Galveston fishing report

Galveston fishing charter company

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Not much was taking place on the fishing scene Wednesday, so it’s a good opportunity to answer a question from readers.

One that is often asked is about “slicks.” We mention them in the Reel Report occasionally, and while seasoned trout fishermen know what we are referring to, many anglers do not.

Slicks are shiny spots on the surface of the water resembling light, colorless oil.

In fact, fish slicks that we refer to are actually the oil from bait that has been ingested by feeding fish and comes to the surface.

The slicks anglers seek out are those coming from schools of feeding fish, hopefully trout, and appear in small clumps or circles. Locating a slick is easy if the water is not choppy. The sheen, or shiny spot, is easily visible, and seasoned anglers know how to cull slicks looking for those that offer the best chances of finding fish.

The potentially productive slicks are going to be small, not much larger than a tarp or bed sheet. They will give off an aroma that resembles fresh-cut grass or watermelon.

We call those fresh slicks because they likely popped up relatively soon before being noticed.

What about larger slicks, are they productive? Often times yes. The key is whether they have retained their aroma. The longer they last, the less smell given off.

The only slicks that I avoid are large ones that resemble a tide line. Those slicks usually have joined together and traveled a distance.

How do you fish slicks? Much like you would birds chasing shrimp. The smaller the slick, the more likely fish are still beneath it.

Noise is the biggest detriment to fishing slicks, and I mean the noise of outboard engines or too much sloshing of water on the surface.

There are no guarantees that fish will be around; however, the odds are likely better than in areas with none.