I'm going to Houston for 3 weeks starting 3/31/2013. Most of my time will be spent in training for work. In my spare time I'd like to see if I can add some new species of fish to my life list. I've never wet a line in the Gulf so most any species I could catch there would be likely to add to my life list. I'm a knowledgable fisherman with over 90 species on my life list. I'd like to take it to 100 on this trip.
I'll be bringing 2 flyrods with me, not because I'm a snooty purist, because I'm not, but rather because they're the only rods I can bring on the plane without paying extra. I'll have a 8'6" 5wt and a 9' 10wt. I ty my own flys and if you give me a recipe I'll try to whip some together before the trip.
If you'd rather use other gear, I'm up for anything and can use any kind of gear well.
Money will be tight on this trip, but I'm not a cheapskate. If we take your boat I'm happy to chip in for gas. I'd like to wade the flats, but I don't think I'll be able to pack my waders and boots. Is wet wading an option this time of year?
If you'd like to share some water, reply here or PM me.

Tight Lines,
Wade K.

Hey man, (or lady)... If you want to join in with me any weekend you are welcome to. I go just about every weekend to the surf somewhere with my brother. We are pretty knew to fishing the surf ( both from MI), but were getting a pretty go hang of it and have some good spots. We usually go Sat or Sun mornings and overnight once in a while. I sat mornings, but like leaving Houston around 4 AM. We catch red fish, sheepshead, flounder, small sharks, and whatever else we can dig up. Not sure whats on your list already, but if you don't surf fish CA and wanna try here, then shoot me a message.

I think there is a fly fishing site called Fly Honky or something like that...never been on it... but they might lead you to more fly guys. Also, find the blog by JP Chavev and see if you can contact him... http://castingtales.wordpress.com/ i know he's in the bahamas bonefishing adding to his list right now... but I bet as soon as he returns...he's the kinda guy that would love to take you and he's an awesome fisherman too.

Wading wet... depends on temperature, wind, and cloud cover that day...and depth. If you are wading shallow, you'll probably be able to get away with it... But if you are wading for speckled trout you could get waste deep ish...that with a cloudy cool day and wind...that still be chilly. mid April will be ok to wet wade.
You'll be able to wade the south shoreline of Christmas bay. its pretty cool and there are reds, trout, drum, and sheepheads along the shallow grassy shoreline.. chance for a big red or big trout in there too on the right day.

Flies.. anyhting that looks like a shrimp or small silvery fish will be good.. brown with a little pink or silvery with chartreuse... The glass minows... bay anchovies are coming in right now and that will be you 'match the hatch' and very small brown shrimp.

have fun.

Thanks for the fly suggestions. I'll PM you my contact info.

Tight Lines,
Wade

There are plenty of options here in the Gulf. If you want some good saltwater fly fishing advise, take a look at the forum by that name on this site. Also, if you can, purchase or bring a 2500 or larger series reel and place it on one of the fly rods and give it a whirl. I ahve used this type of setup on large game like salmon and steelhead in MI. It will work fine.

Where ARE YOU going to be located? Houston is big. Where are you coming from...i.e. salt freshwater..???

I will try to get you on the water ( or the wade . Bring a pair of throw-away gym shoes...and maybe a pair of crappy nylon wind/running pants. You can wade in those and they will help, assuming you have to wade wet. Kind of early to do that, but..?

I have a couple of kayaks, but no way to transport more than one at one time. Maybe someone else will jump in and offer a truck for transport. I also have a 16 ft skiff, which would allow us some more options. Heck, I haven't caught anything that last four times out, but...you are a bit early for the bay system to produce regularly.

Give us more info about when and where you will be available. Texans, even transplanted Texans like me, are a pretty friendly bunch.

Heck, you might even want to go out on one of the fishing piers that extend out into the Gulf from Galveston. Not my kind of fishing, and certainly not for a fly fisherman...but they catch ALL sorts of fish out there. Someone will lend you a big rod, I am sure.

Rich

I'm near the W. Sam Houston Beltway at Clay Rd. I was told to try wading the flats near Texas City Dike this weekend. Does that sound good to anyone? I'm between an beginner and intermediate skill level on Kayaks having used a sit in Otter in whitewater and a sit on Ocean Kayak 12' in the CA Saltwater conventional fishing.

be careful around the dike, stay on the north side, the currents can be bad around it. wear your wading boots, and remember there are some drop offs to be careful about