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Around Matagorda Bay Weekly
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My fishing database is coming along -- I have all of East Matagorda Bay done - I am starting to work on the maps that go with it now.
How to Fish for Trout in the Winter Months
Being successful at catching trout in the winter months means that you have to understand where the trout are and what they are doing. (I think this means that you have to be smarter than the fish...!) Where the reefs end, the bottom becomes mud. In the wintertime this mud stays warm and the trout like to sit on the warm mud and ambush bait to get their "dinner". You can notice that the water gets bluer right next to the shell -- this is where the trout are laying.
As the current moves across reefs, the bait get caught between the reefs, and it is a perfect spot for a trout to move the short distance between the mud and the shell to get his dinner.
Remember, too, that trout do not move as much in the wintertime, so they have to use their other senses more to find food. This means that noisy people don't catch as many trout! So, keep your tackle working smooth and quiet, and get that bait away from you as far as possible.
Pumpkinseed/chartreuse assassins work well as do several other colors, but you need to keep the jig head on and off the bottom. Cast in a fan pattern, going back and forth between 9 o'clock, 3 o'clock, and in between. Trout hold tight when they bite the plastic so you will want to use a moderate hook set.
Weekly Fishing Report
Thursday, 11/22/01
Not much of a fishing report today -- most people were home spending time with their families on the holiday. A few went out, though, and caught decent stringers of trout under the birds in East Maagorda Bay. Others caught a few redfish and some sheepshead at the pier on Matagorda Beach using dead shrimp.
Wednesday, 11/21/01
East Matagorda Bay is where it's at right now! Drifting under scattered shell and under diving birds still seems to prove the most consistent plan for catching trout. Use artificial bait such as trout killers and Norton sandeels -- in red/white, pumpkinseed w/ chartreuse tail, etc. Whiting and redfish are being caught on live shrimp and cut mullet in the surf at Matagorda Beach.
Tuesday, 11/20/01
A few boats were out late this evening, but as far as we know, no one went fishing today. The wind slacked off a lot during the day.
Monday, 11/19/01
Good fishing -- drifting over scattered shell on the west end of East Matagorda Bay -- catching trout and reds! Wadefishing was productive in spots in the southeast part of East Matagorda Bay. No report from West Bay or the jetty pier.
Sunday, 11/18/01
In East Matagorda Bay fair catches of trout and reds were caught by drifting over scattered shell using artificial baits. A few reds were caught around the reefs in West Matagorda Bay. The pier at the jetties produced some reds and big sheephead caught on live shrimp. There are still flounder being caught at the locks using live finger mullet.
Saturday, 11/17/01
What a beautiful day here in Matagorda! Fishing was fair -- not as good as last week but had a few fair catches of trout and redfish drifting under the birds in East Matagorda Bay. The locks, however, were great for flounder fishing, using live finger mullet for bait.
Friday, 11/16/01
Wow - what a day! The wind was blowing and it rained all day. Very few people went out and we had very few reports of fish being caught. Tomorrow may be a little better - it should be partly cloudy, in the mid 70s, but the wind will be out of the east at about 10 mph. So, come on down and give it a shot!
Thursday, 11/15/01
Not real good fishing -- East Bay produced a few trout and reds by drifting over scattered shell on the south shoreline. Wind out of the ESE really had the bay messed up. In West Matagorda Bay there were some trout and redfish caught by wading along the south shoreline, but again, the wind was messing the water up. No report from Matagorda Beach because of the wind. Wind should keep blowing like this for a couple of days.
Wednesday, 11/14/01
Drift-fishing over scattered shell produced some trout and redfish again today in East Matagorda Bay. Some wade-fishing on the south shoreline produced catches of trout. In West Matagorda Bay wade-fishing along the south shoreline again produced trout -- and some redfish.
Good luck fishing -- and remember to stop in and visit the businesses here in Matagorda when you come down. Waterfront Restaurant has REALLY good seafood...
Till next week,
Webmaster
http://www.matagorda-bay.com