Gonna be down there mid Sept to chase alligators at Guadalupe Delta WMA. My dad and I are gonna stay in Seadrift and hope to get some fishing in. I will have a boat, although it will be a Tracker 175 crappie rig. Any tips or tactics to catch a few reds or trout?

Thanks,

Mike

Launch from Charlie’s or Port O and work toward the gulf. Plenty of areas for you to run around there without getting beat up.

I wouldn't put a boat like that in saltwater.

Ive thought about it, still only be for 2 days. If I rinse it down good and flush the motor hopefully I won't have a problem. I am hesitant admit using the trolling motor in the salt, that's it. Don't get down to the coast much and almost never get to fish. So I'm hoping to make the most of this trip.

OP speaking from experience you'll regret dipping that rig in the salt. The trolling motor is a concern but so is the trailer and other parts on the boat that are not high quality stainless (or stainless at all) like tie down points, etc. Even if you use salt away you are almost certainly going to come out of it with some rust somewhere. It will be much cheaper in the long run to hire a guide.

In September if the wind is light se or e to ne direction the reefs in the middle of San Antonio Bay can be good. If the water is green in the middle during your stay I wouldn't go anywhere else than the reefs. the area that you are going to be hunting in can be good fishing as well, but you have to watch for trees and stumps. If th wind is blowing and the water in the middle isn't green, then I would launch at charlies and fish the first chain, even the north shoreline of the intracoastal itself. the boat you are in, you have to be careful we have a lot of shallow water in this area, and it is best to know your tides before heading out. In saying that, typically our bull tide comes in about mid September but if we get some fronts that stack up back to back it will push all the water back out. know your tides, what you can safely navigate in your boat, have fun and be careful.

Thanks, that's some great information!!

Your boat will likely be fine with a good thorough rinse, run it on muffs for at least 20 min each day after fishing, but unless your trailer is galvanized, or aluminum, it's toast in about a year.
Anyone whose been running a boat down here for a few years at least will tell you the same.

Thanks, it's probly the only time it will ever see the salt. Got any suggestions on lures to throw? I just put in a order for some done chicken boys shrimp lures.