Fishing Reoprt

The first weekend in April looks like a dandy for fishing and other outdoor activities. Daytime temperatures are forecast to climb into the mid 70s with a southeast wind.
Friday, the surf was shaping up for some potential great action, possibly the best of the year so far. Water temperatures still are dragging behind where they should be for this time of year; however, with a spell of warm, sunny days, look for that to change.

Seasoned fishermen look for the magic 70-degree water temperature as a sign that overall fishing will start its per-summer pattern where fish will feed more aggressively.

Steve Albrecht reported excellent per-dawn action around Offatts Bayou where large trout and reds, both slot and bulls, were feeding. Albrecht said shad and mullet are moving in and with them, the predator fish are close behind.

While black drum continue to make the news, today’s tournament at the yacht basin should be a good indicator of the status of this year’s black drum run.

Close to 80 boats will be hosting participants all going after black drum. With that many anglers focusing on one species of fish, it should tell us if the run still is on or behind us.

The frontal system that brought the recent rain and inclement weather in parts of Galveston County has moved on and the lingering north winds have kept water levels lower than normal. Today’s switch to a southeast wind should help return tide levels to normal heights.

This week’s unsettled weather has hampered fishing and as a result, not many reports were received. That should change during the next couple of days, as conditions should draw a large number of fishermen to the coast. It will be interesting to see what is caught with settled weather returning.

Personally, I would not be surprised to hear of this season’s first report of pelagic fish along the beach front.