TEXAS OFFSHORE KAYAK FISHING: Kings, Snapper, Sharks, etc!!!
DAY 1:
Wade and I were back at it again for the yearly PINS trip. We arrived at our destination and began to setup camp around midnight. This year Wade was sporting a newly designed Down Island Trailer which worked perfectly for hauling two WS T160 kayaks and all the necessary camping gear down 60 miles of primitive beach.
With the gear finally setup we finally tried to get a few hours sleep but it was pointless, visions of line ripping off the reels made it impossible to sleep! We launched the kayaks at 6:30AM with excellent conditions.
With the GPS guiding us we made to the fishing grounds. Within 1/2 mile out we could see jumping Blacktip Sharks, Kingfish, and Spanish Mackerel. On the first cast with a Super Spook I picked up a 5.5' Blacktip on a Shimano Citica 200, what a fight! While this was happening Wade was hooked up on a large Jack Cravelle.
The next few casts we were targeting Kingfish. While attacking our top water lures the Kingfish were breaching up to 8' in the air, here's a few of them landed.
Photo courtesy of Eric Ozilons:
Photo courtesy of Eric Ozilons:
After 20+ Kingfish caught and released we decided to start bottom fishing. We immediately picked up some keeper Red Snapper to 20" which we kept our state water limit. The Trigger Fish and Grouper were also biting.
DAY 2:
We were hyped up and ready to go after hearing about Friday's trip but wouldn't you know it the weather prevailed through the morning bite.
Time to go fishing, storm passed and left a nice rainbow!
The passing storm left some challenging surf conditions, several of us had difficulty getting past the surf including yours truly. I was lucky not to lose or damage any gear this time. Once past the surf a couple of miles we were rewarded with more light tackle Kingfish and Red Snapper
Kayaking in the ocean swells, WOAH!
We ended up with ~30 released Kingfish to 25lbs, Spanish Mackerel, 2 limits of Red Snapper, Grouper, Cobia, Jack Cravelle, Sharks to 5.5', and Trigger Fish. With less than 1/2 tank of fuel we decided to make the 60 mile journey back up the beach during low tide. We started back at 10:30 PM and drove through the night. It's always a tough trip to make although one I will continue in the future. Padre Island National Seashore is one of those places to put on your must do list!
Wade and I were back at it again for the yearly PINS trip. We arrived at our destination and began to setup camp around midnight. This year Wade was sporting a newly designed Down Island Trailer which worked perfectly for hauling two WS T160 kayaks and all the necessary camping gear down 60 miles of primitive beach.
With the gear finally setup we finally tried to get a few hours sleep but it was pointless, visions of line ripping off the reels made it impossible to sleep! We launched the kayaks at 6:30AM with excellent conditions.
With the GPS guiding us we made to the fishing grounds. Within 1/2 mile out we could see jumping Blacktip Sharks, Kingfish, and Spanish Mackerel. On the first cast with a Super Spook I picked up a 5.5' Blacktip on a Shimano Citica 200, what a fight! While this was happening Wade was hooked up on a large Jack Cravelle.
The next few casts we were targeting Kingfish. While attacking our top water lures the Kingfish were breaching up to 8' in the air, here's a few of them landed.
Photo courtesy of Eric Ozilons:
Photo courtesy of Eric Ozilons:
After 20+ Kingfish caught and released we decided to start bottom fishing. We immediately picked up some keeper Red Snapper to 20" which we kept our state water limit. The Trigger Fish and Grouper were also biting.
DAY 2:
We were hyped up and ready to go after hearing about Friday's trip but wouldn't you know it the weather prevailed through the morning bite.
Time to go fishing, storm passed and left a nice rainbow!
The passing storm left some challenging surf conditions, several of us had difficulty getting past the surf including yours truly. I was lucky not to lose or damage any gear this time. Once past the surf a couple of miles we were rewarded with more light tackle Kingfish and Red Snapper
Kayaking in the ocean swells, WOAH!
We ended up with ~30 released Kingfish to 25lbs, Spanish Mackerel, 2 limits of Red Snapper, Grouper, Cobia, Jack Cravelle, Sharks to 5.5', and Trigger Fish. With less than 1/2 tank of fuel we decided to make the 60 mile journey back up the beach during low tide. We started back at 10:30 PM and drove through the night. It's always a tough trip to make although one I will continue in the future. Padre Island National Seashore is one of those places to put on your must do list!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chris Fierro on -
Oustanding report, camping on the beach, and kayak fishing! Life is good!
thanks for sharing!
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Permalink Reply by Cory Cepelak on -
Nice to see someone living the dream! Weather around here has stunk, hoping to hit Long Island Sound next week, before hernia surgery. Fantastic pictures, thanks again!
-Cory
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Permalink Reply by Jaz Davis on -
Dude that is awesome! Great pics. Do you think my T140 could handle a trip offshore? Looking for feedback. Thanks.
Jaz
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Permalink Reply by Steve Mullins on -
Absolutely! The T140 / T160 are excellent kayaks for offshore fishing. Just make sure you secure all your gear before heading out.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Poole on -
In Texas, our surf is much different than most others. Our approach is really shallow and from way out so out surf gets really really choppy. We don't get nice sets where you can time your exit between sets. Our's much more like a washing machine bouncing all around.
I see where you went out with Oz! That guy is nuts!!! Nice guy and one hell'va angler!
I used to do PINS all the time until a totaled my 4x4 truck. Did yall go all the way to Mansfiled Jetties? I have a several photos from PINS I will post up.
For those who don't know about PINS..... Padre Islands National Seashore. It is the longest barrier island in +the US. It is actually cut into 2 islands by a channel with jetties. The lower part of the island is roughly 30 miles long. The upper island section is about 80 miles long. About 15 miles down the upper end of th eisland the park starts. From the end of the pavement in the park, it is 63 miles of beach until you get to the jetties that break the island. That is 63 miles of 4wd only. It is a truly unique place and a place that anyone who loves beaches should visit. It is full of wildlife from coyotes & deer to rattlesnakes. And at the right time of the year (NOW!!!!!), the fishing can be just awesome!!!!
Very cool trip report. I am gonna have to hook up with you for one of those trips someday.
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Permalink Reply by Chad Hoover on
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Awesome report. I fished the hell out of that area for nearly six years while stationed there!!! My job was perfect, I was a Naval Search and Rescue Aircrewman so we would fly up and down PINS almost every morning!! I would take along my handheld GPS and mark schools and then jump in the truck as soon as I got off and haul ass to the location. I know, I know it is like cheating but who wouldn't do it if they had the opportunity. The most fun was catching tarpon and big jacks from the surf on a fly rod! Again, thanks for the great report! Luckily, I married a local and get to go back regularly and fish the entire Corpus/Rockport/Port A/ Aransas Pass Area!!!!
Chad
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