The Sunrise Lodge on Matagorda Bay
Matagorda Bay Fishing Report

 

May 14, 2012.....For all the curveballs the wind, weather and lightning threw at us last week, we did pretty well. Saturday, we had 9 boats out and we did not leave the dock until 8:30a.m after thunderstorms moved through, but the fish were waiting on us. In my boat, our first cast in East Bay drew a five-pound trout. We finished a limit just after lunch. We caught trout, redfish and black drum all week, with the daily weather forecast determining the species to target.
Light north winds are forecasted through Wednesday, before switching to the southeast at 5-10 knots. I think I will be peaking in the surf daily. When winds are light, every spot in the bay is a potential player.
Attached is a picture from past surf experiences.
It's a good time to be in Matagorda.

Bink Grimes
binkgrimes@sbcglobal.net
979-241-1705
www.matagordasunriselodge.com
www.binkgrimesoutdoors.com

 

May 6, 2012.....This week water temperatures hit 80 degrees and the next time it gets calm enough to get in the surf, we will be there. In the meantime, the bays are doing just fine. Water color was stained this week, so we threw live shrimp under a popping cork and scored limits to near-limits. Waders have been taking trout on topwaters and plastics over sand and grass in West Bay.
Capt. Mark continues to gig flounder at night. We have a few boats open during the week, but our weekends are filling up, so if you are planning a trip we would love to take you.
Call, text or email for info.

 

April 29, 2012....The wind blew last week, and blew and blew. Anglers willing to get out of the boat and wade the south shoreline of West Bay found green water and an incoming tide brought speckled trout on the flats. We caught fish on Bass Assassins and Super Spook Jrs. Boat fishing was a bit tougher, but those willing to wait for the tide to cover reefs found redfish and black drum on live shrimp.
Forecasts for this week call for sweet southeast winds. We haven't been able to fish East Bay for two weeks now because of the winds, but with light winds this week we should be able to wade or drift reefs and scattered shell where East Bay's big trout linger.
With weather patterns stabilizing in May, the flats, wells, buoys, reefs, surf, tripletail and floundering are all legitimate players.

The attached photo is Capt. Melvin Talasek and his grandson Chet from a trip to Rockport in 2004. "Pops" passed Saturday and and is probably talking fishing with the disciples as we speak. Pops taught me how to fish when I deck-handed on his boat many years ago, and together we spent alot of hours together from Texas to Louisiana to Florida. One day we will fish again together.

 

April 22, 2012....Except for Saturday when the cold front came blowing in, we caught fish all week over shell on both live shrimp and plastics. By Sunday afternoon waters were trout green in East and West bays and ready to cough up fish with light winds forecasted for the next several days. Strong morning incoming tides this week should spell big catches.
We have openings throughout the week and even this weekend. Don't waste this week's beautiful weather - let's go catch some fish.
Don't forget about floundering at night. Capt. Mark has been getting them pretty good.
You don't have to lodge with us to fish with us, but if you do need lodging, we have reduced mid-week rates.
Call, text or email.

April 15, 2012....Calm waters as pictured in the attached photo greeted us early in the week. As you can see, fishing was so good, even my 9-year old daughter Mallory caught fish regularly. For a couple of days we literally caught fish on every cast.
Then the wind began to blow, and blow and blow. However, we still fished and amazingly took half-limits of trout from two boats while wading and nice catches of redfish in sustained 30-knot winds while fishing from the boat.. And, Capt. Mark took limits of flounder at night in the stiff gales.
Forecasts for this week call for 5-10 knots after the front blows through early Monday.
Make sure you take care of your taxes by April 17.
Treat yourself to a fishing trip with your refund check.
Call, text or email, we would love to have you.

Bink Grimes
binkgrimes@sbcglobal.net
979-241-1705
www.matagordasunriselodge.com
www.binkgrimesoutdoors.com

April 8, 2012....Glass minnows are showing on grassy shorelines, turkeys are gobbling, speckled trout are eating topwaters, waders are wading wet, full plumage blue-winged teal are buzzing shallow ditches of fresh rainwater and bright bluebonnets are bristling in the spring blusters. In Matagorda, water temperatures have been 75 degrees or better for the past week, allowing wadefishers to ditch the waders. As is often the case in April, opportune currents occur in the afternoon hours as ardent tides usher in the spring’s new crop of glass minnows. Diving brown pelicans point the way to acres and acres of bay anchovies.
When working the minnows don’t be surprised to see trout or redfish blow up bait literally right beside you. Balls of minnows bunch tight and hungry fish get a running start and blow through the mass like a Friday night high school football team running through an end zone sign.

Standing completely still, I have had redfish swim between my legs and bump my shins.

Another sign of abnormally warm weather occurred in East Matagorda Bay last week. Guide Bill Pustejovsky saw something floating in the water that attracted his attention. He idled his boat close and to his amazement found a tripletail floating on its side. He grabbed a rod rigged with a cork and Gulp and flipped it to the fish. The eight-pounder instinctively struck and ran under the boat along the shallow shell and frayed the line.

Southeast winds are forecasted for this week.

We will bee serving lots of egg salad this week to make use of all the extra Easter eggs.

Hope to see you in Matagorda.

April 1, 2012.......Water temperature was 75 degrees in East Bay this weekend. We had good catches all week of 15-25 trout, with at least one fish over five pounds every day. Even on the days when the water is stained from the wind we are managing 15-20 trout. Afternoon wading has been best in West Bay with strong incoming tides.

If anyone is looking for a boat for the Oilman's Tournament in July we have had a recent cancellation and now have a boat open for the 3-day event.

Hope everyone has a Happy Easter. We have boats and/or lodging available this week and during the holiday weekend.
The attached photos are of Capt. Mark with a 6-pound trout in East Bay and Pork Chop with a nice speck.

March 26, 2012.....Break out the sun tan lotion! This is Matagorda Chamber of Commerce Weather!
The bays are beautiful and holding large trout for fishers drifting out of the boat, including the 6.5-pounder in the attached picture. We struggled early last week with west and north winds, but when the wind switched to the east, southeast, the fish started biting.
The good news is southeast winds and favorable tides are forecasted this week through the weekend. It ought to be really good this week.
We have plenty of boats available this week. The afternoons have been just as good as the mornings, so if you want to work a half-day and get down here for an afternooner, we will be waiting.
Don't forget about the night life on our flounder boat.
Water temperatures were 75 Sunday afternoon, so it won't be long before we ditch the waders for shorts.
You don't have to lodge with us to fish on our boats.
Call, text or email.

 

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March 18, 2012....Light winds are forecasted from mid-week through the weekend. We caught some large speckled trout and redfish during Spring Break, including one weighing 7.5 lbs (28 1/2 inches) and 6.5 lbs (27 inches) (both were released). We also caught and released a 35-inch red (16 lbs)(see pictures below).
All the big fish were caught out of the boat while drifting. Water temperatures are in the 70s and that just means it only gets better from here.
The 2nd Annual Matagorda Seafood Fest is this Saturday, March 24 from 10-7. Fresh fried oysters and shrimp along with oysters on the halfshell are the stars of the show, along with live music and coastal vendors providing their wares. All proceeds benefit Matagorda ISD and other programs.
We have boats available this week and weekend. Hope to see you.

Bink Grimes
binkgrimes@sbcglobal.net
979-241-1705
www.matagordasunriselodge.com
www.binkgrimesoutdoors.com

 

March 11, 2012....It's Spring Break for most students in Texas and we must be living right since the forecast calls for highs near 80 all week and light, sweet southeast winds. We still have boats available all week if you want to make a quick trip down to Matagorda. The shrimp are fresh, oyster season has reopened in East Matagorda Bay and the fish are biting. Wading, drifting or floundering has been good, and the recent rains has done nothing but help our estuary.
I learned something this week: there is scientific evidence as to why we feel better when we go to the coast. The coast is full of negative ions which are lighter while the city is loaded with positive ions that weigh you down. So there, we have your alternative to Prozac, it's called Matagorda Beach and Matagorda Bay. Imagine how much less the cost of insurance would be if we all breathed a little Gulf air.
Make plans for the 2nd Annual Matagorda Seafood Fest March 24. Buddy Treybig of Buddy's Seafood is the mastermind of the event, and plenty of shrimp and oysters will be served. Last year's event saw a great turnout and proceeds raised benefitted Matagorda ISD.
Come see us in Matagorda!

Bink Grimes
binkgrimes@sbcglobal.net
979-241-1705
www.matagordasunriselodge.com
www.binkgrimesoutdoors.com

March 4, 2012....Another Fishing Show is in the books and now it is time to hit the water. Sunshine and warmer weather always sparks lots of enthusiasm for the spring and summer fishing season. Winds are forecasted to swing to the sweet southeast which should pump warm tides in the bay. Our fish have already been in a spring pattern for the past month with the mild winter we have had.

Spring Break is a week away and we have boats available every day. Wading or drifting, there have been plenty of fish to catch. Flounder numbers are strong as well if you want to do a night gigging trip. We are kid-friendly so if you want to put the youngsters on a fish give us a call.
If you just want to take the family to the coast and breath the salt air we have river or beach rentals available to spend a week or a few days.

 

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Feb. 27, 2012.....It is a fact of life for a fishing guide: it’s tough to get people to fish in February. Even with stellar catches, and there have been plenty this winter, your everyday angler doesn’t get fired up until the first buds of spring begin to green the landscape.
Recent rains have sent precious life-giving freshwater to our bay estuaries and marshes, thereby leveling out of control salinity readings and setting the stage for what could be a great spring, summer and autumn fishing season. We have seen some impressive flounder on the shorelines, and Capt. Mark's boat is ready to stick a few flatties.

We will be at the Houston Fishing Show this week at the George R. Brown Convention Center. This is the show of all shows for anglers who want to get fired up about the upcoming year (www.houstonfishingshow.com).

We are offering a Show Special of $750 for fishing, lodging and lunch on the boat for up to 4 people, valid Mon.-Thurs. for all of 2012 ($350 savings). All that is required is a 50% deposit to hold the trip and you can book a date now or whenever your schedule allows. This Show Special price will be available through the last day of the show (Mar. 4). Choose wading, drifting or floundering - purchase as many as you like. Show Specials must be used by Dec. 31, 2012.

Feb. 20, 2012.......Admit it, you are in better mood when the sun is shining. We have been blessed with lots of the rain in February which has helped the bays tremendously and we will see even more fruits of the freshwater in the fall when the birds work. Winter and spring rains determine our white shrimp crop; and, when we have a good crop of whities we have specktacular fall fishing under the birds.

Forecasts call for highs in the 80s this week, which should put fish in a spring pattern. Our bays are in great shape. It has amazed a lot of seasoned captains at the number of fish we have caught this winter. Good fish were taken last week while drifting and we made the most of the weekend weather by walking to protected back lakes and wading sloughs and guts. We have boats available this week, so if you can get away for a morning or afternoon, give us a shout on we can try to extract the winter doldrums and get a head start on your summer tan.

Fishing Show Special

We wil be at the Houston Fishing Show Feb.29-Mar.4 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. This is the show of all shows for anglers who want to get fired up about the upcoming year.
Beginning now, we are offering a Show Special of $750 for fishing, lodging and lunch on the boat for up to 4 people, valid Mon.-Thurs. for all of 2012 ($350 savings). All that is required is a 50% deposit to hold the trip and you can book a date now or whenever your schedule allows. This Show Special price will be available through the last day of the show (Mar. 4). Choose wading, drifting or floundering - purchase as many as you like. Show Specials must be used by Dec. 31, 2012.
If come to Fishing Show to book a trip, we will pay for your ticket to the show. If you can't make it to the show, you can still book the special over the phone or by email from now through Mar. 4th.

 

Feb. 12, 2012....... Winter showed back up and made for tough fishing conditions, except Tuesday. Light winds and mild temperatures between cold fronts allowed us to find good trout on Corkies and Bass Assassins while wading. The good news is southeast winds are forecasted to return to the coast this week and our solid fishing should return.
We wil be at the Houston Fishing Show Feb.29-Mar.4 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. This is the show of all shows for anglers who want to get fired up about the upcoming year.
Beginning now, we are offering a Show Special of $750 for fishing, lodging and lunch on the boat for up to 4 people, valid Mon.-Thurs. for all of 2012 ($350 savings). All that is required is a 50% deposit to hold the trip and you can book a date now or whenever your schedule allows. This Show Special price will be available through the last day of the show (Mar. 4). Choose wading, drifting or floundering - purchase as many as you like. Show Specials must be used by Dec. 31, 2012.
If come to Fishing Show to book a trip, we will pay for your ticket to the show. If you can't make it to the show, you can still book the special over the phone or by email from now through Mar. 4.

 

Feb. 5, 2012........It was a solid week on Matagorda Bay. We caught trout to six pounds while drifting and took limits three consecutive days. The bays continue to amaze me at the quality speckled trout being caught. Waders took limits in West Bay while working guts with soft plastics.
Check out the photo of the redfish. Greg Salario caught the fish that was 27 3/4 inches, but the surprise was at the cleaning table. Its bulging belly prompted me to check what it was eating and I found a Corky Fat Boy in its stomach. On top of the Fat Boy was a 12-inch digested mullet. How did the fish get that lure all the way down its throat and in the bottom of its stomach with two sharp trebles?
Bachelor parties, family outings or just a couple of days with good buddies, call, text or email to get on the books.

 

 

Jan. 29, 2012....It's still January and some trees are beginning to bud. Hard to believe. I am not complaining, the closer we get to Feb and March the farther we get away from freezes. Our winter fishing has been more like spring fishing with 63 degree water temps. Mild temperatures are forecasted for this week again, which will put us drifting over deep shell and mud with Bass Assassins. If you want to wade for a big trout, topwaters and/or Corkies and MirrOlures are solid speckled trout baits right now. Never too early to start thinking about Spring Break; a chance to get the kids on the water. Another waterfowl season is in the books and it was a good one for both ducks and geese. We will get back at it in September for teal season.
Call, text or email for more info.

Jan. 22, 2012....Those who dismiss January as a non-fishing month are missing the boat, literally and figuratively. The entire week saw wonderful fishing in both East and West bay. Our boats caught limits of trout while drifting in East Bay with Bass Assassins, and waders found trout and reds in the guts in West Bay.
I am not talking about just school trout, but several speckled trout in the 3-6 pound range. Water temperatures are in the mid 60s, and I can't remember the last time the water was so warm in January.
Duck hunting improved this week with the return of south winds. The season ends at sunset Sunday Jan.29. It has been a great year.
The weather has been perfect, not too cold and not too warm. Don't wait until the calendar officially says spring to get motivated to wet a line or you will miss some of the largest speckled trout of the year.

 

Jan. 16, 2012......What had been a slow week of catching and shooting changed dramatically Monday with the return of sweet southeast winds and tides. Something makes fish want to eat and ducks want to decoy in a southeast breeze. Capt. Mark Talasek and Capt. Charlie Paradoski had full limits of trout to 25 inches while drifting with Bass Assassins in East Bay.
With the mild winter we are having the pattern of drifting over mud and shell should hold.
We are on the homestretch of duck and goose season. It has been a good one, but it all ends at sunset Jan. 29.
The winter dove season ends this Sunday Jan. 22. Our hunts this past weekend were phenomenal. It's hard to believe in coastal Texas, but there were steady groups of 20-50 doves working our goatweed fields - 12 guns shot full limits. We are resting the field and holding it for one more hunt on Saturday afternoon Jan.21.
Give us a hollar if you want one more good shoot before next September.

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