The MirrOlure Texas Playbook

A Guide to the Full Arsenal

Introduction: A Legacy of Texas Legends

For decades, the name MirrOlure has been synonymous with Texas inshore fishing. From the explosive topwater strikes over Matagorda grass flats to the subtle winter bites in the deep mud of Baffin Bay, there is a MirrOlure designed for nearly every situation an angler might face. While a single lure can be effective, true mastery comes from understanding the entire arsenal and knowing precisely when to deploy each weapon.

This guide moves beyond a single model to provide a comprehensive playbook for the entire MirrOlure line-up, tailored specifically for the Texas coast. We will deconstruct the most iconic lures by category, explaining their design, their purpose, and the strategies that make them legendary.

Section 1: The Surface Warriors (Topwaters)

Topwater lures are the tools for the most exciting moments in fishing. They are most effective during low-light periods (dawn and dusk), on calm days, and during the moderate temperatures of spring and fall when fish are aggressively feeding in shallow water.

Key Models:

• Top Dog & Top Dog Jr.: These are classic "walk-the-dog" surface walkers. Their side-to-side gliding action perfectly imitates a wounded mullet struggling on the surface. The larger Top Dog creates more disturbance, while the Top Dog Jr. offers a more subtle presentation for calmer days or finicky fish.

• She Dog & She Pup: These are the higher-pitched cousins of the Top Dog series. The sharp, rattling sound they produce is excellent for calling in fish from a distance, especially in slightly choppy or stained water where visibility is reduced.

• Popa Dog: This lure combines the walking action of a Top Dog with a concave mouth that "spits" and "chugs" water. It's the go-to choice when more surface commotion is needed to attract attention.

How to Use Them:

The primary technique for all these lures is the "walk-the-dog" retrieve. With your rod tip pointed down, use short, rhythmic twitches of the wrist while reeling in the slack. This cadence will cause the lure to glide left and right in a seductive "Z" pattern across the surface.

Section 2: The Subsurface Deceivers (Suspending & Slow-Sinking Twitchbaits)

This category is the heart of the MirrOlure lineup and contains the tools for targeting the largest trophy trout. These lures excel when fish are less willing to feed on the surface, particularly during the colder months.

Key Models:

• MirrOdine (17MR & 27MR "XL"): This is a wide-bodied, flat-sided twitchbait designed to imitate broader baitfish like shad, pinfish, or small sardines. Its flat sides catch a lot of light, producing a brilliant flash. It's an all-around workhorse for spring and fall over grass flats.

• MirrOminnow (19MR): The specialist. As detailed previously, this lure has a slender, rounded profile designed to perfectly imitate a glass minnow or rain minnow. It's the "match the hatch" choice when fish are selectively feeding on thin-profile bait in clear water.

• Paul Brown's Corky Series (Original, Fat Boy, Soft-Dine): The undisputed kings of winter trophy trout fishing. These soft-bodied lures have a slow, subtle sink rate and a gentle wobble that is irresistible to large, lethargic trout looking for a substantial meal. The Fat Boy offers a larger mullet profile, while the Soft-Dine has a wider, more erratic darting action.

How to Use Them:

The foundational retrieve is the twitch-twitch-pause. Impart two or three sharp twitches with the wrist, then pause for 1-3 seconds. The strike almost always comes on the pause. For the Corky series in winter, this technique is slowed dramatically, with pauses lasting 10 seconds or more to tempt cold-stunned fish.

Section 3: The Deep Divers (Sinking Twitchbaits)

When fish are holding in deeper water—along channel edges, in the surf, or over deep reefs—a suspending lure may not get down to the strike zone. This is where the classic sinking series shines.

Key Models:

• 52M & 51MR Series: These are the original MirrOlure legends. They are heavy, fast-sinking twitchbaits designed to get deep quickly. They can be worked at any depth in the water column.

• Catch 2000: A more modern sinking twitchbait with a mullet-like profile and a loud rattle. It has a slightly slower sink rate than the 52M series, making it excellent for fishing the 4-to-8-foot depth range.

How to Use Them:

The primary technique is the "countdown method." After casting, count as the lure sinks to your desired depth (e.g., a "5 count"). Then, begin your retrieve. You can use a steady retrieve, which produces a subtle wobble, or a twitching retrieve to make the lure dart erratically deep in the water column.

Section 4: The Versatile Veterans (Soft Plastics)

MirrOlure's soft plastics are designed with the same attention to detail and fish-catching action as their famous hard baits. They offer incredible versatility and are often the best choice for searching for fish.

Key Models:

• Lil John: This is a classic "rattail" or "twitch bait" style soft plastic. Its long, slender, darting action is a perfect imitation of a shrimp or small baitfish.

• Marsh Minnow: This is a paddletail soft plastic. The boot-style tail creates a thumping vibration and a natural swimming motion on a steady retrieve.

How to Use Them:

Both lures are typically rigged on a jighead, with the weight chosen to match the depth and current (1/16 oz for super shallow, 1/8 oz for flats, 1/4 oz for deep water or heavy wind). The Lil John is best worked with a twitch-twitch-pause retrieve, while the Marsh Minnow is highly effective on a simple, steady "slow roll" retrieve just above the bottom.

Building a Situational MirrOlure Arsenal

True mastery is not loyalty to a single lure, but the wisdom to know precisely when to deploy each weapon.

• Winter (Dec-Feb): The Corky is king. The slow, methodical retrieve is designed for cold, lethargic trophy trout.

• Spring (Mar-May): Fish are aggressive and shallow. Start with a Top Dog at dawn. As the sun gets higher, switch to a MirrOdine or Marsh Minnow to work the grass flats.

• Summer (Jun-Aug): The bite is an early morning and late evening affair. A Popa Dog can create the extra commotion needed to draw strikes in the heat. During the day, a Lil John bounced in deeper, cooler water can be effective.

• Fall (Sep-Nov): Fish are chasing bait schools aggressively. This is the prime time to "match the hatch." If you see slender bait, throw the MirrOminnow. If you see wider shad, throw the MirrOdine.

By understanding the specific purpose of each lure in the MirrOlure family, you can build a situational arsenal that prepares you for any condition the Texas coast has to offer.