With typical summer fishing patterns in full swing, speckled trout fishing has been on fire. Light winds and calm waters have allowed me to focus on fishing in some of the other places that have been off limits this year due to high winds. Mid bay oyster reefs in 3-6 ft of water and gas wells have been producing some of the nicest summer trout that I have seen since the freeze of 2021. Look for green water with baitfish activity while using live croaker or piggy perch for bait. Pay attention to the lunar/solar majors and minors. The trout have been feeding in close correlation to those times however early morning is usually best, especially during peak feeding times.
Black drum have been my first choice to target after trout fishing. You can find drum scattered all over the shorelines but the majority seem to be concentrated on shallow oyster reefs and dilapidated wood structures along the shores. There seems to be a stark difference between early morning and afternoon action with the latter being most productive. This is mostly due to afternoon sea breeze that churns and oxygenates the water. Live shrimp or dead, fished bottom or cork will produce best.
Redfish have been a bit tricky but that’s no surprise for this time of year. If you think you are fishing shallow, think again, and fish shallower. They have a tendency to push as far into the back lakes and marsh as possible and refuse to leave until conditions promt them to do so. All it takes is a bit of the extreme, high tides or low tides. Either will move the fish to more accessible areas making them easier to find and catch. A variety of baits will work fished bottom or cork; cut/live mullet, shrimp, crab, sometimes croaker and piggy perch. Afternoons seem to have the best redfish action as of now.
Capt. Johan Coombs
(210)-825-3727