Matagorda Vacation - Day 5

Today I really wanted to return to the west jetty for one last crack at a big trout. I made all the preparations - including live shrimp - and had my tackle box stocked with every possible artificial and lure.

The wind wasn't as stiff but was still blowing pretty good. The water looked better than it had been and everything seemed right. I fished hard for several hours but was only able to manage some bottom feeding hardheads and croaker.

Smile Mr. Croaker!

I threw everthing I had - top - middle & bottom. I fished each slow, steady and fast & erratic. The trout were either not there or not interested.

Fellow Fisherman

I did see a big dolphin thrashing some mullet in the cove but didn't see any other signs of fish feeding.

I made it back in time to cook up the trout for lunch and talked Tracy into venturing out on the big pier to see what was happening.

Matagorda COE Surf Pier


Rough Surf Over the Jetty

The wind had picked up and the surf was strong and rough. I took the rods and tried some Gulp shrimp but had no takers.

No Luck from the Pier

When I returned, I broke out the cast net to see if I could scare up some bait for the evening. I caught some more shrimp in the cast net and wanted to see if I could catch some crabs so I stalked and cast over a big mullet that were close to shore.

I caught one that was about 12" and tied him on a string to use for crab bait.

Crabby Catch of the Day

I also caught this strange looking critter in the cast net:

Goby - aka Dragon Eel

The campers really started showing up for the holiday weekend and several guys were setting up big rods to cast into the channel. Not to be outdone, I pulled out my 10ft rod and hung two 2" live crabs from kahle hooks.

I hooked on a big surf weight and "let her fly".

Look Out!

I figured if there was a big redfish anywhere near he would go for the crabs. My neighbor hooked a 6" mullet on his rig and sent it for a ride. We were fishing side by side and it was anybody's guess which bait the big fish would prefer.

I thought my line was drifting too fast and cranked it in to check. I had a big crab clamped on one of the smaller ones and he wasn't letting go!

Blue Crab

Later when my rod started jumping I was sure I had a big fish. What else could be going for a whole crab? I cranked it in without too much of a fight only to find this huge hardhead on the end of my line.

Big Belly Cat

This thing had a stomach full of crab as he had eaten both crabs off my line!

All in all it was a great trip. We both had fun and want to return soon. Many thanks to my willing photographer without whom many of these pictures would not have been possible.

I'll leave you with one last masterpiece that Tracy captured with the lens but that only God can provide:

Adios Matagorda