Seasonal Bay Fishing in Texas | What to Catch and When

A Seasonal Guide to Bay Fishing in Coastal Texas

Fishing in Texas offers anglers a full calendar of opportunities. From the warming waters of spring to the trophy hunts of winter, each season brings its own patterns, target species, and techniques. Whether you’re fishing out of Port O’Connor, Rockport, or Matagorda, understanding seasonal changes can make a big difference in your catch rate. More about Bay fishing guides Port O’Connor
Spring is when the bays come alive. As water temperatures rise, baitfish return and predator species begin feeding heavily. Redfish move onto grassy flats, speckled trout gather near deeper guts and oyster reefs, and black drum begin their spawning activity in bay passes.

During March and April, trout are often found near the mouths of rivers and in deeper channels. Live shrimp under a popping cork or soft plastics on jig heads are effective. Redfish tend to school on warm mud flats and marsh drains. Target them with gold spoons or paddle tail lures worked slowly along the bottom. Spring is also a great time to start wading, especially during calm mornings with incoming tides.

In May, the action heats up. Flounder begin showing up along sandy drop-offs and back lakes. Anglers should focus on marsh drains, where outgoing tides push bait out into feeding lanes. Live mud minnows or gulp baits on jig heads are a good bet for catching flounder during this time.

Summer brings long, hot days and a shift in behavior for many inshore species. Trout move toward deeper, cooler water, especially during midday hours. Early mornings and late evenings become prime times for topwater action. Walk-the-dog style plugs like the Super Spook Jr. can draw explosive strikes from trout and redfish during first light.

Redfish continue to cruise the shallow grass flats and edges of marshes. Look for tailing fish or wakes in skinny water and cast soft plastics rigged weedless or live shrimp under corks. Flounder are still around but can be more scattered, often holding near structure or drop-offs where bait gathers.

Due to high temperatures, July and August can be challenging, so anglers should prioritize low-light conditions, strong tidal movement, and deeper water. Fishing near the Intracoastal Waterway, passes, and deeper reefs can yield solid trout and drum. Drift fishing over shell bottom with soft plastics or live croaker can be especially productive.

Fall is considered by many to be the best time for bay fishing in Texas. Water temperatures cool, baitfish schools grow thick, and game fish go into feeding mode ahead of winter. Redfish begin schooling in large numbers, especially near passes and tidal lakes. This is the time for epic battles with bull reds near jetties or shallow flats.

Speckled trout numbers increase and many larger fish return to shallower waters, especially during early fall cold fronts. Topwaters and suspending twitch baits are excellent choices. Flounder fishing also peaks during fall as they prepare for their Gulf migration. Outgoing tides near marsh drains, channels, and sandy flats become flounder highways.

October and early November are prime time for targeting the Texas Slam—catching a redfish, trout, and flounder in one outing. Anglers using soft plastics, live shrimp, and scented jigs have the best chance of achieving this coveted catch.

Late fall also brings excellent black drum fishing near deeper bay channels. These fish are less aggressive but respond well to dead shrimp or cut bait fished on the bottom.

Casual anglers can overlook winter, but it offers some of the best chances at trophy trout and consistent redfish action. Big trout often stage in deeper holes, channels, and warm water outflows. Fish slow and low with suspending baits, soft plastics, or live mullet near structure.

Redfish remain active, particularly on sunny days when they move onto muddy flats to warm up. Midday sight fishing can be productive when the water is clear and the wind is calm. Flounder become scarce due to migration, but black drum and sheepshead are available around shell piles, pilings, and jetties.

Weather becomes more of a factor during winter, and cold fronts can quickly shift fish locations. Targeting protected areas with stable water temperatures is key to finding fish during these months.

Each season in Texas bays brings its own challenges and rewards. Successful anglers know how to adjust their strategy based on weather, tide movement, water clarity, and seasonal fish behavior. Staying flexible and observing current conditions will always beat relying on outdated patterns.

Booking a guided trip with a local expert is the best way to fast-track your seasonal fishing success. Captain Wes Bodden of Lured Out in Port O’Connor, Texas, knows how fish behave in every month of the year. Whether it’s topwater trout in the spring, redfish on the flats in summer, or flounder runs in the fall, Wes helps anglers make the most of every trip.

Call Captain Wes Bodden today at (325) 315-8345 to plan your seasonal bay fishing charter and experience the best that coastal Texas has to offer—no matter the month.

Why Every Boston Business Needs an SEO Strategy in 2025

 

If your Boston business still doesnít have a documented SEO strategy in 2025, youíre leaving moneyóand visibilityóon the table. With competition increasing in every neighborhood, search marketing is now an essential business, not a bonus.

Why Every Boston Business Needs an SEO Strategy in 2025

From Dorchester to Downtown Crossing, search visibility drives sales. Thatís why smart business owners are partnering with a Boston SEO agency to map out strategies that attract, convert, and retain local customers online.

1. SEO Fuels Long-Term Visibility

Unlike PPC, SEO compounds. A well-optimized blog or landing page created today can continue bringing in leads for monthsósometimes years. If youíre not planning content around what Bostonians are searching, your competitors will be.

2. Local Customers Start With Google

Over 80% of local intent searches result in offline purchases. That means showing up in the map pack or top 3 organic results isnít a vanity metricóitís a revenue stream.

Visual Guide: Local SEO Strategy Framework for 2025

This simple framework shows the five key pillars every Boston business needs in their SEO playbook:

Framework showing five key components of a Boston-focused SEO strategy: Local pages, AI content, reviews, backlinks, analytics

3. AI and Automation Are Leveling the Playing Field

Small businesses use AI-powered tools like SurferSEO and Jasper to compete with national chains. The right SEO strategy includes automation for audits, content, and reporting so your team can focus on growth.

4. No Strategy = No Clarity

If you donít know your target keywords, buyer journey, or ranking gapsóyouíre flying blind. A documented strategy helps you prioritize the highest ROI moves instead of guessing.

Letís Map Out Your SEO Plan

SEO doesnít have to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional. Connect with a Boston strategist today if your business needs a clear roadmap and expert guidance.

© 2025 Boston Strategy Lab | Helping Local Businesses Rank Smarter

 

Removable Dental Appliances

This Blog was posted by Clearview Dental – Family Dentistry in Milton, On

Removable Dental Appliances

Removable appliances, unlike conventional braces, are used to retain teeth in their corrected positions and in some cases, to influence growth of the jaws in order to affect changes in facial structure. In addition, they are often used before and in conjunction with fixed appliances.

Removable appliances are not utilized to treat all orthodontic problems. It takes skill, and experience to recognize conditions that will respond favorably to removable appliances. Timing of such therapy also is very important.

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Because removable appliances can easily be taken out by the patient, there may be a tendency not to wear them as we have prescribed. This means your teeth, jaws and muscles may move back toward their original positions.

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Removable appliances require care. Although you may notice an effect on eating and speaking along with an increase in the flow of saliva, you will eventually adjust to the appliance.

Positioners
The positioner is a custom-made mouthpiece that is utilized to make final and minor adjustments to the bite. This appliance is made from impressions of your teeth which are sent off to a special laboratory. When Dr. McClimans feels you are ready, the braces will be removed and the positioner placed. You will wear a positioner as your initial retention appliance. In six weeks, after final records are taken, you will receive upper and lower retainers to wear long-term.

Initially, the positioner should be worn four hours per day and slept in at night. After one week, you will be checked, and if all is well, the wearing time will be reduced to two hours per day along with regular nighttime wear. During the day, the positioner should be worn for a minimum of 20 minutes at a time, followed by a period of rest. While the positioner is in place, the exercise by clenching, holding, and relaxing the teeth. If the positioner falls out at night, get in more wearing time during the day. Some people find it helpful to suggest to themselves before going to sleep that they will keep the positioner in all night.

When the positioner is removed in the morning, rinse with water to remove saliva and store in the box provided. From time to time, the positioner should be brushed with a toothbrush and toothpaste to assure good oral hygiene. If you experience gum irritation, please contact our office so that you can be seen and the positioner adjusted. These six weeks of positioner wear are critical to a stable orthodontic result. Teeth can move quickly without adequate retention force; please follow instructions as prescribed.

Retainers are utilized, generally after the positioner. They are utilized to hold your teeth in their new positions until your bone, gums, and muscles adapt to the new teeth’ positions. You must wear your retainer as instructed, otherwise, your teeth may move toward their original positions and the benefit of wearing your braces will be lost.

Our Orthodontist will determine how long you need to wear your retainer. Time varies with each patient. Some people may need retainers for an extended period of time in order to eliminate the shifting of the teeth. In some cases, permanent retention may be necessary.

The retention period is an important part of your overall treatment and should not be neglected!

Remember, wear them in your mouth, not in your pocket. Retainers work when you follow our instructions.

Clean your retainers! After meals, clean all parts of the retainer with a brush, dishwashing soap, and water. Use of dish soap will prevent scratching of the polished plastic, which can occur with the use of toothpaste.

Handle your retainers with care. Retainers are easy to lose. If you take your retainers out, always place them in your retainer case for safety. Click here for more information on caring for your retainers. Find more information here

AC Services – Refrigerant

This Blog was posted by Smithson Valley Services Air Conditioning. We serve the Texas Hill Country, including Blanco | Bulverde | Canyon Lake | Fisher | Kendalia | New Braunfels | North San Antonio | Sattler | Sisterdale | Smithson Valley | Spring Branch | Startzville

AC Services – Refrigerant

Just as a battery requires electric juice to operate, the refrigerant component of an HVAC system requires literal juice refrigerant liquid and/or gas, depending on the stage of the cooling process to perform properly. When the preset refrigerant level is depleted via leaks, it must be replaced, or performance will quickly degrade. What is refrigerant charging? Refrigerant charging is the process of emptying and refilling the refrigerant component of an HVAC system. When refrigerant levels fall due to leaks or system repairs, the existing refrigerant must be drained and replaced with a new charge. A variety of tools are required to accomplish this; technicians generally either use a bulk refrigerant container or a charging kit, which contains exactly the right amount of gas/liquid for a single charge. Manifold gauge set in either case, a manifold gauge set is required to complete the process of refrigerant charging. This is one of the most important HVAC charging tools, as without it the refrigerant gases could not be transferred to the refrigerant coil. More on this webpage

A manifold gauge set is comprised of two gauges, three hoses, and two valves. Essentially, it creates an airtight channel which then forces the refrigerant gas into the appropriate part of the HVAC system in question. Without this tool, the gases would leak out or be unable to travel efficiently.

Digital thermometers

A digital thermometer is used to check the temperature of HVAC system components while the refrigerant is being charged. Readings acquired via the thermometer are used to calculate superheat and sub-cooling measurements, allowing the HVAC technician to determine exactly how much refrigerant the system requires. Pressure readings from the manifold gauge set also contribute to this reading, so both tools are required for accurate information.

Valve core remover

Valve cores are a bit like a plug, and are used to keep gases from leaking out; HVAC valve cores function similarly to bicycle and car tire manufacturing. A valve core remover is a vital part of the refrigerant charging process, as it allows these cores to be taken out so that gases can flow freely through the valve passages. Valve core removers designed for HVAC systems are usually made of brass instead of traditional steel to prevent damage to the brass access ports.

Digital scales

Digital scales allow for a more accurate weight measurement than traditional mechanical scales. The refrigerant tank is placed upon a scale during the charging process, and an HVAC technician will use the scale reading to determine how much gas has been fed into the HVAC system. As gases do not weigh very much, it is important to have a scale that detects minute changes; a good digital scale will measure changes of as little as 2 grams!

As with any technical profession, an HVAC technician’s toolkit allows him to do his job properly and well. Understanding the purpose of the tools used during refrigerant charging may help homeowners gain a better appreciation of the skills their HVAC technician possesses!