Howdy,

I've been down to Rockport a few times and stayed at Balboa Courts, which was fun. However, my wife and I bought a nice center console boat last year which is all rigged for salt water. I've never had it out in a bay before, just up here in Canyon Lake.

I'm thinking of trailering the boat down to the bay for a long weekend this summer.

Anyone have recommendations about where to keep the boat and/or stay? I'd kind of like to just keep the boat in a marina for the duration of our stay. Also, any general advice about safety/security issues in and around the bay would would be appreciated.

We've got all our gear -- radio, Lowrance GPS with coastal maps, depth finder, lifejackets, horn, etc.

Thanks,
John

Best Western in Fulton

We have rented a house for a week when we go, if you like to fish find a house with a slip and well like to find ones with green lights in the canal, we haven't had much luck bay fishing but enjoy sitting at the lights in the eve casting for trout. The convenience of being able to leave the boat in the water is worth the extra money In my opinion. It's usually cheaper than a hotel if you can share the house with another family!

I recomend laguna reef hotel..I stay there a couple weekends a month..Since your taking your wife it would be a nice place to take her.Its super clean, they have a nice continental breakfast every morning and its only about two miles away from cove harbor marina. Not to mention it has a 1000 foot lighted peir loaded with trout.

Do not leave any tackle or electronics in your boat or the open bed of your truck. It will walk off. I've also seen plenty of props mysteriously disappear over night. Damn meth heads from CC and AP.

I can agree...I had 10 curados with all-star rods, a gps, prop,and tackle box stolen last year

Thanks for the lodging suggestions, folks -- and for the security tips. I was wondering how bad the crime is down there. That stinks about your gear, spec. I hope some kind of insurance covered that.

I was also looking at some a townhouse someone has for rent in the canals too, for $900 a week. It comes with a boat slip.

Good Luck

Be careful to look out for all the new sea grass protected areas while on the water. I have seen the GW chase boats down that buzzed the sea grass. They are taking it pretty serious down around Estes Flats area.


Rob

Good to know ... thanks. I suspect that is not on my 2007 coastal maps. How do they have the off-limits areas marked?

That's part of the problem some of them are NOT MARKED!!!! Others are marked with Bouy's and signs or just signs or just Bouy's. Best thing to do is just make sure if you SEE GRASS be absolutely sure you are not churnin it up. If you buy one of the latest coastal fishing magazines that you see gas stations on the rack last months had a little pullout in the center that had some info on this. Other than that you may want to go to TPW website and get all the information you can on it. Sorry I was not more help. Have a safe trip and hope ya fill the strangers up!!


Rob

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/ne...ndary_map--.jpg look at this MAP to show you the Area that is protected the other links will help you identify the signs that mark the areas off. hope the info helps. You can also click on this map and print it out.


http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/ne...se_fountain.jpg

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/ne...se_fountain.jpg

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northa...tion_121608.pdf

http://www.rfatexas.org/seagrass.htm

Look up Redfish Bay. This area is a shaped like a triangle from Rockport to Ingleside out to the Lydia Ann ship channel. If you are in that triangle, do NOT get caught tearing up the shallows. A map of this area is on the TPWD website.

Shark Reef Resort in Port A. Older, but clean and well kept the last time I was there. Very boater friendly....Parking, water, electricity for battery chargers.

Thanks everyone. I've printed this out for reference. :-)