ROOKIE LOOKING FOR HELP

[OLDREF]

I hate to admit that at 53 years old I am a rookie,but i am.  I bought a22FT TRITON ....love the boat....I have been out of Sabine Pass about three times.  This past Sunday we started out at the La jettys caught onekeeper speck.  We then went to the texas cut...caught nothing but trash.....then took off due west to the closest rigs we could get to. We caught fish or lost our bait on every cast..ended up with ten keeper trout.  MY QUESTIONS.......................................

1)  can you suggest other areas to try.

2)  is this boat too big to take into the lake.

3)  How and where do you fish for flounder.

4)  I have been using live shrimp....any other bait or artificial to try

5)  any well meaning tips or pointers will be appreciated

                                THANKS

[tvc184]

I hate to admit that at 53 years old I am a rookie,but i am.  I bought a22FT TRITON ....love the boat....I have been out of Sabine Pass about three times.  This past Sunday we started out at the La jettys caught onekeeper speck.  We then went to the texas cut...caught nothing but trash.....then took off due west to the closest rigs we could get to. We caught fish or lost our bait on every cast..ended up with ten keeper trout.  MY QUESTIONS.......................................

1)  can you suggest other areas to try.

2)   is this boat too big to take into the lake.

3)  How and where do you fish for flounder.

4)  I have been using live shrimp....any other bait or artificial to try

5)  any well meaning tips or pointers will be appreciated

                                THANKS

1. There are other places. It is just hit or miss if the fish are there. This is the time of the year that the birds are about to start working good. Run anywhere from the north end of the lake to the south end and look for birds. If the wind lays down, look for bait skipping across the water or swirls. The middle of the week can be better to get away from other boats but with hunting season starting pretty soon, you might have the lake to yourself anyway.

2. See #1. Yes you can run in the lake. Most places will be from 5-8 feet deep but watch it around the islands up north. You can be in 30 foot of water over the ship channel one moment and then hit 18 inches in a couple of seconds.

3. I kind of think of flounder as bass fishing with plastic worms but in saltwater. Whether you use mud minnows, finger mullet or a plastic jig (better tipped with a small piece of shrimp), you usually toss it near the bank, especially near shallow points on the moving tide. Work the bait slow usually. When they hit or tap it (much like bass fishing), let them move off with the bait and when the line tightens up, set the hook. It is tougher fishing than other saltwater fish but it can be more exciting I guess and I have fished with some guys that are great at it.

4. Other live baits (as mentioned in #3) are mud minnows, finger mullet or even shad caught in a cast net. At times they can be awesome. At other times, artificials are better. I catch more of my fish on artificials but I will catch them any way that I can.

5. My tip... go fishing. I have friends that are better fishermen than I am but even they don't knock them dead every time out. They catch them because they go more than once a month. There are so many ways to catch fish and I am always learning new ones. Some of them I teach myself just trying something new.

Also, you'd better watch it around the LA jetties if you don't have a LA license. I know that the laws say that you can fish inside of the jetties but sometimes there are other opinions.

And a rookie with a 22 foot Triton?? Is it a center console or what?

[643]

Oldref, all the above is good poop, a few things that have been working for us> shrimp are good BUT all fish love m, we have been getting away from the non-target fish by using croaker or finger (size) mullet at the jetties, BTW we have been getting most of our nicer fish on Gulf side of the La jetties, this IS in La waters. Most of the times we're finding the nicer specks along with some slot reds using very little weight, almost 'freelining' the bait, thro to the rocks and let your bait 'skirt the rocks' just keep it up off the bottom all the way to the boat and repeat. There are fish to be caught under a popn cork BUT we have been getting the better sized fish deeper, last w/e we was 3 fish shy of a 3 man limit with only 1 fish under 18". Areas around the causeway bridge have been good for specks, reds with some flounder lately also but will have to deal with smaller fish at times. The La side of the lake has been hot early in the morn, also with a outgoing tide fish the drains BUT BEWARE don't go past the entrance as you'll be in La. If I were to target only flounder this is where I would spend my day. Hoping you have 'Tite lines and screaming drags'....   

[OLDREF]

my triton is a center console.  Thank you both for the excellent information.  I know little or nothing about the lake. Where would be the best place to launch to fish the lake. Where in the lake is your favorite spot.

[643]

If your gonna fish the North end, I would put n at Port Neches Park, if fishn the South end or the jetties I would go to the Sabine Pass '4way' turn left n go to the end of the rd. The ramp at the Causeway could get dangerous with a hard moving tide....

[tvc184]

If your gonna fish the North end, I would put n at Port Neches Park, if fishn the South end or the jetties I would go to the Sabine Pass '4way' turn left n go to the end of the rd. The ramp at the Causeway could get dangerous with a hard moving tide....

Is the boat launch under the Rainbow Bridge back open? When I fished the north end or the north Bessie Heights canal at the Entergy plant, I would launch there. I don't know since the hurricane.

[tvc184]

Oldref, all the above is good poop, a few things that have been working for us> shrimp are good BUT all fish love m, we have been getting away from the non-target fish by using croaker or finger (size) mullet at the jetties, BTW we have been getting most of our nicer fish on Gulf side of the La jetties, this IS in La waters. Most of the times we're finding the nicer specks along with some slot reds using very little weight, almost 'freelining' the bait, thro to the rocks and let your bait 'skirt the rocks' just keep it up off the bottom all the way to the boat and repeat.

There are fish to be caught under a popn cork BUT we have been getting the better sized fish deeper, last w/e we was 3 fish shy of a 3 man limit with only 1 fish under 18". Areas around the causeway bridge have been good for specks, reds with some flounder lately also but will have to deal with smaller fish at times. The La side of the lake has been hot early in the morn, also with a outgoing tide fish the drains BUT BEWARE don't go past the entrance as you'll be in La. If I were to target only flounder this is where I would spend my day. Hoping you have 'Tite lines and screaming drags'....     

And right on the rocks. I have caught fish so close to the jetties that you wouldn't think the fish would be in that close. I think they go in and pick up small bait fish and shrimp that use the jetty rocks for structure.

When I am catching bait fish like small croaker and piggie perch, I toss a small piece of shrimp right up on the rocks and drag the bait into the water. In a few inches of water is where I get my bait when fishing for big reds or sharks. If you toss out a few feet away from the rocks, you will likely get nothing but hardheads.

As far as the deeper fishing, I was doing just that but under a cork at night under the lights in the ship channel. The last time I went was about three weeks ago but I was seeing a lot of specks but the smaller ones were coming up near the top. I was catching several in the 14"-15" range. I was using artificial but put them under a cork. I was still swimming them in like I normally would but letting them rest for a couple of seconds. The lure would sink back down to its deeper level under the cork. I would keep the lure at 3'-5' under water. When I would move my rod tip, it would make the lure come up about a foot and then fall back down to the level under the cork. I ended up filling a stringer with specks between 17"-20".

I had a hard time keeping my artificial baits that deep when I simply retrieved them but by fishing under the cork, I would keep it down in the zone where they were hitting. It doesn't always work but it worked that night. I was using minnow type soft baits and some fake shrimp baits.

[whsalum]

I think the ramp at the Esthers is still good to go.You may want to check out the Keith Lake fish pass this fall if you want to catch some flounder.You can usually catch some pretty good fish there on plastic jigs tipped with shrimp.I'm thinking about getting me a 22 ft CC triton when I retire,how do you like yours? What are you running on it and where did you get it ??

[tvc184]

I think the ramp at the Esthers is still good to go.You may want to check out the Keith Lake fish pass this fall if you want to catch some flounder.You can usually catch some pretty good fish there on plastic jigs tipped with shrimp.I'm thinking about getting me a 22 ft CC triton when I retire,how do you like yours? What are you running on it and where did you get it ??

That would save a long run if that ramp is open rather than running from Port Neches Park.

[whsalum]

I've got a good friend who has launched there several times this summer.I think they have some traffic barricades up but I'm pretty sure you can launch there.

[643]

No way would I put a 22'er in Kieth Lake but thats just me, the ramp at Esters is open BUT we went in to check it out early in the spring and hit a pipeline at the entrance of the ditch in a 24'er. For me I could be fishn by the time I drove around to Esters but it all hinges on where your starting from I guess. If you go to Kieth lake have a paddle a long pole and try and launch and take out on HIGH tide, oh yea better have a stainless prop but most all boats now have them.... 

[OLDREF]

643...........would it make any difference if the 22 footer had a jack plate?................whsalum.........If your knowledge of fishing is anything like your basketball knowledge than my ears are wide open......The triton I bought was an 07 with 150 Mercury...........top speed.....45 mph.....does not burn much gas, and is as fast as i want to go.  I bought it from a young man in Richm0nd.....boat was in excellent

condition.  Does Carol fish?.......I would love to take both of you now that she has retired from coaching.  I know she will be missed.  THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REPLIED......MORE QUESTIONS

1) Where is P.N. PARK

2) If you put in under the rainbow bridge......where do you go from there.....does it flow into Keiths Lake

[tvc184]

643...........would it make any difference if the 22 footer had a jack plate?................

Yes, it makes a difference. What is the draft on your boat?

1) Where is P.N. PARK

2) If you put in under the rainbow bridge......where do you go from there.....does it flow into Keiths Lake

1. Port Neches Park is at the end of Merriman. If you know where PNG High School is, just keep going and it will dead end into the ship channel at the park. Go east/right out of the park and you run into the north end of Lake Sabine about 4 miles down the channel/Neches River. In your boat, probably a run of about 8 minutes or less.

2. Same place. Turn east/right coming out of the canal. It is just 4 miles closer to the lake. Left 643 said, it is according to where you are coming from. Nothing wrong with PN Park. 

[OLDREF]

I think the draft on this boat is 18 in......I just talked to a friend who told me UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES TO TAKE THAT BOAT INTO KEITHS LAKE.....JAKE PLATE OR NO..........

[whsalum]

Probably should have addressed the question in 2 parts.We normally fish the Keith Lake Pass out of a 16 ft CC aluminum boat.The flounder will flat bunch up there in the fall but your buddy is right on about the boat(especially since the last hurricane).We catch a lot of specks on a ridge off the intracoastal canal just a short run from Esthers.You can idle out of Esthers in just a few minutes.I did a ton of white bass jigging this summer with my brother in law on Livingston this summer out of a 22 ft Triton,it spoiled me.I wanted a new bass boat until I fished out of the Triton and now my wife is hooked on the CC.Carol hasn't fished much but she will try just about anything outdoors.My kids are off in college now so hopefuly I will get to wet a hook pretty regularly again.

[tvc184]

I think the draft on this boat is 18 in......I just talked to a friend who told me UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES TO TAKE THAT BOAT INTO KEITHS LAKE.....JAKE PLATE OR NO..........

I see boats with a deeper draft than that go in there but that doesn't mean they are smart.

The fish pass/canal from the ship channel to the lake should be okay though. If the ramp is back open under the Intercoastal Bridge going toward Sabine Pass, you can run the Intercoastal for about a mile west toward Galveston. That is where Taylor's Bayou dumps into the Intercoastal. It is a hit or miss affair but sometimes the action can explode there with specks, sand trout and reds.

[westend1]

OLDREF

Just wait til the first cool fronts come through then launch at the yacht club on Sabine Lake.  Go about half way across and pull out your binoculars.  You can run that boat all over the middle of the lake with no problems, and chasing the birds around is the easiest way to catch fish and become a little more familiar with the lake.     

[tvc184]

OLDREF

Just wait til the first cool fronts come through then launch at the yacht club on Sabine Lake.   Go about half way across and pull out your binoculars.   You can run that boat all over the middle of the lake with no problems, and chasing the birds around is the easiest way to catch fish and become a little more familiar with the lake.       

Yep. That time of the year is almost at hand.

If a person can get on the fish at the right place at the right time, it can be amazing. To see so many Redfish or Specks that the water looks bronze in color about the size of a football field.....

Then, it really gets heat up right about the time that deer season starts. The lake gets a lot less crowded.

[OLDREF]

MORE QUESTIONS FROM THE ROOK...........................

When working the birds on the lake................I have heard several schools of thoughton what artificial to use...........Some have told me worms........some have said top water........ What is the best arti. to keep loaded on ... and do you keep several rods and reels ready to go with the same bait or different.  These may not be intelligent questions, but what I tell the people who I train to officiate...""There are no stupid questions if you don't know....THEN ASK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks again..................you guys have been a tremendous help

old ref

[tvc184]

I load maybe three rods with different lures. One with a lead head for soft baits, a Rat-L-Trap or similar cranking lure and a spoon or whatever else has me interested that day.

[tvc184]

And try to stay outside of the school and drift or troll into is slowly. Nothing worse that working a good school and have some yahoo come blowing right into the middle of it at 50mph throwing a rooster tail.... then idle back and start chunking lures but can't figure out why the fish have stopped biting.

[westend1]

MORE QUESTIONS FROM THE ROOK...........................

When working the birds on the lake................I have heard several schools of thoughton what artificial to use...........Some have told me worms........some have said top water........ What is the best arti. to keep loaded on ... and do you keep several rods and reels ready to go with the same bait or different.  These may not be intelligent questions, but what I tell the people who I train to officiate...""There are no stupid questions if you don't know....THEN ASK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks again..................you guys have been a tremendous help

old ref

When schooling, they will hit about anything.  Just get something heavy enough to make long casts.  I like a 3/8 jig head with a cocahoe minnow, or something similar.

[thetragichippy]

I might be late on this, but do not put that boat in Keith lake.  There are only 2 ways to get there, the ramp and under the bridge. I have a 22ft center console and went under the bridge one time.......lots of post under water, so have to trim motor up.  Once I got in there it was not to bad.....leaving, the tide had came up and my top rail scraped bridge as I went under.....fast....tide was leaving.  The thing about tide is, if its moving 10 miles an hour, you have to go 11 mph to steer. So, if you try it, be careful. The ramp (last I checked) was too shallow for my boat......i float in about 14-16 inches of water. Its not worth screwing up your boat to get in there......if you want to fish in there, buy a cheap aluminum boat with a small motor.

JMO....      ;D

[tvc184]

Is the ramp at the Intercoastal Bridge heading toward Sabine Pass open?

[thetragichippy]

Is the ramp at the Intercoastal Bridge heading toward Sabine Pass open?

I think so......but not 100% sure.  I know right after Ike, I used the ramp at the 4 way stop in Sabine. It was ok......that's usually where I put in and then run the intercoastal to the Keith lake bridge. The ramp I was talking about for Keith lake was at Hansens place.  I think I remember seeing trailers there after Ike. It's a REAL shallow boat ramp. I would be scared I could not get my boat out.