The water temperature on Big Lake continues to fall and at mid week was running from 54 to 56 degrees. "Winter patterns are falling in to place" states Big Lake pro, David Rabalais. He suggest anglers slow down their presentations and choose slightly different rigs. He suggest using a lighter jig head such as a one-quarter ounce instead of the three-eighths ounce which is the Big Lake standard size. The small size will slow the rate of fall of the bait slightly and will often times get you a few more bites from cold, lethargic fish.
Anglers are also wading the shorelines with suspending baits such as a Super Rogue, Corky or Catch 2000. Other baits also work on this slow, methodical pattern such as a Gulp! Jerk Shad in the 5 and 7 inch size. These baits are deadly for big trout when worked very slowly with numerous pauses. This is not a numbers pattern but a pattern for those looking for trophy trout. Reports of several 4,5,6 and 7 pounders have been taken on this presentation during the past week.
Cold water is improving fishing in the LNG Canal with anglers catching some nice trout working the 6 ft ledge where it drops off into the channel and Rabalais states the sweet spot is usually some where between 6 and 20 feet. Keep in contact with the jig head as it falls because normally you will just feel a "tick" when the fish hits it on the fall. Set the hook asap. Shad have moved into the canal and trout have followed.
Turners Bay continues to give up fish especially on incoming tides where tides can push some of the dirty water back north a bit. Rabalais said they did well in there on Sunday afternoon. He also said West Cove is an area to watch especially after 2-3 days of stable warm weather. When this occurs, birds can fire up and fishing can be outstanding for short periods of time.
Rabalais said they caught most of their redfish on the east bank and south of the Weirs but he said the Weirs continues to hold lots of reds. He also mentioned that there were a lot of reds cruising the east bank and they caught most of their fish on Berkley Saltwater Gulp! in Nuclear Chicken, Chartreuse Glow and New Penny.