TX Coast ?

[waynep]

I am looking for info for ffing the TX coast sometime this fall. I would like to maybe rent a kayak and just fish myself or with a buddy. I would like to keep the cost down so I can go more often. I am interested in Redfish and anything else that would be reachable by a guy in a kayak. I know the are between Padre Island and the mainland has Redfish.

What size rod(s) do I need? I have 2 saltwater 7's and a saltwater 6. I may be able to come up with a 8 or 9 by the time I go. If I had to buy a rod I would lean towards an 8 since I think it would be more useful at home here in Arkansas that the 9 might be. Maybe a nice fast 8 wt.

What type footwear for wading? Can I kayak somewhere and wade for Reds?

Can someone start filling me in on the possibilities?? Places, types of fish?

A guide is not totally ruled out. Maybe it would make sense to get one the first time down then try to do it myself the next time?

I know if I do the kayak thing, I will be getting a GPS with mapping capabilties.

-wayne

[BryanM]

I am not sure where you will be fishing exactly, but redfish, speckeled trout and flounder are all fly fish game. A kayak can make it easier to reach some better areas and cover more range, but wade fishing can be very productive.
The kayak can definetly get you away from people though.

As far as rod weight, an 8 wt seems to be the most common, but a 6 ot 7 woulds also work, a big red on a 6 wt would be fun, make sure you have some backing if you got with a 6 weight. I use an 8 wt and love it. If I could figure out how to post a pic, I would show a beauty of a Spanish Mackeral I picked off in the surf.

Let me know if I can help with any other info. Oh, a good guide down in the Corpus Christi area is Dean "Slowride" Thomas, he can guide by kayak or boat.

[waynep]

I have no idea where I will be fishing either. There are a couple of guys here that have gone in the past. I would like to see if I could hook up with one of them if they want to go again. I am just starting trying to think about it.

I went Tarpon fishing in Key West a couple years ago. Had a great time but it was expensive. I want to do something closer and cheaper.

wayne

[ozarkflyflinger57]

I haven't fished the salt either but I am seriously looking at it. From what I think so far the farther south you go the better the conditions for fishing clear shallow water. I am thinking of hiring a guide to show me the ropes, then like you get a couple of kayaks (one for my wife) and doing the self service thing. The guides I have been thinking of contacting are http://www.lagunamadre.net/index.html

As for the rod I hear that the TFO 8 wt is very popular in south Texas. The guides listed above recommend them as well.

I'll be watching this thread with interest!

Dan

[waynep]

Their website it not working for me . . . . . .

[ozarkflyflinger57]

I just tried it too and it is not working for me either. When I posted the link I copied it from the address bar and it worked fine then. I just Googled it and got a link to their fishing report and it is working so here it is http://www.lagunamadre.net/Fishreport.htm

Dan

[waynep]

Anyone have any suggested spots to go? I would like to rent a kayak and self guide if possible. Or maybe hire a guide for one day then go myself for a 2nd and/or 3rd day.

-wayne

[CharlieJ]

Howdy from the Texas coast. Just updated my log in so I could respond to this.

Port O'Conner has fishing guides who guide saltwater and fly fishing. Lots of kayaak waters also. Only problem there is you really need a boat to fish out of POC. However, there ARE places just west of the town itself where you can get ready access to good water - Boggy Slough comes to mind- It's called that for a reason If you wade it, be prepared for mud.

Used to be an outfit in Rockport named Capt Sally's outfitters, who guided flyfishing and rented kayaks. Don't know if she's still active or not. Search for Rockport Texas fishing.

Texas Kayak fishermen can answer many questions about the area.

Try to get a Topspot fishing map of the Rockport/Port Aransas/Aransas Pass area. You'll see many many miles of wade fishing shown.

There is a lodge on Copano Bay, just before you reach Rockport on Hwy 35, that specialize in flyfishermen. Also, just after you cross the bridge heading towards Rockport there are places you can park and wade the bay- quite few miles of wadefishing available there.

If you are planning this area, let me know and I'll try to get web sites and or phone numbers for you. My wife sells her artwork through a gallery in Rockport and we are down there occasionally. Can't really help you anywhere south of Rockport/Port A.

[Animal Chris]

Wayne, there is some excellent fishing in the Aransas Pass / Port Aransas area, easily accessable by kayak (Sorry Castwell). Check with Slowride (Dean Thomas) in Aransas Pass. He's not only a great source of information, but he'll also line you up with a yak. Here is his link, along with a couple of others that might be of interest.

Tight lines, Chris

http://www.slowrideguide.com/

http://www.coastalkayakfishing.com/

http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/