by Chris Martin . . .
Some days on the Texas coast are about finesse. Some days are about patience. And then there are Black Jack days – the kind that leave your arms sore, your backing exposed, and your grin permanently stuck. At Bay Flats Lodge, our Black Jacks fly-fishing combo is built for anglers who want it all in one day: raw power near shore, then precision and sight-casting in the marsh.
Round One: Jack Crevalle Under the Birds
The day usually starts with the sound of birds losing their minds. Gulls diving. Terns screaming. Bait getting pushed to the surface like it owes money. That’s your cue. Jack crevalle don’t sip flies – they commit acts of violence. You find them under working birds, fire a fly into the chaos, and hang on. These fish test knots, leaders, reels, and life choices. Expect long runs, bent rods, and forearms that remind you the next morning what happened. It’s loud. It’s fast. It’s controlled chaos – and it’s one of the most exciting things you can do with a fly rod. Jack fishing takes place near shore, often just outside the bays, allowing us to capitalize on the action early and still slide back into the marsh without burning daylight.
The Slide: From Open Water to Quiet Marsh
After the mayhem, we shift gears. The birds fade, the water calms, and the skiff slides quietly into the marsh. This is where things slow down – and get technical. Now it’s about reading water, spotting subtle movement, and making one clean shot count.
Round Two: Redfish and Black Drum
In the marsh, redfish tail, push water, and cruise edges like they own the place. Black drum follow suit, nosing along mud and grass, built like linebackers and just as stubborn.
The contrast is what makes the combo special:
– Morning: Power, speed, and nonstop action
– Afternoon: Precision, patience, and sight-casting satisfaction
Different flies. Different presentations. Same fly rod. Same grin.
Best Months for the Black Jacks Combo
This combo shines during the warmer months when bait is plentiful and birds are consistently working. Prime months: May, June, July, August, and September. These months give us the best chance to find jack crevalle under birds near shore early in the day, then transition seamlessly into productive marsh conditions for redfish and black drum.
Why We Love the Black Jacks Combo
This isn’t a specialty trip for one species – it’s a full-spectrum fly-fishing day. You get:
– Big-game saltwater pulls
– Technical marsh fishing
– Multiple species
– Zero boredom
– It’s the kind of day that reminds you why you fish with a fly rod in the first place.
Equipment We Recommend
Final Word
If you want delicate casts all day, this might not be your trip. If you want a day that starts with your reel screaming and ends with a quiet marsh release – Black Jacks delivers. Come ready. Bring strong knots. And maybe stretch your arms the night before. Because some days are meant to be felt.
