Thread: Has anyone fished south padre island, tx.?????

Has anyone on this great forum fished the South Padre Island area? If so, can you tell me when, what time of year, and where. We have been down there to scout it out for a winter vacation but I didn't have a chance to fish. We are going to spend Jan. & Feb. of this year down there and I would like to get a little heads up. They have a fishing forum, TFF, not even close to as good as this one, but it covers all of Texas, and that is big. They do have a map showing wade fishing areas, piers and surf fishing areas but they are pretty general. It does, however, point me in the right direction. A little more help would be appreciated. I will miss you guys this year, but I will be monitoring, so keep it clean and honest!!!!

Wish I could help, but my limited Texas fishing experience was in Port Aransas, most of which isn't there anymore.

Been there, fished it for 3 years and had GREAT fishing until the red tide hit, then nothing. It may be good fishing now but there is no place to stay except the big old houses and the big condos and they are all booked. Thanks anyway!!!

I went from Christmas to New Year 4 years back. I had fished Aransas previously and enjoyed it. But south padre? I will never return. I paid for 15 days and left after 10 days.
I was located on the beach in a condo but it looked more like a dirt road.
Its grey,dismal and depressing. Houses lack color, nothing at all as pretty as gulf coast around MS or Al or even LA and FL.
The landowners will shoot you if you try get to 'their' water to fish.Old abandoned roads and bridges , railway sidings etc are closed off to stop illegals crossing perhaps, never could figure out why so much water was not allowed to be fished in. Not just yell and cuss, get out the guns. The buildings lack color and winter in Oregon looks bright compared to there, it was seriously depressing.
The only highlight to me was the ocelot center, that was great.
About equal distance south and a lot less depressing try Sanibel island in Fl if you looking for a spot mid winter.

I've fished there for years when I lived in Texas. If you have a boat make sure its shallow draft - I recommend going a little further north - around corpus/baffin bay. nothing bigger than a bay boat as these bays in Texas are notoriously shallow. 3ft is a deep hole in some places. Fall is great, early summer (june) is great. Winter produces some of the biggest trout around Texas. Wading is king around this area. alot of guys are using tools from Landers these days, they seem to have become a big name around there because of their quality and guarantee. Surf Fishing is good during the summer months, moon phases really effect this. all species in the bay can be had at the surf, plus large sharks and occasional tarpon. Padre Island National Seashore is a fantastic getaway for those that camp; you NEED 4x4, but its a wonderful experience.
Landers - https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Stra...landers+pliers

To add another thing - you are better off fishing from freeport - Matagorda - Port O'connor - Corpus Christi - the infrastructe for tourism is far great IMHO. Little secret for you - matagorda has everything (sandy bay, shell/mud bay, Colorado River, Jetties, Offshore) that anywhere else has, I only tell you this because you seem to only want to visit. rent a house on Beach road and you can tie your boat up to your dock. (note - buy mooring whips or the passing wakes on the river will end your boat)