Within three or four cranks, a fish slammed the lure. It was a jackfish. A flock of seabirds over a school of surface-feeding fish points the way to certain success. Texas coastal anglers know all about chasing birds, and this pattern especially is productive during summer. A steady breeze encourages birds to patrol, and gusting chops and sandy currents do not seem to handicap the keen-eyed laughing gulls.
Speckled trout chasing shrimp are the prime target for most bay fishermen.
True, the bird trout often are small schoolies, many less than the 15-inch minimum length limit, but at least the action is reliable. Or maybe a 12-inch sand trout. Small specks and sand trout often collaborate under birds. Good trout can be caught under birds. The boats at Hackberry Rod and Gun Club were on these fish day after day, week after week.