First of all, I am very grateful for the two responses that I got to my previous questions. If any of you guys land in Western Montana, look me up as I will take you fishing on the Bitterroot River or local streams.
Now, I mentioned that I would be going down to Corpus Christi in March with a small 13' pram with 15hp outboard. Because of the rocker bottom, I can not get any speed as the bow comes up too high. Big water and my own ignorance intimidates me so I thought I would bring the little boat and stay close to launch sites. However, I do have an 18' skiff with a four-stroke 90. It will get me out of 18" water, but it could also get me into trouble in that I might be tempted to go out too far or away from other boats. (I am not reckless or a risk taker at my age now.) The March winds worry me in the small boat, but I also know I would be safe because I have had this pram in class III water. Yeah, you can see what I am doing right now. I am trying to talk myself into bringing the bigger boat instead. Am I being too timid in bringing my small boat and hugging close to the launch site. I would not take the bigger boat out into the ocean, but stay in the bays. Not being able to go into the shallower water and having the opportunity of catching a redfish and a trout is my concern. I am more focused on fishing than boating. Any reaction?

Ifd the wind is not too high, either boat will likely be ok. There are lots of kayakers down there that always seem to find water that isn't too rough. My real concern would be if you have a trailer suitable for saltwater.

You are the second person who has raised the issue of saltwater damage to the trailer. This has clinched my decision to bring my small pram. I believe I can launch this boat without total submersion. I am a hobby welder, and I have hated this trailer since I bought it almost 20 years ago. The steel roller bar came off, I hate the torchen axle, and it doesn't have sufficient tongue weight. Looks like I will be sanding off rust and re-designing this boat when I get back. I made the actual boat. It is an all-welded aluminum pram that serves as a duck boat or a river fishing boat here in Montana. I am presently building a 15' glass duck boat with a 10% deadrise, which I think would be a good flats boat, but I will have to wait until next year. If I was younger or had good shoulders, I would get a kayak. Someone showed me a YouTube video on the Hobbie Cat fishing kayak. The background was coastal Texas. I was intrigued and started following links to Texas gulf fishing. One month and I will be on my way! All those years of guiding when I heard clients talk about fishing in other regions wet my appetite for fishing something other than trout in the Western states. At last.

How long are you intending to stay. If this is your first time to ever do anything down here fishing wise, and you're oonly going to be here briefly, you would be really really really benefited by hiring a guide. The money you save in not pulling a boat from Montana will be enough to hire a good guide and will be WELL worth it. You will catch fish, learn the lingo, and have alot of fun, even if it is a little breezy.

Just read your other thread........

Ya what they said.

Alot of good info from some seasoned guys.

If I were you I'd hire a 1/2 day guided trip to get the swing of it. Then rent a small Carolina Skiff at Hogg Island Marina on the causeway between Aransas Pass and Port Aransas. Save your boat and trailer.

Thanks to all of you who responded. I know the value of going out with a guide. I was a Montana guide for over 15 years, but the reality is that I have discovered the personal meaning of "fixed income." The one factor that I have is low expectations for myself. I know the learning curve will be high, but I am unabashedly a person who asks for help from strangers on the dock or anglers idling around. (Never on the water.) Besides, if I get too frustrated, I can run to some freshwater lakes and fish for largemouths.

Keep going and the chances of picking up a sympathy ride will be pretty good.

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