I'm headed to Port A this next week and was wondering the best way to fish with all of the fresh water pouring into the bay's? I usually drift and throw cocahoe's or live shrimp. I usually don't have trouble with to much fresh water this time of year. I've been watching everyone's post and it seems to be a problem. If you have some good ideals or proven method's I'd appreciate it. Thanks

Fish away from the mouths of creeks and rivers and fish closer to the bottom.

Saltwater is heavier than freshwater so, the salinity will be stronger towards the bottom than it will be on top.

I would fish closer to the passes going into the gulf on an incoming tide because they will recover first due to the influx of saltwater from the gulf.

Try around East flatsup along the CC bay shoreline past Point of Mustang. Like B said the water in the smaller back bays are running a bit too fresh. Also see the post about first timer, the area of Lydia Ann channel should be good. Along with the Dagger and Ransom Island area. Pelican Island and the point at harbor island should be good also. I do know hat the Nueces river is dumping about 5000 cfs into Nueces bay, 'course there's a lot of water to dilute between the mouth of the Nueces and the area of Port Aransas. Might look at Shamrock cove area also. Good luck.

Thanks for the info. I'll drag'um slow and head for the cut's

The ferry area at night had a ton of big trout last weekend under the lights. We fished with live shrimp by a green light we put out. We where on the ferry boat and saw alot of nice reds under the lights at the landing.

I fished Aransas Pass last weekend and freshwater was not a problem, but they are still getting dumped on right now. I would head over to Traylor island and start there and also drift steadmans reef.

How long do you think it will be before things are back to normal down there, if the rain stops now? I know the rivers are still dumping into the bays, so do you think a couple of weeks before it gets back to where it needs to be?

rockport guy,

Let me put it this way, San Antonio Bay is 167 square miles and average 5' deep. The Guadalupe by itself, has been dumping enough freshwater to fill the entire bay once every 31 days and the river has been running like this for a month.

It could be mid August before some spots are back to normal salinity.

I've been down there about 4 times since the rains have been dumping into the gulf...and I haven't noticed much of a difference. Hell, if anything, the Redfish action has increased! The size isn't there, but that has to do with the time of year more so then the fresh water.

The trout bite has been steady everywhere I've fished. Nothing huge, but steady fishing.

The thing that has affected me more then anything has been the wind!

I've been fishing shrimp on corks and I've been fishing artificial on the bottom...

I wouldn't sweat the fresh water. There are a lot of people passing up good fishing because they are worried about it. Other then the VERY shallow areas that have a nearby river feeding them (like Copano), I'd fish any of the normal spots. It's your shallow bays with rivers that are going to be affected. Big deeper bay systmes like Aransas and Corpus will be a lot fresher then normal, but they still have fish in them.

It has affected the shrimp though, or so it seems. I'm not sure if this is true, but it seems that a lot of the larger shrimp head for the gulf if there are a lot of rains. The shrimp recently have been very small (this could also be this years young though).

Give it a shot! A bad day fishing is 100% better then a good day at work! (unless you're a guide!)

Shawn

My favorite fishing is in the back bays around St. Charles bay all the way to the Cedar Byou along the intercoastal.

do you all think St. charles Bay with the Cavasos creek emptying in to it has to much fresh Water?

What about the Byou, I would think it would be fine.

I'm thinking on going down in the next 3 weeks, heading to the back bays but staying in about 4 feet or water and just free lining with croaker? Thoughts ?

St. Charles is probably pretty fresh, but Cedar Bayou area should be good. I wouldn't be suprised though if you caught fish in St.Charles...

Work the deeper water like you said. You'll be suprised at the amount of fish that are still around though.

In my OPINION, One advantage to the freshwater is that it stacks the fish up in the higher salinity areas, making them easier to target once you find them. They are also going to be feeding better due to all of the fish in one area, thus meaning less bait to go around. Toss a croaker, your good to go...

Shawn

I'm with ShawnQ, After fishing last weekend the redfish action was great. THere were reds everywhere. I would just stay around the redfish bay area and estes flats, Fish Traylor island and steadmans reef. We had good success at these places. I would just stay out of san antonio bay area or anywhere there is a major river. The trout seem to be hanging around the bottom once the morning bite is over. Best thing to do is when you stop your boat is reach over and get a handful of bay water and taste it with your tongue. If it will cross your eyes because its so salty.... probably good fishin!!