| Some of the hottest action you'll find on the | | | | will create a case of lockjaw faster than a |
| Texas Coast is fishing under feeding birds. | | | | spooked fish, so your approach is extremely |
| When they group up and start hitting the | | | | important. I try to position myself upwind of |
| water, it's usually for one reason, and that | | | | the action if at all possible. I shut my |
| is they are scooping up left overs that | | | | engine down before getting close and I will |
| feeding game fish have left behind. There are | | | | finish my approach with the trolling motor. |
| several factors to consider in order to be | | | | Another thing to note, are other noises like |
| successful at locating fish in these feeding | | | | moving around in the boat etc. Do everything |
| frenzy's, especially quality fish. | | | | possible to make as little noise as you can, |
| | | | preferably none. |
| I was recently crossing Aransas Bay headed | | | | |
| for the boat ramp when off in the distance I | | | | As you get within casting distance remember |
| see possibly the largest group of feeding | | | | this. The larger fish are leading the school, |
| birds I have ever witnessed. Fortunately we | | | | and if you can predict where they are headed, |
| were on the upwind side of the action so it | | | | you will increase your numbers not only in |
| was pretty easy to set up on them, but that's | | | | fish count, but size as well. Casting under |
| not always the case. There are several keys | | | | the birds will catch fish, but usually the |
| to being successful when you encounter this | | | | smaller ones. You see birds are usually |
| spectacular natural occurrence. | | | | feeding on leftovers, which means the fish |
| | | | are just ahead of them. To know their exact |
| Obviously the first step is locating the | | | | location means you'll need to pay close |
| action. More often than not, that will happen | | | | attention to the waters surface, look for |
| by chance. It's important to always be alert | | | | activity such as bait breaking the surface, |
| to your surroundings while at the helm, not | | | | unusual ripples or wake, try to predict where |
| only for safeties sake, but it will also | | | | the birds are headed based on their movement. |
| benefit you when it comes to catching fish. | | | | |
| You should always be scanning the horizon for | | | | And what bait works best? I personally prefer |
| activity, not only the waters surface but in | | | | to use top waters of various colors, but when |
| the air as well. When you see it, you'll | | | | they are in this aggressive feeding frenzy |
| know. They will be grouped together from just | | | | most baits should work. My second choice |
| a few, all the way up to hundreds, diving | | | | would be a paddle tail such as a Norton Bull |
| toward the waters surface picking up their | | | | Minnow, but I've also caught quality fish on |
| free meal courtesy of feeding fish. | | | | a spoon. But if you successfully set up on |
| | | | them, they will more than likely eat about |
| Once you locate them, the next step is | | | | any bait you toss in the water. |
| setting up on them. We all know that nothing | | | | |