Texas trout fishing

Use 6 inch live croakers for bait.

Are you bringing your own boat? What kind?

Yes we will be bringing a boat or boats depending on where the fish will be. I have a 22’ bay boat with a 150 and a 20’ GatorTail center console set up for bowfishing but can also rod/reel fish out of it.

Trolling motor but no jack plate…have a trolling motor on the GT with a 40XD. I’m not opposed to wading but don’t really know what to look for…birds, currents, structures. Closest thing to wading I’ve done would be surf fishing in Grand Isle

It’s the Colorado River at Matagorda. It’s a much more forgiving bay without the shallow water accessories. Hire a guide day one and then go yourself wherever you go.

Trout are still there and the fishing didn’t collapse from too salty water. Not sure where you came up with that. It took a giant hit from the freezes.

Best year for big fish since back before the freeze in 21 in the Laguna Madre south to Baffin. Lots of big fish caught, have a buddy that caught one over 10, took pics and video, turned it loose. He then threw into same pothole and caught a 12. Pics and videos of both are out there for the doubters. Also know Joey, he grew up down there and says it's as good as it's been in a while.

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As far as fall fishing goes, I like November. When deer season starts it gets less crowded. Weather can be unpredictable as we start getting some stronger fronts by then. If looking for big fish then I wouldn't waste your time in Rockport, it hasn't recovered there yet, same for Matagorda. Fish Corpus south to Baffin or Port Mansfield. Those are big fish areas but they are also not ideal areas for new folks, the Lagoon just south of Corpus isn't to bad, just have to watch for shallow water. South of that around and in Baffin you have rocks that eat up lower units on a regular basis, not good. Mansfield, no rocks but miles and miles of water less than 2' deep. My suggestion would be to book a couple guided trips to get started and then start going out on your own in small steps. When you get closer to heading over here bump this thread and get you my email and I'll get you a report, can also recommend some guides if you like.

pothole drifting with big baits like a corky or mirrorlure/topwater is so fun down south.

I know Brett well, fished some tournaments together. He is about as good as it gets for big fish in Matagorda, the fact he is fishing in PM tells what the fishing is like back home. There are about 20 other guides from Trinity, Matty, and Rockport down there right now as well. The way PM is set up north to south there are days that you just have to write off, your not going to find a place not blown out. We have fished down there with Watkins for 15+ years, the way he does it is you book a week in the hopes of getting 3 good days to fish during the week. My best down there is 32.5" - 10 pounds, with a empty stomach, one good mullet in her and she is 11+, she had the frame. Nothing like seeing a big one flare those gills and watching your corky disappear in the wash.

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know Brett well, fished some tournaments together. He is about as good as it gets for big fish in Matagorda,

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Very cool. I’ve been fishing with him for 5 years. He helped me get a PB and best it 1.5 years after. 29” 7.75#

He is doing the same deal as Watkins. Unfortunately I am time poor at this point in my life. I saw the estuaries potential and cannot wait to go back!