Two questions. Is matagorda beach the beach on the coast side of east matagorda bay? also can you camp on matagorda beach? Im trying to get a plan together for shark fishing from the surf for march or april.

thanks.

yes & yes, You'll need a beach parking permit from one of the stores on the River Rd. ($10), beach access is marked on the left about 3/4 mile before the road ends. 2WD is ok for the first couple miles, 4WD better after that. You can camp anywhere you want to. Watch out for snakes in the dunes though. Have fun, planning on going down there myself in late March

does the beach get pretty crowded there in spring?

not really, it's 18 miles of beach so there's plently of room. You'll get more people closer to the access road, but once your 'bout 1/2 past that it's wide open. If you're not used to driving on sand, stay in the ruts and in low gear and as close to the water's edge as you can w/o getting wet. The wetter sand is firmer, as it dries it gets softer & you can get stuck.

thanks for the info man! Ill be bringing the tow straps and shovels just in case.

matagorda surf fishing is one of my favorite, if you catch the surf on a good day its lights out. Specs, Sharks, Reds...and stingrays haha.

-Goodluck

I wouldnt try it with out a 4x4, seriously.
possibly on a low tide but you'll be spending the nite if the tide comes in and you have 2wd.

Its not crowded in the spring until Memoral Day weekend. Then there will be people down there, including me! Stop at Stanleys to get a beach pass. If u want to catch sharks I would fish with stingrays that time a year. Make sure they are dead before cutting them up, haha. Oh ya, these guys are right, 4w4 is a good idea. Unless u are camping within the first 3 miles. good luck!!

thanks for the tips. Im going with a friend whoes truck is 4x4 so im covered there. Is there a good bait shop near by? the first night there ill be using frozen bait until I can get something in the surf with the cast net.

Stop at Rawlings Bait Camp, it's on the right as you're headed to the beach along the old river, about 2/3 of the way from the bridge to the beach.

[quote=txfishing2cf2]matagorda surf fishing is one of my favorite, if you catch the surf on a good day its lights out. Specs, Sharks, Reds...and stingrays haha.

Oh yeah gotta love Matagorda! Definitely gonna hit it up every chance I get after mid March!

me too!

My fav place, reds in sig are from there. 4x4 is a must, and if you drive the full 18-20 miles you have acces to the bay as well. Just be sure to be careful if hurt or break down help is a long way away!