Are there tarpon in Corpus Christi?


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Hardly anyone around Corpus Christi targets tarpon, at least not from a boat within a mile or so of the beach. A handful of savvy local anglers — several of them sporting fly rods — target tarpon with modest success, mostly from jetties at Port Aransas or Packery Channel.

Where can I fly fish in Corpus Christi?

  • The Ocean Drive bridge at Oso Bay near Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
  • The backside of Mustang Island at Wilson’s Cut.
  • The Sunset Lakes area at the convergence of Corpus Christi and Nueces bays.
  • Padre Island beaches south of Bob Hall PIer.

Can you fly fish for tarpon?

Understanding the Draw of Tarpon Fly Fishing The nice thing about tarpon is that, typically, they do like to eat the fly. More difficult species like permit, on the other hand, often take a little more patience to get them to eventually eat. Oftentimes, getting a tarpon to eat the fly can be the easy part.

What is the best time to fish for tarpon?

The best time for fishing is May to June, and that’s when people from throughout the world come and catch Tarpon. The flats that surround Crystal River and Homosassa Bay are packed full of huge Tarpon. Another good place to fish during June and summer is Apalachicola Bay.

Can you catch tarpon Port Aransas?

Other areas that hold tarpon this time of year include the jetties near Port Aransas and Port O’Connor along the central coast.

What happened to the tarpon in Port Aransas?

Cliff Strain, the Port Aransas Museum Executive Director says due to over fishing and the fact that tarpon only stay a mile from the jetties, the tarpon population started to decline over 50 years ago. “For a long time it was the major activity and the draw for people to come to this town.

What fish are in season in Corpus Christi?

Fish species: Trout, redfish, whiting, pompano, black drum, jack crevalle, sharks, Spanish mackerel, tarpon, kingfish and sheepshead. Tips: Good year-round spot for anglers who don’t want to travel far from Corpus Christi. If the surf is green, try live shrimp under a float.

What can you catch in Corpus Christi Bay?

Types of catch vary depending on the time of year and location. The most popular inshore fish species include speckled trout, redfish, black drum, flounder, and sheepshead. Offshore fishing makes for an exciting adventure where you can expect to find bigger fish such as snapper, dorado, king mackerel, tuna, and jacks.

Is fishing good in Corpus Christi?

For both amateur fishermen and expert anglers, Corpus Christi is a great place to cast a line in South Texas. A well-known fishing hot spot, many experienced fishermen travel to Corpus Christi every year to reel in some unique and beautiful fish.

What size fly rod for tarpon?

A 10-weight is not only a great tarpon rod, but works well for permit, roosterfish, milkfish, and most larger tropical species as well as a host of coldwater gamefish like pike and stripers.

How do you beat a tarpon on a fly rod?

YouTube video

How far do I need to cast for tarpon?

Before even trying to tackle a tarpon on a fly, practice casting with heavy gear such as an 11-13 weight fly fishing outfit and stiff fly rod. You need to be able to cast at least 50 feet, preferably into a moderate wind. Tip: Practice in your back yard, a swimming pool, the local pond—anywhere.

Is tarpon good eating?

Tarpon is edible but people rarely eat them because their meat contains a lot of small bones and it’s reported that they don’t taste very good.

What is the best tarpon bait?

The best baits for tarpon are chunks of ladyfish or mullet on the bottom or a live mullet or pin fish during under a popping cork during the first two hours after sunrise. The best lures for tarpon are 5 to 8 inch white paddle tails with 1/2 to one ounce jig heads or DOA Big One Terror Eyz.

Are tarpon hard to hook?

​Tarpon Description They primarily eat fish, shrimp, and crabs. Tarpon have very large scales that make a nice souvenir after you release one. The bone-hard mouths make them difficult to hook. Once they are hooked, the jump repeatedly while thrashing around wildly.

Are there tarpon in South Texas?

Tarpon of any size are most often caught off the beachfront in the Gulf. Southern Texas has the most directed tarpon fishing and a number of guides that specialize in tarpon are available.

When can you catch tarpon in Texas?

Late spring through fall the Texas coast becomes one of the best tarpon fisheries an angler can dream of. The migration begins as these fish work their way towards the Yucatan Peninsula before the Gulf’s temperatures drop for winter.

Are there tarpon in Galveston?

Tarpon love to jump while trying to shake your hook! Tarpon fishing in the Gulf off of Galveston Bay is some of the best in the entire country. If you’ve never tangled with a big tarpon, it is vital to utilize the experience of a seasoned guide when targeting and fighting these famed bruisers.

What is the best time to go fishing in Corpus Christi?

Shore/surf fishing is available in the Corpus Christi area all year-round. However, anglers usually get the best results between April and October. The best time of day for shore/surf fishing is 2 hours before and 2 hours after dusk. So, plan your fishing trip during these times.

What is the best bait to use in Corpus Christi?

There are many different types of bait used in the Corpus Christi area but most locals will tell you that it is shrimp that delivers the best results. For saltwater most bait shops offer shrimp and cut bait but they generally have bait for freshwater applications as well.

Do you need a fishing license in Corpus Christi?

Any person who takes or attempts to take fish, mussels, clams, crayfish or other aquatic life in the public waters of Texas must have a current Texas fishing license with the appropriate endorsement.

What are the most common fish in Corpus Christi?

Corpus Christi Lake Fishing Report SLOW. 86 degrees; 8.60 feet below. Fishing should improve this week with the cooler conditions and the influx of freshwater coming from up river. Catfishing should improve to good targeting flooded shallow water and creek inlets with cut shad, worms, and soap baits.

Can you fish on Whitecap Beach?

Bob Hall Pier And Padre Balli Park While the pier itself is undergoing renovations and is not accessible to the public, the entirety of Padre Balli Park offers a wonderful beach experience.

How is the fishing at Lake Corpus Christi?

Fishing At Lake Corpus Christi Fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, rainbow trout, bluegill, redear sunfish, tilapia, longnose gar and spotted gar at Lake Corpus Christi in Central Texas.

Is Bob Hall Pier open to the public?

The more backing the better, but being that you’ll most likely be fighting the fish from a boat in relatively shallow water you don’t need to go crazy with backing. 200 yards of #30 is usually sufficient.

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