East Matagorda Bay

Although East Matagorda Bay does not have a great amplitude of change in tidal movement on its flats, the north shoreline on the bay side of the Intracoastal Waterway and the south shoreline from the Redhouse Reef area to Brown Cedar Flats offers excellent wadefishing opportunities, says Jim Dailey of Palacios, a veteran middle coast flyfisher. The grassy shorelines here are wadable, attractive fly-fishing areas. Dailey recommends that flyfishers wading these flats work the edges of grass beds. There are good firm bottoms along the shorelines, and softer mud bottoms in the bayous. Dailey calls this"primo habitat" for reds, trout, and flounder.

In the fall, when trout and reds are schooling and the birds are active, the fly-fishing action heats up along the East Matagorda Bay shorelines. Dailey says the north shoreline can be "an absolutely awesome fishery" on calm days or under north or northeast winds. The water is wadable and clear under these conditions and provides excellent sightcasting opportunities.

To reach the north shoreline of East Matagorda Bay, you can launch a skiff at Caney Creek Marina near the community of Sargent or at Chinquapin Bait Store along Live Oak Bayou. To reach Caney Creek Marina take Texas 457 south from Bay City.

The Colorado River at Matagorda

Many anglers describe the stretch of Colorado River that runs from Matagorda to the jettied Gulf pass as the best winter fishery in Texas. The point where the Colorado River meets the Gulf of Mexico is a particularly productive area for seatrout and redfish. Uniform-density, shooting-taper, or sink-tip fly lines should be used to deliver Deceiver and SeaDucer patterns to trout holding in the deeper water. Target the pass on days when winds are moderate, Gulf waters are calm, and the water is clear. Flyfishers can wade the shoreline near the point or take a kayak or johnboat across to fish the opposite shoreline.

To get to the mouth of the Colorado River, follow Farm Road 2031 from Matagorda along the river to the beach.