Visit THE ROCKPORT AQUARIUM

Friday I had the pleasure of taking out volunteers from the Rockport Aquarium .We were not tyring to catch limits or table food .But needed some specimens for the aquarium. These fish needed to be small and colorful.We were looking for Spanish Hog fish to replace the one that died in a plumbing problem.Unfortunately the waters have cooled off somewhat since Summer.We did catch some Lane snapper that was small enough but we also got lots of them really big for the table. We also got some large Spanish mackerel. On one rig we found the dog snapper were were looking for ,we also found lots of Barracuda.Caught one small one and got cut off lots of time. We even had one run into the side of the boat as I was trying to help land a large blue runner.The waves picked up so we had to head in to the bay .
There at the Fina docks We tried to catch Sargent major but got lots of perch ,sand trout and croaker.
Thanks for the ROCKPORT AQUARIUM for providing a FREE ADMITTANCE for any one wanting to learn about fish in our bays and gulf.

Thursduy evening

Went out Thursday evening with Dave trying to figure out what was wrong with his boat.We fished several places with artificial only and caught some small reds with Berkley gulp and lots of perch.finally picked up one 22" red in Shamrock.

6 ft. Bull Shark

Went out Wednesday with 1 client. Fished some near shore rigs.Got several really nice LANE Snapper 18" Trigger ,King fish ,Spanish Mackerel,and kept getting bite off on live bait.Ha several snapper stolen when bringing them up.Made stronger and stronger leaders ,still kept getting bit off.Finally made one with 400lb wire .Caught a 6ft.BULL SHARK which we released after a few pictures.
Right now some other guides are not getting any fish with this full moon. The fish will bite the last few hours in the evening .

Trout N Reds No RED TIDE

Last week caught 3 limits of Trout in the Aransas Channel after a cold front .They were 10 to 12 feet deep on live shrimp.The fish were biting really light like perch .
Went out Sunday caught 7 nice reds 28' to 22".Several were perfect tournament fish. The best place to get keeper reds was South Bay and the jetties.Also hooked a 3' TARPON at the jetty.
We missed the RED TIDE again .It was at PORT ARANSAS ,but not in the jetty.The north wind blew it out just in time. I have heard reports of it getting in the Packery channel and Baffin bay is not doing very well right now.South Padre and Port Isabel has been hit hard from the Red tide . So far we have had really good fishing ,with a few flounder showing up.

Windy Saturday ;nice Sunday

Went out from Cove Harbor Saturday caught a couple Mangrove snapper and lost several Flounder at Lydia Ann Channel early .Went on to the jetties where it was too rough to fish even behind the jetties. Went on to Sailboat channel and got a 26" black drum small perch and small drum.The channel was full of boats ,especially where I wanted to fish.So much for secret fishing holes. Drifted Estes flats with a few small fish.Boats all over the place . Went to South Bay could not get in the places I wanted to fish because of boats sitting in them.Wound up back at the jetties hooked up several big fish finally got one 37"Red. The fishing was hard after a cold front .
Sunday Had to fix my sterring Finally got to fishing around 2 pm .We landed 3 nice reds lost several big ones all on live perch.Some of the reds were great tournament fish. Went to the Fina docks picked up over 2o mangrove snapper.

Reds biting at jetties not much red tide

Went out today caught a 14" gag grouper and a keeper trout really quick at the Fina Docks on live perch. Moved to the Lydia Ann Channel to try and find some Flounder.Hung 3 but could not get them to eat it all the way. I then went to the South Jetty .Several boats were already there catching lots of reds. I caught a 28 " ,then 6 more over 40". Two big 40"reds at the same time and I was the only one in the boat. Went to the north side of the north jetty. Caught 4 more keepers .Only kept 3 reds.Lots of mullet all over the north jetty.The red tide still was not at the jetties yet.I saw no dead fish anywhere.I did not run south because the waves were too high.
Brad and I saw red tide at the jetties 3 weeks ago and reported it ,but it went away.At that time there was no fish kill at all.

Reds at Fina dock

Went out Saturday on a trip. Fished the South Jetty on out going tide .Lost several big fish caught 2 keeper reds.Lots of TARPON rolling ,could not get one to bite .The water temp was 74 F. Went to the Fina dock ,to get out of the north wind.Caught two reds one over 41 inches.Several big gafftop,sand trout whiting,and black drum.
Went to go fih in the Aransas shrimp channel and wound up helping a stranded boat.Fished over at Ingleside .Caught big gafftop .mangrove snapper and lost and broke off several monster fish.