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Flared gills and thoughts for fall

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  • Flared gills and thoughts for fall

    Many of you who hunt deer are steady talking about how the necks are sweeling, well for me, it's gills that are flaring. This time of the year and the first good front signals the change of seasons and the time when I really start thinking about big trout again. I get on this redfish kick when big trout fishing slows in West Bay. I really don't like having to fish deep to catch trout, much prefer to be in the water. Had a lot of fun with the dinks on top last few months, but the big pulls are much better. That's the primary reason that I spend so much time chasing reds. That and the fact that it is so visual.

    Now that the temperatures are dropping, I'm thinking in two modes. Redfish will really start to stack up in shallow water for the next two months, and trout will begin to move towards their winter haunts. Staging in coves, on open shorelines, and reefs, feeding shallow on the schools of finger mullet, glass minnows and shad as they run for dear life! Redfish schooling will come to it's peak in late somewhere in late October or Early November, and sight casting will be outstanding during this period.

    Spetember and October are two of the best months of the year to fish tops in this bay system. I won't likely start a day with anything but a topwater, keyed on the schools of baitfish dancing across the surface. Expect some short periods of extreme feeding both early and late in the day, but don't overlook mid day majors this time of the year.

    The traffic on West will decrease with each seasonal shooting opening, and the reports of birds in the upper reaches of the bay. And hey, if that's your thing, go for it. I will stop to fish birds occasionally, especially in certain areas. Tricks to getting a few better fish from the flocks....topwaters or a larger jig head to get below the dinks.

    Bait covered shorelines and reefs are the key right now, some will have slicks, but others that hold great schools will not. Understanding your chosen area can make a huge difference, as evidenced in my trips last week. Walking 40 yards farther down a shoreline can make all the difference in catching fish. This is again another benefit of the topwater. They are better than almost anything in locating schools, and the frequency of blow ups can be very indicative of the size of the school. Once you find them, switch to soft plastics if you must.

    I personally am about a month from really feeling the need to thow a corky, but it's close. I just don't really like to beat them up catching dink trout. A catch 2000 or catch 5 will yield very simiilar action, yet won't suffer the damage of repeated beatings from trout and reds.

    The month of October will begin to show better numbers of trout over 20 inches in West bay, mixed in with the large schools of small trout that have been hanging around all summer. Redfish should finally start to show in better numbers on the open bay shorelines, and we will get a much better idea of the flounder populations this month. Bottom line, the next two months will be two of the most prolific catching months of the year. With much more comfortable weather, and the potential of greater catches, I can hardly stand being off the water. My gills are flaring!!

    See you on the water, and yes I will be releasing almost everything so that we can all see great fishing for years to come!!
    http://www.theshallowist.com

  • #2
    Great info Soule'
    "I love the smell of napalm and watermelon slicks in the mornin'...."

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    • #3
      Great post! I love this time of year with the reds running, flounder about to start, and big trout showing up soon. I'm hoping to do decent this winter with a nice trout but I'm really looking forward to trying to land a saddle blanket flounder!

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      • #4
        I really enjoy all the good articles you put into this site .

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        • #5
          Thanks for the posting! This kind of stuff gets the casting arm tingling (let alone gills flaring).
          At his baptism, Sam Houston was told his sins were washed away. He reportedly replied, “I pity the fish downstream.” - Nov. 19, 1854 - Independence, Texas

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          • #6
            Wow that man knows his bays!

            Now don't forget the next full moon is October 22 and that coincides with all kinds of fish runs at the passes, up the creek, and even down the beach. This is what we've been waiting for all year long. From kingfish to flounder, it's all gonna happen ... and then poof they seem solid gone and you have to work hard for a stray hookup.

            Have fun and post up them thar pictures.
            sammie

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            • #7
              Great info again from one who knows his stuff.....thanks , Steve , and good fishing .
              GEORGE A. BRANARD, COLOR SERGEANT, CO. L, 1 ST TEXAS INFANTRY, HOOD'S TEXAS BRIGADE, C.S.A. : S.C.V.

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              • #8
                I learn more from your wealth of knowledge, thanks for you time and info Capt.

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                • #9
                  Great post, Steve!! Definitely got me fired up for some fall wading. Keep bringing the hordes of information...maybe someday I'll be half the angler you are!

                  Thanks for sharing.
                  www.FishAndHunt.com

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                  • #10
                    Great read Steve...
                    We are West End Anglers, a saltwater tribe!

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                    • #11
                      Capt Steve...you are an inspiritional writer!!! i just finished a full day charter and
                      after reading your post im ready to go out now!!LOL...great post and thanks
                      Captain Glenn Stevens
                      Coastal Guide Service
                      www.Fishcoastal.com

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by txwhaler 22 View Post
                        Capt Steve...you are an inspiritional writer!!! i just finished a full day charter and
                        after reading your post im ready to go out now!!LOL...great post and thanks
                        Well let's go!
                        "GET OFF MY REEF!"

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                        • #13
                          LOL Kenny...i was talkin smack...rt after my post i fell asleep LMAO
                          Captain Glenn Stevens
                          Coastal Guide Service
                          www.Fishcoastal.com

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                          • #14
                            Great read as usual Capt Steve!
                            sigpic
                            Everything God does is right, the trademark on all his work is Love. Psalm 145:17

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                            • #15
                              Way to rally the troops!!!!

                              Excellent inspirational post.

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