Page 1 of 1

Rockport Area Tips

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 3:47 pm
by WestTXFisherman
My son and I will be taking our kayaks down and staying on Egery Island at the end of May, beginning of June. When making the reservations, I wasn't aware that the fish probably won't be back that far in Copano Bay by then, so I am asking for any tips on locations in the Rockport area that are producing. Not asking for any secret spots, just general locations. Was thinking of maybe trying St. Charles Bay, but we are open to anywhere. I just want the boy to catch some fish. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Re: Rockport Area Tips

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 5:15 pm
by Tombo
A very popular place to launch is at the end of Copano Retreat Rd. There is a public kayak launch, but you will have to drag your kayak about 50 yards to launch.
You can fish for trout as soon as you launch or keep following the shoreline on your left until it turns left into Swan Lake.
Look for signs of bird activity or just blind cast with a topwater lure or a jig head as you drift across the lake.

Re: Rockport Area Tips

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 9:44 am
by WestTXFisherman
Thanks for the tip!

Re: Rockport Area Tips

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 10:00 am
by Tombo
Send me a PM prior to coming down, I might be more specific in details. Also having a plan B is a good idea.

Re: Rockport Area Tips

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 10:25 am
by TexasJim
Just about due east of the Copano Retreat launch, across Port Bay, is the Port Bay Club Road launch. If the wind is south and/or east, it's more protected than Copano Retreat. If it's REALLY blowing, the Aquatic Park launch in Aransas Pass is always yakable. Look up the Aransas Pathways site on Rockport/Fulton chamber of commerce. They have a map, also. There are about 14 kayak launches in just Aransas County, and about six in San Patricio County. Aransas Pass C of C has free map. Goose Island SP is always an option. Have fun! TexasJim

Re: Rockport Area Tips

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 10:50 am
by WestTXFisherman
Thank you sir! Now my new problem is the guide I had booked to go offshore canceled on me this morning. So I am scrambling. I don't guess there happens to be any offshore guides on this site, does there? LOL, Murphys Law strikes again.

Re: Rockport Area Tips

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 12:14 pm
by TexasJim
You can try calling Woody's Sports Center in Port A. They have a stable of guides for inshore and offshore. 361-749-5252, 361-749-5271,or 361-881-9903. Those are numbers from the phone book. If you don't get a guide, Dolphin Docks usually runs 4, 6 & 8 hour offshore red snapper, tuna and king trips most days. Good guys. It's also AmberJack season!
TexasJim

Re: Rockport Area Tips

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 3:04 pm
by Kayak Kid
But, more importantly than the guides or launching spots is to locate and enjoy a meal at the Boiling Pot.

Re: Rockport Area Tips

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 3:23 pm
by WestTXFisherman
Thanks TexasJim, I ended up getting hooked up with Bill Busters Sportsfishing.

And did The Boiling Pot make it through the hurricane and open back up?

Re: Rockport Area Tips

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 8:07 pm
by Neumie
If your house is on the water of Copano there are a few reefs of Egery Island Rd that could be productive if there isn't too much wind. You can see them on Google Earth when you set the imagery history to 2009. The Aransas River area can be good for reds along the shoreline. The back lakes you'll see in GE hold reds, but are difficult to fish during the summer months because they get overgrown with moss and grass (and gar).

Another wind protective place which I like during summer months is Rattlesnake Pt from the Rattlesnake Pt launch. There's decent grass and sand in front of the bulkhead leading out to the point.

The Swan Lake launch at the end of the Copano Retreat Rd is a good area too. There's a reef right off the launch which I like to wade fish from when I'm yak-less. The paddle to Swan Lake is good for reds along the shoreline and trout in the guts through the islands on the north side of it. Though this spot is susceptible to SE winds.

Here's a link to Google Maps with launch locations.

Shrimp under a popping cork will give you the best chances. If you're wanting to throw plastics a bone topwater, a couple of soft plastics (Bone, Chicken on a Chain, Plum/Chartreuse, Texas Roach aught to do it), and a gold weedless spoon. Artifical Shrimp such as DOA or Gulp under a slip cork works well too.

The Boiling Pot has been open, though just the outdoor seating area. It's been awhile since I was down so they could have the entire restaurant open again by now. One of my favorite places is 495 Chesapeake Eats, a little pricey but great place to splurge.

Re: Rockport Area Tips

Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 9:04 am
by WestTXFisherman
Neumie wrote:If your house is on the water of Copano there are a few reefs of Egery Island Rd that could be productive if there isn't too much wind. You can see them on Google Earth when you set the imagery history to 2009. The Aransas River area can be good for reds along the shoreline. The back lakes you'll see in GE hold reds, but are difficult to fish during the summer months because they get overgrown with moss and grass (and gar).

Another wind protective place which I like during summer months is Rattlesnake Pt from the Rattlesnake Pt launch. There's decent grass and sand in front of the bulkhead leading out to the point.

The Swan Lake launch at the end of the Copano Retreat Rd is a good area too. There's a reef right off the launch which I like to wade fish from when I'm yak-less. The paddle to Swan Lake is good for reds along the shoreline and trout in the guts through the islands on the north side of it. Though this spot is susceptible to SE winds.

Here's a link to Google Maps with launch locations.

Shrimp under a popping cork will give you the best chances. If you're wanting to throw plastics a bone topwater, a couple of soft plastics (Bone, Chicken on a Chain, Plum/Chartreuse, Texas Roach aught to do it), and a gold weedless spoon. Artifical Shrimp such as DOA or Gulp under a slip cork works well too.

The Boiling Pot has been open, though just the outdoor seating area. It's been awhile since I was down so they could have the entire restaurant open again by now. One of my favorite places is 495 Chesapeake Eats, a little pricey but great place to splurge.
Thanks! That was some awesome info. Last time we went we tried both the Rattlesnake Point and Swan Lake area, but had no idea what we were doing and caught one red in two days of fishing. Hoping this time to do better. Thanks again for the detailed info.

Re: Rockport Area Tips

Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 10:02 am
by ben_beyer
Neumie wrote:If your house is on the water of Copano there are a few reefs of Egery Island Rd that could be productive if there isn't too much wind. You can see them on Google Earth when you set the imagery history to 2009. The Aransas River area can be good for reds along the shoreline. The back lakes you'll see in GE hold reds, but are difficult to fish during the summer months because they get overgrown with moss and grass (and gar).

Another wind protective place which I like during summer months is Rattlesnake Pt from the Rattlesnake Pt launch. There's decent grass and sand in front of the bulkhead leading out to the point.

The Swan Lake launch at the end of the Copano Retreat Rd is a good area too. There's a reef right off the launch which I like to wade fish from when I'm yak-less. The paddle to Swan Lake is good for reds along the shoreline and trout in the guts through the islands on the north side of it. Though this spot is susceptible to SE winds.

Here's a link to Google Maps with launch locations.

Shrimp under a popping cork will give you the best chances. If you're wanting to throw plastics a bone topwater, a couple of soft plastics (Bone, Chicken on a Chain, Plum/Chartreuse, Texas Roach aught to do it), and a gold weedless spoon. Artifical Shrimp such as DOA or Gulp under a slip cork works well too.

The Boiling Pot has been open, though just the outdoor seating area. It's been awhile since I was down so they could have the entire restaurant open again by now. One of my favorite places is 495 Chesapeake Eats, a little pricey but great place to splurge.
I'm going to be head to Port Aransas in early September. Are any of these spots productive during that time of the year too?

Re: Rockport Area Tips

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 8:48 pm
by Neumie
ben_beyer wrote:I'm going to be head to Port Aransas in early September. Are any of these spots productive during that time of the year too?
I kind of consider Swan Lake a year round spot. There good firm bottom with scattered oyster and grass in front of the launch and to the right towards the point. Around the that point or going into Swan Lake the bottom softens up. Aransas river could be good for reds in the fall because shrimp start migrating out of estuaries around the first of September. Of course, reds start schooling around the flats getting ready to head out through the pass., so LHL/B&R is a good choice; too. That time of year, if any early cold front comes through, is when I start fishing Italian Bend from the Port Bay Rd launch; great winter spot.

Re: Rockport Area Tips

Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 9:07 pm
by ben_beyer
Neumie wrote:
ben_beyer wrote:I'm going to be head to Port Aransas in early September. Are any of these spots productive during that time of the year too?
I kind of consider Swan Lake a year round spot. There good firm bottom with scattered oyster and grass in front of the launch and to the right towards the point. Around the that point or going into Swan Lake the bottom softens up. Aransas river could be good for reds in the fall because shrimp start migrating out of estuaries around the first of September. Of course, reds start schooling around the flats getting ready to head out through the pass., so LHL/B&R is a good choice; too. That time of year, if any early cold front comes through, is when I start fishing Italian Bend from the Port Bay Rd launch; great winter spot.
Thanks!