Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post Reply
User avatar
OzFnD
Posts: 67
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:23 pm
Location: East Coast - Australia

Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by OzFnD »

Hey guys,

I've been thinking of organising a holiday to visit your great country, I've never been before and apart from doing all the normal tourist stuff, Im pretty keen on the hunting, shooting & especially kayak fishing.

Question

Jumping off plane and not knowing much about the local scene where would be the best place to look if I wanted to hire kayak and fishing gear.

Is there any kayak fishing game guide businesses and where is the best locations to start looking.

Never been to Texas and have no idea where to start looking.

Also what's the hunting and shooting scene like, I have gun licenses etc for Australia and don't know what the arrangements or procedures I would have to go through for visitor hunting license / permit. I'm also keen to try a few guns I haven't played with before so I presume there might be locations where you could pay to try different types of firearms and pistols ( we have them here in Aussie).

Any feedback or links would be appreciated

Cheers

OzFnD
User avatar
Mythman
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 23699
Joined: Wed Mar 22, 2006 8:23 am
Location: Cypress.......watching the weather to go BTB fishing!

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by Mythman »

Depends on what type of fishing you want to do: inshore(bays and estuaries) or offshore. For bay fishing I would suggest the Port Aransas or Corpus Christi areas. One of the best kayak guides in the area is a member of the board and goes by "Slowride" Here is his website, where you can get yaks and tackle:

http://slowrideguide.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don't know any offshore kayak guides.............the offshore bunch is pretty close knit and they often will loan you a yak and tackle............upper coast is around Galveston and Freeport and lower coast is, again, Corpus Christi.

Our hunting seasons in Texas are from November 1st to Feb.1. There are some spring turkey hunts. Of course, the exotic animal ranches are open year round.

I am sure there are gun ranges where you can try different guns but I do not know of any............others might.


Hope this helps and good luck.
MulletMaster08
Posts: 898
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2011 11:08 am
Location: China, Tx
Contact:

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by MulletMaster08 »

Don't know of any place specific but you can find a range to shoot some really cool guns. When do you plan on coming to visit? If you come in early September dove season is open and early teal which are a lot of fun to shoot. November deer and duck season is going. I would advise going on a dick hunt, but that's me. I am not to sure about the gun laws over here. Maybe someone will post up if they know

By the way, you picked the right state to come visit to do these things
User avatar
TroutSupport.com
TKF 3000 Club
TKF 3000 Club
Posts: 3587
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:29 am
Location: Gulf Coast Texas - Florida
Contact:

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by TroutSupport.com »

Mythman wrote: http://slowrideguide.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
X2 Corpus would be great since you'll see the beauty our waters have to offer... hook up with Dean, he can outfit you (rent your gear) and he's a great guide... you should go with him one or two of your days and then rent your gear and fish the rest of the days.
User avatar
larry long shadows
TKF 4000 Club
TKF 4000 Club
Posts: 4576
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2007 9:59 am
Location: East Houston May the wind be to your back when you Yak

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by larry long shadows »

MulletMaster08 wrote:Don't know of any place specific but you can find a range to shoot some really cool guns. When do you plan on coming to visit? If you come in early September dove season is open and early teal which are a lot of fun to shoot. November deer and duck season is going. I would advise going on a dick hunt, but that's me. I am not to sure about the gun laws over here. Maybe someone will post up if they know

By the way, you picked the right state to come visit to do these things
I'm not going to say any thing ...I'm not going to say any thing.... :lol:
User avatar
OzFnD
Posts: 67
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:23 pm
Location: East Coast - Australia

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishingie

Post by OzFnD »

Thanks guys,

Appreciate the input, will definitely look up those areas for gear hire and guides etc.
I've only ever done fishing and hunting / shooting here in Australia, so have no idea what to expect in Texas ( never been before). I want to make sure I get all the right information before I fly over so it all goes right with time allocated for the trip.

It would be the same if anyone was to fly to Australia for hunting or fishing trips, there is so much info you would need to know which is unique or specific to this country e.g. Environment, equipment, techniques, wild game, legal requirements, local knowledge etc so I'm expecting it's the same in Texas.

Cheers

OzFnD
texnomad
TKF 3000 Club
TKF 3000 Club
Posts: 3121
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:55 pm

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by texnomad »

I flly in and out of Corpus Airport a couple of times a year and find it to be a good airport. From my truck in the parking lot to my location in Rockport is about forty minutes of easy driving. Welcome to Texas, the best country in North America.
rayb
Posts: 890
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:25 am
Location: New Braunfels TX

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by rayb »

As far as shooting all types of firearms there's a range close to Phoenix Arizona. You can shoot what ever is your fantasy. From old west .45 cal to 50 cal machine gun and everything in between. If I can find the name I will post it but can't think of in right now. I suffer from CRS (can't remember UH! a thing) :lol:
User avatar
RedWolf
TKF 3000 Club
TKF 3000 Club
Posts: 3094
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:47 pm
Location: Clear Lake, Lime OK Frenzy, Lime Tarpon 120, Blue Tarpon 140
Contact:

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by RedWolf »

larry long shadows wrote:
MulletMaster08 wrote:Don't know of any place specific but you can find a range to shoot some really cool guns. When do you plan on coming to visit? If you come in early September dove season is open and early teal which are a lot of fun to shoot. November deer and duck season is going. I would advise going on a dick hunt, but that's me. I am not to sure about the gun laws over here. Maybe someone will post up if they know

By the way, you picked the right state to come visit to do these things
I'm not going to say any thing ...I'm not going to say any thing.... :lol:
**note to self** Don't go hunting with MulletMaster :shock:
User avatar
OzFnD
Posts: 67
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:23 pm
Location: East Coast - Australia

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by OzFnD »

Once again thanks guys,

I figure Texas has to be the top place to go in the US if your a hunting, fishing and kayaking enthusiast.

Yeah I'm keen to pay to have a go of all the toys we can't get in Aussie.

If any of you guys ever fly over to Australia for a Holiday drop me a personal message and might be able to arrange some local fishing etc ( I have a few yaks and gear).

Cheers

OzFnD
User avatar
bogdog
TKF 1000 Club
TKF 1000 Club
Posts: 1093
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2005 7:34 pm
Location: Friendswood, tx / www.galvestonkayakfishing.com
Contact:

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by bogdog »

X3 on slowride.

Also, Check out ricks kayak adventures. He knows the inshore and offshore scene
Off The Hook
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2137
Joined: Fri Jun 18, 2004 11:28 am
Location: McAllen, TX

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by Off The Hook »

If you come a little further "SOUTH" SOUTH TEXAS has the best hunting and fishing "BAR NONE" We have Port Mansfield and or South Padre Island, TX (aka) Port Isabel, TX for fishing. For a kayak fishing guide you can call Manny Torres (Rodbenders Lower Laguna Madre Kayak Fishing Guide Service) The Lower Laguna Madre is one of the Top 10 Fishing Destinations in the world (my playground) :mrgreen:. Hunting you have a tonload of ranches in South Texas that dedicate and work the land specifically for hunting. Check with the King Ranch, Primos Hunting, just to name few. Good Luck and have fun.
User avatar
Poolio
Posts: 883
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 5:51 pm
Location: Now in San Antonio, TX

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by Poolio »

+1 for the lower laguna madre and port isabel. It's paradise down there. A good time to come down would be during any of our fishing tournaments where we all get together to fish already.

-Poo
User avatar
RedWolf
TKF 3000 Club
TKF 3000 Club
Posts: 3094
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:47 pm
Location: Clear Lake, Lime OK Frenzy, Lime Tarpon 120, Blue Tarpon 140
Contact:

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by RedWolf »

Another suggestion if you haven't considered it, check out Louisiana also. Louisiana is a mecca of fishing and hunting opportunities. BCKFC.org is one of the kayaking sites for our neighbors to the east.
User avatar
deleon23
Posts: 524
Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2011 2:46 pm
Location: 5 O'clock somewhere / Texas City

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by deleon23 »

larry long shadows wrote:
MulletMaster08 wrote:Don't know of any place specific but you can find a range to shoot some really cool guns. When do you plan on coming to visit? If you come in early September dove season is open and early teal which are a lot of fun to shoot. November deer and duck season is going. I would advise going on a dick hunt, but that's me. I am not to sure about the gun laws over here. Maybe someone will post up if they know

By the way, you picked the right state to come visit to do these things
I'm not going to say any thing ...I'm not going to say any thing.... :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
User avatar
OzFnD
Posts: 67
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:23 pm
Location: East Coast - Australia

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by OzFnD »

MulletMaster08 wrote: I would advise going on a dick hunt, but that's me.

By the way, you picked the right state to come visit to do these things

I'm too scared to even get on the plane now............ :lol:
User avatar
SlimeyLimey
TKF 1000 Club
TKF 1000 Club
Posts: 1281
Joined: Sat May 03, 2008 9:10 am
Location: Austin, Texas!...........Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught.

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by SlimeyLimey »

:lol: :lol: :lol:
yippie kai yak
Posts: 377
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:27 am
Location: san marcos,texas

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by yippie kai yak »

hey MM08 do you do that particular type of hunting over in the Montrose. Just kidding I'm sure that was a typo
User avatar
OzFnD
Posts: 67
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:23 pm
Location: East Coast - Australia

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by OzFnD »

Once again guys, I appreciate the feedback
Lots of great info you have provided and will definitely take it all in.
Apart from the minor humour with the typo error ( anyone could have done the same).
I want to personally thank Mulletmaster too, I would be keen to try duck hunting and do appreciate the detailed feedback.

Like I said guys, anyone ends up over this side in Aussie on the East Coast, drop me a PM and I'll hook up with you for a social fish, I have a couple of spare yaks.

Cheers

OzFnD
product19
Posts: 78
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:18 pm
Location: Houston

Re: Aussie - Thinking of Holiday to US & Texas 4 kayak fishing

Post by product19 »

You could also try pig hunting. They are feral here and are non-native species so they are not regulated like game animals. Basically nearly anything goes for pig hunting. That means you could hunt them year-round and even at night with night vision or thermal sights, use suppressed weapons, even hunt them out of helicopters (which looks cool but is $$$). Texas is overrun. As others have suggested you can also hunt exotic species that are not native to our state--therefore there is no season on them and they can be hunted year round.

Also if you'd like to try your some firearms that aren't available in Australia in Houston there are a couple of indoor shooting ranges that rent them. Top Gun in the city rents guns and you can even try your hand with some automatic weapons (Class III firearms) like an Uzi or Thompson submachine gun. Check out their website for available rentals http://topgunrange.com/index.htm. The Arms Room in the southern part of our city rents firearms also http://thearmsroomtx.com/ including fully automatic. So to does Athena Gun club in the western part of the city http://www.athenagunclub.com/. Right now ammunition is expensive and hard to find for most calibers, especially pistol caliber.

In Galveston (~45min south of Houston) I've been with a local kayak guide "Mud Minnow" George. http://www.texascoastalkayak.com/Guide_Profiles.html. He's pretty good. He guides in Galveston and the Freeport area for bay/inshore fishing (I think you guys call it estuary fishing in Australia).

Lastly if you visit during duck/goose season you can also try "cast and blast" which is duck hunting part of the day (usually morning) and fishing the other part of the day. There are several professional gudes that offer this service along the coast.

Good Luck.
Post Reply