Grinding through winter

      This time of year can be down right brutal for a Texas coastal angler, having him or her ready to take flight a southward direction and not return for a few months. Lucky for us it has been a fairly mild winter and I hope I'm not jinxing it. Sure we've had some cold mornings and defiantly some windy ones but I'd say were doing better than last winter. The cold fronts have become very consistent and with good warming trends on the back sides. 

The fishing this time of year can be very productive for the savvy native Texan with many winters under his or her belt. For starters you really have to slow down. The water is cold and there for the fish are too. If the fish are low to the bottom and in a negative mood throw lures and flies that sink to the bottom and stay there until moved. Throwing darker colors can also help feed a negative fish. I like to use very simple worm type lures and patterns in these settings with just enough action to get the fish to see the bait when they get close. When the weather goes through a warming trend and the fish raise into the water column adjust your presentations accordingly. Mullet patters and suspending plugs are go to choices for these days, again the goal to present lures that stay in the same zone as the fish want to be. If the wind really blows hard with an approaching front I'll often opt to throw paddle tails with spinning gear to maximize opportunity.

On days that are just unacceptable for fishing this winter take time to prep your gear for the better (warmer) days ahead. How's that fly line looking? A bit twisted and gritty from the abuse it received last summer? Stop by your local fly shop and pick up a new one. Bayou City Angler is a great one if your in the Houston area.