Waters remain choppy for many fishing guides along the Texas coast

ARANSAS PASS, Texas – Even although the hurricane season doesn’t start till June 1, an ideal storm of issues, together with an enormous fish kill, proceed to have an effect on fishing guides and their purchasers along the Texas coast.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department estimates that 3.8 million fish have been killed in the winter storm of 2021.

State wildlife consultants consider the excessive chilly worn out a major variety of speckled sea trout along the Laguna Madre, a 130-mile-long shallow lagoon that hugs the Texas shoreline.

For that cause, TPWD issued new tips in 2022 meant to assist the species rebound.

Along the Laguna Madre, there may be now a three-fish restrict per individual and you can not preserve possession of speckled trout smaller than 17 inches or bigger than 23 inches.

Capt. Justin Ivey, a fishing information primarily based in Aransas Pass, says competitors to catch the prized sport fish has change into extra fierce and will require longer days on the water.

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“We’re looking for 15 or 16-inch fish for customers. It’s going to take work. It’s going to take us 10 to 15 fish to find that 17-inch trout,” he says.

Ivey’s constitution fishing enterprise had simply begun to rebound from a wave of COVID-related journey cancellations when the new fishing rules went into impact.

Now, greater gasoline costs have him charging extra to assist offset the price of filling up his truck and boat.

“I used to charge $500 for two, $600 for three and $700 for four (people). Now I charge $600, $700 and $800. We had to go up,” Ivey mentioned.

He says bait costs are greater too.

The fishing continues to be wonderful for these keen to pay, particularly followers of the hard-fighting purple drum often known as redfish.

KSAT took a day journey with Capt. Ivey as a part of “Gone Fishin’ with Mark Austin.”

Our two-man crew had enjoyable catching not less than seven redfish, maintaining the most of three per individual.

To ebook a visit with Justin, discover ‘Ivey League Guide Service’ on Facebook or name 361-904-2425.

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