High Tide Fishing Tactics texas saltwater fishing, texas fishing, wadefishing, wading, bay fishing, speckled trout, redfish, snook, tarpon, texas redfish, texas speckled trout After a winter of watching dwindling water levels expose bars and reefs throughout Texas bays, Lone Star State coastal anglers are about to face a problem of different sorts. As spring tides begin rushing through Gulf passes, bays up and down the Texas coast will be filled with more water than they can hold - literally. Although anglers may feel more secure with the higher water levels, excessive tides tend to scatter fish, leaving fishermen frustrated. But, utilizing a little bit of strategy can help anglers alleviate their frustrations. “Once those big spring tides start coming, you definitely have to fish with the flow,” said Port Isabel guide Capt. Steve “JR” Ellis. “By that I mean fish near the passes on an outgoing tide and way back in the bay on an incoming tide. With those really high tides, the fish tend to leave their normal hiding spots on the flats and head to the newly flooded areas that they usually can't get into.” “When we get high water, we head to the back of the coves,” agreed Galveston Bay complex guide Capt. Michael LaRue. “During normal tides, most of the fish will be in the middle of the coves or in the feeder channels leading into the coves. However, when the water pushes back into the coves, those fish can go into areas they usually can't go.” Rockport-based guide Capt. Brad Smythe agrees with Ellis and LaRue, adding that, although the actual baits and techniques won't necessarily change, more opportunities will open up with the spring high tides. “A lot happens when those spring high tides come in,” said Smythe. “First of all, it brings that warmer Gulf water into the bays and starts the warming trend. That, of course, gets everything more active.” “The other thing that happens is the water gets up higher over structure and pushes into the back lakes, which gives the fish a lot of new territory,” Smythe continued. “You won't change what you're doing all that much, but you'll have an opportunity to do more in other areas. For instance, a reef which usually is dry or has only a few inches of water over may have 8 or so inches over it when the spring tides move in. So, then you can throw topwaters over the top of the reef.” When it comes to eliminating water, Ellis says your eyes are your best ally. “You spend a lot more time looking when you get big water in the bay,” Ellis said. “But, you need to look at something that will attract and concentrate fish. When the water gets up into the grass and mangroves, fish will push right up in there with it. If there is anything that will attract bait, it will attract the predator fish, too." “It's really pretty simple,” Smythe surmised. “These tides open up a lot of new territory for these fish to feed in. Whether it's up on top of reefs or up tighter to the shorelines, they going to take advantage of the new feeding opportunities - that's where you want to fish.” texas saltwater fishing, texas fishing, wadefishing, wading, bay fishing, speckled trout, redfish, snook, tarpon, texas redfish, texas speckled trout