Category: Fishing

We are back at it on our home waters of Seadrift, and done with Port Mansfield Winter fishing. It was a great season down south, we had a lot of good weather days on the water and with that a good number of 4-7# trout. It seems that system is continuing to recover nicely. In March and April as the water temps climbed it did give up a few 8 pound fish. Which was really awesome to see all things considered.

Can’t wait until this winter, but until then we will be here in Seadrift, TX. chasing redfish off the tower and a new way. Like yesterday’s outing with one person, we didn’t take the tower along. We simply trolled into small ponds or down the shorelines throwing plastics and topwaters. In the small ponds we would powerpole down able to cast all the way across the pond, working it from all sides until we moved on. We were able to stumble into a few small ponds of 10-15 fish this way. All our fish yesterday were released to fight another day.

For those of y’all thinking there’s no way I could hit a moving redfish on the head with a soft plastic off a tower, or little own be able to spot one. Well now I would like to extend the offer of simply trolling these secluded back marsh ponds, working each pond over and moving to the next.

Continue reading “Seadrift, TX. Sight Casting 4/28/23”

Fishing at night has many advantages. For starters, some fish species are more active once the sun sets, and you don’t have to deal with glare.

One of the best places to try night fishing is from a dock. Read on to learn a few things to remember when dock fishing at night.

Use the Right Bait

The bait you use will play significantly into whether you catch anything. Different fish species have unique behaviors and preferences that you must consider. You won’t get any bites if you’re trying to attract fish with something they’re not interested in.

It’s essential to match your live bait or lure to the types of fish in the area. Carefully select lures according to the type of fish you want to catch. If you’re using live bait, you should catch it from a natural environment or purchase it with the help of a local supplier to ensure fish take an interest in your line.

Bring a Light

Bright lights attract tiny creatures that fish feed on. If you shine a light and bring these creatures to the surface, the fish will follow, giving you a clearer picture of what’s in the water. This technique also allows you to tailor your line to the local population.

The type of light you use can significantly affect your overall fishing experience. LEDs, HIDs, and other types of lighting may require additional maintenance, depending on your setup. While many options are available, knowing how to choose the right dock fishing lights will give you an excellent place to start.

Fish Right at Dusk and Dawn

While fishing during the dead of night can have its perks, hitting the sweet spot just after the sun goes down or right before it rises will allow you to get your pole in the water when the fish are at their most active.

Changing light levels trigger active feeding in most fish populations, making dawn and dusk the perfect times to drop a line. Fishing from a dock during these periods provides a quiet, comfortable experience with plenty of opportunities to snag a big catch.

Remember To Stay Safe While Fishing at Night

Although night fishing can be a lot of fun, there are some things to be aware of. Bring a floatation device, even if you aren’t planning to go into the water, and don’t leave your gear sitting around where you can trip over it.

The most important thing to remember when dock fishing at night is that you need a reliable light source. Otherwise, you can fish with all your favorite techniques and enjoy unique catches!

Humans have fished for subsistence for thousands of years, and fishing for sport has existed for just as long. Reeling in a big fish is fun, no matter what you plan to do with it!

The question of what to do with a fish once you’ve caught it has several answers. Many fishers who lure bass or trout take many of them home. Still, many fishing enthusiasts practice catch-and-release fishing. Let’s learn why releasing fish is important to many enthusiasts.

Maintaining Fish Populations

Releasing a fish once you’ve caught it ensures fish can reproduce and make more fish! Catch-and-release fishing keeps fish populations stable year after year. That way, fishers make a minimal environmental impact and preserve the area for future generations to enjoy.

Letting Young Fish Grow

If you catch a young fish on your trip, let it go so it can reproduce and complete its life cycle! Release a fish after capture so it can do its part in making more fish for the future. Catch-and-release is the best form of fishing in many anglers’ eyes. It’s heaps of fun and leaves a minimal footprint on the ecosystem.

Adhering to Local Laws

You cannot legally take certain fish species home, but they’re fun to catch anyway. Depending on where you’re fishing, native fish populations are in danger of extinction. Expert anglers know which fish they can’t keep and take plenty of photos before releasing them.

Keeping the Industry Afloat

Overfishing is a serious threat to many species, largely due to industrial fisheries and over-eager tourists. When too many fish of a certain species get snapped up, populations suffer. A decade down the line, there may be none left for future tourists. Many fishing tourism hubs place bag limits on how many fish you can take home because they want to stay in business by maintaining those populations.

Fishing enthusiasts practice catch-and-release fishing for various reasons, from legal limitations to conservation efforts. Learn why catch-and-release is so popular, and consider practicing it yourself!

Anglers shouldn’t just be sportsmen and sportswomen—they should be conservationists. After all, don’t we want to preserve the beautiful Texas outdoors you love and enjoy so much? Learn how you can help conserve the environment as an angler below!

Pay for a Fishing License

Anglers should always have a license, as it’s legally necessary to fish in Texas for anyone over 17, but the fee for licenses isn’t just money down the drain. Instead, it helps the state’s environment. Much of the money from fishing licenses goes toward government environmental maintenance projects to preserve fisheries for anglers today and in the future.

These funds are vital for many state agencies to monitor fish and other species populations carefully and evaluate Texas water quality. It may seem like a hassle for anglers, but when everyone chips in a few bucks for a license, they’re helping ensure their children and children’s children can enjoy the same fisheries and watering holes they did.

Battle Invasive Species

Invasive species are a problem in many Texas waterways, with some of the worst being zebra mussels, giant Salvinia, and Asian swamp eels. As anglers are the ones who frequent many of these waterways, they hold a responsibility to do what they can to help slow the spread of invasive species so harmful to Texas’s environment.

Anglers must be diligent about the invasive species found at their fishing spots and carefully clean and sanitize their fishing gear and boat if they travel from one body of water to another. Many state agencies post notices of invasive species at popular fishing spots, so keep an eye out for those postings and do what you can to root out invasive species.

Preserve Natural Cover

Another part of Texas waterways that anglers should consider conserving is the natural cover on the water and along the banks and surrounding habitat. Natural features and vegetation aren’t just cosmetic but are crucial for wildlife and Texas ecosystems because they provide food and shelter to many species, not just fish.

As an angler, you may want more accessible pegs and feel tempted to clear out some vegetation and natural covers, but you can harm the environment more than you realize. Anglers should try to leave the waterway and environment as they find them—undisturbed.

Clean Up Litter

The simplest but one of the most effective ways anglers can help conserve the environment is by doing their part to clean up when they see trash around. Waters that attract lots of anglers unfortunately also tend to attract lots of litter like discarded fishing tackle and garbage from food and drink.

If you’re fishing and see litter lying about, pick it up and dispose of it properly to keep Texas clean. If you bring plastic packaging for a drink or snack, bring some trash bags to dispose of your garbage properly.

Been waiting for this weather for 8 months now. The day before this front hit, the water temp was 86 degrees. Today is ranged from 66-68, this always gets the better fish active. Timing is key, and knowing where they will be lying in wait is the most fun part to figure out.

The plan worked today while out doing homework for some upcoming trips. These fish were thumping Softdine XL’s and and baby Mirrodines.

Continue reading “San Antonio Bay Winter Trout!”

There’s nothing quite like getting out on the river for a day of fishing. Many enthusiasts consider river fishing a relaxing and enjoyable outdoor activity. As you plan your next nature-bound vacation, read up on some of the best destinations for river fishing in the United States.

Alaska: Soldotna River Walk

Have you ever been night fishing? Many enthusiasts make Soldotna their destination when looking for sockeye. After dark, sockeye salmon tend to swim closer to the shore, so you won’t need to wade in too deep. Pack your hip waders and prepare for an ethereal night of fishing in the dark.

Idaho: Snake River

The boisterous twists of the Snake River run through Hells Canyon, the deepest canyon gorge on the North American continent. Plenty of fish, from trout to crappie to chinook salmon, call this river home. Enjoy the biodiversity of the river and the majestic nature views all around you.

Florida: Suwannee River

This delightful blackwater stream in Florida runs through a variety of marshes and wetlands, flowing more than 200 miles from Georgia all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Bass, both largemouth and smallmouth, abound here—you may even catch one that’s trophy-sized!

Montana: Yellowstone River

The Yellowstone River is the longest undammed river in the continental United States. Whether you prefer to wade in or take a boat out, you’ll see for yourself why it’s renowned for its trout fishing. For an unforgettable fly-fishing experience, head out to the mighty Yellowstone.

Texas: Brazos River

Don’t feel like traveling far? There are plenty of incredible rivers for fishing right here in Texas. The Brazos River, while muddy in many parts, boasts some of the best angling around right below Possum Kingdom Lake. Catch a wide variety of bass and channel catfish in these copper-tinted waters.

The best river fishing destinations in the United States aren’t always crowded tourist traps. Often, they’re tucked away in the wilderness or only famous among anglers. Grab your rod, reel, and tackle box and head out to one of these rivers for a productive day—or night—of fishing!

Every fisher needs a dependable boat. Whether you prefer bowfishing, flounder gigging, or using a rod and reel, your boat could be the difference between a successful catch and a dead end. With so many options available, deciding between boating updates can feel exhausting.

Your enhancements will largely depend on the types of fishing you do. However, there are some upgrades you should make for your fishing boat regardless of your angling preferences. Reel in the big ones by making these helpful renovations.

Optimize Your Motor

If you’ve been fishing for a while, your boat has probably seen better days. Old engines require more effort to travel a short distance and are costly to maintain. Optimizing your motor will get you from point A to point B in record time.

Replace outdated outboard motors with newer models for maximum efficiency. Add an on-boat battery charger to ensure you always have enough power. For trolling motors, learn how to bond a portable generator for bowfishing to enhance performance and prevent electrical malfunctions.

Build a Live-Bait Tank

Every budding angler remembers using worms and minnows for bait. While some veterans believe that lure fishing is the mark of an expert, there are still several advantages to fishing with live bait. If this is how you choose to fish, you’ll need a live-bait tank to keep your options fresh.

There’s nothing worse than realizing you’re out of bait in the middle of a trip. Installing your own live-bait tank will help you avoid that problem. Crafty anglers can build their own tanks; however, there are plenty of 20+ gallon tanks on the market that will keep your bait alive.

Install an LED Light System

Another upgrade you should make for your fishing boat is adding an LED light system. This is especially helpful for night-fishers who need to illuminate dark waters. LED lights last longer and are more energy-efficient, making them the perfect addition to your setup.

Apply LED light strips to interior railings and steering areas to help your vision. These lights are low enough that they won’t disturb any potential catches. Gone are the days of juggling flashlights, rods, and bait!

You could also consider using radar technology or fish-finding software and upgrading your anchor to improve your experience. Customizing your boat to fit your needs will increase your odds and make you a more successful angler.