Fishing Frenzy

A gold spoon retrieved cleanly across the top of a pothole, states Danny Neu, is downright deadly.

And Neu is someone who you should listen to when he's sharing fishing tips. Captain Neu is a professional guide in Port Mansfield who has long been specializing in the grass flats of the Lower Laguna Madre, an area which lends itself to many different styles of fishing.

All over the lower coast, there are circle-shaped sandy breaks which are typically surrounded by vegetation. It's easy to spot these potholes, as they are usually known, especially when wearing polarized sunglasses. These structures resemble tiny versions of crop circles and are among the best places to find baitfish hiding out - and predators swarming in pursuit. Port Mansfield and other spots along the lower coast are rife with potholes among their miles and miles of grass flats.

"A great deal of my fishing takes place while wading or drifting potholes during late spring to early fall," recalls Neu. The springtime abundance of bait establishes the Port Mansfield areas as a buffet for predators. Fortunately for sightcasters, the thick grass and sand keeps water clarity at its best.

According to Neu, fishing is at its finest when small baitfish infiltrate bay systems. "Piggy perch and pinfish cruise in and out of the pockets and make it easy pickins."

For Neu, the locations he begins to wade or drift are places that he can actually see the fish laying on the edge of the grass awaiting prey while motoring by. Setting up the initial location is simple when water clarity is the utmost. "Slicks and fleeing baitfish are other signs to watch for."

Drifting and wading are both perfectly good methods in this region, with the choice really coming down to a matter of preference. Fishing reports may vary in the opinions they give, but the experts say it is up to what works best for each angler.

"Typically I wade when I work the potholes, since this lets me get into each and every sandy patch one by one and fish each spot thoroughly," says Neu.

A man never short of fishing tips, Captain Neu also suggests wading rather than drifting if you happen to come across a group of feeding fish. He says this makes it far easier to hold a good position once you've found one.

Casey Hardin, a biologist studying sea grass on the lower coast, believes these bald spots are formed due to bottom sediments serving as substrates. "It may be a bottom composed of gravel or perhaps hard sand that does not allow for grass growth; however there is no question that potholes are excellent ambush points for speckled trout and redfish."

When Hardin is not studying the grass, he is fishing it. "On the Upper Laguna, some very beautiful shorelines exist; however, potholes appear less often compared to the Lower Laguna," states Hardin. "I have actually grown accustomed to marking potholes I plan to fish on my hand held GPS prior to wading to ensure I am precisely fishing each and not passing any up."

When the winds pick up speed, drifting can be something of a challenge, but one of the insider fishing tips when dealing with the flats and potholes is to drift in these conditions in order to spot good potholes for angling quickly.

"I usually go for a weedless spoon as my first choice, but when I'm not getting results with that or a topwater, I reach for a red and white soft plastic lure. It never fails me in a pinch," Hardin says. Agreeing with fishing reports for the region, Hardin also recommends lightweight jigs and suspending baits when fishing among the potholes of the Lower Laguna Madre.