Took my 10 year old son fishing last spring break to choke canyon and we had a blast. This year we plan to to the Gulf and do some saltwater fishing. Have a 16' boat but have never fished saltwater from a boat. Thought we might fish Corpus or south. Should we get a guide the first day or is that a waste of money. I'd appreciate any insight or info.
Thanks

Guides can be really great and really bad... If you just want to spend some time with you son ,I would suggest taking your boat and a top spot or hook n line map and hit the bay yourself. Depending on where you are going sometimes it hard not to catch fish. If you are going to Corpus or Port A the fishing maps have good info on when and where to fish. Some of them even give you a good idea of what bait to use.

I havent been posting on this forum for very long but from what I can tell these people are very willing to give you tips and advice. I have a over 10 yrs bay fishing experience and a good bit of offshore experience. If you decide where you are going exactly let everyone know and i am sure that we can help to put you on some fish...

Hey Mike, I live on north padre island and fish about 175 days a year here when you get ready to come down ill be happy to give you several spots easily fished by you and your son, e-mail me at mitchbralley@aol.com Mitchb "Standing by"

Well, I'm going to suggest that you should look to get a guide because the fishing can be really tricky at this time of year if you aren't down there at the right time. If a big cold front catches you while you're down there it can become a frustrating endeavor by yourself. Those cold fronts just turn off the bite like a switch and can cause some really hard fishing. Although, if you're able to find a good period of weather to fish in, it can be pretty good. As for guide suggestions, I dont have any for the Port A/Corpus area because I mainly fish Rockport and have fished Port Mansfield once. My suggestion is to just start asking around to friends and stuff to and see if they have any good guides. Also, if you do go, make sure you get shrimp or other live bait because that'll get you the most bites for you and you're son. More importantly just don't go out in the Gulf or jetties unless it has been dead calm for at least two days because I dont think a sixteenfooter could handle the waves. Anyway good luck to ya'll and have fun fishing.

P.S. I also suggest looking at the General Saltwater Fishing Discussion area because someone asked a similar question.

I would say get a guide. If you don't know the lay of the land.. bay/flats, you might run aground, and with the little buddy on board, I would not risk it.

Get a guide, catch some fish, and go home alive.

TB

Get a Guide......it'll be the best fishing money you ever spent. I agree with troutboy. I think you'll be/feel safer in new territory, especially with your young son aboard.

After your Guide trip, get in touch with mitchb......you'll feel a lot more comfortable about taking your son out in the bays and flats.

Good Luck. Your son seems to have a great Dad!

mike
i have to agree with the others suggesting a guide. the bite can be tricky this time of year. alot of guides are kid friendlyand will put you on some kind of fish. once you learn the area down there you will get hooked on south texas bay fishing. may i make a suggestion about baffin bay some of the best trout and red fish fishing on the gulf of mexico. good luck and keep the little buddy fishing.

Yep, Im going to have to agree with pro-baller. I feel like i've heard the best place to fish this time of year is baffin if your going to go fishing without a guide, but that can be pretty long ride from just about anywhere you stay.