Tag Archives: black

Texas Fall Fly Fishing

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!

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12yo Ella getting to play tug o’ war with some Texas redfish

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.

In the low light conditions

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.

smith, optics, low light, igniter, over slot, redfish, texas, port, aransas, corpus, bay, christi, beavertail, guide, trips, adventure, red, drum, lighthouse, lakes, fly, fishing, port, laguna, madre, rockport
Creepin the skiff through dead mangrove sloughs in low light conditions. You can bet we used Smith’s low light Igniter lenses!

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!

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Marks first over-slot red

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Drain Games – The Texas Fall Redfish Run

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STAR DATE: October 31, 2019 PLANET: Earth COORDINATES: 27.8339° N, 97.0611° W

FIELD NOTES: The redfish are displaying the following characteristics and behaviors; Crawling, mudding, tailing, schooling, popping, whopping, backing, crushing, pouncing, hounding. Its GO Time in Port Aransas! Lock and Load! Load and Go! (pics below)

Some of the most heart pounding sight-casting to red drum on the fly will be happening over the course of the next few weeks/month! The apex of the fall season is hitting us Now in full swing and underway making way! Sure as frozen fire, the tidal drain-game begins again as Texas redfish, trout, flounder and black drum turn face first into the winds and outpouring of bay water moving “en masse” to feed shallower and shallower. As the migration of shrimp, crabs and baitfish flush out of the estuaries the fish are there and feeding heavily in preparation for the onset of winter. As the fourth significant cold front of the year hits the Coastal Bend right now, strong windy conditions will prevail for the next 24 hours as the dry cool air sweeps across the countryside colliding with the warm moist air of the coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico the the the winds become more tame and best for fishing!

The redfish have already shown up in very strong numbers up to 30 inches after the previous cold front and it is likely that the next few weeks will see some of the best Texas sight casting to have been done all year. Game on! These next 2-3 weeks may just become noted as “Peak Weeks” for the Fall Run. Time will tell. Needless to say the fly fishing is excellent NOW. Get in touch with your local preferred guide to coordinate ASAP!

My immediate forthcoming availability is THIS WEEKEND starting Sunday as well as Monday Tuesday and Thursday (Nov 3-5 & 7th)…

Call Captain Ken today (while I am prepping for the next 2 weeks of hardcore redfishing) or plan your next trip online at your convenience! Call 361-500-2552

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Summer Summaries

fly, fishing, jack, crevelle, hatch, outdoors, nature, eco, tour, airflo, beavertail, skiffs, flyfishing, guide, charters, redfish, bay, texas, coast, gulf
Double Jacks on the fly on the Texas Coast
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Matt enjoying some tailing redfish pods

The Summer fly fishing program on the Texas Coast has been reliable to say the least. Early summer saw many pods of tailing redfish early morning with many shots at pods of jack crevalle averaging 30lbs.

Once the water in the bay got too warm the bait flushed and the jacks moved with them to the deeper cooler channels.

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On John’s Birthday Trip he joined the 30 Inch Club
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Post No Bills Redfish

Quite a few fish came to hand this season and once we were in full swing we were finding them every day. Pods of redfish were targeted and single cruising fish were also welcomed targets.

Some cool fish also moved into the neighborhood, and some had the pleasure to observe a 4ft Bullshark in the bay as well as some 3-5 foot Alligator gar. Even saw another 4 foot alligator gar yesterday.

redfish, fly, fishing, guide, charter, beavertail, simms, hatch, outdoors, airflo, skiffs, flats, saltwater, winston, rods, fly, line, company, sage, flies, red, drum, black drum, trout, speckled, sea, port, aransas, texas, corpus, christi, marsh, spartina, grass, protected, whooping cranes, sandhill, birds, tour, eco, laguna, madre, poc, conner, airflo, tropical, punch, sage, rod, abel, reel, drum, guide, tailing, tailers, pods, c
Ryker can cast. Ryker can catch FISH!

Some even got to take shots at some very large redfish but for some people, the pressure is insurmountable in those moments and things dont always go as imagined or planned and some lucky others also caught some fine specimens. This is how experience is gained and this is how it is earned as an angler.

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Drum Whisperer

It is how, eventually, you become able to “in the heat of the moment” to be still, move slowly and calmly make a deliberately well-presented cast to the fish of your dreams.

redfish, fly, fishing, guide, charter, beavertail, simms, hatch, outdoors, airflo, skiffs, flats, saltwater, winston, rods, fly, line, company, sage, flies, red, drum, black drum, trout, speckled, sea, port, aransas, texas, corpus, christi, marsh, spartina, grass, protected, whooping cranes, sandhill, birds, tour, eco, laguna, madre, poc, conner, airflo, tropical, punch, sage, rod, abel, reel, drum, guide, tailing, tailers, pods, c
Father and Son enjoying Texas Redfish Challenges on the fly

For others, until you have dropped your pants on accident enough times, Murphy seems to be there, even when your guide can remain calm. Jimi Hendrix didnt write “Are you educated”, he wrote, “Are you Experienced”.

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Recent Graduate Ryker Lands Marvelously Colored Redfish

Many thanks to all who fished with me this summer! You all make experiencing my dreams a reality. Stay ready though, the fall run is right around the corner and should be even better than last year!

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Kasey got in on some nice Tailing Redfish Action

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Adam nailed this redfish on a olive fighting crab fly

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Formative Submarines

As we gaze downwind on a low tide deep edge of the flat the light is just right enough to see a daisy chain of potholes that goes for a mile. Each sandy hole varies in size and shape and connects with a tiny artery of sand, breaking the grass patches into large chunks… We park at the head of this “run” (a river term) staring far and deep into the water beyond where good definition can be seen… And then, as if it was a clock striking a bell, the huge fleet of dark submarine redfish approach in formation. Evenly spaced 2 ft apart, shoulder to shoulder and head to tail, their encroachment on our position forced time to stand still… We wait patiently and time our casts well, allowing them to get within comfortable casting range and we lob out our heavily weighted crab flies, touch bottom and come tight on the first long strip… Over and over, for several hours, these waves of classy redfish continue to push past us at regular intervals and we nail them on each wave.

fly fishing, texas, port aransas, redfish, drum, corpus christi, beavertail skiffs, simms fishing, hatch outdoors, tfo fly rods, winter, power pole, guide, charters,
Big Crab Eatin Redfish
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Awaiting the next submarine redfish fleet wave

This is the time of year when we find long continuous daisy chains of redfish and drum from a fixed position. In key locations at specific times, these strings of fish can stroll past us for hours on end. It is some of my favorite fishing of all the year!

Around the same time, we got to shoot a redfish while a whooping crane feeds in the background ahead of us. Don spotted a redfish at practically point blank range and lays out a perfect cast, retrieve and hookup. Watch the video below. Please excuse the lack of editing and the video’s rotation…


Big News Renegade

Two very concerned fly fisherman, Chris Lancaster and myself, made the local Channel 3 news last night~!~!~

Its time to stand for what is right, not just for what is economic. Not one person, or industry professional guarantees that something will not go wrong and a spill of some sort won’t happen. All this place needs is ONE environmental disaster and I will ruin everything for many years… My initial intention of attending this meeting was to rattle the cages… To let them know, the strongest of voices are out there, and we will not be silenced. I am but one man. Recently put, a Renegade. I dont associate with clubs, organizations, memberships or whatever… I find them all to be far too inactive and the social environments tend to breed complacency. Get up and do something, lets attend every meeting they host until this is settled…

Watch the news report here:

The first project would require that they demolish the North Jetty in Port Aransas and move it 1000ft to the north… Bye bye Tarpon. Bye bye, food for any other fish we chase out there on the fly, or with any kind of tackle for that matter…

There is a (industrial) storm a brewing in regards to the fishery we all know and love in and around Port Aransas, Harbor Island and Corpus Christi. IWe the People should simply stand up and frankly tell them “No, But thanks, these projects are not authorized by the public and will not happen”. Otherwise, we will just find ourselves fighting each other, and the industrialists, wasting all our own time and resources and we will have settled for nothing, only to watch them destroy what little paradise remains on the Texas Coast. That’s the downside to industrial compromise. They will make claims that no environmental accidents will happen, but we all now, it is INEVITABLE, if we let them.

One plan is to install a desalination plant on Harbor Island with up to (newest numbers from last night, get ready… 85mil gallons/day of sucking life out of our bays and nearshore fisheries. Additionally the Port of Corpus Christi, who has named themselves as “landlords” want to build a crude oil tank farm and transfer terminal alongside the desalination plant for VLCC (very large crude carriers).

No matter what they say, they cannot guarantee that there wont be a spill, and that their outflow of “diffused” brine water wont kill all the sea grass and all other marine organisms that cant flee the high concentrations of pollution these projects will most certainly cause. I am not convinced, nor shall I be persuaded to compromise. I as a public landowner and tax paying citizen cannot allow ANY amount of risk. And neither should any of you.

Please get on board and try to catch up to the issues at hand, but dont waste alot of your time trying to find answers… The real truths are buried deep in “dirt” as Mr. Strawbridge called it… Which was his reasoning for having the crude oil terminal “on land” because of “dirt”. I literally LOL’ed… History has already proven that heavy industries cannot operate or even build their plants and operations without SEVERE environmental impact.

Check out these other community resources, join where yo can, participate whenever you can, it doesnt matter if you live here or not. If you just come to visit here, we need you to speak up too, because very few people will return to enjoy our beaches bays and fisheries if it all dies from any and all of the seriously negative effects of any one of these 3 projects that the Port of Corpus Christi wants to implement.

Port Aransas Conservancy

UT Marine Science Institute

Keep in mind, there is ALREADY more than enough science and studies to put a stop to all 3 of these projects. We should not argue the numbers but simply tell them, “No, you cannot build that here or there or anywhere”.

And now, listen to this song, or just read the lyrics… It should help keep your feet on the ground while your head explodes trying to comprehend the massive damage that the Port of CC will cause in the very near future (within less than 3 years) if we allow them to begin any of their projects; 1. Deepening and widening of the shipping channel by an additional 20-30ft. 2. Desalination plant on Harbor Island, and 3. Crude Oil Tank Farm/VLCC Tanker transfer station.

https://genius.com/Clutch-big-news-i-lyrics

The fog is rolling in, the tide is high
Diane’s as fat can be, aye Captain aye
The guests seem more than pleased
How is the wine?
We shall be underway on the bye and bye

Ahead one third, ahead two thirds!
Full ahead, flank
And out from the belly of a whale came a prophet
Amen!

Go shoot the moon, the sun, the great divide
I believe there’s a storm a brewing
Nine crows at nine o’clock nigh
Dutchman on the mizzen mast
Six harpies are singing to the lee
I believe she’s going down
I believe we’re gonna die, die, die

Fortune tellers make a killing nowadays
Me oh my!
Howdy Doody’s past the house of Aquarius
Bring me more whisky and rye
Big news from the party boat

Oh sir, do not distress, the food is fine
Oh, but I must confess
I do find the wine a wee bit dry
Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rye
Drink and the devil had done for the rest
She’s sunk full fathom, five, five, five

Fortune tellers make a killing nowadays
Me oh my!
Howdy Doody’s past the house of Aquarius
Bring me more whisky and rye
Big news from the party boat

(reversed)
Them bones, them bones, them dry, dry bones
Come down to the locker of Davy Jones

Redfish visit Troutville

redfish, texas, cosat, port aransas, corpus christi, rockport, laguna madre, fly fishing, yeti, simms, hatch outdoors, airflo, fly line, trouthunter, roys bait and tackle, swan point landing, tailwaters, bayou city angler, caddis fly shop, greune

27 inch redfish

During this past few weeks of charters we have experienced some awesome fishing and some of the best personal trout fishing to date. Those who know me know that I don’t intentionally target trout, but as the schools of large redfish moved in and out of the honey hole from one day to the next and the clouds covered our sunshine every other day, it seemed as though the healthy and good sized speckled trout replaced the reds on the cloudy days.

redfish, texas, cosat, port aransas, corpus christi, rockport, speckled trout, black drum, laguna madre, fly fishing, yeti, simms, hatch outdoors, airflo, fly line, trouthunter, roys bait and tackle, swan point landing, tailwaters, bayou city angler, caddis fly shop, greune

“OMG! This is the warmest fish I have ever held in my hands!” Pac Norwesterner Justin exclaimed!

We got many of them on top water flies, which is most fun, but we also caught them on suspending and sinking flies when the bite wasn’t on top…

redfish, texas, cosat, port aransas, corpus christi, rockport, speckled trout, black drum, laguna madre, fly fishing, yeti, simms, hatch outdoors, airflo, fly line, trouthunter, roys bait and tackle, swan point landing, tailwaters, bayou city angler, caddis fly shop, greune

Texas seatrout on sinking flies

The seasons are a changing and this has the fish transitioning from some areas into others. Went back to some of my early stomping grounds where I cut my teeth poling a skiff and there are some upper slot fish in that neighborhood!

redfish, texas, cosat, port aransas, corpus christi, rockport, speckled trout, black drum, laguna madre, fly fishing, yeti, simms, hatch outdoors, airflo, fly line, trouthunter, roys bait and tackle, swan point landing, tailwaters, bayou city angler, caddis fly shop, greune

Lettin her rest after a fun fight!

There are plenty of dates available in March.

Give me a call ASAP to book your trip and get on some exciting Spring Time redfish and trout action on the fly! Capt Kenjo 361-500-2552

Fall Run is ON!

Bull red in the Texas Marsh. Port Aransas Texas Fall Run

Bull red in the Texas Marsh. Port Aransas Texas Fall Run

We just started tracking down some massive sized schools of bull redfish (top slot and overs) on the flats and the tides are perfect for working the marshes during the day. The weather is excellent right now and we have had some 10 fish days lately.

Bull redfish on the flats pulled out of a school of 200 fish strong!

Bull redfish on the flats pulled out of a school of 200 fish strong!

There are also plenty of black drum around too. I have dates open this Thursday the 15th and again Sunday and Monday.  Give me a call ASAP to get in on some of the best redfishing of the year!

Capt Kenjo

361-500-2552

 

Fall Fishing South Texas Saltwater

double rainbow, port aransas, texas, gulf, coast, saltwater, fly fishing

Port Aransas Double Rainbow over Harbor Island

While it has been awhile since I have posted any reports or stories, I can assure you I have been busy chasing the local tail. While on the water very little attention has been given to the camera, and more time has been spent with rods in hand and tighter lines. As with any fishing experience, there have been some great days for catching, and some great days for fishing. That being said, it goes without saying that there is no such thing as a bad day of fishing!

A perfect example of what some might argue as a bad day of fishing versus an epic night of fishing is when you get spooled 4 times in one night of hunting tarpon.

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This little silver king graced us with its presence and allowed us this quick opportunity for a photo.

Somehow though I still felt the need to apologize to my crew for finding tarpon that were too big to catch with the equipment we had to use. Never in my life did I anticipate apologizing for this reason, especially because of the epicness of the tarpon hunt. But, because of the beating we all took during that trip, it was worth cracking my apology as the joke of the year. Hell, before the trip even started when picking up the crew from the airport I felt my own nervousness showing through, something inside me knew that it was going to be the sickest fishing trip that any of the 8 of us had ever experienced in a total of 120 years of combined fishing experience.

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A scrappy young of year redfish comes to hand near the Lydia Ann Lighthouse with author Phil Shook.

Redfish and trout are still in the bay and reports of big black drum are starting to trickle in steadily from local sources.

With the cool Norther that we are getting right now as I write this article, the fish should respond well to the dramatic change in weather patterns are start putting on the feed bag in order to fatten up for the impending winter season.

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Lest we not forget, seagrasses are protected. This sign is posted at the Southwest entrance to Brown and Root Flats

Next weeks weather patterns are looking excellent, with a little bit of rain later on in the week (fish are already wet and don’t care if it rains). We should have calm seas with moderate winds early in the week and should make stalking redfish and trout pretty exciting.

A sad thing I have noticed alot of people doing recently is that they are running their motors across the flats. For those of you with your own shallow running boats, take the time to respect the law, and more importantly, the environment from which we take so much pleasure.

Stop your outboard motors at the edge of the flats and either get out and push, or use a push pole or trolling motor to get your boats onto and off of the flats. With a little research of the maps and some forethought, you will find short routes on and off the flats for quick trip, or longer routes if you have more time. Use the wind to your advantage to help push your skiff onto the flat, and if you plan your route correctly, the wind and tides will help you move your boat off of the flat just as easily so that you do not exhaust yourself.

Please be mindful of all the plants and animals on which we tread. I am certain that if a redfish could, it would be waving the “Dont tread on me” flag as well.

If you are interested in booking a fly or spin charter for redfish, trout, drum or flounder, I have This Sunday November 10th available and Wednesday the 13th of November. Give me a call or email to get in on the action.

Keeping the hooks sharp,
Capt Ken Jones ([email protected])
361-500-2552 – Port Aransas, Texas – Certified Wildlife Guide