Fishing with TIDE GUIDE

 

 

I'm writing this after my last two expeditions.  Leisure Learning Unlimited March 2,3,4 2001.  Six guests and a blue norther didn't fish too hard  (I bait fish just about exclusively) and Kerry caught maybe her first fish maybe it was a hardhead cat but if you're careful skinning it they are good eating (butter and garlic).  Gafftop catfish to me is the best eating down here next to crab.  March 5,6,7,8 2001 Seventeen St John Military School cadets and staff.  March 7 for dinner we feed the whole crew.  One 28 inch Redfish, One 17 inch Trout, 3 Black Drum, 7 smoked (mesquite wood, teriyaki fresh ginger marinade) smoked 4 hours mullet.  It knocked these kids out since they are from Kansas.

 

I am a bait fisherman, pretty much because then any one of my guests can run down the beach after a pole doubles over and bring the catch into camp.  I get the bait, clean and cook the catch.  And spend as much time as possible in my birdwatch chair with customers doing some birdwatching.  But fishing is important and lucky enough Shell bar has oyster reefs on three sides of it the oyster beds keep bait for the trout and drum and a deep water tidal pass full of stingray shark and dolpin on the other side.

 

 

I know where to position guests in my part of the baysystem.

 

Besides your being at some of the best wadfishing flats on the middle coast you will be put up in Tide Guides Camp for 3 days and two nights.  You can choose to come down to Shell Bar aboard the 'Sea Cow' or use the kayaks and paddle down or a little of both.  But once on the Island I'll take care of all the duties and you can focus on the fishing.  I'll provide coolers to keep the fish to take home.  I'll have live shrimp and I can get it usually year round.  Live minnows usually year round.  I certainly have done my share of artificial flipping and know some about that and where to position you if that is what you use.  I've had a few fly fishermen over the years and we've had luck. 

 

 

Texas Bays are so full of fish now due to reasonable management and enforcement by Texas Parks and Wildlife.  Their hatchery program puts tons of fish on our tables.  Hats of to the Department.

 

Birdwatching, fishing, kayaking its all worth it on Shell Bar.

 

$310.00 per fisherman.  Includes food, lodging, bait, guide, and boats.  Parties of 4 fishermen are best but I can and often do put up 17 people at a time, this might apply to Grandma or Grandpa who want to have a family together on Shell Bar or a Company Holiday.  I'll also put up a neighbor hood kid or two if you bring one who doesn't get these activities in their life for free if a group of fishermen book a trip