TexasKayakFisherman.com

Hey all, just reserved a home on the beach May 29 - June 5. Is it worth a look at that time? I plan todo some btb, but workin on my plan B.

-VW

Yes. Almost always reds in there willing to eat. You could run into some trout and flounder too. Swan Lake has a lot of structure worth a look: oyster reefs, grassy shorelines, smaller side drains, a major drain between the two parts of the lake, and a connection with the ICW.

All lot of folks drive by and see a shallow mud hole and that is a truth, but no the whole truth. There are places in there that are 6-7 feet deep.

Cool. My house is directly across from it. I plan to launch from end of Bay Ave, and paddle that way, or heads out east of fresh water lake...

karstopo wrote:Yes. Almost always reds in there willing to eat. You could run into some trout and flounder too. Swan Lake has a lot of structure worth a look: oyster reefs, grassy shorelines, smaller side drains, a major drain between the two parts of the lake, and a connection with the ICW.

All lot of folks drive by and see a shallow mud hole and that is a truth, but no the whole truth. There are places in there that are 6-7 feet deep.

really? You mean by the boat ramp and/or where the mouth of ICW is?

The Drain that connects the larger lake to the smaller lake to the south is six or seven feet deep in a couple of stretches .

Y'all talking about swan lake in rockport right?

Not Rockport. Surfside.

How is the fishing on swan toward the end of April and what would be the best bait/lure?

I plan to rent a house in surfside on the water close to 332. So would fishing around the docks be any good?

I've never fished saltwater before so going BTB is a little iffy for me. Plus I don't know how good it would be.

I have a PA so would any of the areas like swan be deep enough for the drive?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks for any help.

Txshadow74 wrote:How is the fishing on swan toward the end of April and what would be the best bait/lure?

I plan to rent a house in surfside on the water close to 332. So would fishing around the docks be any good?

I've never fished saltwater before so going BTB is a little iffy for me. Plus I don't know how good it would be.

I have a PA so would any of the areas like swan be deep enough for the drive?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks for any help.

Swan might be a little tough, depending on the water levels, for a PA. What do you need to fully engage the mirage drive, 18"? East Union might be a better choice. It's the water between the ICW and the Levee on the right coming towards Surfside. The straight channel running between the ICW and the Levee is plenty deep and reds and flounder hang out along that channel. Another nearby option is launching at the ramp off bay road, swan lake ramp, and peddling across the ICW to the nearby mouth of oyster creek. Water is deep enough and then some for your drive there and all three species call it home.

The harbor area is tough. Lots of ship and boat traffic and the coast guard will shoo you away from areas. Water is super deep in places. Red snapper used to be caught inshore there in a 70 foot hole, but the coast guard blocks access to the spot now. Further into the harbor into Freeport, there are fish to be caught around the big flood gate and inland from there.

I'd have some paddle tails, that chicken on a chain type of color is one to have. You could fish it on a light jig head, 1/8 ounce is pretty versatile. You could use a rattling cork. Gulp works, a few topwaters, like spook jr. Skitterwalks. If you have a confidence plug or tail, bring it.

East Union runs from 6" to about 8' in places. Oyster creek area has similar depths. Swan lake might be 18" in the middle of the big lake, give or take, and only gets deep in the channel between the two lakes.

Now that is what TKF is all about. karstopo I salute you A fisherman who is willing to help a beginner kayaker by giving away years of knowledge, hard work, and dedication to the sport. And in so doing knowing all along that pot lickers are going to take advantage without putting in their time. It's guys like you that make TKF the best. Tight lines

Christmas Bay is always a nice option, you can put in at Ernie's and fish either direction and make a day of it, google maps is your friend!!! A great, easy relaxing bay to fish with varying depths and bottom types. You may not kill them there but it's not uncommon to catch trout, redfish and flounder in the same outing. As far as baits, keep it simple. Just keep a rod with a popping cork and a DOA or gulp under it the whole time and one with a jig head and a few assorted plastics, some dark and some natural and your good to go. If you really want to increase your odds and make things a little more interesting fish live shrimp under a cork, nuttin wrong with that at all! In a peddle drive you could fish that south shoreline all the way to the cell tower and back Lol.

dr.flatfish wrote:Now that is what TKF is all about. karstopo I salute you A fisherman who is willing to help a beginner kayaker by giving away years of knowledge, hard work, and dedication to the sport. And in so doing knowing all along that pot lickers are going to take advantage without putting in their time. It's guys like you that make TKF the best. Tight lines

Yeeeeesir! This is what made me want to get into this sport. This site has been such a blessing to me.

Thank you all for your great info!

Any statements, claims, anecdotes are intended for informational use only. Individual results may vary. Not suitable for navigational purposes. No warranties, expressed or implied, are contained herein. Not responsible for hurricanes, tornadoes, tempests, tsunamis, mosquitoes, sunburn, or any other natural calamity that might affect results. Operator assumes all risks. Kayaking is known to be a hazardous endeavor. Please follow all USCG, TPW, federal, state, and local rules and regulations. Enjoy your trip to Surfside Beach.

karstopo wrote:Any statements, claims, anecdotes are intended for informational use only. Individual results may vary. Not suitable for navigational purposes. No warranties, expressed or implied, are contained herein. Not responsible for hurricanes, tornadoes, tempests, tsunamis, mosquitoes, sunburn, or any other natural calamity that might affect results. Operator assumes all risks. Kayaking is known to be a hazardous endeavor. Please follow all USCG, TPW, federal, state, and local rules and regulations. Enjoy your trip to Surfside Beach.

Ha ha ha. Karstopo is one of the good guys and knows the Freeport area well. I would agree with every lure he mentioned above. Popping cork with gulp and a few soft plastics on light jig heads for working the grass lines around the lake and a few topwaters if you push back towards the west corner. Lots and lots of shell back there in that corner and if its a low tide you will see plenty of it sticking up. The topwater will keep you from hanging up repeatedly if its too low.

dr.flatfish wrote:Now that is what TKF is all about. karstopo I salute you A fisherman who is willing to help a beginner kayaker by giving away years of knowledge, hard work, and dedication to the sport. And in so doing knowing all along that pot lickers are going to take advantage without putting in their time. It's guys like you that make TKF the best. Tight lines

hey hey hey now...

don't get all worked up with potlickers doc

Love it. Paddled all over Swan Lake and have scrapes to prove for it. If Swan is all brown, which it is most of the time, hit Christmas or watch your butt at SLP/Cold Pass.

Thanks for all the info guys!

So the GF isn't crazy about crossing the ICW to get to Oyster Creek. Would it make more cense if I leave the hobie at home and switch back to my Ride 135 and move her back to the Pescador. Looking at google it looks like Christmas Bay paddle trails or Churchill bayou may work. Would this be a waste of time or have a good chance to find fish?

Txshadow74 wrote:Thanks for all the info guys!

So the GF isn't crazy about crossing the ICW to get to Oyster Creek. Would it make more cense if I leave the hobie at home and switch back to my Ride 135 and move her back to the Pescador. Looking at google it looks like Christmas Bay paddle trails or Churchill bayou may work. Would this be a waste of time or have a good chance to find fish?

Christmas bay is a really nice place to paddle and fish and May and Early June are good times to be out there. Bay is shallow enough to just about walk across. Churchill bayou gets pretty deep. I like that area and the little churchill bayous above the main one.

Christmas bay is one of the less risky places to paddle and enjoy. Not a lot of shell, not much depth, current, not so big. Boat traffic not insane. Plenty of fish at times. Good choice.