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Update: February 1, 2010

Rockport, Texas Saltwater Fishing Guides

Serving the Texas Coastal Bend Areas of Rockport, Fulton, Aransas Pass, Port Aransas, and Ingleside. fishRockport.com provides viewers with current fishing reports around the 1st and 15th of each month as well as informative fishing articles, tide and moon charts, visitor info like where to stay and eat - fun things to do too! Enjoy your stay in Rockport-Fulton!

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FEBRUARY 2010 FEATURED ARTICLE

Successful Winter Redfishing

(Water Temperature and How it Affects Where and How you Should be Fishing.)

Article by Capt. Chad Verburgt ~ USCG Licensed

Visit Online: Rockport Redrunner Guide Service

Call: 361-463-6545

With Water Temperatures fluctuating from the lower forties in early January to the mid-sixties as we head into the month of February it becomes increasingly important to be aware of more than just what the temperature is outside or which month you are fishing in. To become successful in winter fishing you need to be more familiar with the temperatures the fish are experiencing, and the behavior that is associated to those changing water temperatures.

Many fishermen choose to put their reels away and winterize their boats until its warmer. It has been my experience that the schools of redfish have been noticeably larger and extremely hungry, thus a very good trip. Remember to practice CPR after you have a few for dinner to ensure a good populace for future generations.
A couple of days after we receive a good northern we experience very low tides. These low tides cause the fish to be extremely concentrated in their usual holes. On the warmer days you can regularly find the redfish following the bait in shallow, soft bottom areas. These areas normally contain mixed shell, or patches of structure near deeper drop-offs.

Not only does water temperature dictate where you fish but it also affects how you fish. During cold temperatures while fishing artificials I usually use a 1/8-ounce jig head in water 2-6ft deep. In deeper channels I use a 1/4-ounce jig head. I like to let my bass assassin, devil eye or gulp, drag the bottom and follow up with 2-3 rotations and 2 short jerks, with an occasional pause. Pink or red works well in colder temperatures. During warmer temperatures I use 1/16 or 1/8-ounce jig head using a standard retrieve working it throughout the water column.

I usually use more translucent colors like bone diamond, Wd-40 and pumpkin chartreuse. To have a good catch at the end of the day it is imperative that you fish the type of day. Do not fall victim to the usual thinking, “I caught fish here last year in February therefore they have to be around here this year”. Remember the temperatures and tide levels as patterns, do not remember just the month. You have to remember we are in South Texas where weather changes overnight. Last year in January water temperatures seldom dropped below 60 Degrees where as, this January temperatures almost always were well below 50 Degrees.

See you in the flats!
Capt. Chad Verburgt ~ USCG Licensed

Visit Online: Rockport Redrunner Guide Service

Call: 361-463-6545

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