I will be leaving out of the packery channel. Alright guys, when the water starts to calm down a bit, and I can get my small boat back out into the gulf this spring. What should I concentrate on catching. Where should I look for them? What is the best technique? Lets say out to 10 or so miles. All suggestions are appreciated new boat owner as of last June. Not new to catching fish though.

bump

There is a lot of fishing out from packery. a few snapper holes within 8 or 9 miles of the beach 12 to 16 from packery. The Boatmans liberty reef is closer to you. If you go in late march and want to do some trolling go to the boatmans reef. You can catch all the kings you want to deal with. During the summer all those rigs especially the southern ones are loaded with cobia and kings. By mid to late april the weedlines should have some chickens, Kings and cobia around at less than 8 to 10 miles off packery or even coser. Last year during a king tournment a buddy of mine caught a snapper on the troll +20" down that way one freaking mile off the beach. Also I have caught Bluefish on the troll around the rigs in early spring. I would not say they are plentiful though.

So it is best to troll for any fish in the spring? I have only fished the bay for the time I have my boat want to get into soem bigger fish in the gulf when the water calms. When does teh water start to get nice out there? like 1-2 foot seas and less.

late june,July and August for any kind of consitancy of 1 to 2 footers(But even then it only happens on the weekdays lol). But watch the weather it can do it at any time. Trolling in close during the summer is best. but in the winter and early spring certain species especially kings group up over structure making them easer targets when weather permits. Rocks, Reefs are the best in at least 120ft of water 150' or better is the best. But if you get a fishing chart and find some obstructions or even rigs close to packery you can catch a limit of state water snaps. If you find snappers, there will be predetor fish to troll at least by the end of april.

Thanks man got you pm and replied. Any one else with suggestions.

Have just read through your posts Die and Off and sounds like we have similar interests. I have a 19' CC, full electronics, 150HP, and 55gal tank and so am well equipped for seas to 3 foot. Went out in 4-5 foot seas and it took the fun out of it.
My question is about techniques. You say troll for pelagics in early spring near rigs and structure.
What type of trolling bait, lures should I use. Do you chum? Or will that just bring sharks. Will guys share good GPS numbers or should I just use the ones on my navionics chip?

Are you guys saying that the published wrecks and reefs on my chart are the good places to go.
I am looking for a few friends to start going offshore with this spring and summer.
Just yet I dont even know where this packery channel is, I'll look it up

Oh I found Packery...its at North Padre right? I was just there surfing recently. Nice water there, full of millions of Whitings and tiny man o war, I got multiple stings while surfing even with wetsuit. Hooked a nice smallish shark off the jetty

That is way more information than I can type I sent you a PM.

Was anyone else catching anything else off the jetty? How was the water? The current. Weeds? Yes the Packery is on N. Padre. Recently opened but it is a nice place to fish or use to acess the big blue. I cannot wait until the water starts to warm and calm.

ttt