One Area

[cupofjoe04]

I moved *back* to Houston 2 years ago, and have revisited many of my old fishing grounds only to find they have changed or become over populated. Bank/Wade fishing in solitude is becoming harder and harder. I am looking at getting a Kayak this summer, and have a buddy who has one also.

Instead of running around all over the place, chasing down the weeks "hot spot", I really want to lay down some roots in one specific area and learn it inside and out, be able to fish it all year long. I know this means many days of slow or skunk, but I'm OK with that. I have done it before in places I have lived, and really prefer it.

Here is my question, for someone living in Houston with a Kayak, where along the coast would you guys recommend I turn my focus? Somewhere that might offer a variety of fishing opportunities throughout the year, be fishable in different winds/tides (obviously different areas of the same general place), and be somewhere I'm not going to get steamrolled with traffic every single time out. West Bay, Chocolate, East, Trinity, Christmas, Greens, ect... Might be willing to go as far as East Matagorda if necessary. I live in North West Houston, so I would like somewhere that I can easily drive to on a regular basis. I will be sprinkling in surf runs during the summer, but would like to spend the rest of my time focusing in on one area.

What do yall suggest? Reasons why? Thanks in advance for all the tips!

[H.Maier]

I like your attitude about concentrating on and learning spots as best you can. A kayak is going to be an asset to fish and be able to lose the crowds in places where the walk-ins can't. I'm partial to West Galveston because of its conveinence to me and when I learned it I took your attitude some years ago. I'd suggest learning the coves on he south shoreline one at a time until you feel confident in where the towheads off a reef ran, sand, mud,etc. Fish the points and grass shorelines, guts and drains. Go home after fishing and take notes on your trip and water and weather conditions you encountered. Don't rely solely on your memory and go get 'em.

[Curmudgeon]

Nice reply!
I mainly fish west bay since I live down here. Kayak is a great way to go. I've enjoyed mine even as little as I've used it. I started out concentrating in one area for a little over a year and it has really paid off. I learned a lot about that spot, but I also learned a bunch about the seasons, winds, tides, pressure, temperature, etc. because I was only in one place. Since the location always remained the same it was easier to see how the factors around it affected it. It's a great way to learn.
Chocolate was the first place I ever kayaked and has a bunch of areas to explore. You could spend a lot of time there.

[mjh]

These guys are correct. Find you a place that you think looks fishy and fish it from front to back with different lures or bait and document it so you will know what to do next time. Any cove in west bay can produce fish.

[cupofjoe04]

Thanks for the replies guys, this is exactly the kind of advice I was seeking!

[Reef Drifter]

the south shoreline in anahuac over in east is a good go to spot year round and also a great spot for kayak

[Jhua]

A few of us, fathernson and uber, have taken that exact same attitude and it has paid huge dividends. We have just started concentrating around the Galveston area. But the knowledge gained from such a concentration of an area will allow you to find other areas to fish because you start to understand correlations and patterns based upon your experience. Keep up the attitude though. There may be some tough times ahead for you and being skunked may be in order. But, if you keep on trucking, it will eventually pay off.

[Milkjug]

GISP in the spring, summer, and fall and Sportsman's Rd in the winter could keep a yakker occupied for a few years

[cupofjoe04]

Thanks guys, this is definitely giving me some real world advice to consider as I pour over maps and looking at water as I start searching for an area to call "home"!

[ron mexican]

I would just follow the boats in East Bay along the shoreline.