Port O'Connor Chamber of Commerce

The fishing report is as follows: the fishing has been fair with limits of redfish and a few trout.  Hope to have  a better report when the wind stops blowing. I will be fishing Warrior’s Weekend.

Capt. Bob Blevins
www.portoconnorfishingguide.com

As popular as the shell in San Antonio Bay (SAB) can sometimes become during early October, SAB anglers must never discount the vast availability of neighboring shorelines of the region.  Although the mid-bay shell pads often come alive this month due to the higher, saltier, and greener waters that are symbolic of the season, it sometimes only takes one or two brief shots of inclement weather to alter that picture entirely.  And with recent weather changes over the past couple weeks, temperatures of the SAB waters will soon begin to drop ever so slightly and will also begin relocating both the trout and the red fish.  It is for this reason that I stress to you the importance of adding any of the extensive and accessible SAB shoreline locales to your fishing itinerary this month.  These banks furnish thick grass-to-mud transitions along their grassy edges that often hold some of the year’s larger trout, especially given the higher tide scenarios that we usually encounter during this period.  And because these higher water levels sometimes alter the general topographical appearance along any given shore, shoreline waders will benefit from taking a few moments to familiarize themselves with the stretch of real-estate they intend to wade.  Prior to getting your feet wet, use whatever tools that may be readily available to you, either local area fishing maps or GPS, to study the area in detail.  Make mental notes of where depressions and rises in the bay floor, no matter how subtle they may be, are supposed to be located in the area you are targeting.  Study the features of the water line as they directly relate to the adjacent shore.  As an example, and as one thing I have found very productive for me in the past at this time in the year, setup for your initial wading session by pinpointing and concentrating your efforts on those areas of water that are the deepest, yet closest to the actual bank.  I’ve been pleased with the results of just such exact actions on more than one occasion over the years.  I bet you will be, too!

As we make our way through October, there are other factors to take into consideration for those anglers wishing to be proactive in their approach to success.  Pay special attention to the fact that the days will be getting shorter, which in turn will result in less hours of sunlight each day.  For that reason, it is at this time of the year that I will begin offering the presentation of dark-colored lures, and I will even start to experiment with some of the more common plastic suspending baits – the sub-surface Corky, and the Fat Boy.  The shorter days of fall and winter are often accompanied by more days of overcast conditions versus that of spring and summer, so it is also crucial for anglers to remember the importance of the bait’s imagery, or silhouette.  The darker, suspending lures tend to cast an imitated silhouette that more closely resembles that of a mullet rather than that of a shrimp.  And dark-colored baits also help facilitate greater reflection of the bait’s silhouette against the upward sunlight, allowing predator fish a much better focus on their target.  In as much, suspending baits often entice voracious strikes, and are very fun to catch fish with.  However, suspending baits are not for everyone, especially if you have never fished with them.  They require a technique that I sometimes refer to as “finesse fishing”, and is a skill that seems to only be learned by practice, and then more practice.  So for all the novice suspending bait anglers out there, please keep in mind that many of the traditional plastic baits (in a darker variety) that you may be more accustomed to using will still produce for you at this time in the year.  A couple favorite plastics of mine include the Texas Trout Killer (TTK’s) and the Killer Flats Minnow (KFM’s), both of which are designed and manufactured by the fine professionals at Texas Tackle Factory.  And some of the dark-colored TTK’s and KFM’s that I personally prefer are the Texas Roach, the Texas Morning Glory, the Plum/Chartreuse, and the Bug Juice.  The primary bite shall tend to come either during the very early, or the very late sunlight hours as we move into the cooler months ahead.  But as the days continue to shorten, even the most infrequent anglers should find that they are able to take advantage of these time periods.

If the October weather holds, I’ll go out on a limb and predict excellent artificial lure fishing for waders as the month progresses (and, we should all look forward to San Antonio Bay clearing up).  Until next time, keep in mind that the change in seasons often can bring abrupt changes in the weather.  Study the weather forecast and plan your next trip accordingly.  Plan ahead, be safe, and have fun!  And now, as I close this edition of Guide Lines, I wish to take a moment to personally thank all of our customers, whether new or repeat visitors, for helping us make Bay Flats Lodge what it is today.  We truly appreciate your business, and know that we would not be a success without you!  Please call us, and we will respond quickly to your fishing and hunting needs!  Don’t forget to stay informed as to the latest happenings at Bay Flats by simply signing-up on the Bay Flats Lodge website to receive your daily newsletter.  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

Hurray!  It’s finally beginning to cool-off a little bit around here, and should continue to do so as this month progresses.  And despite whatever rain that’s been carried with this season’s initial cool fronts, we are now recognizing elevated trout and red fish catches.  Heavy cloud cover accompanied by light northerly winds have dropped air and water temperatures slightly, and as a result these first frontal passages seem to have triggered a bite at the level of aggression that we have been waiting to see for months now.  We are finding that the larger trout and reds are coming out of skinny waters that are no more than knee-deep that are generally made-up of sand pockets and grass beds near structure.  And on the occasions when the weather conditions settle the sand, silt, and waves, we are still fortunate enough to be able to find measurable results atop the numerous shell reefs scattered across the Espiritu Santo Bay (ESB) and San Antonio Bay (SAB) areas.  But with the advent of fall now upon us, we can still count on us experiencing some tough days of fishing.  Aside from the formation of any unforeseen and severe tropical weather system along our part of the western half of the Gulf of Mexico, the onslaught of the northerly-influenced frontal passages which begins at this time each year often kicks-off a rollercoaster effect upon the weather conditions.  Such fluctuation in conditions forces us to develop of a different type of decision-making process over that of summertime fishing.  And based upon weather conditions on any given day, we may need to decide whether we should…stay close to home or travel afar, fish a south shoreline or fish a north shoreline, choose the seclusion of the massive back country or look for a spot that offers nearby cover should we need it in a hurry, or simply whether we should or shouldn’t attempt a journey at all that day.  Whatever the case may be, September and October typically mean better all around fishing for our area, and we certainly look forward to being able to take full advantage of what should be some prime fishing that will occur during this timeframe of seasonal changes.

At this time of the year it is not uncommon for us to begin experiencing higher than normal wind velocities that are marked by winds that are strong out of the south just prior to the arrival of a cool front, or by heightened northerly blows during and after the recent passing of a frontal weather system.  And with the exception of the second or third day following the delivery of the latest frontal passage, we usually will combat hard winds most days of the week.  I have found it easier, if not simply more comfortable, to deal with such windy conditions by making my way across to the seclusion and cover offered-up by that of any one of the many back lake areas that are located behind the ESB and SAB bayside shorelines of Matagorda Island – either Pringle Lake, Contee Lake, South Pass Lake, Fifth Lake, Power Lake, Long Lake, Pats Bay, Twin Lakes, Cedar Lake, Panther Lake, or Swan Lake.  Not only do these areas tend to be protected during periods of windy conditions, but I’ve often found, too, that these lakes usually hold large numbers of baitfish, especially at times of high-tides and immediately after northerly winds have pushed a lot of water out of the main bay systems.  It’s at this time of year that I like to begin presenting plastics in some of the deeper sections of some of these back areas.  A couple favorite plastics of mine include the Texas Trout Killer (TTK’s) and the Killer Flats Minnow (KFM’s), both of which are superbly designed and manufactured by the fine professionals at the Texas Tackle Factory to allow me an utmost advantage whenever I’m targeting even the stealthiest of predatory fish upon even the skinniest of saltwater flats areas.  Now, as the back area waters begin to cool a bit, I prefer throwing some of the dark-colored TTK’s and KFM’s like the Texas Roach, the Texas Morning Glory, the Plum/Chartreuse, and the Bug Juice.  And if I happen to have young kids along as members of my party when I’m fishing the back lakes, I find that they (the kids) really get a kick out of catching just as many fish as Mom or Dad while fishing with one of the KFM’s rigged underneath a float.  It’s truly a great thing to watch!

Like I said, the back lakes offer wind protection.  And because of this protection, you can often toss other types of baits that you normally would not have an opportunity to use in unprotected waters.  What I’m refereeing to here happens to be the different types of top water baits that you may have used or accumulated over the years.  For example, if the lake water is flat, or even just has minor ripples working across the surface, I sometimes like to pull out one of my old Chug Bugs and toss it a while.  You need protected water in order to work a Chug Bug, so I like to try one whenever the opportunity presents itself.  Another historical favorite of mine is the Broken-Back Minnow (by Heddon).  I still have some of these in both gold and in silver/black, and they’re still quite effective even to this day, and especially in protected water at this time of the year.  Sure, the huge assortment of today’s conventional top water baits can (and will) work on back lake trout and reds, but why not try your luck at some of the older tried-and-true models once again.  It’s really fun, and it can stir up some really old, yet truly good memories!

Until next time, keep in mind that the change in seasons often brings with it abrupt changes in the weather.  Plan your next fishing trip accordingly by studying the weather forecast for your area and by keeping a close eye on the horizon while out on the water.   Be safe, and have fun!  Don’t forget that you, too, can stay informed as to the latest happenings at Bay Flats simply by signing-up on the Bay Flats Lodge website to receive your daily newsletter.  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

July 14, 2010

Joe L. wade fishing with Bay Flats Jason Wagenfehr live bait San Antonio Bay 7-10-10

Fish do not have schedules to follow, nor do they have any commitments penciled-in on their calendar.  Instead, fish tend to be motivated and prompted to do the things they do primarily due to subtle, or sometimes sudden, changes in their immediate environment.  Some common environmental changes occur in the form of varying winds and velocities, water temperature differences, or altering water levels influenced by that of both incoming and outgoing tidal movements.
However, those are but a few on a list of a vast array of possible changes that can take place with regards to water and atmospheric conditions in our bay systems, and especially at this time in the year.  Another such environmental change that causes abnormal fish behavior is that of unusual salinity levels.  This has been one of the conditional changes that we have been forced to deal with recently simply due to where we happen to be located in association with the arrival of the first two storm events of this year’s hurricane season.

Hanna showing well with 25" trout while fishing with Captain Harold of Bay Flats Lodge 7-11-10 San Antonio Bay

Now, the salinity levels along our coastal region are generally not effect too greatly by our receipt of simple rainfall occurrences.  It generally takes additional freshwater influence to do this, and this has been the case for us so far this summer.  Although these first two blasts were not (thank goodness) direct hits upon our actual locale, our bays still filled with a lot of freshwater due to the fact that these two storm systems dumped huge amounts of rainfall across other inland Texas regions that just so happen to contribute our area with freshwater run-off – precipitation water drained by streams and rivers directly into our bay waters.  Before the storms, we had located a strong trout bite above the numerous open-bay shell locations out in San Antonio Bay.  After the storms, the freshwater had pushed the bite away from the reefs of San Antonio Bay and more toward places offering an availability of higher, and more stable, salinity levels.  We soon began locating fish along the shorelines of Espiritu Santo Bay and in the neighboring areas closer to that of the Gulf-fed waters of Port O’Connor.  But, time moves on, and so does freshwater.  The higher water levels that were affiliated with the storm systems are now subsiding, and with the exception of some high-wind days blowing us off our “spot”, we are once again locating an exceptional trout bite throughout the San Antonio Bay area.  However, it’s sometimes hard to break old habits, and some of our guys will continue to actually take a taste of the water before setting anchor, whether out of routine or simple interest.

Blair Johnson wade fishing live bait in San Antonio Bay with Bay Flats TJ Christensen 7-12-10

Like I said, high winds have kept us off some of our favorite mid-bay locations in recent days.  And although we are now foraging the back lakes to stay away from strengthening winds, we are still finding the trout to be working early and late in the day over sand pockets surrounded by grass beds.  The most consistent plastic lure, and one of my personal favorites, has been the pumpkinseed/white Killer Flats Minnow (KFM) made by the Texas Tackle Factory (TTF), rigged with an1/8-ounce jig head.  But even though we’re finding fish right now, this time of the year can prove to be one of the toughest times for lure enthusiasts, and it’s at this time of the year that I truly like to unleash my passion for chunking top water lures while wading.  Top waters work in calm water, rough water, and in dirty or off-colored water.  I may not catch as many fish as the next guy, but over time I’ve found that I will probably catch better quality fish while choosing to toss a surface walker all day long.  I’ll throw darker colors in dirty water or in low-light conditions – a dark lure in this situation greatly enhances the lure’s silhouette – and I’ll offer lighter, brighter colors in clear water during sunny conditions.  Some of my confidence colors (again, used under different conditions) are bone, black/chartreuse, chartreuse/silver, and solid black.  But with the choice of color aside, there are a couple other things I try to keep in mind when presenting a top water lure as my primary bait.  The first thing is my determination as to what size of lure to use.  Once I’ve hooked my first fish, I’ll make note of where the lure has become lodged upon the fish – the side of the face, the gills, the lips, in the mouth by the front hook or rear hooks, etc.  I know I have an aggressive bite if all the fish I’m catching are hooked in the mouth, and I’ll continue throwing whatever size of lure I’m currently using.

Bay Flats Lodge Steve Boldt showing good with propane customers trout 7-13-10 Fish landed on croaker in ESB

However, if I notice the lure to be more-than-often lodged in the face or the gills via that of the lure’s trailing hook, then I’ll routinely downsize my lure – switch from large-sized baits like a Super Spook to that of Junior-sized Spook or Skitter Walk baits.  Another thing I always try to keep in mind is the type of retrieve I was using when I caught my previous fish.  I often have to try several different kinds of retrieves before figuring-out which one works best, so duplicating the successful retrieve can sometimes be difficult.  But one of the biggest challenges I experience when top water fishing is managing my excitement.  A lot of top water hook-ups are missed out of sheer excitement, as many anglers tend to pull the lure away from the fish too fast, or too soon.  It is for this reason alone that I prefer to pause for a split second prior to me setting the hook on any fish when I’m tossing top water baits.  Additionally, and once I’ve found a good spot, I like to move very slowly in my attempt to cover the entire area with my lure presentations, especially in the interest me wanting to produce quality over that of quantity.  And as always, it’s important for you to know that the fish will not venture too far from a given area as long as there’s food available, so remember to never leave the fish in order to find more fish!

Jolie and family with Bay Flats Captain TJ Christensen San Antonio Bay live bait 7-10-10

Don’t forget to stay informed as to the latest Bay Flats news by signing-up on the Bay Flats Lodge website to receive your daily newsletter.  Until next time, please join us in saying another round of prayers for those who’ve been directly affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  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.

Team Ruthless Gets The Win! Forty Three (43)  boats gathered in Port O’Connor, Texas for the Houston Big Game Fishing Club’s 6th annual invitational billfish tournament, newly named The Lone Star Shootout.  The tournament was held June 23rd to June 26th at the new Caracol Waterfront Development in Port O’Connor.  After a busy “calcutta” night on Wednesday, June 23rd, the boats began departing Port O’Connor at 5:00 PM on Thursday, June 24th ,  for the trip to blue water. The excitement was high as the total prize money was a new tournament record of $578,300.

The fleet was greeted by calm seas and a comfortable ride to the fishing grounds.  When the start fishing time was announced at 12:00 midnight, most of the boats were 50 to 150 miles offshore and ready to begin their choice of night time tuna fishing or swordfishing.  The bite was steady thru the dark hours as numerous big yellowfin tuna were landed at the deep water rigs.  John and Joanne Kolius, aboard the 45 Viking, Argo, reported a swordfish in the boat as did Mike McLees on his 33 Grady White, Michelle Rae II.  Swordfish had to meet a 60” short length minimum, 12” in excess of the federal minimum. Numerous big tuna were reported thru the night as well as several released swordfish.

The excellent fishing during the night continued with first light.  The Ruthless, Greg Smith’s 53 Ocean, called in the first blue marlin release at 7:12 am and the real shootout was on! Bad Intensions, Debbie Conway’s 64 Viking, called in a blue marlin release at 7:18 and Ben Heilker’s 54 Bertram, Mechanical Man, got on the board with a released blue marlin at 7:35.  The Ruthless jumped out in front with their second blue marlin at 9:25.  Sea Mixer, Ronald Davis’ 55 Viking got hot and released a blue and sail before noon. The billfish release calls came in steady throughout day with the 48 Viking of Joe Fraser, Bottom Dollar, jumping in to a first place tie with 2 blue marlin releases at 4:35 and 5:15.  Sea Mixer kept the heat on with a white marlin, giving them a grand slam and they added another sailfish before the end of the day.  As day one came to a close Ruthless was sitting in first place, based on release time, with 2 blues for a 1,000 points.  Bottom Dollar was tied on points with their 2 blue marlin releases and Sea Mixer was only 100 points back with a blue marlin, white marlin and two sailfish for 900 points.  The Six Chicks, Russell Lindley and Mike Dowler’s 45 Bertram, was near the lead with a blue marlin and white marlin release for 700 points. Four other boats, Nemesis, Tailwalker, Ollie Dora and Hydrocarbon were all poised in good position as they each had blue marlin and sailfish releases for 600 points. Nine other boats released blue marlin on the first day and were on the board with 500 points.  The first day tally saw a total of 18 blue marlin, 4 white marlin and 12 sailfish released and 8 boats had at least 2 billfish releases.

For the second year in a row the hot bite from day one did not continue into day two.  Argo reported a second swordfish boated and the Blue Eagle, a 61 Viking owned by the Jones Brothers got on the board early Lone Star Shootout Results, continued…

with a blue marlin release at 6:46 AM.  With so many boats with a shot at winning after the first day the radio stayed quiet as the teams grinded for the fish that might jump them in to the lead.  Mike Thorn-Leeson’s 60 Hatteras, Nereus, released a blue marlin at 12:53 and Monty Scruggs on his 55 Viking, Happy Hour, released a blue late in the day to apply some pressure but the blue marlin bite seemed to have shut down.  Surprisingly, none of the boats that got on the board on Friday were able to score another point on Saturday and the standings remained the same up to the 3:00 quit fishing time.  Pending video review, team Ruthless had their first ever tournament win!

In addition to the outstanding billfish action, reports of big wahoo, tuna and dolphin had come in steady both days and the weigh station stayed busy throughout Saturday evening to the delight of the big crowd gathered.

The 2010 Lone Star Shootout set tournament records for boat entries with 43, total prize money of $578,300.00, total billfish released of 40, blue marlin released of 20 and a new tournament record dolphin of 53.2 pounds.  Most importantly the tournament set a new record for it’s charitable contribution to the Houston Big Game Fishing Club’s Scholarship and Conservation Fund of  $28,915.00.  Lone Star Shootout Tournament dates for 2011 are June 22 to June 26.  For more information on the Lone Star Shootout go to www.thelonestarshootout.com.