The Lower Laguna Madre is a unique bay system for fishing because of its overwhelming amount of sea grass. This area has far more grass than anywhere else on the Texas coast, which can make for a challenging and rewarding fishing experience. Hopefully I can help you to navigate this grass fishing style better so that you can catch more of this regions trophy fish like redfish, speckled trout and snook.
A key part of our local fisheries' success are these grass beds and flourishing algae that you can find in this region of South Texas. The beds provide structure and attack points for the game fish, as well as great hatching areas for all of the baitfish that they feed on. There is a wide range of marine species that call this special region home.
This problem of getting caught in grass is pretty much unique to the Laguna Madre. In this area the grass covers around 85% of the bay system and consists of a wide variety of species. Anglers not used to fishing in this area can have a major problem keeping a fishing lure from getting caught in the grass.
The species of grass named Thalassia testudinum (aka turtle grass) in particular is all over the place. This turtle grass is a favorite for holding fish, but can also be the most challenging. Whether you are an experienced angler or not, trying to navigate this grass can really ruin your day with frustration if you aren't prepared for it.
The ability to keep your lure right above the grass is critical to your success. You want to keep your lure in the strike zone at all times. When fishing in grass, the trick is in the position of your rod tip and your retrieve. Most of the time keeping your rod tip at a forty-five degree angle will work, but when the grass is thick, a slightly higher position on your rod tip works best.
What you want to focus on is making sure that your lure is constantly in motion when over thick grass so that it doesn't get stuck. This can take a while to learn, but once you get the rhythm down pat your success rate of landing fish can skyrocket.
My retrieval technique is a bit unusual, and other anglers complain about their arm getting so tired when they try it, but you don't have to do it just like me. Everyone needs to experiment with their own particular technique, but here is what I do. My lure constantly moves, either up or down, with non-stop action of my rod tip. A lot of people prefer to bounce their rod a few times and then let it drop, which can be successful as well.
The important thing is to keep the lure in motion so that it will not get caught in the grass. This might take some time to perfect, but it can be done. If you are fishing along side of someone that is not getting caught in the grass and you are, take a close look at the angle of their rod tip when it comes down and how far it goes back up and observe the speed of their retrieve. Practicing these techniques and not being hesitant to experiment and change your techniques will soon get you to master working a soft plastic lures over the grassiest of bottoms, and hopefully greatly increase your catches.
A key part of our local fisheries' success are these grass beds and flourishing algae that you can find in this region of South Texas. The beds provide structure and attack points for the game fish, as well as great hatching areas for all of the baitfish that they feed on. There is a wide range of marine species that call this special region home.
This problem of getting caught in grass is pretty much unique to the Laguna Madre. In this area the grass covers around 85% of the bay system and consists of a wide variety of species. Anglers not used to fishing in this area can have a major problem keeping a fishing lure from getting caught in the grass.
The species of grass named Thalassia testudinum (aka turtle grass) in particular is all over the place. This turtle grass is a favorite for holding fish, but can also be the most challenging. Whether you are an experienced angler or not, trying to navigate this grass can really ruin your day with frustration if you aren't prepared for it.
The ability to keep your lure right above the grass is critical to your success. You want to keep your lure in the strike zone at all times. When fishing in grass, the trick is in the position of your rod tip and your retrieve. Most of the time keeping your rod tip at a forty-five degree angle will work, but when the grass is thick, a slightly higher position on your rod tip works best.
What you want to focus on is making sure that your lure is constantly in motion when over thick grass so that it doesn't get stuck. This can take a while to learn, but once you get the rhythm down pat your success rate of landing fish can skyrocket.
My retrieval technique is a bit unusual, and other anglers complain about their arm getting so tired when they try it, but you don't have to do it just like me. Everyone needs to experiment with their own particular technique, but here is what I do. My lure constantly moves, either up or down, with non-stop action of my rod tip. A lot of people prefer to bounce their rod a few times and then let it drop, which can be successful as well.
The important thing is to keep the lure in motion so that it will not get caught in the grass. This might take some time to perfect, but it can be done. If you are fishing along side of someone that is not getting caught in the grass and you are, take a close look at the angle of their rod tip when it comes down and how far it goes back up and observe the speed of their retrieve. Practicing these techniques and not being hesitant to experiment and change your techniques will soon get you to master working a soft plastic lures over the grassiest of bottoms, and hopefully greatly increase your catches.
About the Author:
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 wade fishing accessories like the Sea Devils by Brown Lures. These fishing lures work great for wade fishing in Texas.
