We are driving down to Matagorda for the weekend for the first time in about 2 years. We have a place on the river, so too much fresh water or not, I'll be fishing the lights off of our porch.
My question is this: how is the fishing in the bays, east or west. I don't do much salt fishing at all, maybe once every couple of years. where should I start looking and what to throw at them??

Fishing under the lights may be good. The locks are closed from 7:00 AM to about 4:30 or 5:00 PM so you might have to fish West Matty. That is not a bad deal because there will be a lot of boat traffic in East Bay. I wish I had a place on the river just so I wouldn't have to go all the way to Palacios if I want to fish West Bay. We have been doing good wadefishing in West Matty even with the high winds. I just hate that long drive to Palacios and then the long boat ride to the south shore.
Pat

I normally don't wade fish, don't have the proper equipment...

Are you able to purchase live shimp right now?

Yes there is shrimp at the Harbor and I am sure Rawlings probably has some. There is nothing wrong with drift fishing but you will need a drift anchor. Anywhere along the south shoreline.
Pat

is there something took look for, such as grass, etc?

I have never run the boat anywhere past the river, can I run in the bay pretty easy?

Be sure to stay in the channel on the way out. It is marked with PVC pipes. Any where along the south shoreline. If you can find channel drop offs that is a good place. Fish in 4 to 5 ft. of water. I use soft plastics but shrimp under a cork works or even Gulp under a cork.
Pat

Thanks PFD!
I went to bass pro yesterday and stocked up on some necessistys!!

When the locks are closed you wont be able to get into west bay, you can still access east bay though. Guides are having hell trying to get into west right now so most are fishing east. Its going to be that way for a while. Fishing has been getting better but you better get there early cuz it will be busy for sure.

There is no other eay to launch and sneak into the west bay?

I took it for granted that if you had a house on the river that you had a place to launch on the river. If you have been launching in the harbor and taking your boat up the river to your house you will have to do it early before theyclose the locks or wait until they quit working to get your boat to your house. If you don't have anyplace to launch on the river then you will have to launch in Palacios.
Pat

we normally launch at river bend or at Rawlings. I was just wasn't sure if there was somplace else to sneak into the west bay.....

like I said above, I'm not that familiar with the area since I only get down there once a year or so....

Here is some info from the houston chronicle about the locks. Sorry i dont know another way to get in.

The Corps of Engineers locks are closed from 7a.m.-7p.m. everyday. The locks will be open from 1-1:30 p.m. everyday for recreational boat traffic and shrimp boats, according to lockmaster Simon DeSoto.

thanks...that'll help

so, I can get into the east bay at 7, then make sure I'm out by 1 or else wait untill 7pm

If youre going to East you can get in whenever, its west that will be closed off to you.