Are we going to have a huge fish kill due to the freezing weather ?


MO

It's going to look pretty bad from initial reports. At least the suns out now and the wind calmed down.
With the super low water the back lakes look like they're going to get hammered.

I talked to a friend in Port Aransas and he has dead mullet and pinfish behind his house. Nothing really bad in the news yet.

We have had isolated pockets of a fish kill, initial reports is Pringle was the worst, contee, 5th, and power. and a few in the ICW. But the rest of the bay is clear for now. The next few days will be the tell all. As of right now it is just these marsh back lakes. There are some sad video's out there of these lakes, but what you have to keep in mind is, these lakes probably make up 2-3% of our bay system. So for now I consider ourselves very lucky. The next few days will show us for sure, but because of the gradual water temp cool down, I believe our reef and shoreline fish made it to deeper water. Like I said on other forms of social media, please keep this in mind when fishing this year. maybe instead of stringing limits every outing, we take a minute to remember this event and let a few more swim this year. all it takes is a small band of conservation minded fishermen to start making a difference. a lot of y'all local POC/Seadrift fishermen are good sticks, and could really make a difference this year. As always on our guided trips we discuss releasing fish, and I would say about 60% of my clients release all there fish. I'm not trying to start a fight or bash anyone, I just think every fishermen need to really consider the future of our fisheries after this. I think if we continually talk about this freeze throughout the year, more folks will follow suit. At least that's what I hope.

Very well stated !

Anyone have any reports on Baffin Bay?

Pretty interested in Baffin Bay myself. I would think since it is a deeper system it may fair better but until I see it for myself or hear a report I am pretty doggone worried.

I wonder if any of the surf fish such as whiting and pompano will be affected?

If the fish can find 10-12 feet of water they'll be fine, why you don't see freeze kills on the beach much.

Massive pinfish kill in Port Aransas with lots of mullet mixed in. Few large gamefish appear to have been affected. We will have to see about long term effects.

sad

https://youtu.be/-pdS8aWTSjY

Compilation of various guides up and down the coast regarding the freeze and their assessment of the recent coldwater fish kill. Some paint a pretty bleak picture.

Going to Baffin on Saturday. Not going to fish, just to inspect the shoreline and see for myself. I'll post back. Hopefully its like that guide said in the youtube video

Word I've heard is that lower coast got hammered, had massive kill. Minimal kill along upper coast.

Middle Texas coast was hit hard too.