I'm thinking of taking the family to the coast for a week in late July or early August.

I've identified some nice rental homes in Rockport with boat docks (I'll be bringing my 22' Ranger bay boat). I have been to Port A a couple times but not Rockport.

Some of the houses seem to have good access to Aransas Bay and others to Copano Bay. Is either one preferable, or easier to navigate? My boat runs shallow but its not a skiff - I get nervous under 2 feet even though I can run in about 18".

I'd appreciate input on where to fish in the area, and also any thoughts on things for kids (5 and 8) to do in the area. (My 8 yr old son will fish all day if I let him!)

Thanks!

Aransas Bay will give you more options on going places. More wells in Aransas. Probably would stay on the Aransas side myself if all the aminities of the property were the same.. Try the reefs and wells. Let that boy fish all day. Fishing the Lydian Channel this time of year will let him catch fish, hardheads, gafftop, maybe shark, ladyfish and some specs in the guts closer to the icw

Rockport could be good as well. You should get a map and find Estes Flats. It is easy to cross once on plane, but if you are not comfortable running shallow stay away. You can also fish California Hole and Hog Island Hole. Both of these are easy to get to and you can catch a ton of trout. You can also fish Traylor Island. There will be a lot of people there this time of year, but it can be worth it. You can run over to Mud Island. There are always fish there. You can access all of these areas from Rockport or Aransas. You may be better off running out of Aransas if water dephth is an issue. You can also run to the end of the jetties in your boat and catch Bull Reds. Your boys would love that. The Kings should still be in close to the jetties as well.

Rob

Going to Rockport Sept 1 for a week. Sounds like we have the same questions. I've got a 22' Sea Pro, but am leary of the shallows, and not familiar with the area. Let me know how your trip goes. We've rented at condo at Allegro North. Looks good from the photos and has a boat slip. Let me know if you need any info on the place.

Caughtacouple,
Right off the point of Key Alegro there is a reef that runs at for aways. There are some breaker walls that run parallel. Start about 60-70 yards off from the shoreline. You may not catch a lot of keepers, but if you want kids to catch a lot of fish either shrimp with a popper or spec rigs tipped with shrimp and they will have some fun. It is usually a morning spot though. Good luck, we will be there this weekend.

Try wading Allen's Byght in Aransas. If it is super rough on Aransas, try the Lydia Ann channel and the islands on the way to Port A or try the Turtle pens at Copano.

Poplar24
Thanks for the info. Let me know how the weekend goes.

We too are heading down to Rockport the last week in July. Still looking for a boat to rent..

For the days we don't have a boat, what areas do you recommend trying for wade fishing? Are there some good spots we can get to by truck and walk over?

Thanks...

Aggiefisher,
Are you looking foe a guide or to rent a boat? There is a place at Key Alegro by the little bridge that rents them. I don't know the name but it is right in KA and there is a Circle K across the street also.

Thanks Polar. We are looking to rent one for a day. The other days we will probably just hope to find a good spot to wade fish. Any suggestions on places to fish without a boat?? We're staying near Goose Island...

Are you staying at Goose Island S.P. or just nearby. I have never tried wadind the area, but I see a lot of people wading in the area around and out from the Goose Island pier. Also I see a lot of folks working spots between Aransas Pass and Port Aransas. Good Luck.

I don't do a lot of wading, but I know there are a lot of reefs in front of Kontiki and also around the pier at the Goose Island park. You may try there. Last year I had my mine blown. We were staying out the Sandollar and Had been on the water all day and had a few keeper trout to show. We were sitting on the porch of the room(we were on the road front ones) and these two guys are fishing from the bank to the left of the bait shop, the guys' rod doubles over and he pulls in about a 25-26" red. All the area from there down to Kontiki have a lot of places to wade. However, Sandollar has gotten picky. If you are not a guest you can't fish and you can't launch your boat. Just to throw one more thing in, my family and I have been staying at the Sandollar for many years now. For about the last 7 years we have had a big family and friend trip, we normally book 8-9 rooms and we launch there, buy bait and everything else. My mom tried to book our reservations and they wouldn't book us. There excuse was that they don't book family reunions and that's not what were doing. We're not rowdy or anything like that, so needless to say they have lost our business permanently. It is really ashame everyone really looks forward to the trip and the accommadations. That's why we are at Kontiki this weekend, we have 3-3bedroom condos, and I think 3-1bedroom condos.

there is one species of fish that is very common in rockport and is easy to catch for the kids and a change of pace for the experienced angler. This is the mangrove snapper. Some say that it is better table fair than its cousin the red snapper. Small live piggies and live shrimp work best. They are found anywhere near structure (ex. rigs,bridges)and put up good fights for 1-3 lb fish.

A site I found is www.fishrockport.com
Towards bottom is Jubilee Boat and Kayak rentals
click on it to go to this site ,decent prices for boat rentals I thought...

Thanks to everyone who replied!

Found a very nice rental house with a boat lift in Bahia Bay, on the ICW between Aransas Pass and Rockport. Heading down for a few days in mid-August. I'll post the results. Can't wait to put my 8 year old on his first red... He caught trout and sheepshead last year in Florida, plus a 4' blacktip on 8lb line (gonna be tough to top that one). Hope I don't ruin him for bass fishing!