The ReelTime Blog

Expert tactics and environmental analysis from our pro-staff guide board.

February 28, 2025 β€’ By Capt. Michael Lawson

The art of the surface strike: why fish blow up on wood and plastic, and how to stay calm when they do.

February 27, 2025 β€’ By Capt. Michael Lawson

How to adapt your retrieve and location when the water temps hit the 50s.

February 27, 2025 β€’ By Dr. Jonathan Vance, PhD

The physics of water movement and how to identify "strike zones" in complex coastal currents.

February 26, 2025 β€’ By Dr. Jonathan Vance, PhD

Decoding the biological triggers that send thousands of flounder through our coastal passes every November.

February 26, 2025 β€’ By Dr. Jonathan Vance, PhD

How freshwater runoff and salt gradients dictate where predators can and cannot live.

February 25, 2025 β€’ By Capt. Michael Lawson

The code of the flats: how to stay safe in the water and maintain professional etiquette among fellow anglers.

February 25, 2025 β€’ By Capt. Michael Lawson

A tactical guide to heavy-tackle beach fishing during the massive fall spawning runs.

February 24, 2025 β€’ By Dr. Jonathan Vance, PhD

A technical analysis of how atmospheric shifts trigger metabolic changes and feeding windows in coastal predators.

February 24, 2025 β€’ By Capt. Michael Lawson

How the moon influences night feeding, tidal surges, and the pursuit of 30-inch Speckled Trout.

February 24, 2025 β€’ By Dr. Jonathan Vance, PhD

A biological look at the seasonal progression of shrimp, mullet, and menhaden in the Texas bay systems.

February 23, 2025 β€’ By Dr. Jonathan Vance, PhD

A comprehensive breakdown of the latest TPWD licensing requirements, slot limits, and bag rules for 2026.

February 23, 2025 β€’ By Capt. Michael Lawson

Don't waste money on the wrong tackle. Here is the expert-vetted list of everything you need to start catching fish on the Texas coast.

February 23, 2025 β€’ By Capt. Michael Lawson

Salt is the enemy of performance. Learn the step-by-step process used by pros to make their gear last for decades.

February 23, 2025 β€’ By Dr. Jonathan Vance, PhD

From the "Big Three" to seasonal favorites, learn how to identify and target the most popular gamefish in Texas waters.

February 23, 2025 β€’ By Capt. Michael Lawson

Everything you need to know about tackling the unique environments of the Gulf of America, from the surf to the back-bays.