Fishing is like reading a book. The difference is this is a living book. Like a book, you start out by looking at the cover. Only, when youre fishing the cover is the weather conditions. You look at the wind, sun, tide, humidity, and the temperature of both the air and the water. With this knowledge, you can make the decision about how you will be fishing - by boat, kayak, or wading, using light tackle or fly. Then you can choose where you want to fish and what you are going to fish for.
Once on the water it is time to do more "reading". Pay close attention to all of the early morning activity around you, especially bait fish. There are usually schools of mullet jumping around, and small shrimp popping out of the water if you are looking for them. If you notice bait fish fleeing an area try casting in that direction. Usually this means something is chasing them, so that is a good place to start. Look down into the water for smaller creatures like crabs that may also be running away from larger game fish.
Birds may be the most important wildlife to follow on the water. They always seem to know where the fish are, especially blue herons, pelicans and gulls. They will give you clues on where fish are and what they are feeding on. Learning to read these clues can help you catch way more fish, it just takes a little bit of observation.
In addition to wildlife activity, what is beneath the surface matters a lot as well. Look for different structure where you are fishing, like drains. In between islands and sand bars there will be gaps where water flows through. These are high-traffic areas for baitfish, so there are usually predators nearby. I like to sit near the sides of these areas and cast into them, even more so when there is a lot of tidal movement.
I use a bone topwater lure to recon the area. Once fish are located by a strike or a blow-up, I switch to a soft plastic either weightless or not, but always weedless. Then I start working the area probing for that big bite. I section the drain area and work each one with maybe 3 or 4 casts before moving on.
The lure I use most often is the Sea Devil by Brown Lures. Usually the Pink Hologram color works best for me, but they have a bunch of different colors for any situation. This color works well for me whether the water is dark or clear. This is pretty much my go-to plan in almost any situation.
Reading these clues can take time to learn, but the edge you get is worth it. The next time you get on the water look for wildlife movement, tidal changes, and pay attention to weather and structure. Hopefully this will help you to catch more fish the next time you are out there.
Once on the water it is time to do more "reading". Pay close attention to all of the early morning activity around you, especially bait fish. There are usually schools of mullet jumping around, and small shrimp popping out of the water if you are looking for them. If you notice bait fish fleeing an area try casting in that direction. Usually this means something is chasing them, so that is a good place to start. Look down into the water for smaller creatures like crabs that may also be running away from larger game fish.
Birds may be the most important wildlife to follow on the water. They always seem to know where the fish are, especially blue herons, pelicans and gulls. They will give you clues on where fish are and what they are feeding on. Learning to read these clues can help you catch way more fish, it just takes a little bit of observation.
In addition to wildlife activity, what is beneath the surface matters a lot as well. Look for different structure where you are fishing, like drains. In between islands and sand bars there will be gaps where water flows through. These are high-traffic areas for baitfish, so there are usually predators nearby. I like to sit near the sides of these areas and cast into them, even more so when there is a lot of tidal movement.
I use a bone topwater lure to recon the area. Once fish are located by a strike or a blow-up, I switch to a soft plastic either weightless or not, but always weedless. Then I start working the area probing for that big bite. I section the drain area and work each one with maybe 3 or 4 casts before moving on.
The lure I use most often is the Sea Devil by Brown Lures. Usually the Pink Hologram color works best for me, but they have a bunch of different colors for any situation. This color works well for me whether the water is dark or clear. This is pretty much my go-to plan in almost any situation.
Reading these clues can take time to learn, but the edge you get is worth it. The next time you get on the water look for wildlife movement, tidal changes, and pay attention to weather and structure. Hopefully this will help you to catch more fish the next time you are out there.
About the Author:
Captain Steve Utley of Blue Heron Adventures is a Texas Fishing Guide who specializes in kayak fishing for big speckled trout and redfish. His Texas fishing lures of choice are Sea Devils by Brown Lures. Captain Steve recommends trying out some from Brown Lures for your next fishing trip.
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