I usally fish from the pier in my sudivison, however it was recently damaged by a wind storm so I bought a boat and launch out of the Holiday Beach Area. I plan to go fishing in Copano Bay from 8/15 to 8/17 and would like to know what areas are best in mid August. I would also like to know what depth and type of bait is best for reds, drum, and specs. Any help or advice for a boat newbie would be greatly appriciated.

We usually do pretty well at the end of that long jetty with all the piers on it. That's probably a good starting point.

Moose K I have fished Copano for years and I dont know what Jetty you are reffering to. Also Mostly Copano I fished last weekend and I also have a house in Holiday Beach the red fish were biting well on the points of Newcombs on live mullet.

I frequently fish out of holiday beach, I usually always get some live bait like sweet spot said, can't go wrong throwing that. I have done pretty good with plastics but you have to figure out what colors are working. I would just use a popping cork and then figure out the depth the fish may be holding from there. Try some of the reefs out there too. I noticed last week while floundering that there were some nice reds and black drums holding near reeds and grassy areas. Good Luck!!

Newcomb's Bend and Turtle Pen are good spots for reds and trout. Lap Reef is good for trout too. I'm not sure what jetty Moose is referring to either.

Thanks for all the suggestions!!! I will get me some live bait and try new combs, turtle pen, and lap reef. If I catch any good ones I'll post a picture or two. I would like to get some blue crab while I'm down there, any suggestions.

I am going to make some leaders, I bought some 30lb flou. Are circle hooks best or is there better hooks for these type of fish???

If you use circle hooks remember to let the fish run with it and not set the hook. I mainly use Kahle hooks when I fish with shrimp or croaker.

Blue crab haven't fully rebounded from last years drought. If you're staying on water you can drop round crab nets off the break wall or pier with chicken necks and legs. There's a spot on the way to Bayside just before you cross over Copano Bay where the Aransas River flows in that I've seen people pull off the side of the road to crab.

Neumie, I appreciate all the advice. Thank again

i'M STEAL WONDERING WHERE THE JETTY MOOSE K WAS REFFERING TO IS?

Moose probably made a mistake. It happens to all of us.

Did good on my trip, caught 6 black drum near Paul's Mott, and about 10 gaftop near lap reef. Going back in a couple of weeks and hope to get some reds and trout. Anybody now the hotspots for mid September????? How long should a mangrove snapper be so it is work keeping for consumption? How do I add a pic of the fish???

Copano Bay and it's estuary's, back bays, lakes and rivers can be fished productively year round.

Shrimpers have NOT been allowed in Copano Bay the last 8 years and now there is some grass growing for shrimp to hide around some of the reefs.

Copano Bay has come back to "life" since TP&W has kept the shrimpers out.

After the 3 day's of low 40* water temps last Feb. shrimp were jumping out of the water on the bucket reefs in the SE portion of Copano Bay. That was a welcome sight that day !!!

My guess he`s thikn of the old causeway or the other side of the bridge there is a jut out area back towards intercoastal has a rocky area,other than that