Big trout season is upon us here on the Texas Coast with the passing of the last couple cold fronts. I’ve been on the water half a dozen times since I last posted. The fishing has been typical of winter fishing. Some days you catch them. Other days you work hard for just a few bites.
Of the times I’ve been out only two days have been numbers days were I was able to catch limits of trout. The rest of the time I have been grinding. The size of fish have mostly been in the 18-25″ range with several 4lb and 5lb fish being landed. All of my fish have been caught wading. We’ve had some huge tidal swings (2-3′ of movement from top to bottom) over the last week. Fish have been more active on the incoming tide vs. the outgoing tide. Water temps have been hovering in the mid 50’s. Corky Fatboy’s and TTF Hackberry Hustler’s have been my choice lures.
Story behind the photos below:
On Christmas, after sitting around the house, eating and finishing the Christmas rituals I decided I needed some fresh air. I was going fishing. I figured I may have the bay to myself considering the day and the weather. The conditions outside looked dreadful: damp, foggy, overcast, and windy. My favorite big fish conditions this time of year.
I got on the water later than planned but not that it made much of a difference. I fished for over an hour with only one bite from a small redfish. It was getting late and I was about to call it a day but I finally got a good bite and landed nice 4lb trout. I stayed a little longer and got one more bite before it got completely dark.
Not long after nightfall I received a solid thump. I set the hook and my rod doubled over. It felt like I hooked a rock. All weight. Immediately, it made a fast run dispelling any thought that I was hung. My first thoughts were big redfish. After the initial run she revealed her true identity with the distinct surface rupturing head thrash a hefty female specimen normally displays. I could only hear and feel what was happening due to the darkness.
Panic turned to relief and joy after I was able to subdue and grasp my hands around her broad shoulders. The feeling I felt that night was incredible. The memory is engraved in my mind. Landing and releasing such a beautiful creature was the best Christmas present I’ve ever received.
Sorry for the crappy self-portrait but getting a decent shot while wading solo at night isn’t exactly easy to pull off…
