Jim Blackburn

We caught some sun and manageable winds last week while poling my friend's Waterman 18'skiff. We were probing the waters of the Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge last week. The water was low and clear and we had to stay off the shoreline paralleling a little ledge where the water went from about 4-6" to about 12-14". We were about 400 ft. from shore. As we poled the edge we found reds in all manners of activity. Crusing, tailing, riding rays, and sleeping. As different as were our encounters were also our experiences. Some fish crashed the offerings, some ran for their lives, some were totally indifferent, and some were followers only to take a very short nip and turn off. We did manage to catch about 10 reds but it wasn't easy. It was Easter Good Friday and there were boats all over the deeper water and on the Intercoastal Waterway, but we had no one within miles of us all day. It was great. We used flies and soft plastics with equal success.

Fish Species: Redfish
Bait Used: flies, lures
Tackle Used: fly rods 6-8wts., med-light spinning 6 lbs.
Method Used: poling
Water Depth: 10-15
Water Temperature:
Wind Direction: ESE
Wind Speed: 15mph

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Jim Blackburn

About The Author: Captain Jim Blackburn

Company: Grand Slam Backcountry Charters

Area Reporting: Texas Lower Laguna Madre - Florida - Utah

Bio: Join Capt. Jim Blackburn with over 25 years of saltwalter fly-fishing experience aboard his state-of-the-art Hell\'s Bay Boatworks guide edition 18\' skiff. Sight fish the Lower Laguna Madre for Redfish, Sea Trout. Or cast to structure for Snook, monster Mangrove Snapper, Jacks, Ladyfish and baby Tarpon. Or head to the Gulf and fish for adult Tarpon, Spanish & King Mackerel, and Jack Crevalle.

970-846-1734
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Jim Blackburn