HACKED BY CYBER-ATTACK - ALPERENBTN

[mberry]

I am new to coastal fishing, My family and myself love to fish but have only fished from Port A jetty's, the park in Port A and recently found the fish pass jetty's. We have sen the talk about PINS but we have never fished in the surf.So I am just looking for general information fishing spots ways to fish? Thanks

[tyler]

This was from 1999 when David was on a trip with Nick Meyer, Brett Koppe, me and my son Bryan.

Sunday, August 15, 1999


Wave action
Surf fishing frustrating, exhilarating



A If you're interested in joining the Corpus Christi Chapter of the Shore Fishing and Casting Club International, call Skipper Krueger at 939-7643.
Too often when I wade fish the surf, my day ends in frustration.
Not necessarily because I don't catch fish, I can usually pull in a few. I simply spend too much time searching for the perfect spot and then grow weary of relentless face slapping from waves.
That was before a day at the beach with Nick Meyer, co-founder of the Corpus Christi Chapter of the Shore Fishing and Casting Club International.
Don't let Meyer's heavy British accent and Cockney colloquialisms throw you, this mate can read the Texas surf. I'm told the signs are universal.
Our plan was to cover much of the Padre Island National Seashore for a crash course in recognizing the subtle signs that mark fish-holding structure.
It's not a difficult lesson if you know what to look for, particularly during low tide.
Even though Meyer is a champion long caster, our plan didn't involve much staking out of long poles for shark and bull reds. Nor would we be using kayaks to paddle out chunks of cut bait to attract large sharks.
That can turn into a time-consuming and often sedentary endeavor - a story for another day.
At any given time, game fish are scattered all along the national seashore in the guts. But to find concentrations of them, you've got to target washouts, suckouts, holes and pinches, Meyer said.
It helps when the wind isn't howling and the water is relatively clear.
Guts are depressions between sandbars, both of which run parallel to the beach.
There are three guts that most anglers are concerned with, the first gut, or wade gut nearest the beach, with the second and third farther out.
The first and second guts are where most trout and whiting are caught. Redfish and shark are there too, but both of those species also can be caught farther out. Generally, the third gut is reserved for long casters trying for shark and larger fish.
A suckout is essentially a break in a sandbar, where water passes between guts.
Often, the rushing water at a suckout produces holes, which are simply depressions where predator fish sometimes hide to ambush their prey.
A pinch is a narrowing of a gut, usually between the beach and the first bar. A pinch is formed when a section of beach juts into the surf like a point.
Meyer refers to all these naturally occurring surf/beach characteristics as structure. He also lumps shipwrecks and other surf debris into the same group.
Each structure represents an area where fish congregate, typically to feed, hide, rest or do all three.
Remember two things: Fish are lazy and the beach is dynamic.
In other words, fish generally don't move unless they have to, and the surf perpetually changes.
Predator fish primarily move if driven by water temperature, hunger or to seek protection. They would rather not fight current to chase a meal.
Calmer water is usually deeper water, thus the old saying "still waters run deep." Deep pools serve as hiding places for predators.
Baitfish, on the other hand, seek shallow water where predators rarely venture. But they are weak and at the mercy of currents, which can sweep them into harms way.
What to look for
So look for calmer water next to moving water.
I know what you're asking.
What does calm water next to moving water look like from the beach?
On the surface, deeper pools appear as calm or flat spots surrounded by whitewater. If you scan the surf from an angle, these nuances are easier to spot.
Next time you're at the beach, notice how the waves break. Ribbons of whitecaps that parallel the shore are broken by contrasting ribbons of blue or green water.
Whitecaps indicate sandbars and the blue/green ribbons represent guts.
Stand on the bars (or on the beach) and cast into the guts.
You don't have to wade out too far. If waves are slapping you in the face, chances are you waded too far or the surf is too rough.
Typically, knee-deep to thigh-deep is far enough.
"Stop right here, mate, there's a perfect example of a hole," Meyer said at about the 32-mile marker. "I'll bet there's trout in there."
We were deep into four-wheel-drive territory. A sign posted not far from the five-mile marker (five miles from where Park Road 22 meets Malaquite Beach) warns motorists that four-wheel vehicles are required to venture farther south.
But at low tide, the beach is usually hard-packed near the water until you reach the high banks, at about the 17-mile mark, where the sand gets really deep.
I'm not recommending you drive a non-four-wheel-drive vehicle beyond the four-wheel-drive sign. You'll pay dearly to be towed out of deep sand. I'm talking hundreds of dollars if a Good Samaritan doesn't come along.
Either way, I suggest you punch the trip odometer on your vehicle to keep track of where you are. Or you can estimate your whereabouts based on the mileposts, which are planted every five miles.
We piled out of the truck and grabbed our rods. I was already rigged with a quarter-ounce jighead, onto which I attached a fire tiger Bass Assassin. Meyer tied on a pumpkinseed and chartreuse one.
Quick hits
Within minutes we had four trout and a whiting. And my shirt stayed dry.
Stop two was at a spot where the beach extended into the surf and jutted into the first bar. Holes had formed on either side of the point, which had created a dam across the wade gut.
Meyer took the south side and I started casting into the north-side hole. A couple of other members of the shore-fishing club waded to the second bar.
Meyer caught about a 20-inch trout and I resisted joining him. Instead I kept throwing past the bar and dragging it across into the hole.
I caught an aggressive small trout, which tore up my lure. I replaced it with the first lure I grabbed from my shirt pocket.
It was red and white.
Again, I tossed it passed the hole and began bouncing it off the bottom when it found deeper water.
Usually, I relax and impatiently reel in quickly when my lure gets about 20 feet away. I was about to do just that.
A flash of silver near my lure jolted me out of complacently.
She hit hard, barely 12 feet from my feet. I nearly lost my grip.
I hadn't checked my drag and it was too tight. I loosened it and began heading for the beach.
I'd lost too many slippery trout to take a chance. I intended to land this one.
Surf trout seem to fight harder than bay trout or Laguna Madre trout. I figure they're muscle-bound from fighting the stronger gulf currents.
Or maybe it's the wave action and currents that make the fight seem harder.
Maybe it's my imagination.
Anyway, this fish, a 25-inch speck, was hooked well. It was the biggest of five trout caught at our second stop.
Confidence factor
My confidence in Meyer was growing.
Next stop: the 43-mile mark. Meyer and I caught a few dinks and were about to leave when one of our fishing partners, Brett Koppe, got our attention.
His rod was jerking fiercely and something was stripping line hard from his reel.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Not sure, might be a big red or a shark," he said. "Probably a shark."
It was a 281/2 -inch blacktip.
Before releasing the pup, Meyer measured, noted its gender and took a tissue sample to send to Texas Parks and Wildlife so biologist can learn more about the habits of sharks.
Back in the truck, I noticed that Meyer was being more selective in choosing our fishing spots. We'd passed several holes and a shipwreck.
After a while, I stopped and turned to him.
"Come on Nick. You mean to tell me you haven't seen any structure in these past five miles?" I asked.
"Sure I have mate," he said, grinning. "I just want to be sure it's a perfect spot. I've got a perfect record so far, 100 percent, and I don't want to mess up my streak."
At our next stop, Meyer kept his streak alive by catching a couple of trout himself. The rest of us caught several keeper trout, including a 23-incher, caught by club member Tyler Thorsen, near a pinch in the first gut. The water was barely over Thorsen's ankles when he hooked this fish.
About a mile away, we pulled several trout out of waters near a classic washout.
We found another pinch near the 50-mile marker, where the first gut had deepened on either side of a narrow gap.
This time, Thorsen's son Bryan hooked a nice trout near one of the pools, while I was busy pursuing what turned out to be a school of ladyfish, a.k.a. skipjacks.
I finally hooked one of the tarpon-like fish, which put on a show that began with a four-foot leap above the surf.
"I guess your luck held out, Nick," I said. "Let's head north."
On the way back, we stopped at several of the spots we had neglected, picking up several more trout at most of them.
As we neared the four-wheel-drive sign, I noticed a grandfather baiting a hook for one of his grandsons. I stopped to ask how they were doing.
"They're catching a few whiting and small stuff," said the grandfather, Jim Stewart of Stockdale. "Nothing much, but the kids love it out here."
Me too.

[mberry]

Thanks Tyler.
Does anytone know where i might find a map of PINS and andy area with jetty's besides the ones I spoke about?

[carlb]

mberry,

PINS is about 63 miles of nothing but beach, once you leave the blacktop and hit the sand.

As you enter the park (speed limit drop, and historical marker), there is a last road to the left that will take you to the North Sticks, so named for the row of posts that delimits the northern extent of the pedestrian-only Malaquite Beach. This is a no-fee area of the Park, and has some fine fishing with dumpster and Port-O-San handy; pull off the blacktop, park, fish. You can wade or set up long rods to the south into the pedestrian-only stretch.

As you continue into the Park, you'll hit the Ranger Station, where you buy whatever pass you want. Most regulars get the annual pass, cheap at twice the price if you visit twice or more.

Driving on down the blacktop after the Ranger Station there is a right turn to Bird Island Basin, popular with windsurfers and wader anglers alike.

Continuing, you come upon the Vistor's Center complex to the east, where you can buy/rent stuff, and fish from the beach if you so desire.

Continuing, you come to the Last Chance toilets and dumpsters, not far from the end of the blacktop.

Continuing, you hit da beach. To the north are the South Sticks, north of which is the pedestrian-only beach. You can stop and fish or keep driving. If you're heading south, reset your trip odometer, or note the mileage. The next 5 miles or so are so-called 2WD accessible, meaning you shouldn't need 4WD, but ya never know. Please note that north-bound traffic has the right-of-way, and according to Park regs, folks can set up and camp anywhere between the dunes and the water; you may have to dodge camps, and keep an eye out for kids (with the wind and surf noise, they kinna hear a locomotive from 5 feet, much less a car or truck).

You can drive anywhere between the dunes and the water (in the dunes if you want a fine, or in the water if you're loco); the best driving is usually at the water's edge (the "hardpack"), but existing ruts mean someone else has already been there and made it through, though they might be a bit bumpy. If bumpy, you can air-down your tires, but be advised you should air them back up before attempting highway speeds, as underinflation is the leading cause of premature tire failure and accidents. Might just want to leave them aired-up and take it easy; the view is spectacular, and you want to scan the surf anyways (see below).

Past the 4WD sign at about 5 miles (a.k.a, the 5 mile marker, or 5MM), you enter 4 Wheel Drive territory, where you prolly shouldna venture unless you got. BUT, the winter driving can be excellent, never having to leave 2WD. You'll see mile-markers about every 5 miles (if they're still up), and you can't really get lost, but it's helpful to know about where you are.

There are some turn-offs to the west at a couple of places, but ignore them: they go to drilling sites.

Just before the 15MM you'll see to the west a road over the dunes. This goes back to Yarborough Pass on the back-side of the island. There is some great wade and night fishing there in the Laguna Madre.

Around the 17MM+ you'll notice larger shells and softer sand: you've entered "Big Shell". This continues until about the 25 (where there is the "big dune at the 25") and can foil 2WD very quickly, hence the admonition regarding 4WD.

From the 25 on down to the Port Mansfield Jetties (no ferry, no way across) the sand firms up and there is nothing but pure PINS. At various points in the 40s there are "lakes" to the west, where channels have cut across from the Gulf to the Laguna Madre during storms or high tides. These can hold bait, crabs, and fish.

If you drive far enough south (about 63 miles from the end of the blacktop), you'll hit the Port Mansfield jetties. That's as far as you can go without some kind of amphibious vehicle, so plan on having enough gas and supplies to get there and back, with some extra for detours and double-backs. At the PM jetties, you can drive back to the west along the channel a few hundred yards, if you care to fish there, just stay in the existing roads.

Along the way, there are "wrecks" at various MMs, the most famous being the wreck of the Nicaragua that you can see sticking out of the water at the 51MM (there's no actual MM there, just watch your odo or spot the wreck). The wrecks are about the only structure on PINS, and are popular spots for folks looking for fish holding on them.

As you drive, notice the spacing between where the waves are breaking, and the absence of waves. This will locate bars and holes and guts and other places where there is deeper water with the hope of more/bigger fish. Birds dive-bombing the water ("birds working!") is another sure sign of the presence of fish (they're hitting the bait which the fish underneath are pushing to the surface).

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Carl B.
_________________
"Hooks shined while you wait; no charge." - Mr. BaitRobber

[Vern]

Very informative Carl B. I wish I could have read something like that when I first hit PINS, it would have saved a lot of time!!!

[am3]

now all i need is 4x4

[rabbit]

Let me see if I have this straight. In that report they are saying that the wad gut and the lst gut are one and the same is that correct?
_________________
Fishing and Kayaking its a rough life but somebody has to do it.

[Kyle aka Kcon]

Rabbit, the old timers say wadegut, 2nd gut, 3rd gut. Others say wadegut, first gut, 2nd gut,. While even other people say 1st, 2nd , 3rd. The easiest way to say it in a mannor that everyone agrees on is: this side of the 1st bar, far side side of the first bar. etc...

As for reading the surf, Tyler's post said " On the surface, deeper pools appear as calm or flat spots surrounded by whitewater. If you scan the surf from an angle, these nuances are easier to spot"

Don't try to look straight out at the surf to find these "holes" Instead, look way ahead of you for the dark spots and the points. Good luck.........Kyle
_________________
I fish, therefore, I am................Happy!

[carlb]

rabbit,

I always thought you counted the guts from the shore, but there are others that don't start counting the guts until you hit the first bar. Usually, there is no dispute about the bars, so I tend to play it safe and don't talk about the guts, just the bars.

Therefore, I've found that it is less confusing to refer to the bars, although it's a little more wordy. So, I'll say "fish in front of the first bar", or "fish over the first bar", etc.

Maybe Tyler should put up a poll on how to number the guts: is the gut between the shore and the first bar the "wade gut" or the "first gut"? Or maybe we need 2 different languages: barrish and guttish, with a translation guide that takes into account local idioms and regional differences.

I'll stick to the bars, both on and off the beach.
_________________
"Hooks shined while you wait; no charge." - Mr. BaitRobber

[Kyle aka Kcon]

See what I mean? .............Kyle
_________________
I fish, therefore, I am................Happy!

[rabbit]

Hey carlb, I like that maybe we can get webster to come up with a dictionary for fisherman. sorry about that ladies maybe I should have said fishing people
_________________
Fishing and Kayaking its a rough life but somebody has to do it.

[Panfish]

Dear Friend,
The locations you have been too are really great.I have fished the fish pass jetties many times and have had great luck although the fish can be a bit picky at times try for the reds at dusk with the sun behind you with live shrimp.You can also try wading the flats.About a quart mile from the mustang island entrance on your right there is another entrance that will lead you to the flats.once you have reached the far end of the park you will see a reef about 150 yards that is home to some great trout and red fish fighting.Good luck and Catch The Big one.........