Been a few weeks since I have updated the BLOG section of my website. I am working on my last two groups of the 2026 winter season in PORT MANSFIELD. It is hard to believe that the winter months have passed as fast as they have. I have not been staying in Port as much this year due to needing to be in Rockport more. I don't mind the 2 1/2-hour drive to be honest. Mostly ranch land for the most part so lots of time to look at wildlife and think. Fishing is really good most days with lots of trout this year over 6/7 pounds for my guys and then the 3-to-5-pound fish remain plentiful most days. Mix some days with upper to oversized red fish in the mix with the trout and it makes me look pretty good at times. Just so you know, it's the ranch not so much the hunter in Port Mansfield.

The fishing in Rockport is so much better than it was last winter. Tides are super low all along the middle to lower Texas Coast, so trout and reds alike are concentrated along drop-off, in shoreline guts and along the deeper edges of our oyster reefs in the North Country. Any type of signs of bait fish present should be investigated. Where you find any bait activity or even just presence, there will be trout. I am excited about our spring fishing in Rockport. I will also be taking a few 1-to-2-day trips to the UPPER LAGUNA and BAFFIN areas this spring as well.

Two things are helping our NORTH COUNTRY fishing in Rockport. Restricted limits on trout and the slow return and repair of our oyster reefs due to the NEW regulations and some buy out of oyster license's. Huge shout out to our club members, John Eads and Craig Bunk for their part in this process and then of course Chuck Naiser and his relentless pursuit of the protection of the oyster reefs.

Sales on the NEW TEXAS CUSTOM'S JAY WATKINS SERIES soft plastics are going well they tell me. I love all of our colors in both the straight tail and the tail baits. I am also having good luck with the NEW 6TH SESNES PARTY PADDLE and SHINDO SERIES of soft plastics. I am not a paddle tail guy, but the PARTY PADDLE is the real deal guys and so is the SHINDO, which is a much larger forked tail bait.

Still having a few issues with my eyes but getting them. tweaked a little this month and I am hopeful that this gets me back to where were a few months back. I love my WATERLAND CO. I love the WATERLAND mineral glass lenses. Light, clear, and durable.

Hope this finds everyone doing well and enjoying a new year. First week in PORT MANSFIDELD is in the books and it was incredible. I had unbelievably good anglers with the SPECKLED TRUTH owners and influencers. Kyle, Chris, Shane and ED are all really seasoned anglers. 3 are from Mississippi / Louisiana and Chris the one from LA., now lives in the San Antonio area. With seasoned anglers, my job is pretty easy. All I really need to do is stab us down on the right part of the ranch and put the dogs on the ground and let them go to work. For three days we caught trout to 7 pounds and reds to 9 and 10 pounds in numbers that for some, maybe many, might be difficult to believe. I am seasoned angler as well so just imagine what the combined numbers of trout and reds could possibly be if each angler brought to hand 20 to 25 fish per day. I know for sure on Day 1 and Day 2 this was the absolute truth.

Wide variety of lures worked for us. All in the group are Mirrolure, Custom Corky, Texas Customs, 6TH Sense and Down South enthusiasts, so these were the major brands that were thrown. Custom Corky floaters, Pro Series and Soft Dine XL series in GRINGO, PISTACHIO, TEXAS TURNIP, OS PEARL HARBOR and PURE SILVER produced for us. In the TEXAS CUSTOMS DOUBLE D series, it was Pistachio, Plum Nasty and Crown Royal that we all did the best on. We also caught some trout to 5 pounds on the NEW TEXAS CUSTOMS JAY WATKINS series SOFT PLASTICS in WATERMELON RED GLITTER. PISTACHIO, BROWN SHRIMP and JUNE BUG.

Long range winter weather forecast is calling for a mild winter, and I certainly hope that is true. Freezing temperatures overnight are not a problem, its 2 to 3 days of freezing temperatures that put the fishery in a bad place. Rockport trout fishing is much improved and IF we can get just a couple of more years without killing freezes, we will be in a great place.

Be sure to visit your local tackle dealers to stock up on the products that I have recommended.

It is hard to believe once again that another year has almost come and gone. I am hoping that all of you are enjoying Christmas with loved ones and friends.

I turned 68 in December and this week while fishing, its great here in Rockport by the way, tried to reflect on my fishing career. I am by no means finished with this adventure that many call a business. I am enjoying good health, despite being tired at days end and for some reason my clientele continues to grow. Truth is, it has to continue to grow as many of my clients have reached an age where wade fishing is a much tougher gig than ever before. I totally understand this, but I am not ready to turn in my waders for a drifting sock and trolling motor just yet. Yes, that day is coming I know but we will try to keep the old man at bay for as long as possible.

Our trout and red fish stocks in the ARANSAS BAY complex are growing. Especially the trout populations. With the new regulations on trout, if Mother Nature will spare us a fishing killing freeze for a few more years we could possibly see a return to some larger trout in our fishery, resulting in excellent trout fishing. Yesterday we released at least 30 to 35 trout from 17 to 22-inches and at least 30 upper slot red fish. I know, that is excellent fishing for not just Rockport but many places along the entire Gulf Coast. Granted, only a few trout pushing the 4-pound class on this particular day but still a banner day. Winter fishing pressure has been less over the past 5 years due to the numbers of trout lost in the 2021 FREEZE event and this alone has aided in the recovery of our trout fishery. I am hopeful that Mother Nature is kind to us over the next two months but as it has been said. "You can't control Mother Nature".

I will be fishing in Port Mansfield less this year as I am booked through January the 3rd here in Rockport. I will be returning to Rockport each week and will be fishing here as well in our back bays looking for some of the best trout Rockport has to offer that time of year. Pay attention to my ON-LINE CALENDAR for days that could open up once my Port Mansfield days each week are completed.

WATKINS LANDING continues to be at full capacity but don't hesitate to get on our WAITING LIST as we do have a few monthly tenants so there could be a unit open at any time. Monthly rates are 235.00 at the moment.

The JAY WATKINS FISHING SEMINARS were sold out every event this year so thanks to my loyal followers that continue to want to improve their fishing knowledge and skills. Watch the ON-LINE CALENDAR for 2026 dates that I will be posting after the 1st of the year.

Huge thanks to ALL of my sponsors for another year of supporting. Sponsors are MERCCURY MARINE, CHRIS'S MARINE, MIRROLURE, CUSTOM CORKY, TEXAS CUSTOM'S, 6TH SENSE, WATERLAND, LONE STAR MARINE, SOUTHERLY FISHING GEAR, COASTLINE TRAILERS, TEXAS SALTWATER MAGAZINE, AQUA TRACTION, OSPREY PREMIUM MONO LEADER, HENRI RODS and ROCKPORT TACKLE TOWN.

If you have not tried the NEW TEXAS CUSTOMS JAY WATKINS SERIES of DOUBLE D'S, JIG HEADS and our NEWESST SOFT PLASTIC LINE, stop in at any of your favorite tackle stores and pick some up. I feel we make some of the best products on the market. All of our jig heads and soft plastics are made in Texas or Mississippi, and I am proud of that.

I hope to see many of you in 2026 either next to me on a wade, on the water or around the docks sometime.

NEW TEXAS CUSTOM'S JAY WATKINS SERIES SOFT PLASTICS will be available in one of your favorite tackle stores on Tuesday DECEMBER the 2ND. We have a tremendous line-up of colors for both clear and dirty water conditions. The baits are beautiful, and I have proven to myself that the baits truly work. I am excited to see what all of you think and get some photos of you with your catch. Text comments and photos to 361 463 1074 or 361 463 6191.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY and FRIENDS.

As of this BLOG update we have received over 3-inches of rain in Rockport this morning. Looking like it is clearing a bit right now but more on the way according to the local forecast. Man, we needed this rain big time. Arctic blast headed our way for the 2/3 of December that is forecasting temperatures near freezing at this time for 1 overnight period. This same type of weather pattern was in place last December and it created some really good Trophy trout fishing and definitely kicked off our trophy trout season.

CUSTOM CORKY, TEXAS CUSTOM'S and 6TH SENSE will have all your winter trout fishing needs. Great line up from these companies from the CUSRTOM CORKY FAT BOY and SOFT DINE SERIES to the TEXAS CUSTOM'S DOUBLE D's, JAY WATKINS SERIES JIG HEADS and coming to your favorite tackle stores in December, the NEW TEXAS CUSTOM'S JAY WATKINS SERIES SOFT PLASTICS in 21 custom colors. Be sure to have plenty of MIRROLURE LIL JOHNS AND LIL JOHN XL's on hand as well. 6th SENSE and SALTY 6 will also be offering the 6th SENSE PARTY PADDLE and NEW 7"SHINDO SARDINE patterns in some special colors. 6th SENSE is offering NEW WATERLAND CO sunglasses in some NEW Frame and Lense colors WILL also become available to some of your favorite local dealers. With trophy trout season upon us, remember to have plenty of OSPREY PREMIUM leader material on hand. Don't forget that winter is fixing to be truly upon us, so wet wading is our and wader time is here. The NEW SOUTHERLY Z waders are in Tackle stores as well as SOUTHERLY'S wading boots, layering, fleece and wading jackets. Preparing for harsh winter weather conditions require servicing your boat.motor,trailer, trolling motor/batteries are ALL in good working order. CHRIS'S MARINE, LONE STAR LITHIUM BATTERIES and BACK BAY BOAT WORKS are only a phone call away from keeping you on the water.

I am excited about receiving some colder weather patterns. I love winter fishing no doubt.

I am waiting on weather here at WATKINS LANDING this morning and thought it a good time to update the blog section of my site. Fishing this summer was tough in ROCKPORT due to drought conditions, extreme fishing pressure and super-heated water temperatures. The heat: air temps and water temps, go with drought conditions. To date, Rockport is over 14-inches below its normal annual rainfall. We managed to catch fish all summer but there was a 3-to-4-week period of a super tough bite for me. We have seen a tremendous number of small trout and in the grand scheme of things, this is great. It reveals a successful spawn every year since the 2021 freeze, and I believe a growing speckled trout spawning biomass. It has only been 4 1/2 years since the freeze. It takes speckled trout on the Middle Texas Coast 3 1/2 years to reach 15-inches. Lose 50 plus percent of the populations and it is going to take at least 5 to 6 years to see significant changes. WE ARE SEEING THESE CHANGES. With the passages of the first couple of cool fronts, I did see an uptick in the trout bite in both numbers and quality. A handful of fish in the 24 to 26-inch class already but as we get closer to truly cold-water conditions this number will increase no doubt. With the opening of Duck season and all the other hunting opportunities in Texas now in full swing, the bays are less crowded. This is especially true during the weekdays. Weekends will always produce higher fishing pressure no matter where you decide to fish.

I have already had a few good days on the CUSTOM CORKY Fat Boys and SOFT DINES as well as the TEXAS CUSTOMS DOUBLE D series. Texas Custom's has the NEW JAY WATKINS SERIES SOFT PLASTIC ready to ship to dealers across the state by the end of next week I believe. Super excited about our new soft plastic. I have been testing this series since last June. Testing is never over just so you know. We will continue to try and produce the best products for our loyal following.

I am also working with6th SENSE and a few products on their SALTY 6 line of lures. I love the PARTY PADDLE, and everyone knows that I am not a paddle tail type of guys. New Shindo series is going to allow us to go hunting for truly big ones when conditions warrant. At this stage in my guiding/fishing career, I feel it is important to keep an open mind and be prepared to step out of the box and try new things. Growth in our fishing mentality demands this.

I hope to see some of you on the water, maybe my boat and the docks this winter.

I have had a few weeks off due to having cataract surgery and then Lense replacement surgery. Healing up pretty good I think now. Today I woke up seeing more clearly than I have since the first surgery on the 15th. I can definitely see things more clearly and feels like I won't have to have any kind of prescription or even readers at this time. Once my right eye catches up with my left one, we should be good.

Our fishing has been tough in early September in the quality trout department. Reds save a day here and there but I seldom concentrate on reds, so I have even struggled a bit in that department. We got almost 4 inches of rain in some parts of Rockport last week and this brings great relief to the area. Slightly cooler nights and mornings so Fall is on its way. With cooler temperatures, fishing will improve for us here in Rockport.

This coming Friday, October the 3rd I host my FALL FISHING SEMINAR at WATKINS LANDING from 6pm till 9pm. Full house right now but there are always 1 or 2 that call and have to cancel. Text me 361 463 1074 if you want me to put you on a short notice waiting list. Cost is 225.00 but we have a light meal, nice tackle packs and some great giveaways. Someone will win a custom Henri Rod or a 1/2-day fishing trip with me. It will be one or the other. Also, some cool artwork to giveaways as well.

Texas Custom DOUBLE D, MIRROLURE LIL JOHN or LIL JOHN XL, 6TH SENSE PARTY PADDLE and SHINDO lures are the main lures I will be through over the next few month's

Summer is in full swing in Rockport. Weekends are totally nuts but great for the local economy. Monday through Thursday is fairly light in boat traffic but Friday through Saturday and 1/2 a day on Sunday are stupid busy, again great for the local fishing retailers and bait shops. I have not fished weekends for a few years and now I am thinking about not fishing on Friday during June through about September the 15th. Already booked just about every Friday already way out so won't do that this year but definitely on the "think about list" for 2026.

Fishing for me was tougher this week than I expected it to be. A couple of days of just terrible bite and lots of small fish. Even the Dolphin were not around me this week, probably means I was in the wrong place, or I was in the right place at maybe the wrong time. Water temperatures are reaching the 86-to-87-degree mark in some area of the flats by the noon hour so it's already hot and going to get hotter by the day. We have had some rain, and any is welcome this time of year. More sharks this year than I have seen in many years. Not bother us but definitely seeing them on a daily basis. Gong early is the key right now seems to be the ticket on the best trout bite. However, my best trout, are coming later in the morning and even closer to the noon hour. Had a 27 1/2-inch fish this week and 3 over 25/26 1/2. Two were skinny fish and one of the 26 1/2-inch fish was a toad for her length.

I am throwing mostly all soft plastic ( Mirrolure LIL JOHN XL, 5" PROVOKERS and the NEW 6th SENSE PARTY PADDLE) right now, but I never do not have a Double D in my wading box. 2 weeks or more ago that is all they better trout wanted, the past two weeks that has not been the case.

Leader Maintenace is very important this time of year due to HOT WATER, HEAVY TURTLE GRASS as well as FLOATING grass that wears on the strength of your leader. Retie often and look and feel up and down your leader line after every fish. I use OSPREY PREMIUM LEADER material in 20 POUND MONO. Some use 17 pound and have great luck with that as well.

Alright, hope to see some of you around the dock or on my boat.