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Good spots for rookie (s)

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 11:36 pm
by WhiteRice
Been on the site now for a bit and have been soaking up as much info as I can. Been reviewing a lot of the TroutSupport information (fantastic btw) but I have a few questions.

My wife and I purchased some kayaks and have been spending some time getting them rigged up (Emotion Stealth Anglers). I know these are not the best in the world but they have good reviews, are fairly stable and track pretty well. We live about 70 miles from the coast (Richmond, TX) and have been looking for some spots we could hit the water that would be good for beginner yakers. We are not new to fishing and have waded around GISP, Jamaica Beach and a little bit of Drum Bay near Surfside. I have looked at a few launch spots around GISP, Louis Bait Camp, etc. but we would like to "get our lines wet" without a super serious paddle for the first few times just so we can get accustomed to our gear from the kayak. Any recommendations for some decent spots this time of year that may be rookie friendly? Primarily would like to go for reds but trout are just as fun and the occasional flounder is always nice to throw in the fryer. My wife primarily will either Carolina Rig or free-line shrimp and mullet and I will do that along with throwing some Downsouth and SWA plastics. ACK was out of the Galveston Hook N Line map which is what is primarily driving these questions... lol

Re: Good spots for rookie (s)

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 12:35 am
by crusher
In my opinion, a good spot for rookies (your words, not mine :D ) means stay out of the ICW, waves, and open bays. Other than that I'd suggest you go to one of the bay or marsh areas that you've wade fished, and just cover a little water, following the grass lines staying close to land.
Another option is if ACK is out of the maps, go visit Fishing Tackle Unlimited. They also carry the wade/kayak HooknLine maps. GoogleEarth should be your friend.

Drum, Christmas, and West Bay all have known launches that will work to put you in to potentially fishy areas within a half mile or less. I've recommended, and went myself, to the westernmost launch inside Galv State park on the bay side for one of my first trips to get comfortable and experimented with the equipment all organized within reach. Having fishgrips, a net, pliers, tackle, stringer or cooler, and rods all within reach but not piled up is an early challenge to solve. Launch here, 29°11'50.76"N 94°57'58.42"W , paddle slightly over a half mile northwest, then hang a right and fish around there a bit. Or hang a left, and fish that marshy, shell, area. You can spend a couple hours in this area, it's shallow, you can sight see, and have at least a bit of a chance to cross paths with a fish. You can park in the circular area - with two of you, getting the kayaks down the path to launch should be easy enough. Just one idea.

Re: Good spots for rookie (s)

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 12:26 pm
by wardtodd2
If you haven't taken your yaks out yet I would recommend just spending time on them in a local lake or something. A big thing that I didn't know that I didn't know was just boat management. This includes positioning in the water, handling your anchor, drift chute, and things like organizing your equipment, not getting your paddle leash in the way of your rod leash, and several other little things that only really become apparent once you are on the water.


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Re: Good spots for rookie (s)

Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 8:40 pm
by Crusader

Re: Good spots for rookie (s)

Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 7:48 pm
by WhiteRice
Crusher... Thanks so much for the info. We have waded the area next to Jolly Roger Rd in Jamaica beach which is pretty close to that launch spot. I appreciate all the info.


Crusader... Thanks for the link!

Re: Good spots for rookie (s)

Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 10:11 pm
by Crusader
WhiteRice wrote:Crusader... Thanks for the link!
No probs. I guess you could try Pierce marsh area. Practically all rookies start there, I've spent my time over there too. It gets a lot of pressure as result, but you still have decent chance catching fish and area has enough variety (fishing habitat -wise) to keep it interesting.
Personally, I get a kick out of going to completely new place (the less populated -- the better) and trying to figure them out. I get skunked from time to time, but on the upside I occasionally hit a motherload. Plus, I learned how to look for them... (a bit maybe, not a grandmaster yet :) ).

Re: Good spots for rookie (s)

Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 6:29 pm
by Cityfisher
crusher wrote:In my opinion, a good spot for rookies (your words, not mine :D ) means stay out of the ICW, waves, and open bays. Other than that I'd suggest you go to one of the bay or marsh areas that you've wade fished, and just cover a little water, following the grass lines staying close to land.
Another option is if ACK is out of the maps, go visit Fishing Tackle Unlimited. They also carry the wade/kayak HooknLine maps. GoogleEarth should be your friend.

Drum, Christmas, and West Bay all have known launches that will work to put you in to potentially fishy areas within a half mile or less. I've recommended, and went myself, to the westernmost launch inside Galv State park on the bay side for one of my first trips to get comfortable and experimented with the equipment all organized within reach. Having fishgrips, a net, pliers, tackle, stringer or cooler, and rods all within reach but not piled up is an early challenge to solve. Launch here, 29°11'50.76"N 94°57'58.42"W , paddle slightly over a half mile northwest, then hang a right and fish around there a bit. Or hang a left, and fish that marshy, shell, area. You can spend a couple hours in this area, it's shallow, you can sight see, and have at least a bit of a chance to cross paths with a fish. You can park in the circular area - with two of you, getting the kayaks down the path to launch should be easy enough. Just one idea.
Exactly this. Those spots you wade are my favorite spots to fish even now 4 years after getting a yak. I like redfish and flounder so I stay close to the shorelines. Then after a while you'll paddle further to get to another shore or reef just like I did. Paddling far in open water still gets me nervous. If the weather is iffy I stay close to a shore line I can follow back to the lanch.

Re: Good spots for rookie (s)

Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 7:19 am
by Yak Dog
I'm from Rosenberg , there some areas I feel are easy paddling , so that you'll can get use to your kayaks . You can try a place 15-20 minutes away, down hwy 59 called kendleton . There is a park there with a boat / kayak launch into the San Bernard river . There are no currents here , hidden from all the winds and easy paddling . This is a spot for catfish and crappie . I'm sure there are bass there but I haven't fished for those . If your looking for saltwater try Christmas bay or east matagorda bay . There are some fishing spots not to far away from the launch at either of those . If interested send me a PM and we can get together next time I head out.

Re: Good spots for rookie (s)

Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 9:27 am
by kickingback
Crusader wrote:
WhiteRice wrote:Crusader... Thanks for the link!
No probs. I guess you could try Pierce marsh area. Practically all rookies start there, I've spent my time over there too. It gets a lot of pressure as result, but you still have decent chance catching fish and area has enough variety (fishing habitat -wise) to keep it interesting.
Personally, I get a kick out of going to completely new place (the less populated -- the better) and trying to figure them out. I get skunked from time to time, but on the upside I occasionally hit a mother load. Plus, I learned how to look for them... (a bit maybe, not a grand master yet :) ).
X2 on Pierce Marsh. It has all you are looking for as well as light winds, light current to get out there and many spots to fish. Fish the RR bridge on the way out. Fish the grass lines on the way out. Fish the guts and fork convergence areas. This will be your best bet. I can guarantee this!

Re: Good spots for rookie (s)

Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2017 9:59 pm
by lahai1dj
X3 on pierce marsh. Even after knowing a lot of "better" places to fish, I still fish Pierce because of the convenience. Also, if there is a slight chance you might have a problem on the water I know that at Pierce you are always a short paddle from other marine traffic and canal homes. And, depending on the cell phone provider, you will probably have service there.