by John Jefferson

Winter fishing in Texas has gotten a bad rap for years. But is it justified?

Sure; if icicles form on your rod tip, or the frigid air makes your nose turn red and start sniffling, that might be a day better spent watching fishing videos on TV.

An ice-bound boat is not a typical Texas scene. Winter here is just a bump in the road of life. We can still fish and Catch FISH part of the time. Be thankful for That!
(Photo from the North by John Jefferson)

That contradicts a college professor that I’ve previously quoted who told me that the best time to go fishing is “when you want to go fishing!”

But even the hardiest anglers know there are days you ought to stay home instead of braving the weather when the odds of catching fish are stacked against you.

But that doesn’t justify labeling an entire season as “unproductive fishing!”

Cold weather comes and goes during typical Texas winters. We know spotted sea trout (AKA speckled trout) seek deep holes during freezing weather and bunch up there until it thaws. It doesn’t even have to be 32-degrees for trout to go deeper.

When a frigid front strikes, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department bans fishing for a time in coastal areas with deep holes containing slightly warmer water that specks and other species traditionally migrate to.

Captain Sally (Moffett) Black is a popular fishing guide on the coast. “Fish have to eat,” she told me. “When it warms up a little, they respond and start to feed again.”

Captain Sally and her late husband, Capt. Aubrey Black, founded Baffin Bay Rod and Gun near Riveria, Texas. The lodge quickly became one of the premier hunting and fishing resorts on the coast. It caters to hunters and to anglers seeking large trophy trout in Baffin Bay.

Captain Sally’s tip for winter anglers is: “If it’s cold, find a deep hole with structure and when the weather and water begin to warm, fish rise to feed.“ She can be reached at (361) 205-0604.

So, when the sun comes out again, that’s when it’s time to fish. I like that better than getting up at dawn when it’s cold. Waiting for a little afternoon sun is much more appealing.

Texas has 361 miles of coastal shoreline. Every town along the coast has fishing guides available to put you on fish in the bays or the Gulf. Some fishing communities, starting at the upper Eastern end, include Port Arthur, Galveston, Port Lavaca, Seadrift, Surfside, Port O’Connor, Rockport, Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, Corpus Christi, Port Isabel, Port Mansfield, and others.

One of my favorites is Redfish Lodge in Rockport. I had a wonderful stay at the old lodge, which fell to the hurricane. The new one is enlarged and better equipped. Quality guides can be arranged.

For anglers without saltwater tackle, Red Dot Fishing Pier in Corpus can rent you some. The lighted pier sells bait, refreshments, and fun fishing for popular species. It’s located at 11801 S. Padre Island Drive.

My friends gave me their fish there one night. I finished filleting trout at sunrise!

Coastal areas have fewer visitors in winter. That makes it downright pleasant for us to go!

JJ