port aransas jetty fishing tips
The North Port Aransas Jetty is located on the south end of San Jose Island. Tuesday, we had intended to fish the north jetty but a long, hard Monday made for a late start the next morning. By creating an account you are able to follow friends and experts you trust and see the places they've recommended. Folks in Port Aransas are invited to take part in the fifth annual City Nature Challenge on Friday, April 28, through Monday, May 1. . Twice we camped on the Sabine jetties, and were kept awake by a full moon and passing crewboats. Avoid thin nylon gloves and use sturdier versions with leather sewn to the palm. So without further ado, lets meet the all-star cast! We also used aluminum jonboats around the jetties, since scraping a rock was no problem; just ease in close, unload gear (including anchor and ourselves) right on the jetty, and shove the empty boat back into deeper water. Because Port Aransas is located on the northern tip of Mustang Island, it is surrounded by fishable water. (361) 749-5448. Speckled trout, redfish, sharks, jacks, whiting, and even the occasional pompano can make an appearance along this stretch of the Texas coast. Once in Port Aransas, there are many great places to stay, including many homes with private pools, waterfront restaurants that will grill your catch, and plenty of activities. 2) early morning or late evening is better than full daylight, though a good percentage of my tarpon have been caught late morning. Port Aransas has two great jetties that provide year-round opportunities for catching many different species of fish. GOOD. Upon return to camp, I roused the guys and we began the familiar ritual of rigging up rods and slathering sunblock on sensitive areas. The Jetty Boat runs every day from Fishermans Wharf in Port Aransas to a private dock at the base of the North Jetty on San Jose Island. The bait for offshore fishing is usually sold frozen at the local bait shops. We also had limits of rockfish including some very nice reds. Look for tarpon facing the current outside and inside jetty walls; they also hang around large eddies and deep-water current breaks caused by displaced jetty rocks. The Jetty Boat is the only way to access the North Jetty and the deserted beaches of San Jose Island for fishing, birding, beachcombing along the empty beaches, and getting back to nature at its finest. Click here for information about Port Aransas Fishermans Wharf party fishing charters. *Early video release*Tips \u0026 Tricks videos for specific areas*Possible Giveaways! Fishing Report. Many of the same fish that can be found in the bay are also caught in the surf. document.getElementById( "ak_js_8" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Great information youre providing. All it takes is one good slip to spoil the day. For those anglers who target large sharks, Port Aransas is a great place to try your luck at catching the next Jaws. Extending hundreds of feet out into the sea, piers are great spots to wet your line from. Wahoo are known for being extremely fast, and these fish can get quite large as well. Others, like South Padre, dont and a bucket is much needed. Make sure to communicate your preferences with your guide when you make arrangements. Mud Island is a long, narrow island with popular fishing locations on all sides. Corpus Christi is on the mainland and has a commercial airport. Favorite restaurant in Port A is Venetian Hot Plate, make reservations well ahead. In general, the shorelines of Corpus Christi Bay are excellent areas for fishing in the spring, fall and winter months. Offshore fishing, also known as deep sea fishing. Youre correct that the image is not Horace Caldwell Pier. Its a high- energy environment with unforgiving rocks, compared to a public bay pier. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Replied on December 21, 2021 The main inshore fish species targeted by Port Aransas anglers include speckled trout, redfish, flounder, black drum, sheepshead, sand trout, and more. Captain Experiences offers a great selection of highly rated fishing guides available for charter. 12:10 p.m. Dont Miss out on These Port Aransas Restaurants. The pier has good railing so the kids are safe. That foot mobility was great and highly recommended, if you can judge rock angles and surfaces without a miscue. Cash only. Elated, I grabbed the bait livewell and made the short drive to Port A Outfitters on West Cotter Avenue to join the line of bleary eyed anglers waiting for live bait. A small castnet might save the day; there are plenty of baitfish around the jetties in summer, often on the surface. He Works So I Travelcontent may contain affiliate links for products I use and love. Your fishing guide will help you along the way. Summer. The same key species such as redfish, trout, and drum that can be caught from a boat are also within range of the popular fishing piers and shorelines in the Port Aransas area. Bay fishing, also called inshore fishing, is attractive to anglers because the waters are much calmer than deep-sea fishing. It is a 1,240-foot lighted pier that extends into the Gulf of Mexico. Keepers Port Aransas Fishing Pier - Best Fishing Pier on the Texas Coast Pole Rentals, Tackle, Bait, Food, Ice Cream, Drinks, & Beer. Not every angler is cut out to fish our granite jetties along the Texas coast, subject to Gulf waves and strong currents. Despite the name, much of Mud Island is surrounded by grass and hard sand. Texas' Only 100% Pure Saltwater Fishing Magazine. Species such as tarpon, sharks, bull reds, and kingfish could be the target saltwater fish species in Port Aransass nearshore waters. Report by Captain Doug Stanford, Pirates of the Bay Fishing Charters. . The jackpot fish should be around 30 pounds. If youre looking for a more active way [], With thrilling amusement parks, numerous bays, stunning shallow shorelines, and productive grassy flats, Galveston is the perfect destination for a Texan getaway. Wahoo live in deep waters off the coast of Port A. Wahoo are also one of the best tasting offshore fish available. Some of the main areas that you may be fishing when visiting Port Aransas include: Aransas Bay is a major body of water to the northeast of Port A. Aransas Bay contains a few large reefs plus some spoil areas. With a professional guide, youll find the sweet fishing grounds with ease, and youll be able to move from one to the other without any hassle. Luckily for you, these restaurants in Port Aransas will cook what you catch. Depending on how you fish, you may need a license. Horace Caldwell Pier is located in the I.B. At other times of the year, fishermen can find fish along the miles of shoreline at the edges of Aransas Bay. Anglers aged 17 and over, fishing from a boat or beaches, must get a license. It includes updates on weather, jetty fishing, and deep-sea fishing. Landing net. Grab your waders and go fly fishing in the flats or cast directly from the kayak, and get your fill of delicious fish. Your contact information is used to deliver requested updates or to access your subscriber preferences. You never know what you might catch while fishing the surf. Professional fish cleaners are even available after your trip to take care of your catch. It was a 15-foot bow rider Thunderbird ski-boat bought used at Toledo Bend, that would see countless jetty trips. We ended up being really surprised at how smooth the trip out ended up being, and how the boat didnt rock too bad while we were out there, and everyone caught fish. Wind has been pretty brutal, and tides have been pulling hard, so jetty fishing is hard this time of year, but we are seeing some bull reds move in to the jetty along . There are also several large party boats that take large groups of people deep sea fishing out of Port Aransas. 2023 Captain Experiences, Inc. All rights reserved. Write a short note about what you liked, what to order, or other helpful advice for visitors. I cringe at the thought of sliding into the oppressive hotbox that my car becomes under a murderous July sun the buckle of my seatbelt singeing my fingers as I rush to start the . Captain Experiences can assist you in finding a kayak fishing guide when you visit Port Aransas. You can even bring your fresh catch to alocal eatery and have them cook it up, just the way you like it, while you sit back and enjoy dining waterside. Texas jetties are built differently depending on where you are: Port Aransas rocks are smooth enough to pull a wagon mounted with rod holders, taking a load off the shoulders, and jumbled boulders offer pools for stringered fish. There is some kayak fishing access on Mustang Island within a short drive. With big tuna, mahi mahi, and wahoo, Port Aransass offshore waters regularly produce fish weighing 20 to 200 pounds. Sep 20, 2018. Other live bait options include using small croaker, mullet, pinfish, mud minnows, and more. Coastal Texas has the finest collection of rock jetties in the nation, built for pedestrian traffic. Come in late summer for the best of all worlds. Flounder are a prized fish because many anglers consider these flat fish to be the tastiest table fare of the inshore species. The limit on all fish do change from time to time, so make sure you check for the latest information. Port Aransas, Texas 78373 Beware, though, youll need to work on your upper-body strength before coming, as maneuvering the kayak is demanding, not to mention fishing from tight angles. Sand trout and sheepshead are also favorite targets of some Port Aransas anglers. Billfish of all species are found in deeper waters, and a longer offshore charter is recommended. We still like to sling artificials all day with baitcasting tackle, spooled up with tough, 20-pound Ande line. Fishing the jetties is popular at all times of the year, and many of the inshore bay fishing guides take their anglers out to the jetties. It is a 1,240-foot lighted pier that extends into the Gulf of Mexico. What you catch will depend on where you fish, the time of year, the water conditions, and many more elements. Estes Flats is large grass flat that lies just on the other side of Traylor Island from Aransas Bay. The beautiful colors fade quickly, but the memories of catching mahi mahi can last a lifetime. The angle of that next rock, slippery or not (wet algae or dry), stepping over cracks that are five feet deep. Since it was my boat, I jumped in and cleaved the water in record time, vaulting into Old Yellow in one smooth motion. ), Sitka Zodiac Adventure to Beautiful Fin Island Lodge, The Ultimate Guide to a Girls Trip to Nashville, 30 Insanely Cheap Things to do in Vegas Besides Gambling, The Best Restaurants on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Dont Miss out on these Port Aransas Restaurants. document.getElementById( "ak_js_9" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Good trip choices! document.getElementById( "ak_js_13" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for reading and for your comment. All rights reserved. The drive will be longer, about two and a half hours, but it is a direct path south on Interstate Highway 37. Captain Experiences offers a selection of fishing guide charters in Port Aransas including: Captain Experiences also offers specialty fishing guides in the Port Aransas area including: Whatever type of outdoors adventure you dream of doing during your trip to Port A, Captain Experiences can help you find a professional fishing guide for a successful and memorable fishing trip. Were sure that the beloved Speckled Trout was in the running to be crowned state saltwater fish, too. If you cannot get live bait, locally caught frozen shrimp is a good option. Sailfish can make great jumps and put up a great fight for the anglers lucky enough to hook into one of these fish. For $12, beach-goers and anglers alike can take the Jetty Boat at Fishermans Wharf across the channel to remote St. Jo Island where the north jetty begins. All the while, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, and even Marlin will show up at different intervals. Concessions, bathrooms, heat, and a/c are available on the boat. It is $3 per person to access and $4 per pole to fish. And to carry keeper fish, for that hike back to the truck. Action might be slow, followed by frantic evenings with trout herding showering baitfish against the rocks. Thanks for your comment. 1676. Bait, tackle, and equipment are available for sale in the Keepers at Horace Caldwell Pier shop. RELATED POSTS: Do you need ideas on other things to do in Port Aransas? Whether youre looking for a light bay boat for a couple of anglers, a massive offshore sport fishing vessel for the whole family, or something in between theres a Port Aransas fishing charter for you. Most anglers in Port Aransas catch red drum, black drum, trout, catfish, flounder, sheepshead, red snapper, sailfish, kingfish, marlin, tuna, and shark. The best baits and lures to use in the Port Aransas area will depend on what type of fish you are trying to catch. It is no wonder that Port Aransas is a top destination for anglers of all types. Redfish, speckled trout, and flounder are the preferred species for most kayak anglers. Top waters, soft plastics, hard body lures, saltwater flies, spoons, and soft body lures can all entice a strike from a large speckled trout or an upper slot redfish. Be ready to take notes and lets dive straight in! The Upper Laguna Madre is a short drive away. If youre looking for a bigger specimen, though, then wait for summer and head offshore during the federal season. We set up our temporary home at the I.B. While often associated with white water rafting, many anglers are now starting to appreciate the benefits of having a kayak. Free shipping for many products! The grass flats in this stretch of the Texas coast are perfect habitat for reds. On the other hand, the fisherman in me welcomes the light summer winds that bring about ideal conditions for beachfront and jetty fishing, inshore spearfishing and offshore adventures. Blue marlin are the largest billfish regularly caught in the Port Aransas area and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. account_circle With redfish, anglers often just cast out their bait to a promising looking sand pocket and wait for the bite. It is also known to anglers as the Fishing Capital of Texas. Ill break down everything you need to know about fishing in Port Aransas. If you can buy live shrimp, its easy to toss them out from the rocks weighed with only a tiny split shot weight. These back lakes and channels hold fish throughout most of year, but when it gets too hot or too cold during the extremes of summer and winter, then the fishing may slow down. In early June, I packed up all the necessary gear with my brother and two friends and we snaked our way along curvy U.S. Highway 59 from Houston down to Port Aransas. Sport Fish Restoration program. One popular way of fishing for inshore species is bait fishing. Tasty sheepshead prowl the rocks looking for tidbits. Great advice, I really enjoyed reading your detailed post. Tackle the deep blue waters on an offshore excursion and reel in kingfish, sailfish, marlin, tuna, and more. When choosing a charter service, you decide where you want to fish (bay fishing or deep-sea fishing) and for how long. South Padre is rounded and capped with poured concrete, where anglers might slide into the water. Trout and redfish will eat a wide variety of lures. Fishing: try the South Jetty, or Pier on beach front located 2/3 mile south of jetty. Speckled trout, black drum, and other species can also be caught during a day of fly fishing. Enter your email or phone number to login. Trout can be caught in many fishing environments: jetties, saltwater lakes, reefs, shorelines, flats, passes, surf, channels, and just about anywhere else you choose to fish in the inshore saltwater areas around Port Aransas. If you plan on taking some of the tasty treats of the seas home with you, then youll also need to purchase a $10 endorsement. Redfish and speckled trout can be caught by lucky anglers in the Port Aransas area using any of these inshore fishing methods. Offshore fishing gives you a chance of landing a big fish on a special occasion like that once in a lifetime family vacation or while entertaining clients during a business retreat. Some jetties, like the north Aransas jetty, offer protective saltwater pools between the rocks, handy for stringers. Content of this site copyright Texas Parks and Wildlife Department unless otherwise noted. Packery Channel Fishing Reports Recently shared catches and fishing spots. Nearshore is basically the first few miles of water past the jetties and beaches. Neither too big nor too small, Port Aransas is just the right size coastal town for anyones ideal fishing adventure. Known for their tough fight and their delicious taste, theyre the kind of all-rounder that every angler dreams of. This bay has excellent locations for drift fishing and anchoring for a mixed bag of both speckled trout and redfish. 5-gallon Bucket. Corpus Christi Bay separates Port Aransas from the mainland. Manage My Subscriptions, archive It was the beginning of a great trip. . If you are looking to kayak fish while you are visiting Port A, that is also an option. E-Newsletter Archive. Hopefully, you can come back and tell us some tales of what you manage to catch on your next Port Aransas fishing adventure. Kingfish are hard fighters, and these toothy speedsters patrol Port Aransass offshore waters during the summer and early fall. Get details. Horace Caldwell Pier Quick Facts Bay fishing is extremely popular, and trips can be taken in just a few hours or last all day. Tips See what your friends are saying about Guernica. 4:10 p.m. Short and long, these walkways dot the coastline in town and beyond, giving anglers an advantage both inshore or nearshore. Offering structure for the fish to feed on, theyre a haven for attracting some prized species. Not only that but, being located on Mustang Island, Port Aransas is also a great starting point for a nearshore adventure. Helped us catch what we were looking for and gave helpful tips throughout the entire trip. You will learn about fish species, when they are in season, what bait to use, how to prepare before the trip, working hours of the piers, and much more. Sabine jetty on the Louisiana side, where we misspent our youth. The area offers easy access to the Gulf of Mexico and the Corpus Christi Bay, and is home to a wide variety of fish species, including redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum. Sheepshead are loaded around the jetties on live shrimp. (No limits back then.) Summer brings about mixed emotions for me as a Texan. Wed make little 20-foot casts with MirrOlures, rear back and drag about 60 trout onto the concrete wall. This is peak tournament season, too, so come and test your skills against the best! Use care when catching kingfish because these fish are mighty toothy. The fisherman in me always wins. Want to save this for later? With so much on offer, even when the beaches are crowded, you can find a quiet spot. Fishing reports are produced with support from, Texas Farm and Ranch Land Conservation Program.
port aransas jetty fishing tips