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