Trout, reds available with the change of a lure; area is a historic producer on the lake.
It may seem as if the wind will never quit blowing, but calmer days are on the horizon as we creep closer to a summer pattern on Sabine Lake.
Each incoming tide bringing saltier, “trout green” water filled with ribbonfish, pogies and shrimp will have the lake busting at the seams. So many signs of new life stemming from the passing spring are an angler’s delight. Just like an episode of Blue Planet from the Discovery Channel, new life also brings the predators.
On the west side of Sabine runs the north and south revetment wall, spanning nearly the entire shoreline. It is a well-known haunt for local fishermen, and rightly so. Both the north and south revetment walls are easily accessible via automobile for arguably the best bank-fishing on the lake. Several boat ramps are also available for a short boat ride, including the ramp at the RV Park, causeway ramps and Sea Pony at the base of the Rainbow Bridge for fishing the walls from the boat.
Hitting the walls
During spring and early summer, the walls are one of the most-consistent and productive places on Sabine. Serving as something of a highway, big numbers of speckled trout and redfish travel up and down the walls, hunting for their next meal. Historically, I have always caught many more trout here than redfish; however, with the change of a lure, your redfish chances will go up tremendously. Often, locating the trout is very easy, as they are commonly slicking here. Many anglers will travel up and down the walls in their trucks or boats, looking for slicks. Once one is located, stop and fish, then move to the next one.
Lures
An assortment of lures will work, although I prefer to throw those mimicking finfish since we are often fishing slicks. MirrOdines, She Dogs and Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows are some of my favorite hard plastics. If fishing soft plastics, I prefer something with a paddletail such as an Egret Wedgetail or a Texas Tackle Factory Killer Flats Minnow. If redfish are your target, change lures. A 3/4-ounce, chrome/blue back Rat-L-Trap is the ticket, and it will still give you the opportunity to catch solid speckled trout. A brown craw KVD 1.5 square-bill crankbait will also help you hone in on the redfish, but do not expect to catch very many trout.
It is important to note that if fishing either north or south revetment walls from the bank, a Texas fishing license is required. If fishing from the boat, a Louisiana or Texas fishing license would suffice; however, Texas size and creel limits are in effect.
To learn more or contact Capt. Adam Jaynes, visit justfishsabine.com.
