Corpusfishing.com

[jnd1959]

Hello to all.

I'm heading down to PINS in October and I have some questions for those experienced PINS trekkers. Thanks in advance for the responses.

What, other than bull reds and sharks can I catch in the surf?
Does it make sense to go all the way down to the Mansfield Jetty? I assume the further south I go the more likely to catch spanish, jacks or tarpon.

Is there a place to get water 24 hours a day before you enter the park? I don't want to haul 400 lbs of water from Weatherford if I can help it.

Is there a bulk ice machine in corpus or on the Island?

Where is the best place to buy shrimp? Catch crabs (no, not the kind you get in Juarez)?

It appears from the maps that the only places I can cut accross the island if I want to fish the bay are Yarborough pass and the Mansfield pass. Are there Others?

I have a truck tent but should I plan on being more mobile. I have to strike the tent to move the truck and I may just take an awning instead.

I know I will have other question. I plan on being down there 4 days (19 - 22) and yes, I have A 4WD (Ranger FX 4 level II with 4.1 rear end and limited slip, 31 inch all terrain tires 2 inch lift. I hope that will do the trick, we will see.). Again thanks for the help.

[bmfdop]

Pomps are good in october too. Pick up some fishbites to catch reds, pomps, skippies and whiting. I like cosway and heb for dead shrimp. To get that much water maybe heb, possibly walmart in the bluff. There is a bulk ice machine in the bluff in front of heb by whataburger. Some of the more experienced bluffers and pins folks will chime in in time.
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Fortune favors the brave...

[jnd1959]

Thanks bmfdop. I appreciate the help.

[Smack-Attack35]

Depending on factors such as tropical storm activity, red tide, etc. October can be one of the best months for pretty much all species in the surf... Jacks, kings, smacks, sharks, pomps, reds, trout, tarpon, you name it...

You should be fine with your 4x4 ranger. Try to be doing most of your driving at low tide. You don't HAVE to go down to mansfield to start fishing. I'd really start looking for a place to set up camp past the 28 mm. I'm pretty sure there are places on the island where you can get ice in bulk... Not sure about water though. Hope this helps!

[jnd1959]

Thanks Smack-Attack35. That gives me kind of an idea. I want to get far enough to stretch my arms but I don't want to waste an hour or two driving further than I need to.

[Bighead]

Barring red tide, PINS in October is SPECTACULAR.

If you can hit the pomps, you can fill up your ice chest with them, and they're not small either...like footballs.

My favorite rig/setup for catching pomps is a 10' Tica TC2 casting rod with a Daiwa Saltist 20 on it...I rig up a single drop leader with a 4 oz. sinker...I put on a fresh dead shimp and a pink fish bite, walk out to the first bar and let it fly as far as I can.

I have caught skipjacks, pomps, drum, reds, jacks, and whiting on this set up.

Also bring yourself a rod rigged with a silver spoon and a topwater for early morning action up close. I like to stand on the first bar and cast into either the 2nd gut or wade gut for trout, reds, and jacks...that's a LOT of fun.

I'll also put out some live mullet...the size depends on what I can catch, but finger mullet will produce reds, smacks, and blue fish.

FYI...a fresh cut lady fish, or live one if you can get it out there, won't last long bud...everything seems to eat those things.

I've caught sharks and big bull reds, but usually while fishing for other things...or I target them after I've made my 'meat haul'.

Your truck should be just fine for going to PINS.

As for ice...I like the "Twice the Ice" stations...I think $1.75 or $2.00 gets you 20#'s of bulk ice.

One last thing...don't 'pass up fish to find fish'...IOW, if you see a gut, or pinch, or nervous water, or birds, don't be afraid to stop and make a few casts...I've had some surprisingly good catches BEFORE the 10 mile sign.


Bighead
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Slow and steady wins the race...unless of course, it's an actual race.

[txacan1866]

One thing on ice.

Depending on your cooler and how long you're going to stay down there. Dry ice in a cooler that you NEVER open unless it's to get ice out is advisable.

We take a trip down to PINS every October (when red tide isnt around), I agree with everyone here that month is unbelievable

[FIDO]

[jnd1959]

Thanks to all. I appreciate very much the information. I plan on fishing my way south and then back north. I think I will just take an awning I can anchor and strike each day if need be. I guess I could leave the truck tent up and just drive slow or I can fish south the first day, set up at mansfield if I make it that far and fish north the last day. I'm not going to burn alot of brain cells on it, just pack it all and be ready.

I guess I can get dry ice at HEB. I seem to remember they stock that.

Again, thank you very much for the info. Of all the fish I actually am most exciited about the possibility of pompano...at least until I hook that big red.

I know last year was a red tide year. Has that been the case for the last few years or was last year an anomaly (sp?).

[FIDO]