Greetings all. I just got stationed down here in Corpus and have decided since the bass fishing around here is essentially non existent I will learn how to fish in the ocean. I think I am going to try kayak fishing too since I am starting from scratch all over. Im planning on fishing the inlets under the bridge around the island and calm areas. What kind of fish can I expect to catch around here? I have seen trout, perch, and croakers at this point but i know there has to be more.

Also, if you are so inclined to answer more questions, what in the heck kind of artificial bait do I use? nothing seems to like what I have in stock for bass so far, and if they are the hook is way too big for them to get ahold of.

As far as tackle, would a baitcaster with 12lb line or a spinning setup with 8lb line be sufficient? Or should I use my ultra light trout rod with 4lb line. I like the fight so I dont want too much rod and reel. I also have a catfish rod setup with 50lb braid and a 30lb shock leader but I doubt that will be much use unless im goin for pigs.

I know you guys have probably heard these questions a million times and im gonna do some research but i figured i would just throw this up and see what yall have to say. I could probably write a novel on bass tactics and bait but in the ocean I have no idea what I am doing.

Also, what is the preferred method for getting fish out of the water on a kayak? a lot of these fish have teeth so I am gonna take a wild guess and say that lipping them is not an option.So i guess that leaves finger under the gill plate or the grab a handful of fish body like a beer can. or a net

Boga-grip type devices come in handy for those applications.

Fishing for redfish & speckled trout is very similar to bass fishing. The 12# gear ought to be just fine unless you hook into a 30# redfish ...

There are LOTS of baits typically used for bass that work for saltwater fish like trout, reds, spanish mackerel, etc. Spinnerbaits, topwaters (especially walking baits), chatterbaits, an assortment of lipless crankbaits, gold or silver spoons, all work. Some plastics work as well, 4" worms (I like strawberry red), pumpkin/chart, plum/chart. Tube baits too. Your normal bass tackle is all you need for bay fishing these fish normally. Sure, there is always the potential to get a hold of a bull red or make a black drum that might spool you, but if you're in a kayak, just go for the ride till they wear down, lol.

alright thanks for the tips guys. I guess i just need to get out of the canal and find some stuff that can actually eat my baits.

Get to know your species, and how to handle them, some have sharp gill plates, some teeth, others are just onery. A gripper of some kind is definitely the way to go.

Here's a Google Map showing access points along the Texas coast: CLICK

My baitcasters are spooled with 12lbs P-Line and are seated to a Med and Med-Lt rods. My spinning reel has 10lbs Sufix Performance Braid and is seated to a Med-Lt rod.

I mainly throw topwaters all morning until there's a noticable decline in strikes. I mainly throw Spook Jrs. but whatever you throw for bass will work. Start with a bone color pattern or something with a white belly.

Softplastics, the colors mentioned earlier (strawberry/white, pumpkinseed/chartreuse, purple(plum)/chartreuse, and pearl(white)/chartreuse) will allow you to fish varying water conditions. Depending on water depth use either 1/16oz or 1/8oz jighead. I use a twitch-twitch-reel approach to working the lure but will very it in order to get a strike.

Also weedless gold spoons are very effective for reds. I would also carry DOA shrimp in glow or gold glitter for sight casting to reds or to work under a popping cork drifting a flat.

For landing a fish I prefer my wading net, but a Boga Grip or Fish Grips are popular choices as well.

If you're
drifting flats a a 24" (at a minimum) drift sock is a must for your kayak. I prefer using a Stake Out Pole over an anchor on the flats. You can splurge for the one I linked to (I use the 8' version) or you can make your own. An anchor trolley for the kayak is also handy. Most kayakers also rig out a milk crate with rod holders and to store their tackle.

If you're fishing canals at night be respectful of the property owners. If they ask you not to fish their lights move on to the next set.

If you're looking for a good place to paddle, try mustang island paddling trail or Lighthouse lakes, both have great fishing. I agree with Nuemie about a Spook Jr. Everybody along the coast should keep one in their box. Fishbites also work great.

Awesome tips. I will try em out for sure. Ive got a spook jr hangin around in my topwater box. Do reds generally just cruise the flats lookin for food or do they chill in weed beds and cover and wait to ambush?

I went out yesterday and waded the flats on mustang island. managed to land a few sea trout on a grub spinner. After seeing how shallow it is out there and how easy it was to wade and get around im actually leaning towards not getting a yak and just keepin feet in the water.

Reds... yes, they cruise and sometimes they ambush from the edge of grass or sand pockets etc.

I'd actually get the yak... and then use it to both move around to find fish as well as get out of it to wade. Just walking in from a location pretty much limits you to that one spot. You can cover miles with a yak.

A lot of people have really liked our Redfish Instructional DVD's, they are jammed packed with info. Don't take my word for them, there are plenty of testimonials on here and on the web about them.

Nice report...here is a resource that you find valuable especially for the money I purchased one and am thoroughly satisfied. You being stationed there will lend you to finding spots over time but I am in San Antonio and when I come down to wadefish I wanted areas to fish not spend my time hunting for productive areas....i do mot benefit from sharing the resource but it is called wadefishingrockport.com and comes with numerous areas that all are readily accessed by car he also sends a did that he takes you to each location and points out the productive areas.i found this truly helpful for a newbie to salt life..Btw what was the wind conditions during your success?

mitch14013 is starting to put the knowledge from the DVD and Maps from http://www.wadefishrockport.com/ with some 'hands on' experience and as a consequence his productivity "catching", as well as fishing, is picking up.

Talk to any fishing guide about catching fish and one of the first things they'll talk about is finding structure and fishing it.

What is structure in saltwater ? Shell reefs, sand bars, guts that drain from marshes/sloughs/flats, grass beds and pot holes for starters.

It's amazing the amount of structure that is accessible by a vehicle by land if you know where it is located, the type structure that exits at that particular location, and best time(s) of the year to fish there.

Add in some knowledge about tide phase and lunar phases and your learning curve can be accelerated with the proper tools.

Looks like we'll have both north and SE winds this week, ... no big deal, the fish will still be biting !