Many thanks to Kyle46N for his report of 12-28.
I was able to run down to the 59 bridge today, got there around 11:30 AM. Misty, low clouds, occasional light showers.
Ramp a mess of black, sticky mud. Did not go well with new, red carpet.

I went down river on a hunch. Stopped an trolled once in a while. Started catching whites about a mile down from bridge. White, 2A Model A, 1/4 oz silver rattle trap, 1/4 oz Tenn Shad- Shad Rap, 3" White grub on 1/8 oz red head. First one lure above, then another, could not establish best one.

Saw a center console boat catching some on an inside bend. They left, so I continued on to the metal bridge. Caught several there and started working back toward 59 bridge, working the banks. Best bait casting was the sassy shad above noted with green head, the white grub and the Shad Rap. 5 to 9 ft of water on the inside bends was my pattern. Caught around 40 (lost count) Kept 16, av 1.4 lbs. 3 were females. 59-60 degree water temp

Left area about 5 with sore wrists and a smile. Great day, only saw 3 other boats. Would not have known if not for Kyle46N, thanks again.

Glad you caught a mess! Thanks for the report. Sounds like more are moving upriver. We have another cold front coming in early next week. Maybe that will get the run going full swing.

Fish searcher

I have not been down that way for years, my question is can I get my 20ft bay boat in that river with out much of a problem? My friend and I used to bank fish that in high school and college alot,but would like the boat approach.

Thanks Al

Hey Al, I take my 18 ft Nitro Bay Boat down al the time an never had any problems. If you launch from Hwy 59 and go down river the depth is deep. If you go up river it has some shallow spots up past the old rusty bridge. This year there is more water in the river than last year. Just keep an eye on your depth finder & watch out for stumps that lurk just below the water surface. Thanks Fish Seacher & Kyle46N for the great reports. Can't wait to get down there. I'll be heading in 2 weeks hope to see you all down there. Good luck to all who will be fishing down there. Stay safe. Chief Mike.

Go-redfin-Go

I second what Chief Mike just said. We fished on 12/31 and i was able to put my 18ft Alumacraft bay boat in at the airport boat ramp. We ran up towards the old Jones ranch. I hit a shallow spot about 2.5 to 3 miles up the river that i could not get past. You might be able to get around it but i did not try. Like Chief Mike said keep an eye on your depth finder and always check for stumps. Hope this helps.

If you decide to try taking a larger boat to the upper area of the river there are some places that you literally have to hug and actually touch the bank to stay in the channel that is deep enough to get through those narrow parts.

There is a down side and that is there are times some folks don't think and end up anchoring or tieing up on those deeper bends thus blocking others trying to go upstream or those coming downstream who went up earlier, and then it gets annoying when boats come close enough to each other that you can reach out and shake hands while passing each other.

Thanks for the info Chief Mike going to give it a try.

Went today (1/8/11) for about 5 hours and ended up with right at 30. The biggest, fattest collection of whites I've ever caught at the Nueces. All but 2-3 were over a pound. About 75% were male.

Where did you launch from and up or down river?? What were you throwing??

59, down river, trolling rat-l-traps. Seemed to catch more closer to the bridge, so the airport ramp area might be stacked.

Awesome AAA20206. Were there many boats today? My 2 boys are hounding me to go in the a.m., but want to see what this weather is going to do.

Just checked the radar, its going to be wet.

Thanks FCO. Will let the kiddos know and we will try next week.

Not as many as I expected, just about 4-5 downriver. About 6-7 trailers at the ramp, so I guess a couple went upriver.

One more thing....
This morning I noticed that both of my boat trailer hubcabs were missing. Had to be taken at the 59 ramp and I've had issues with people taking small things (boat straps) from the bed of my truck in the past. Those things are cheap aluminum and I can't see them being worth anything!
So anyone going to the 59 ramp, be careful and make sure you lock up anything that can be taken (even if not valuable).