We are going to rent kayaks this weekend and fish the flats around Port A. This will be our first time to not be fishing out of a motorized bay boat, so we could really use some help. Where's a good place to launch, what techniques are working right now, and what other tips do we need to know? We are thinking of paddling along some of the TPWD Paddling Trails--is that a good idea for finding some out-of-the-way good fishing?

Thanks a million!

I am also interested in this. I am going to take a trip in August to Port A and am considering Kayak fishing. I have never done this so any advise would benefit me.

fish_mommy where is a good place to rent kayaks in Port A?

if you are heading tward port a from aransas pass on your right is some awesome areas to fish, you will see other cars parked, you can go down there and throw the kayaks in and start fishing, every time i have ever been there i have seen other people in kayaks fishing. i like throwing a bubble gum/ice zipper salty minnow. i have caught reds, trout and flounder in that area especially when the tides get moving, things can get fun

The best place to fish is the last bridge before you get to port a. I always take some live shrimp and pitch them under the bridge on a free line. (Hook-----30lb mono----swivel--mainline). Once you go over the bridge, take the trail that goes back to the bridge on the left, and there is a nice place to launch. There is a channel half-way down the bridge, fish in the channel, I have caught limits of reds, trout, and flounder along with numerous sheepheads. good luck!

I just got back from Port A, and fished from the Yak for a couple of days. Either side of the causeway (the road between Port A and Aransas Pass) has great places to launch and gives you access to acres and acres of water to fish. I must say that I had the best luck in the area I think TXsharkin' has described. I did not catch many keepers, but caught 20 specs on Sat and another 5 on Sun at the same spot.

I am a novice, so take my advice for what it's worth.

I was right next to the bridge (southside) and anchored in the shallow water and cast my shrimp just into the deep green water, or what I perceived to be the deeper water. I let the shrimp drop, paused, then gave a little tug and reeled in a bit and paused again, tug reel, repeat. I did this all they way back to the boat.

Good luck

Get you a copy of Ray Crawfords book. shows all the launch spots and fishing suggestions.

http://www.texascoastalfishingbooks.com/coastalbendbook.html


Rent your yaks from Slowride in Aransas Pass.
http://www.slowrideguide.com/

hey Cajun, I'm a novice too and will be taking my 11 year old son out in the yak over the 4th of July weekend. What bridge (southside) are you talking about? The last one before you get to the ferry (headed south) on 361? And you were on the southside (harbor island side?). Fishing the shrimp on a free line, jig head, pipping cork, other? Thanks for ANY help, would really like to put my son on some fish for a couple hours.

Yes, the last bridge before the ferry. That's if you are headed towards Port Aransas from Aransas Pass. I'm sorry for the confusion on North/South. I was looking at it as if Port A was east and Aransas Pass was west, but looking at the map, the causeway is diagonal going from North West to South East..

But yes, the last bridge before the ferry, and the south side. Check out the map below. That might help.

Look --> Map

I had my best luck using a a white plastic shrimp (D.O.A.).

I tried to describe the water color and how I was targeting the edge of the deeper water. It drops off from really, really shallow into the channel and I was throwing my lure on the edge of the deeper water (into the channel).

If you go to the webpage below, you will see a few pictures and it might help to show you where exactly I was fishing.

fishing pictures

Excellent, got it. Thanks

Some things to consider when Kayak fishing Port Aransas.
I have been fishing the area for years. No expert, but have had some success over the past 30 or so years. I have been kayaking since 1976 (It was white water back then) and have explored many areas around Port A.

Suggsetions for kayakers in the Port A area new to the sport.

1) Safety First - Keep an eye on the weather and rent a boat that sits low in the water and looks to be in good condition. Be sure and tell the rental outfit what you will be useing the boat for. You want to make sure you get the right kind of kayak, not a surf kayak. If you have been out all day fishing and a strong wind kicks up it will push you all over the place if you are in a boat that catches wind and it will make your paddle to the take out long and miserable (again make sure it sits low in the water). Also look at the clouds and if it starts looking bad - head for dry land fast. Take plenty of water and drink it.

2) location - Take a look at a map of Mustang Island. From the intersection of South Padre Island Drive (Park Rd. 22)and Mustang Island Rd. (Park Rd 53) go North on Mustang Island Drive (The Road to Port A just past (south of) the JFK Causway) 9.85 miles and on your right you will see two condos that are almost identical. They are brown and kind of plain looking. Now on your left across the street (Bay side) from the condos is a sand road into a salt grass field, take it. You will see a canal and typically cars and boats parked close by. This canal is used as a boat ramp. Drive around the canal to the right and take the sand roads towards the bay. (This location is directly west Shamrock Island - see a map) and known as Shamrock Cove. When you hit a canal or flat unload and start fishing. This area is great for kayaking for a few reasons. 1) It is protected and you are always close to land, less wind. 2) Motor boats have a hard time accessing it so it has less fishing pressure. 3) it is shallow enough that you can tie your boat to your wade belt and do some wade fishing as well. 4) There are pot holes, flats and deeper lakes so you have plenty of choices depending on the bite, weather, water temp time of day, etc. 5) It is great fishing for both Specks and Reds.

Note: Scout it the day before and then be on the water at first light the next day for a stringer full of fish. If you go later you will catch fish but you wont have near the success as you would if you are there at first light. Be very quiet so not to spook any fish and thoroughly work the area looking for bait movement as a good indication of fish being in the area. As always shuffle your feet and watch for stinrays.

You may want to try and Google Earth "Shamrock Cove" or "Shamrock Island" "Port Aransas Texas" to see an areal shot of the location.

Have fun!!!

CT

excellent report CT
we are going on July 7, and leaving kayaks behind
can we wade this area ?

I'm new to state and live in Kerr county.
Any good tent camping that has close access to put in at around Port A ?