By Brian Holden, Redfish Lodge on Copano Bay
Photos by Redfish Lodge
Many anglers and guides alike look back on the mid-90s as the “glory days” of trout fishing on the Texas coast. I was just a few years into the business, and at the time I did not appreciate the abundance of fish and the quality of the estuary. By 2004, the drought had begun to affect our bays & fishing had become tougher as a rule. I often fondly looked back at the “good old days” when trout seemed to be bigger & everywhere while I was routinely making a 30-mile run to find fish in the late 2000’s.
I almost always mention rain and its effect on our fishing in each of my reports, and the last 20 months or so have blessed us with unprecedented rains in the Rockport area. This inflow of fresh water, in addition to the reopening of Cedar Bayou in September of 2014, has made a tremendous impact on our fishery.
Photo by Redfish Lodge
Looking back on April and May, I can say with confidence that I have NEVER seen trout of this quality and abundance in our bay system in the 23 years I have been fishing the waters of Rockport. Salinity is low, baitfish is available and abundant, shrimp and crabs are everywhere, and we, the anglers, are the beneficiaries of it all.
Another round of significant rain is expected here in the next few days, all but assuring that our summer salinity levels and water temps will stay low, and that our fishing will remain at or near this incredibly high level for the next several months.
If you want to participate in some amazing fishing, book a trip to Redfish Lodge this summer and see for yourself. There is no doubt in my mind that, years from now, we will look back at this season as the “glory days” of trout in Rockport.
Redfish Lodge on Copano Bay (800) 392-9324
