Trying to schedule first trip to Rockport. I have a boat and plan to go after redfish and trout. Looking for some advice on where to go and what to use. I have fished there once with live shrimp and cut bait. My son has been asking to take a trip there for his birthday. I have been looking on my Navionics app and located a few places that I think I want to try. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Looking at an October time frame.

Maybe Jim can help more. My Rockport knowledge is limited to Estes down to California hole. Caught a lot of trout and reds but you need a decent flats rig to navigate.

Yeah, twin2: Fishing St. Charles Bay is good. Launch at Lamar Nav, District. The Bartell Islands East of Goose Island can be good. There's a nice ramp at the South end of the Copano Bridge. North and South Cove Harbor launches are both good, and are on the ICW. You can fish Talley and Traylor Islands and Estes Flats from there. Conn Brown Harbor launch in Aransas Pass is good, but crowded on weekends. Lots of bait shops in Rockport and AP. I do best with live shrimp, but that's me. It's hot, but doesn't feel that bad, so drink more water than your body is telling you. Have fun and be careful. IslandJim

So I have a Skeeter SX210, 21’6” drafts in about 10 inches. I have been looking at the Navionics map. Is it hard to navigate, I don’t want to hit anything on a new to me rig.

Draft is one number, what it takes to get out is another number. I'd steer away from Estes then, lot of 18" water there.

In October if the weather is right you might consider going out by the jetties for bull reds and everything else that shows up in the fall, the surf fishing is usually good too if you deem conditions to be too dangerous to take a boat out.

Thanks for the advice.

Try drifting Allyn's Byte. Two ways to get there from Rockport. If it's relatively calm, put in at Cove North or South. Take a left into the ICW. Then right across the bay. Head for the compound on St. Jo. Drift from the bulkhead to the flat or into the cove. Second way if it is rough is to run through Estes to California Hole and hit the CC Bayou that runs along Quarantine. Cross Aransas Bay over to Mud Island and run the bay side to the compound on St. Jo. Smell for watermelon lol. If you run through Estes, stay on plane until California. You can idle into CC Bayou, but don't go in by the sign. Go in farther back by one of the old tramway islands. Once in CC Bayou you'll be OK.

How did the trip turn out?

I'm staying in Seadrift first week of Nov and the place has a 300 foot dock with a green light system.

Never fished saltwater, any tips for working over this pier? It is in San Antonio Bay.

Thanks!

Meh.
IF and that's a big IF the S wind calms down, and the water clears you can catch a few trout at night. It's not much more than thigh deep at the end of the pier, so it's not what you call a mecca.

Seadrift without a boat is a tough sled.

Understood. Going to try to book a Blast n Cast then maybe unless you want some gas money : )

Hit me up. If I’m home I’ll be glad to show you what’s up. My work schedule is stupid so it’ll be hit and miss.

I’m not a meat slinger, so if that’s what you’re expecting then hate to disappoint.

What is a meat slinger? Im picturing my brother in law who just jugs catfish...

Never salt water fished before - Just thought it would be cool to try to get a trout or two, Check salt water off bucket list - Definity don't want to dip my aluminum bass boat into salt water.

Sadly I will be down there entire week of weekdays not weekends though, Im trying to duck hunt is primary reason for thsi trip - it's a family trip with wife and kid so probably couldn't get away outside of early AM duck outtings while they are sleeping haha.

I will try my luck off that dock or if its safe maybe wade out a bit.

Ive heard just jigging a shrimp can work in right conditions ?

PM me your dates. I’ll see what we can do.