Many thanks to the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce for choosing me as their Partner of the Week last July. It has been a pleasure to have been a member for 10 years and their contribution to our tourism in Port Aransas is no doubt, Great!
An experience on the water with Capt Kenjo is full of useful information about this flora fauna as well as the history this area has to offer.
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Texas Fog rolls in off the gulf during warm fronts in the Winter. Along the Texas Coast, muddy drum can be found in various areas when deep water meets shallow oyster beds. In winter the southerly warm fronts jockey for position with the cold Northers, the fog sets in. It can stay for a few days. not to worry though, clear water and solid cloud cover still lets us sight-fish from the skiff!
There are still dates in Jan Feb open so pick your day quickly and prepare for either blue and grey skies! The fishing in Winter is some of the best of the year!
On those foggy days when the water is chilly, redfish and black drum will float on the surface warming themselves. When they do fish are usually easily visible even though there is low light and you will get shots at your fish.
When the fog stays put all day, sight fishing can still work out well. While the water may be cool (44 degrees F in some cases) muddy drum in Texas Fog can be very productive.
Sometimes we got to use the boots to get through a stretch where the fish are lurking and these Simms boots stay in the boat 24/7 for just that reason.
The solution is simple and the trick is to not look out too far from the boat. Anglers need to only scan 10-30ft from the boat. Many Anglers are surprised when they realize they can see that upper-slot redfish or oversized black drum only 10ft away. Calm casts with minimal body movement is necessary. You will want to be able to present the fly to such a close fish without spooking it.
Some days the giant black drum don’t want to eat as seen in the drone videos. But on other days, the eat the fly like a champ! Do you want to hook into and hug a Big Ugly black drum? Winter-time can be the best time to have chances at big redfish and black drum!
The heart pounding strikes from Texas Summer Jack Crevelle is one experience you simply do not want to miss! Get on board and reserve your date to come fly fishing for Jack Crevelle in May, June & July. BOOK NOW to reserve your summer fly fishing trip!
The water boils and becomes frothy as 20-50lb Jack Crevelle crush baitfish on the surface spraying saltwater in every direction. Not to mention that six foot diameter boils are visible all around the boat and the fish are roughly 40 inches in total length. Unable to cast a fly, you are too excited to see these jacks marauding baitfish boat side. Seeing that, the mayhem begins to consume your nerves and shakily the fly barely falls to the water in your attempt to cast at the fierce jacks. Provided that it is all you can do to find your own hands and make them strip the top water fly enough to set the hook.
Undoubtedly as the line clears the deck something is strangling a thigh and the fly line is wrapped up on everything. POP! There goes the 50lb leader! Or it tangles on something else like the push pole. Whereas all kinds of human sounds and languages can be heard. Including muffled cries or insane laughter to a sailor’s preferred verbiage. Even silence may ensue. BAM! Albeit in an instant, you’ve just had your first Jack Crevelle experience.
Indeed as is true in most fishing styles, patience is a virtue. In sight casting, patience is key in getting that short glimpse into the red drum’s world. Especially hunting Texas Summer Jack Crevelle requires patience. Accordingly we search expansive open areas of Corpus Christi and Aransas Bays it is critical to exercise patience.
Therefore from season to season they are very predictable and in off years, they are most elusive. All in all the jacks reveal themselves in a number of ways and often times their presence is only known for a brief moment. By and large, these fish can cruise at 12 mph sleepily. All kinds of factors influence their presence in an area and how long they stay. Some years we encounter them for 3 solid months.
What’s more is if you manage to hookup to a Jack Crevelle get ready for a whippin! Moreover the mighty Jack Crevelle, is mostly victorious in a battle with a fly angler. Also if our efforts go smoothly through luck, skill and preparation the reward is to enjoy holding a back breaking brute of a fish. Behold, the infamous Mr. Jack Crevelle.
In spite of missed attempts in the anglers success, one cannot give up easily or early.
Subsequently this coming Summer Jack Crevelle fishing on fly rod could be exciting. Overall if you’ve ever wanted to fight a big fish, the Jack Crevelle is right for you. BOOK NOW for the months of May June and July and you may not be disappointed but you may get beat up by them!
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Fly Fishing fleet week was at its best recently. All other anglers were also very kind. Uncommonly we fished in the fleet as “easy” catching was too good to pass up. Several of our Guest Anglers capitalized on the action while it lasted! Many thanks to the friendly local bay guides who invited us to fish the same area. Sharing the tight space kindly brought tons of laughs for everyone.
Stroll out of the marina early morning in Port Aransas. In order to peak the anglers curiosity before joining the fleet, fabled stories of yesterday floated across new ears.
Only minutes later, Captain Kenjo eased the fly fishing skiff off plane and jumped onto the platform with manual pole power. He asked the guests of the day if they would like to try to catch the schooling redfish for some “fleet week fly fishing”. They of course respond with a definitive, “Yes”!
The skiff slid silently into position as we flanked the fleet of 20 bay boats. Intermediate lines let us help the fly sink deep. Then only a few strips were needed to get the bite and set the hook.
We caught and released close to a dozen mid to upper slot Texas redfish. Our anglers were worn out quick! Next, we move on to another place with less boat wakes to take in the serenity of the Texas marsh before the next isolated storm pushed us off the water. You know it too though, fly fishing the Texas Gulf Coast always has its adventures!
There many ways to fish the saltwater. I was happy to see respect from the other bay guides and recreational anglers in such a situation. We are all from around Port Aransas, Rockport, Corpus, and Aransas Pass areas. Happily, everyone was sharing the space and the redfish too. Courtesy on the water certainly is the best way to go.
Despite fishing among so many boats we had tons of fun fishing the fleets for a few days. Mostly we focus on isolated areas of the San Jose, Mustang Island marshes. This time exceptions had to be made.
Really cool fly fishing trips have been happening on our Texas Redfish Adventures recently and George and Laura got in on several moments!
It was near end of day after catching more than a handful of wonderfully colored Texas redfish and black drum. The excitement grew again exponentially when we found the motherload! It was a school of maybe 300 redfish in 4 feet of water. All of them were in the 25 to 32 inch age class and swimming in tight formation. We maneuvered the skiff into position and began poling onto the fish with George casting strong and hooking up immediately.
The 26 inch redfish managed to get the best of George boat side when it got the line tangled in the back. The redfish had wrapped all around the trim tabs and (manual) power pole! Without hesitation, I jumped off the platform into the chest deep water. Alongside my Beavertail Strike skiff, I quickly untangled the line from the back of the skiff. Everyone was cheering for our shared success while Mrs. Laura snapped some photos.
Quickly back on the poling platform I scanned surrounding water for the large school of middle to upper slots. Sure enough, there they were again. It only took a couple minutes to pole into position and George was ready. George & Laura’s Texas Redfish Adventures continued as we hooked up again on the next cast!
I wanted Laura to get to pull one of these fish in so I decided to grab a rod to hook a fish for her. But she didn’t want to fight any fish as she was having too much fun heckling George and cheering for us! So I hooked a nice fish and George and I landed them both simultaneously.
NOW is the time of year to get in on some great redfish schooling action and there are several appearances each day of bull redfish as well. Book your next few Texas Redfish Adventures with Kenjo Fly and you’ll be hooked and planning your return trip before you even finish the day on the skiff!
October is a very exciting time to fly fish the middle Texas Coast. Don’t miss out on your next Texas Fly Fishing Trip! Call NOW or use the button below to see Capt Kenjo calendar of availability!
Fall is in the air in Port Aransas Texas with the light northerly winds cooling off our waters and the October Redfish are responding well. The tides are shaping up nicely now while the redfish begin to move into the shallows in much more favorable numbers. There are still some dates available to fly fish for October Redfish! Call NOW to get on the Books with Capt Kenjo (361) 500-2552
This time of year brings about so many beautiful colors in the marsh. The blue in a redfish tail comes from the blue-green algae in their diet. There are also some larger fish in the pods too and as we encounter more schooling pumpkin redfish you will want to look closely for the larger fish. The last few we spied that were top slot reds were on on the edges of the school of under slot redfish. A well placed cast for tailing red drum is still important when the fish are in pods or tailing. Using a clean and soft gentle cast will be sure to keep from spooking the tailing redfish. Rockport and Corpus Christi guests can also be accommodated easily!
If you are novice to fly fishing the saltwater, you can easily book a fly casting lesson. Prior to your trip book the casting lesson in order to get your cast in shape before your trip! Book your Fly Casting Lesson HERE!
Do not hesitate to book your next fly fishing trip with Kenjo Fly for October Redfish! To book your fly fishing trip simply give Capt Kenjo a call NOW. 361 500-2552. Or pick a trip through the online calendar at your convenience and book online. BUT DONT MISS OUT! This fall fly fishing season is already excellent shape and underway, making way!
Pumpkin colored redfish have already begun to show with the upcoming fall fly fishing season! Schooling pods are becoming more prevalent and more consistent day to day. Late summer rains roll off the gulf occasionally this time of year. This gives the land and bays a much needed break from the scorching heat. The scattered rainfall is also helping to cool the waters are the redfish are responding well. Fly Fishing Trips are NOW available for September, October and November.
Some anglers who coordinate their efforts are able to pull doubles from schools of tailing red drum. For new sight-casting anglers, this Fall is an excellent time to catch your first (and other) redfish.
While the Texas heat wont relinquish its warm grip on the coast for a bit longer, the fishing continues to get better and better. The tides are continuing to signal to the fish that it is time to get a move on. The feed is going on getting heavier and heavier everyday.
There are also Fly Casting Lessons available off the water for those that want to come learn to cast cleanly, efficiently and with some accuracy to these redfish. And then get to utilize what you learned the next day on the skiff. So don’t hesitate to book your fly fishing trip and schedule some casting lessons for the day before! It never hurts to brush up on fly casting skills and techniques then put them to good work afterwards!
Sight casting isn’t just for fly fishers either. Some enjoy using conventional spin or casting tackle and if you have any kind of accuracy then it is still a great game of hide and seek for the cats and mice. We are still going to use my flies though on your spin gear because they work!
Traditionally I am a fly only guide. But that basically just means that I don’t have any other kind of gear except fly fishing gear. Nonetheless, you’re welcome to bring your own casting tackle and I can advise on lures and soft plastics for you to use too.
Specializing in sight-casting techniques there are several types of equipment can be utilized. Tell me what are your fishing goals for the upcoming fall fly fishing season and help you achieve them!
Fly Fishing the Texas Coast in the Fall is an amazing time. Recent offshore rains have really gotten the fish in the bays feeding aggressively. We are experiencing some of the most awesome eats from redfish in the shallows now, thanks to the cooling effect of the rain!
Olive green crabs in size 2 and 4 are working well and small 2inch shrimp patterns in black/chartreuse or copper/tan color combos also working well. During low light conditions, we put on our Smith Optics Igniter Lenses to really turn the lights on.
We will adapt our strategies in the low light conditions by shortening the leader to 6ft. And use a larger 1/0 unweighted fly like crab or mullet imitations. These flies will usually have brighter colors like chartreuse green or red/white. This is so that the angler can see the fly better and the fish can also see the flies from a greater distance. Keeping our casts short and precise can make all the difference in the game. Topwater bites are also on the rise. During early morning hours and continue into the day if cloud cover and wind persist.
On random days in the fall the wind may persist. And so we need to stay prepared to adapt our strategies even more and hop out of the boat for a quick wade in the “Longest Mile”.
September dates are available NOW! Use the Book Now button to view availability. More and more red drum, speckled trout, and black drum are going to be pushing up into the shallows. You should be there to get in the action!
We got to slow down and smell the fish recently. This day did not disappoint. We had a lot of shots at fish like this surprisingly and we caught one each…
This big black drum was one that got the hook. It is quite a cumbersome ordeal to wrangle these big lethargic drum to hand. Oftentimes though, I too have to remind myself to slow down and smell the fish. Unfortunately these fish don’t smell like roses but the principal goes further than just enjoying the moment as the saying implies.
It has its merits, and during the right time of year you could even land a grand slam of redfish, black drum, flounder, and trout on the fly or spinning tackle. Slow down and smell the fish is not all that bad of an idea if you’re a keen outdoorsman.
Certain bait species produce slicks and or oily residue on the surface of the water which can unique scents. When mullet are concentrated and being fed heavily upon, the wind will waft the odors of the mullet downwind and if you have a sharp nose, you can pickup on some of these locations. The menhaden and speckled trout are also two of the sweeter smelling odors. Some even say the trout slicks will smell like watermelon! Have you ever experienced the watermelon smells on the water?
You can book a trip now by calling Capt Kenjo direct at 361-500-2552, or shoot him a text message with your name and preferred fishing date and/or send an email ASAP…
OR… simply use the blue button below for express and convenient booking! Then don’t forget to slow down and smell the fish!
Jack is back in town and these busters will test your angling skills. May dates are available NOW! With jacks in town, the excitement grows!
We got a nice day out front and went on a scouting mission. Within just a few hours we had raised 3 from the deep and one managed to swipe the half-and-half fly aggressively from below the surface. Within 10 minutes later the jack crevelle succumbed to our game of tug and war.
The extremely low rod angles fight the fish with the butt section of the rod which applies maximum pressure to these brutal jack fish. You’ve got to put the hurting on the jacks in town, or they will certainly put one on you!
Jack Trip Exceptions: when the weather is too rough to search open water comfortably, we may default to the flats and do some wade fishing for redfish and black drum. These are great backup plans for a day. Often times though even a standard redfish trip gets interrupted by these jackfish! So either way, book a trip anytime this summer and Capt Kenjo will be certain to put you on some fish. And with emphasis on the fish of your dreams! There are also chances to locate and target big bull redfish but please note that these big redfish are not males (as the name Bull implies). The large redfish are actually most likely females as the male red drum do not grow as big.
Adults redfish mature by 3 – 5 years of age; approximate length at maturity: males – 28 inches, females – 33 inches. Red Drum can also grow to incredible sizes. At least historically they have. The largest redfish ever recorded was caught in the waters around Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. That redfish weighed an amazing 94 pounds and 2 ounces.
