been producing big fish and what they were hitting stop at J&J Bait and Tackle at Magnolia Beach and ask the guys in the shop. They can steer you in the right direction and sell you any bait and tackle that you need.

If you prefer to wade fish this is a good time of year to target redfish. They will be prowling the shorelines looking for an easy meal. These fish can be caught on shrimp or mullet. They will also hit a variety of lures; my favorite is a gold spoon. My clients have caught more reds on a gold spoon when they were fishing with me than all other lures combined. The key to finding redfish on the shorelines in the spring is finding the bait. If you pull up on a shoreline and notice some baitfish in the water, it is worth a few casts. No bait, no fish is especially true this time of year.

Speckled Trout will start to show up consistently over oyster reefs located near deep water. The best way to catch numbers of these delicious fish is to drift fish with a live shrimp under a popping cork. The beauty of the popping cork/live shrimp rig is that everything that swims in saltwater will eat it. The larger trout will show up along the shorelines during the March through May period. This is the best time of the year to catch a trophy trout if that is what you are after. The method used most by local’s targeting these big trout is wade fishing with artificial lures. Some of the lures that are used include topwater plugs such as the Top Dog, and She Dog, along with the Corky. If you want to try to catch a big trout but you prefer fishing with bait from a nice dry boat have no fear. The biggest speckled trout caught by my clients last year was a 29 ¾ inch monster caught by Mr. Jason Akins of Oklahoma. The fish hit a piece of cut mullet that was being fished out of the boat while we were anchored on May 1, 2011. This fish had already spawned but still weighed in at 8.04 lbs.

I couldn’t write a spring fishing report without mentioning the annual Warriors Weekend fishing event. This is a first class event which is designed to host Wounded Warriors from the United States Military along with their families for a weekend of fishing and entertainment. Thousands of people donate their time, money, boats, etc. to make this a successful event. You don’t have to fish if you don’t want to you can still come down and have lunch with these brave hero’s to show your support. For more information take a look at this website www.warriorsweekend.org.

If you have any questions or you would like to book a trip, drop me a line or give me a call. May
your fishing always be catching!

Tight Lines,
Capt. RJ Shelly

Email captrj@cableone.net
Website www.captainrjshelly.com
Phone (361) 552-7071

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“LOW COUNTRY GAME CHANGER”

Bay Flats Lodge on San Antonio Bay Report
March 26, 2012 By Captain Chris Martin

Wade fishing over the past 3-days can be best described “If you fish conditions; not spots, most likely you’re going to have a productive day.” Captain TJ Christensen stated, “We found them yesterday in a very small area with the Chad H. party.” After talking with him, it sounds like the wind went calm, and what worked during high winds, was not working today. It was a game changer today to fish conditions.

Plum chartreuse TTF flats minnow tipped with 1/16 oz. heads proved best. Just the other day, Captain Jason Wagenfehr worked hard with Greg S. and crew to find fish on the windward shorelines. Despite strong winds, the guys scored big. Todd R. and guests joined up with Captain TJ to experience an epic day for not only solid trout, but “Brute” reds. They also found the PC TTF FM to be the best way to fool their fish. Friday evening the lodge welcomed Robert T. and 23-guests for the weekend. Early next week we get busy with a very busy schedule…Reports to follow.

Solunar Forecast & Predictions

Click here http://www.solunarforecast.com/solunarcalendar.aspx

Weather Forecast

Partly cloudy in the morning, then clear. High of 79F. Winds from the SSE at 5 to 10 mph shifting to the East in the afternoon. 72 degrees water temps. The moon is 3% illuminated.

Testimonials

Bob. N.
03-23-2012
Chris, We thoroughly enjoyed the fishing trip with Bay Flats Lodge last Saturday. John Hill did a great job guiding and I look forward to returning with my sons Johnny and Robert. All the best, Bob N.

Ron Van W.
03-23-2012
Excellent accommodations and great folks!

Natalisa S.
03-22-2012
All I can say is, What an experience! ! It was my first time visiting Bay Flats Lodge and it was phenomenal! The food was amazing, the staff was great and the fishing was unbelievable. I recommend captain Cooper to anyone that is staying there.

E.P.
03-21-2012
Capt. Steve Boldt was an excellent guide. Not only was he very professional but personable, accomodating and knowledgable of the area.

Crith
03-20-2012
Our Guide Rick was amazing. With the nasty wind we had he just kept searching until he found us a spot to fish. He is extremely professional, we were all very happy. In addition the customer service was excellent as well as the meals, first class guy!

1-888-677-4868
Captain Chris Martin
www.BayFlatsLodge.com

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“April Explorations”

Guide Lines, by Capt. Chris Martin
March 21, 2012
Recreational fishing on our Gulf coast is ever-changing, and the popularity of the sport continues to grow faster than that of collegiate-level lacrosse in today’s America.  Youth and elderly, amateurs and experts, genuine Texans, and other folks from all parts of the globe have recently showed an increased interest in a chance at learning and discovering all that our coastal regions have to offer in the way of Texas saltwater angling.  And one of the more notable groups of people to venture into this realm lately has been the women.  We’ve had the pleasure of hosting many women’s groups over the course of the past few years that have been true producers when it comes to photo time at the end of the day.  Now then, I know there are a lot of us guys out there that’ll swear that part of the pleasure that we experience from being out on the water while fishing comes from the fact we have been successful at freeing ourselves from the confines of female control.  But I’m here to tell you that I can honestly say to a lot of men out there that they can only hope to someday become as good a coastal angler as that of some of these women have proven to me to be.  A lot of these ladies simply have it going on when it comes to fishing.  They show up ready to fish, and they show our guides the true meaning of what it sometimes takes in order to make a name for themselves as a minority in an otherwise male-dominated sport.  If you happen to find yourself fortunate enough to be wading alongside one of these talented ladies next time you’re out tossing one of your favorite plugs, you may wish to consider giving things your best effort, as in failing to do so might just result in her embarrassing you at the cleaning table at the end of the day.

Over the years, many of you may have heard of the term “prospecting”.  Definitions of the term include the infamous California gold rush of 1848.  The dictionary defines it as a meaning to explore an area, especially for mineral deposits; or to inspect (a region) for mineral deposits.  I, too, have adopted a similar meaning for the word “prospecting”, but my definition denotes a somewhat different indication.  While it’s true that I do tend to explore and inspect a lot of different spots and areas on a regular basis, I’m not looking for silver and gold in the mineral sense – my quest is simply the constant pursuit of silver-backed speckled trout and gold-shouldered redfish.
Now then, more times than not, our Gulf winds dictate how we’re going operate our fishing activities on any given day down here along the coast.  That’s why I regularly speak to you about fishing the conditions, and not simply fishing your favorite spots.  I prospect new locations in each different wind condition, and what I’ve learned from doing so allows me to share the following analogy with you…Go to your kitchen pantry, open the door, and make mental note of the numerous and many different varieties of food groups.  Now imagine each of the boxes and cans as being different varieties of wind conditions (instead of food groups).  For example, while taking inventory of the pantry, you happen to note there are four boxes of SSE wind at 5-mph, but only one box of NW wind at 25-mph.  If, however, while on your next fishing trip, you find that you happen to be facing a NW wind at 25-mph, you only have one box to choose from in a pantry that contains many different choices.  This particular scenario puts a lot of us in a sudden state of distress as to us knowing where to go from there, and many of us tend to begin to second-guise other available options – only due to the fact that we have not properly prospected other areas or regions.  Another common example is that a lot of us often experience anxiety in the fact that we’ve been waiting all week to go fishing.  We finally make our way down to the coastal town that we’ll be fishing out of only to find that heavy winds have the tops of the palm trees bent over in the pre-dawn hours after we’ve awaken from a short night’s sleep.  We immediately think to ourselves that there’s a strong possibility that our favorite fishing spot may be blown-out.  However, we seem to remember our favorite spot is sufficiently protected from a wind coming from this direction, so we pack up our buddies and their gear and make our way across the bay, only to discover upon arrival at our favorite spot that another early-riser beat us there, or that someone pitched a tent overnight in order to beat everyone there.  There goes your spot – enough said?  This is why I always prospect, remembering to never limit my opportunities based solely upon those areas which are most familiar to me.  I always make it a practice to build wind conditions into many different equations and scenarios.
In closing, and now that the water is getting warm enough to wet-wade without the aid of waders, I wish to remind everyone not to get too comfortable with the fantastic Spring weather!  Yes, it feels good not to be under the confines of several layers of clothes, but this time of year can present drawbacks as well.  Remember to protect your arms and legs with long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and protect your exposed skin with an ample of amount of sunscreen during the day.  You’ll be glad you did!  Remember to practice CPR, “Catch, Photo, and Release”, whenever possible on trophy Trout and Reds…Guide Chris Martin, Port O’Connor/Seadrift region. www.BayFlatsLodge.com
1-888-677-4868

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STRONG WINDS & RAIN COMING

Good stuff By Captain Chris Martin
March 19, 2012

Eric G.
03-19-2012
Chris, As always we had a great time this weekend. Good food, Good fishing, and Good friends. Hard to beat that combo. The quail was excellant for dinner. Everyone had nothing but good things to say about the guides. Already looking forward to next year. Can’t believe we it will be our sixth trip. You guys never disappoint. Thanks, Eric

Jerry W. Lowry
03-19-2012
Chris our granddaughters had a great time Captain Steve was a great guide giving the girls the benefit of his experience, the girls were overwhelmed with the accommodations, I overheard my granddaughter describing to her father on the phone that the lodge was like a 5 Star Hotel and the food was outstanding, on the way home they wanted to know when we could go again thanks to your crew for giving two 11 year olds many memories. Jerry W. Lowry

Tough Sledding
Fishing on Sunday proved to be challenging, meanwhile all BFL guides worked it out and came back with customer smiling. Big weather change Monday-Tuesday- with a full schedule ahead of us, we start the week out with waders chunking lures, boat anglers using live shrimp, and the bays will be rough & dirty. Winds are already gusting.

Don’t Rock The Boat
Partly cloudy with a chance of a thunderstorm and a chance of rain in the morning, then mostly cloudy with a chance of a thunderstorm and a chance of rain. High of 77F. Winds from the SSE at 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 30 mph. Breezy. Chance of rain 30%. Water temps are 75 degrees, with 10% moon illuminated.
www.BayFlatsLodge.com
1-888-677-4868

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“TOP CATCHES”

Bay Flats Lodge On San Antonio Bay By Captain Chris Martin
March 8, 2012

Conditions were very windy on Wednesday making for a very sporting day on the water. Props go out to Captain Steve & Captain Rick for ”Top catches” yesterday. Despite terrible nagging winds gusting to 30 mph, they were able to find limits to near limits of trout, with a couple of reds for their efforts, part of a 10-boat trip with 30-guests in from Austin, Texas. Thursday’s weather is calling for more strong winds, and possible rain chances increase for the weekend.