Lou Marullo caught this massive redfish near the Sabine jetties. Reds this size are beginning to show up in Sabine Lake itself. Photo by Chester Moore Jr.

In Louisiana, Sabine Lake and redfish might as well be synonymous.

Known along the Gulf Coast as one of the top spots for targeting big redfish, this fertile estuary once called "the forgotten bay" is gaining national attention. For the last two years, Sabine has served as a key stage in the Redfish Cup tournament series, and its redfish production is so strong that fishing guides travel from across Louisiana and Texas to get in on the bounty.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist Jerry Mambretti, who has surveyed this body of water since the mid-1980s, declared last year's crop of reds to be one of the best ever. "The catch rate for reds (nearly one) per hour," he said, "which is the fourth-highest since Coastal Fisheries started collecting gill net samples during the fall season 22 years ago and the highest seen since the 2002 season."

According to Mambretti, redfish numbers in Sabine Lake have been consistently high, bans on gillnets and purse seines having combined with stocking programs to create a truly vibrant fishery. "Redfish are definitely back and in really good shape on Sabine Lake," he asserted.

One of Sabine Lake's top areas for large reds is the northeastern shoreline of Coffee Ground Cove. Having grown up fishing Sabine Lake a minimum of 30 days a year, I always knew that this zone held fat, rod-bending reds -- and nothing much about that has changed since then.

The hot zone, which stretches from the midway point of the Coffee Ground Cove shoreline up around the Pines Bayou, is a perfect spot for starting a trip early in the morning with a topwater lure like a red/white Super Spook or a chartreuse Skitter Walk. Look closely for nervous baitfish and reds pushing the water along the shoreline.

If topwater offerings don't get results within the first 30 minutes, switch over to a glow-colored Gulp! Shrimp fished on a 1/4-ounce jighead worked along the bottom with a medium-to-fast retrieve. Pay attention to any activity on the surface, but be aware that reds may be present even if the water's relatively calm. Sometimes a slight mud boil or a tiny swirl in the water can signal that reds are in the area.

SUMMER SCHOOLS
The most exciting game in town during the late summer is the schooling redfish phenomenon. Reds feed in big schools here starting in the summer and continuing into the fall, but there's an art to locating the schools. Watch the tide charts and look for low tides and calm waters. If the winds aren't blowing, you have a good chance of scoring.

"Watch for the obvious splashing feeding action," offered veteran guide Capt. Skip James of Sabine Lake Guide Service, "and also sitting birds. If the reds have their prey corralled below them, the birds will sit on top to target any escaping food. Many anglers pass sitting gulls, but they are likely passing lots of fish.

"The key is timing -- it is the midday slick-offs you are looking for. I have rarely gotten into the schooling action in the morning. It's usually after a midday calming around 11 (a.m.) or so. In fact, my best advice is for you to leave the dock when everyone is returning."