Colburn's Sabine Connection

Big incoming tides and rain haven't slowed the bite thus far!

It comes as no surprise that we are looking at more rain for the next three days, but we have managed to squeeze in some pretty good trips this week.  The wind has done us no favors as it has combined with a big incoming tide to flood the marshes.  Our flounder bite slowed a little only because they scattered in the flooded grass.  They are all but impossible to get to when they are able to chase small shrimp and menhaden up in the grass bordering the bayous and lake.

We haven't caught any big trout, but we have caught pretty decent numbers fishing tails under a cork or swimming a Usual Suspect in 4 to 6 feet of water.  We have limited on flounder every trip but one and that was only because we quit the flounder and started chasing trout after catching two or three in a row on Swim Baits.

I talked with two friends last night that just hammered trout in the 2 to 3 pound class on the Causeway reef Wednesday evening.  That is a big area and a slightly generic report, but its nice to know that the fish are there.  In spite of some pretty tough wind, I have been surprised by the water clarity in the lake.  It is at least pretty good (8 to 12 inches) all over the lake and even clearer in areas closer to drains or the mouth of the bayous.

The Elite Redfish series tournament kicks off this morning out of Pleasure Island.  The pros were here two weeks ago and posted some great numbers fishing both the marshes and the jetties.  I don't know who pissed off who, but following that tournament there are now new "no trespassing" signs in the Louisiana marshes where I have never seen them before.  That could result in a change in strategy or some longer boat runs this weekend.  

   

Too much wind and rain, but a good flounder bite!

We got a trip in yesterday morning, but pushed our luck and paid for it when the bottom dropped out just as predicted.  I have only made a few scouting trips in the past ten days due to the weather and have found the trout bite still too unpredictable to reschedule cancellations.  We have made two very decent trout trips on fish up to four pounds in the lake only to find nothing the following day.  The good news is that they are still there, but the bad news is that the wind and rain has limited our looking around.  I have gotten several good reports from south of the Causeway on both trout and reds, but that is just not my bag.

What we have been taking advantage of and enjoying is the best flounder bite I have fished in the past ten years.  It has been very much like the good old days and the average size is probably better.  The best news of all is that every one I talk to thinks that they have found their own secret spot.  The more secret spots...the better!

Finding a little clear water has been more important for us than fishing any particular spot. Depending on the direction and strength of wind, the lake gets very dirty in a hurry. The north revetment wall (when the wind allows) and the Game Reserve are getting the most attention.  Lots of folks are fishing mud minnows, but you certainly don't have to.  We are catching all we want on a 3-inch Usual Suspect and GULP ALIVE baits.  When the drains and canals dirty up the GULP has worked better.

We could have beaten the monsoon back to the dock yesterday, but we got carried away with the catching.  Jim had driven in from T-Bend and in spite of limiting quickly he wanted to fish a little longer.  He is as old as I am so we don't take anything for granted and make the most of the moment...rain or no rain!

As soon as the trout bite gets a little more consistent I will start calling folks back, but I can assure you that I have not lost your phone number.  It eventually flooded parts of town here yesterday and it looks like we may get more of the same even before I am finished with this. As far as the weather goes,  I am finally convinced that this weather is the new normal.  

 

Orange hosts the Redfish Elite Classic KIckoff this weekend!

The flounder and the redfish bite has improved in spite of the high water, but I am yet to find any kind of trout bite on the north end of the lake.  The water clarity is good, especially in the bayous and the river, but it wouldn't take a whole lot of rain to screw things up again.  They closed the gates on T-Bend today, but the lake level is still at 172.1 so too much rain could be deja vu all over again!

We aren't catching any flounder over three pounds, but we have limited on solid keepers the last two trips fishing 3-inch Usual Suspects and a four inch tube jig.  The Redfish Elite qualifiers have been running all over the place so we have basically left the marshes alone.  We have still managed to catch a few slot redfish that crashed the flounder party.

Because I am doing all of my catching in the bayous, the wind has been more of a problem than the fresh water.  It just howled today so I doubt much good happened for the folks looking for trout on the south end of the lake.  We have had the the qualifiers for this weekend's Redfish Elite Classic Kickoff in town all week and from what I have seen thus far, they should feel pretty good about the redfish bite.  There's no doubt that a lot of them will target in the marshes from Big Lake to East Bay as the back lakes are easy to run right now.  Those that hang their hats on working the jetties,however, could have a tough go on Sunday should the wind blow as hard as predicted.

The three day tournament starts Friday morning at 7 am.  Weigh-in begins at 3:30 pm.  The entire affair is based out of the city ramp on Simmon's Drive and there will be something to do with the family all day long.  They have everything from tackle vendors and food booths to concerts scheduled and Art in the Park will take place all day Saturday as  well.  The crowds for the Bassmaster Elite events broke all kinds of records and I expect a packed house every day for this tournament as it will also be televised.

The pros have already done a great job of winning over families all over the community.  Not only have they made numerous appearances at local businesses and civic events, but they even passed up practice time to personally get involved with helping many residents that are still recovering from the flood.  Two weeks ago no one in town recognized more than one or two names and now those same folks are ready to cheer on their new favorite pro and best friend!

This is going to be a fun weekend in Orange Texas!