Fishing the Grass Beds in South Texas
Fishing in the Lower Laguna Madre can be one of the most rewarding, and difficult, fishing experiences in Texas. This region in South Texas is home to a wide variety of game fish species ranging from speckled trout and redfish, to flounder, tarpon and snook. What makes this area so unique is the over-abundance of sea grass that can be found throughout the bay system.
One of the reasons that the Laguna Madre contains all of these different species of fish is the grass and algae. These grass beds provide a home and protection to fish as well as structure and ambush points. They are very important to the success of our fisheries.
People who are not familiar with fishing in the Laguna Madre can have a real problem with their lure from getting stuck in the grass, which can make for a frustrating experience. The unique grass beds cover 85 percent of our local waters so there is no escaping this problem that doesn’t exist in other parts of the Texas Gulf Coast.
One particular species of grass, the Thalassia testudinum, can be the most difficult. Locally this grass is known as turtle grass, and whether you are an experienced angler or new to the region it can cause all sorts of frustration if you aren’t used to it. Turtle grass is found especially on both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway.
The key to being successful in this situation is to keep your fishing lure just above the grass, which can be easier said than done. It is difficult but you want your lure to stay in this important “strike zone” at all times for the best chance of catching a fish. The trick is to keep your rod tip at a forty five degree angle (or higher in thicker grass), and the retrieve is equally important.
The retrieve of the lure worked right above the grass is the hardest part to learn, but once you get the rhythm, it will definitely increase your chances of hooking up with fish. When working your soft plastic lure over thick grass, try to keep the lure in constant motion making sure it stays right on top of the grass blades.
My technique is based on constant motion. My lure is constantly moving up and down thanks to non-stop action by the rod tip. Other people prefer to use a pop motion two or three times and then let the lure drop which can work as well. My method works for me, but can definitely wear your arm out by the end of the day.
Whatever technique you use, the important thing to keep in mind is that the lure needs to keep moving in order to not snag the grass. It may take hours of practice to get this method down but I assure you it is worth it. Also, watch the people fishing near you. If you see someone who isn’t getting caught in the grass then pay attention to how their rod tip is moving and their retrieval rate. Don’t be afraid to experiment and practice different methods, that is usually the best way to get better. In time you can become an expert at working fishing lures over grass areas and hopefully catch more fish.
Captain Ernest Cisneros is a Texas Fishing Guide who specializes in wade fishing for trophy speckled trout, redfish and snook in the Lower Laguna Madre. Captain Cisneros recommends trying out some fishing supplies like the Sea Devils by Brown Lures. These fishing lures work great for wade fishing in Texas.
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Tags: Fishing, fishing lures, laguna madre fishing, nature, outdoors, Redfish, south texas fishing, Speckled Trout, sport fishing, Texas Fishing, wade fishing
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