Hi folks,

I'm returning to fishing after several years -- I spent a lot of time in my teens and 20s in little 14-foot aluminum boats ... sold my last little V-hull Mirro-craft when I moved back from Truckee, CA to South Texas 8 years ago.

My wife and I decided to buy a boat this summer and get out on the lakes around San Antonio, so we bought a boat from my brother.

It's a 2002 18-foot Sailfish 188 CC center console with a 2001 115 HP two-stroke Yamaha. My brother hardly used it ... the motor only has 20 hours on it, and the boat spent most of that time under a sharkskin cover in his yard. Of course, it started out as a minor money pit from the get-go -- had to put new tires on the trailer during the drive from Beaumont to San Antonio, and just paid Tex All Boat and RV to rebuild the carbs (my brother let it sit for two years without running it). But, we only paid $6700 for it, which seems like a nice price, and we know the history of the boat.

So, we're all set to go now, and trying to figure out which lake would be good for us to practice with this boat. My experience in the past has all been with tiller motors, not this newfangled steering wheel stuff. :-)

Would Braunig or Calaveras be good places to go? We live in Converse, so they are not too far from the house. I'm mostly concerned about water depth, snags and the boat ramp (it has to be a pretty gentle slope, as I am pulling with a 2WD S10 Blazer).

Thanks,
John

Don't know much about the lakes around San Antonio but, you should have no problems with steering the boat if you can remember that the motor steers from the back which is the trickiest part of moving from a tiller to steering wheel control. You really shouldn't have any difficulties. Good luck and welcome to the TFF.

If your just wanting to get on the water those lakes are fine. there is also canyon lake which is not far from you, all are easy boat ramps, but if you after fish, being bass crappie or catfish I would go to three rivers they have great fishing at choke canyon and you can launch at the state parks. good luck and have some fun , oh by the way choke is about 80 miles from you but worth every bit of it.

Scott

Thanks! For now, we just want to get the boat in the water and get used to handling it. Is there a lake which is less crowded?

I think Canyon is the best for you.

Braunig is all tore up right now at the ramps.

Canyon is big enough that you really dont have that much boat traffic.

I usually go during the week.

Thanks -- I will be stuck with going on the weekend (not many days off at my new job). Given that, would I be better going to Calaveras? I just want to annoy as few people as possible at the boat ramps (yeah, I read the other thread about boat ramp idiots, and don't want to be one). :-)

Is the drive to Canyon Lake very hilly? I have yet to test my 2WD 2001 S10 Blazer towing this boat over anything but I-10 overpasses. It did okay and did not strain at all driving back from Beaumont to Converse as long as I had it at 55 in 3rd gear. It's got the 4.3 liter V6 and is rated to tow 4700 lbs. I did put a transmission cooler and a heavy-duty hitch on it. The boat, trailer and motor weigh a max of 2538 pounds (including a full 52-gallon tank of fuel, which is not likely these days).

The lakes I fished in back in Southeast Texas (primarily Martin Dies and Toledo Bend) were filled with pine trees, often just below the water. Toledo Bend in particular always worried me -- pine snags everywhere outside the designated boat lanes.

I'm guessing the ones around San Antonio probably do not have that issue -- am I correct?

Thanks,
John

Don't believe it if someone tells you that you shouldn't expect to catch anything at Calaveras or Braunig. Don't take my word for it, just go to the "Catfishing" section of this forum. They even post photos of their catches. The catfishing is great, and if you're after reds or hybrids, those two lakes are hard to beat.

From a Tahoe native, for fishing I would go to Calaveras for catfish. Pleasure boating on Canyon or Medina. Canyon is good in the winter during the white bass run. During the summer it is full of recreational boating. For Reds or Stripper out of a boat I would reccommend downrigging with Tony Aceta spoons in 10-20 feet. Have fun and if you get a chance go to the coast after reds and trout.

John,

Where in Converse do you live? I also live in Converse and recently (Mar) bought a boat. Right now, I normally boat on Canyon Lake. I have fished Calaveras (caught some nice fish there), Braunig (never caught a fish there) and will be fishing Medina Lake this evening.

SportFisher

Been a while since I've been on Calaveras in the warm weather. Skiing and such still not allowed or restricted to one area of lake?

Choke Canyon is great but a drive. Lots of open water. Has plenty of brush but most too small to damage the boat. The area near the dam is clear and very large.

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll try out Canyon Lake. Hopefully it will not be overcrowded.

Hey John,

My wife and I are moving to Universal City in a couple of weeks. I've been fishing on Canyon and have had mixed results. Let me know how it goes and maybe us Northeast San Antonio anglers can get together sometime. I'm going to try that pond at Live Oak as soon as we get moved in!

-Thor

Check the catfish board for info on a get together the first weekend of June at choke Canyon.

Sounds good Thor.

I spent all day today cleaning the boat -- the amount of mildew it accumulated in SE Texas was disgusting. I wish we could post photos here -- it looks a lot better now. :-)

Hey, do you have a recommendation for a boat ramp at Canyon Lake? I need one that's not too steep ... and hopefully not packed with people.

http://www.canyonlakechamber.com/Visitor_Information/Boat%20Ramp%20Map_New%20Numbers.pdf

#1 on the map at this link (Canyon Lake Village) is a public ramp that is not steep at all. The only downside is that your rear wheels will have to be in the water to launch your boat. #2 (Canyon Lake Village West) is fairly steep, so you probably should stay away from that one.

I cannot speak for any of the other ramps. I am going to guess most of the ramps are going to be fairly busy at this time of the year on weekends. At least the schools around SA are not out for summer break yet.

Enjoy the boat, I hope it all turns out well!

Canyon Lake Map