We arrived in POC on Friday the 17th at 630am to rain and Josies mini mart where the migas breakfast taco was almost worth the trip alone. At the boat launch, I saw this palm frond. Hopeful premonitions?
Capt Jim met us and two shuttle trips later and we were all landed at the bay side of Sunday Beach by 8am. We set our gear down and proceeded to prepare for some kayak fishing in Mule Slough.
. As you can see, I modded my Ride 135 to cadillac status with a sweet Bass Boat seat - Tired of a wet crotch with the older seat option in these boats. My good friend Jorge used my first boat - Ocean kayak Malibu II - and kicked my ass in speed paddling. The Ride is heavy but it's like that old Willie Dixon song - Built for comfort, not for speed.
Anyway - We paddled to the entrance to the slough off the main bay and quickly found lots of rat reds and some flounder. Winds out of SSE at 10-15 and water temps at 60. We used a variety of baits, from gulp jerk baits (watermelon and camo) to Unfair lures Rip N Slash in mullet color. Caught a keeper Red and a 15 inch flounder for dinner, threw back the rest.
By two pm the rain had passed by and we set up camp in the dunes. Kitchen. Tents. Beer.
We then walked to the surf side and threw some frozen bait into the mouths of hungry gulf whiting (gulf kingfish) and two Redfish (27-32"). The dunes provided good vantage points for cell phone reception as well.
On Sat, we were up and out on the water as early as can be expected after a night of bourbon, grilled redfish and a campfire on the beach. More rat reds, flounder, and a few trout were landed before we headed back to camp. We found a lot of shorts this trip, with a few notable exceptions. Sunny, calm and dry for Saturday.
By dusk a new bonfire on the beach had appeared and the surf rods were loaded with some chunks of horse mullet I caught with a cast net earlier. Not having the foresight to pack rod holders for the sand, I found some long narrow plastic water bottles that had washed up, turned them upside down and buried them in the sand so just the bottom was exposed. A quick slice with the knife and we had some janky rod holders that at least kept the reels from the sand. I was basting the inside of my mouth with some medicinal liquid when my rod holder squeaked like a rat being stepped on and my rod took off down towards the water. I managed to grab it and winched in this 42" beauty. A quick photo and back into the surf.
We were up and out early Sunday and back in Austin for a late lunch. All and all, another successful trip into my version of a Texas paradise.
