    
Capt. Scott Sparrow
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 | | Posted on Saturday, September 01, 2001 - 8:45 pm: | |
Subject: update
The fishing pattern has been shifting in the last two weeks. The tides are rising, resulting in a migration of fish toward the Carribean-like east flats, all the way to the shoreline of Padre Island. And yet, the redfish have begun to tail in greater ernest in portions of the grass-bottomed west side of the lower Laguna. Indeed, some podding action on the west side has begun, and will increase into the autumn.These fish are relatively easy to catch. For those anglers who want to stalk fish in the most technically demanding circumstance, the "white sand" of the vast east flats will be the place to search for cruising reds and big trout. Under full-sun conditions, these fish are visible for 75-100 yards, but they are especially sensitive in this grass-free setting, since the fly fisher becomes exposed as well. Casts of 60 feet or more are a must for this ego-shattering, instantly addictive scenario.
Trout can still be found along the edges of the Intercoastal Waterway underneath schools of mullet in the morning. As the tide goes out, in particiular, mullet mill around the edge of the Intercoastal, and the trout feed beneath them. Most of these trout are small, from 15-20 inches, but one out of ten strikes will be from a larger fish. Redfish, as always, are feeding on whatever is available, and right now lugworms, shrimp and small mullet are just abaout anywhere you go.
Fly Patterns: We've been using tiny topwaters for the tailing redfish action.Tailing redfish often spook when presented with a subsurface fly, because if it's close enough for them to see it, it startles the fish, too. So, a tiny topwater that lands quietly, but speaks loudly, can draw them from 3 or 4 feet away. I use a VIP popper that I've evolved over the years into a fly that I'd choose above all else for both major species down here. Instructions for tying this fly is at the
Kingfisher website, www.lagunamadre.net, and e-mail me if you have any questions.
Later in the day, we've been using lightweight shrimp and glass minnow-type patterns out on the east flats to catch trout and reds, and abundant ladyfish. I use a Mother's Day shrimp pattern that, once again, has evolved over many years of fishing the lower Laguna. Instructions are at our website for this fly, too.
Forecast: Tides have been somewhat higher in the mornings for the last two weeks, permitting the reds to move out onto the east flats, as they were doing in May and June. This will continue into September, when the "white sand" will heat up with cruising reds and trout in optimum sight casting conditions: a grass-free bottom. While the high tides support fish migration onto the firm, east flats, the high tides also make it hard to find fish on cloudy, windy days. So the fall is not always the best time to fish. Most guides have strategies for finding visible fish on overcast, windy days -- such as along shallow shorelines -- but it's the one negative about the higher tides of spring and fall.
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