Corpusfishing.com

PineyWoodsFarmer · Joined: 02 Apr 2017 Posts: 8

We live up in East Texas (Tyler area) and I'm wanting to take my oldest kids (16 and 18 years old) down there for a few days in mid April (couple weeks from now). We're going to stay at Mustang Island State Park one night, and then spend a couple nights down on the national seashore. On the way down we're planning to stop off at Goose Island to walk out on their pier there and see if we can catch anything.

We've done plenty of fishing around here in ponds and lakes, and we have gear that is suitable for freshwater stuff like largemouth, bream, etc.

Do you guys have a FAQ thread that would help in our planning? I'm specifically looking for advice on whether my pond gear will work for fishing down there, or should I buy (or rent) some more specialty gear? And if so, what's the minimum that we should bring in order to catch stuff? I'm thinking at Mustang Island we will just throw in some lines near the jetties.

We're really not looking for serious fishing, but we would like to catch stuff, have a good time, and maybe even get enough to eat on the campfire.

I'd be very grateful for any pointers ya'll might be able to provide!

AnmRanch · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 26 Jul 2013 Posts: 353

Your bass gear is fine for trouts, flounder, slot drums and reds.
My favorite casting setup was a curado on a 7' popping rod spooled up with 12lbs line. Loved that setup for casting plugs and plastics.
Just be sure to rinse your gear down good, and don't lay your reel in sand or submerge it in the salt water.

PineyWoodsFarmer · Joined: 02 Apr 2017 Posts: 8

Thanks for the tips. I've never heard of a popping rod but I did some googling and feel much more informed. I can't spend a lot to buy gear for just one trip but maybe I can put a popping cork on my regular rod. I'll do some tests here.

ziacatcher · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2017 5:19 pm Post subject:

A lot of your Bass Gear including bass lures will work at the Mustang Island State Park Jetties for trout Reds and Skipjacks. Have fun

PineyWoodsFarmer · Joined: 02 Apr 2017 Posts: 8

AnmRanch · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 26 Jul 2013 Posts: 353

I'm no expert, but I do spend as much time out there as I can, maybe two to three trips a month.
Hooks, you don't need anything big. If you want to soak cut bait or finger mullet on the bottom, I like a 4/0 eagle claw circle hook. If I'm tossing shrimp under a popping cork, I like around a #8 or #6 treble hook.(I don't fish this way much).
I think your best investment, if you don't already have it is a cast net and bait bucket. I like using finger mullet rigged "Carolina rigged" or in salt, I think they call it a fish finder rig.

TroutSupport · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 7:32 am Post subject:

Yes your bass gear will be fine, even your rods will be fine for your trip.

For most trout, reds, and flounder while we prefer a Med Light or Med action between 6' and 7' what ever you have should work for your trip, even if you've got some med heavy rods. They might make the trout a little smaller and weaker but they'll get the job done. They'll be fine for the reds. Also a lot of your lures will work fine as well. Might need a hook replacement after the trip, or if they are super light with very light split rings they might need a hook and split ring replacement before the trip or left on the sideline.

Really about all you need is a bone spook junior, a weedless gold spoon, and some paddle tails or flukes. Those will catch you plenty of fish as long as you are concentrating on where fish are.

You've caught bass on structure in freshwater... saltwater fish love structure as well but the trick is understanding what is or isn't structure on the coast. Just like holes in the hydrilla work, a sand pocket in the sea grass is also a potential ambush location. The sparse weed edge or edge of hydrilla is also great structure in a lake.. well the broken edges of the grass flat as just the same.. find structure with current and bait on it and you'll likely pick up a few fish.

have fun

Ol Sanch · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 05 Jun 2006 Posts: 320

Oh, and cover your BBQ pit when you're grilling. That fine sand blows on to your food and will make for some crunchy eats if you don't.

PineyWoodsFarmer · Joined: 02 Apr 2017 Posts: 8

I can't express how grateful I am for all the above advice. I'm refining my shopping list. Definitely going to get a covered grill, some bone spook juniors and weedless gold spoons. Will consider a net for bait. Looking forward to next week! Mr. Green

tim9368 · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 11:45 am Post subject:

maicodoug · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 12:48 pm Post subject:

some small-medium frozen shrimp from the Corpus HEB, then south to the PINS (N. Padre island) drive south on the beach (right now the tides are too high) go as far down as you like. Camp & fish. Much fun for the kids & the surf fish are real good to eat.

In the summertime when the water is emerald green, it's good times!

Enjoy your trip.

Doug
_________________
No matter where you go, there you are. Open up my favorite cigar box and see that big X, you see, there's nothing like my redneck GPS.

PineyWoodsFarmer · Joined: 02 Apr 2017 Posts: 8

Any concern with camping on the beach with the tides coming high? Does anyone ever wake up to a flooded tent?

TroutChaser · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 1:49 pm Post subject:

I was just out by mustang island state park and the tide was coming about half way to the dunes. I'd say you might wake up to a bit of water in your tent, not sure.

TroutChaser · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 1:56 pm Post subject:

Also if you're going to be on the beach early in the morning and the surf is fairly calm, try wading on the first sandbar throwing on either side of the bar. Those spook jrs and spoons will do the trick for trout and redfish. Just remember to slide you're feet so you don't step on a stingray. Norton bullminnows and a 1/8 or 1/4 oz jig head are a great combination. Have fun

maicodoug · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 7:46 am Post subject:

Camping on the PINS (N. Padre) can be iffy when the tides are high, Down the beach around 10 miles, there is a cutout in the dunes where there are the safe areas. But I'd be extremely careful as it's a well known fact that the higher tides can make driving very challenging.

Mustang island near the pier to the jetty, has the most sand but who knows with the higher tides. But there are swimmers and it can get pretty crowded. Try calling Nueces county park 361.739.6117 I.B. Magee beach park. There is the jetty also. Enjoy!!!
_________________
No matter where you go, there you are. Open up my favorite cigar box and see that big X, you see, there's nothing like my redneck GPS.