#Newbie here, intro

[MJMeyer]

Howdy everyone, My name is Matt. I wanted to drop in and say hello, my wife and I are new to fishing and we absolutely love it. We are currently in the market for a small skinny water boat and wanting to explore the west bay area. We've lived down here all our lives and I cant believe its taken this long to get addicted to the salt life. We currently live close to the Diversionay canal and are wanting to look into wade fishing or yak fishing until we find a boat. Looking to get some tips on wade fishing and where to even begin in that department and also just good general info we can learn from would be awesome. Thanks in advance!


-Matt

[TroutSupport]

Welcome aboar Matt. learn to read the water is the first step, and that even makes a big difference if you are wading in, after you have a boat you can move faster, but just because you move slow as a wader won't mean that it wont help. What is 'reading the water'? Basically you are looking for predator and prey reactions.. Bait fish act differently when predators are around. Look for bait concentration on the edge of structure, learn what birds to use and ones to ignore, and learn about trout slicks.

As far as walking in there are lots of good resources like Google Earth, the program. You can even use it to find a new wading area by using the street view to see if there are any gates or no parking signs. San Luis Pass and the surf should be turning on for the summer. Good luck, feel free to email me at tobin@troutsupport.com with any specific questions. ...

Also, look into booking a trip with Capt Steve Soule... dude is a master and loves to teach and he fishes shallow out of a little skiff. I think you and your wife would really enjoy it.

[MJMeyer]

Welcome aboar Matt. learn to read the water is the first step, and that even makes a big difference if you are wading in, after you have a boat you can move faster, but just because you move slow as a wader won't mean that it wont help. What is 'reading the water'? Basically you are looking for predator and prey reactions.. Bait fish act differently when predators are around. Look for bait concentration on the edge of structure, learn what birds to use and ones to ignore, and learn about trout slicks.

As far as walking in there are lots of good resources like Google Earth, the program. You can even use it to find a new wading area by using the street view to see if there are any gates or no parking signs. San Luis Pass and the surf should be turning on for the summer. Good luck, feel free to email me at tobin@troutsupport.com with any specific questions. ...

Also, look into booking a trip with Capt Steve Soule... dude is a master and loves to teach and he fishes shallow out of a little skiff. I think you and your wife would really enjoy it.

Thank you so much for your reply! I know we have a lot to learn but we are excited to do so! I will have to do some research on these things you have suggested, which I really appreciate! Thanks for your email also I tend to have questions a lot.

[hacksaw]

Matt, Welcome.
The safest place I've found to Kayak fish and wade, close to West Bay, is the Galveston State park on the North side of Seawall Blvd. The launch site is only for kayacks and canoes. It's a shallow hard sandy bottom that slowly gets deeper the further out you go. It's a very well protected area, where I learned to kayak the right way. There's lots of marsh flats holding red fish, flounder, and specks. I've only used live shrimp. The park opens at 0700, $5 parking fee, and is open until dark. There is a fish cleaning station at the launch. I've never had a problem with leaving my truck and trailer parked while I'm out. I'll try to include a picture of the park and the launch sites. It may be too large for posting here. As far as buying a Yak, I would get one with at least a 33"-36" beam and 12' long, unless you're in it for speed. Balance while moving around is a big factor for me. Sit in, or on top, is a personal preference. Watch some kayak fishing videos which may help you and your wife decide on which kayak would suit your needs.

[MJMeyer]

Matt, Welcome.
The safest place I've found to Kayak fish and wade, close to West Bay, is the Galveston State park on the North side of Seawall Blvd. The launch site is only for kayacks and canoes. It's a shallow hard sandy bottom that slowly gets deeper the further out you go. It's a very well protected area, where I learned to kayak the right way. There's lots of marsh flats holding red fish, flounder, and specks. I've only used live shrimp. The park opens at 0700, $5 parking fee, and is open until dark. There is a fish cleaning station at the launch. I've never had a problem with leaving my truck and trailer parked while I'm out. I'll try to include a picture of the park and the launch sites. It may be too large for posting here. As far as buying a Yak, I would get one with at least a 33"-36" beam and 12' long, unless you're in it for speed. Balance while moving around is a big factor for me. Sit in, or on top, is a personal preference. Watch some kayak fishing videos which may help you and your wife decide on which kayak would suit your needs.

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Hacksaw, Thanks for the reply and with a map pic! I didn't even think about Galveston island state park, haven't been there since I was a kid. Jenkins bayou looks pretty good, are there areas you can wade there? And when are conditions best to fish that area?

Also thanks for all the info on the yaks I really appreciate it.

[hacksaw]

Matt, I haven't fished in that area yet. We've been putting in at the Como Lake launch. After we launch we head North and follow the channel back to the West and fish around the concrete breakers. As far as wading, I've waded in the Como up to my hips and caught fish. Across the way, where there are beach houses I've seen waders out there too. The immediate area is very protected and can be waded most anytime. If you're kayak fishing, when the south wind kicks up, it's tough paddling coming back in from the bay. My yak has a built in troll motor so I've ended up pulling my buddy back because if the winds. I think it would be a good place to start. While I was looking at the map,I realized there's a fresh water pond, so next time out, I'm going to check on that. Hope this helps.

[Curmudgeon]

Welcome, Matt!


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[MJMeyer]

Matt, I haven't fished in that area yet. We've been putting in at the Como Lake launch. After we launch we head North and follow the channel back to the West and fish around the concrete breakers. As far as wading, I've waded in the Como up to my hips and caught fish. Across the way, where there are beach houses I've seen waders out there too. The immediate area is very protected and can be waded most anytime. If you're kayak fishing, when the south wind kicks up, it's tough paddling coming back in from the bay. My yak has a built in troll motor so I've ended up pulling my buddy back because if the winds. I think it would be a good place to start. While I was looking at the map,I realized there's a fresh water pond, so next time out, I'm going to check on that. Hope this helps.

Thanks Hacksaw, this is really good info. and cant wait to try these spots. We are going yak fishing Jun 9th at Christmas bay. I will post up and let you guys know how it is.

[MJMeyer]

Welcome, Matt!


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Thank you sir!

[Baby Tran Cat]

welcome aboard...

[hacksaw]

Thanks Hacksaw, this is really good info. and cant wait to try these spots. We are going yak fishing Jun 9th at Christmas bay. I will post up and let you guys know how it is.

I've never fished Christmas Bay. What's the average depth? I read it's shallow water. Is there a particularly better place to fish it?

[MJMeyer]

welcome aboard...

Thank you!

[MJMeyer]

I've never fished Christmas Bay. What's the average depth? I read it's shallow water. Is there a particularly better place to fish it?

I have no idea Hacksaw, It will be my first trip. I will get the intell and post up next week to let you know.

[hacksaw]

I have no idea Hacksaw, It will be my first trip. I will get the intell and post up next week to let you know.

Ok,kewl. Tight Lines.

[plugger]

WELCOME !
Check out the GARAGE forum . I have a shallow running Explorer boat for sale . There also are a couple other boats for sale there .