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Saltwater Forum
Saltwater outing reports and general discussion about saltwater related topics.
I am looking at getting back to the Lavaca River on Monday. Weather conditions for Friday are just too windy for safe kayaking.
The conditions are looking good, and this particular fishery is at it’s peak right now. The flows have been reasonable, and the weather is helping out.
I have been advised by my best friend that it is not a good idea to go alone, so I am asking around to see of there are others out here with the itch to hit the salt.
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Kayak is my watercraft of choice.
Launch point to be sent to those ready for adventure. For some reason this fishery does better during this time of year for us fly rodders. Later in the year it is an “OK” fishery, but right now there is a chance that it may be on fire.
Weekdays at this, my favorite location, is my preference. Weekends can be problematic, as there tends to be a lot of boats on the weekends. Most of the boaters are respectful, and cause no issues with kayakers, but there is always that “one guy” that can ruin a fishing trip by putting us in danger.
7 of us met at the Matagorda Harbor, County Road 213, Matagorda, TX 77457, and were on the water by 0815, in three boats.
Making our way across the bay was fairly easy. There was very little wind and only a light chop.
Once we got the boats anchored and got into the water, the goal was to find some structure. That was a challenge, as the water clarity was only about 9″. We saw a few sheepshead, but never got a clean shot at any. A few stingray were hanging around, so moving slowly was greatly advised.
Blind casting, and then some more blind casting. From the reports, there was one redfish and one small flounder landed.
The wind picked up early in the afternoon, so fishing the shoals in the middle of the bay was scrapped. We made our way back, with a much choppier water, lending itself to a fine spray as we made it back into the intracoastal waterway. We did try a few casts there, but between the wind, and the current, a better decision was to head in and have lunch. The Waterfront Restaurant fed us well, and I do plan to go back.
It was a good day on the water with friends. Let’s do this again.
Landing and admiring a nice redfishAdmiring a nice redfish, grip and grinAdmiring a nice redfishFlounder comes to handFlounder released to growTravelling in a convoyWe were able to spread out and look for sheepsheadThe water was flat, but not very clearThis is what happens when you make a fewe hundred casts with the same flyThis is what happens when you make a fewe hundred casts with the same fly
This was the weekend that our club normally does “Jack in the Surf.”
The lodging we found is very comfortable. And is a great setup for up to about 8 people. The plan was to be comfortable Friday night, eat well, sleep easily, and not chew sand with dinner. Blackened chicken alfredo with a salad,
Early coffee and breakfast burritos had us on the beach by 0630 so we could be fishing by first light. The wind was out of the north, making our casting into the surf fairly easy.
We finally found a few fish down around mile marker 25. A nice Spanish mackerel and good sized ladyfish to hand.
There are a few pelicans working in the distance. I never did figure out what they were eating.
Wave action is high. See videos below.
More bites, no fish to hand.
Eduardo’s waders are leaking, leading to a wet ending of the day.
Off the water by 1530, and back to lodging for cleanup and dinner, cordon blue with salad.
4 club members made this adventure. Our small group travelled from Houston and arrived early enough to get on the water for an hour or so on the very first day. Eduardo D., Jerry B., “Puck” and Raymond L. joined Bob and Tim on the charter planes out to the lodge where a much larger group was wrapping up their very successful trip.
Here is the report. Pictures and videos below the write-up.
Once we landed and were ferried upriver to the lodge, we had some time, so we went out for about an hour or so on the first day here, Thursday. The water was very choppy because of the storm they’ve had. After about an hour of rolling and tumbling and nausea from seasickness we came in.
Second day out we went out right after breakfast, and the water was easier but not calm. We were able to fish till about 11 o’clock when the waves started picking up again and seasickness hit again. We came in 30 minutes before lunch or so to allow us to calm down and get our bearings back.
That afternoon we got three hits had one tarpon jump and lost a fly. Somehow the tarpon had cut through 100 pound test mono. From the rest of the group there was very slow fishing for everybody that went out Friday morning. Tim, who had not been fishing since he was 14 years old landed his first tarpon. I know he told me the size, but I’ve lost that part of my notes. The jump is captured on the featured photo. Tim also landed a barracuda that he invited to dinner.
Friday afternoon, nobody went out into the ocean. The waves were just too rough so everybody was fishing the canals off the river. The canals were off colored and high. Nobody caught anything on the fly. Some of the hardware folks pulled in some small snook. A lot of very good casting practice, and the rain wasn’t that bad, at first. The heavy rains in the late afternoon pulled us in 30 to 45 minutes earlier than expected.
The plan for Saturday morning is to load up the heavy gear and go look to see if we can’t get out into the ocean for Tarpon, if we cannot, we come back to the dock trade our gear and go fish a different section of the canals.
We made three drifts, about an hour and a half, before Marvin called it. I was getting sick, and the weather had turned. We would try the canals after lunch.
One boat with two anglers roughed it out through the rain, wearing black garbage bags under the life jackets as rain gear, into the rough waters with the improvised rain gear braving the driving wind and rain. They came back with one tarpon to the boat on bait.
We didn’t go to the canals but out to the big water for tarpon. 7 drifts and nothing hooked. Bob found some motion sickness pills for me, and I was able to dose up. We saw tarpon rolling all around us, along with the porpoises off in the distance. We kept watching the clouds, as we were surrounded. I lost the first of two flies, black a purple tarpon toads (8/0) when the tarpon cut through 100 pound bite tippet.
The fishing reports at dinner were very few tarpon, and one of the canals produced fish for Jerry and Raymond. I was able to get descriptions of the flies from Jerry, see below.
Eduardo landed a 160 pound tarpon on a jig. We were trying anything to get a fish to the boat by day 3. The release of this fish was picture perfect. See video below.
This is the day that Jerry and Raymond landed a 180+ tarpon on a purple/black fly. See photo below of what is left of that fly. The fight took hours.
I lost the second of two flies. Another black a purple tarpon toads (8/0) when another tarpon cut through 100 pound bite tippet. “Take it easy!” Seems to be Marvin’s favorite phrase for me.
“Puck” landed 130 pound tarpon on bait, on the last day. This was the roughest the water was on the entire trip, and when this fish was finally released, we called it a day, and went in for relaxing, packing, dinner, and rest.
5 hits on flies on Marvin’s boat.
I am still collecting the stories and pictures in an improved effort to generate interest for next year’s adventures. Right now we have some dates between 1-10 October of 2024 and can take up to 22 anglers. Details to follow soon.
The variety of fish willing to hit the fly is incredible.
Raymond and another fish found in the lagoon.Raymond and a fish found in the lagoon.Raymond found the key to fishing the lagoon.This fly came out of Jerry’s tarpon. Yes, the hook is straightened.Jerry admiring the large tarponA large tarpon hits the skyYear class of snook show that the population is doing well
Never did we go hungry. There was always something different served.
Food was plentiful and delicious. If you went hungry, it was your own fault.Food was plentiful and delicious. If you went hungry, it was your own fault.Food was plentiful and delicious. If you went hungry, it was your own fault.Food was plentiful and delicious. If you went hungry, it was your own fault.Food was plentiful and delicious. If you went hungry, it was your own fault.Food was plentiful and delicious. If you went hungry, it was your own fault.And you can count on wonderful desserts. Here it was pineapple upside down cake. Yes, fresh pineapples.
And here are some more interesting pictures:
Not our plane, but I was wondering how riding it would beOur plane. Small, and comfortable.Log NessJacuzzi needed after a difficult day. Local art
Not a club trip, but I have rented an AirBnb for what would normally be the time for “Jacks in the Surf.” Nilo and her mom want to go down the beach and harvest seashells, so I am taking advantage of the timing to do a little fishing. The challenge I have is that I would like another 4X4, or more, to join in the trip down the beach. There are 4 rooms in this rental, and I plan on using 2 of them (Us in one. Nilo’s Mom in the other) That leaves 2 complete bedrooms wide open.
Contact “Puck” directly with questions. doncpuckett(at)geeemale(dot)com. I may take a bit to answer, as I am headed to Silver King Lodge fishing for tarpon.
2023-10-17 Update: Eduardo D. has signed up already, leaving one room open. The open room has 2 beds available.
2023-10-21 Update: All beds are taken. Firuz, Nilo, Puck, Ed, Scott, and Howard are locked in. Details to be sent to them via email when I get home.
John and Scott fished hard on Wednesday with just a few fish coming to hand.
I joined them on Thursday, with a launch time of 0630. There was enough light to navigate safely, and we were at our first fishing spot before sunrise. A north wind made the water slightly off color, but still it looked great. A nice hard bottom made the wading easy, so we wondered a lot further from the boat than originally planned.
John and Puck taking a break in the bowWatching the shoreline from the front of the boatICW from the rear, as we are travelling SunriseJohn’s surpriseFirst flats to wadeScott points out where he thinks we should goCalm water and ScottScott saw somethingJohn, a quiet wade
It’s time again Fly Fishers, we are looking for up to 16 anglers to go to Silverking Lodge for 5 nights lodging and fishing at their Barra Del Colorado Lodge. SKL has offered special pricing to the club to help promote the lodge . 4 full days of fishing, all meals, bar with local beer, wine and liquor included. All of this for $4,070 double occupancy.
Day 1 Launched to calm winds. Front hit 20 minutes later. Aborted plan “A” and went to plan “B”. Fished the casinos until front passed and wind dropped. Hit 4 spots. We got a handful of trout and reds. Nothing big. Boat ran well and nothing broke. Great day on the water.
Day 2 Fished Jerry’s cove and The Corner. Dead calm start made for a 30+ mph cruise across the bay. Lots of bait working at Jerry’s cove. Waded most of the morning with clear water and intermittent sun. We caught reds, trout to 20″, black drum and a flounder. Flounder will be Saturday’s dinner. Flies that worked were Mohawk Minnow and a Spoonfly. Fished a drain at The Corner, but the tide was still incoming and only a couple of hits, but no fish landed. Nothing broke and no one hurt. A great day on the water. Home now.
This is the PPT that “Puck” (Don C. Puckett, SFC, US Army [retired]) and TPWD Angler Ed. Certified Instructor used tell you how he fishes for, and sometimes catches sheepshead, on the Texas coast.
