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Mad Dog · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 1:31 pm Post subject: Best Place to Launch

This Saturday I am going near-shore out of Packery. I know there are several facilities along and near Packery to launch from. I was wondering which facility you prefer for quality of the ramp and security of my truck? Packery ramp, Clems, Marker 37, etc.

Also, looking to pick up some bait for trolling and drifting (ribbon fish). Any particular bait shop I should try?

Thanks for the advice.

MD Wink

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REEL BEAST · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 1:54 pm Post subject:

The smart move is to launch at Port A and avoid Packery Channel. Packery Channel is an accident waiting to happen for those in big boats. The city dock in Port A is a good launch, and located just East of the ferry's. Ribbon fish are readily available at all of the bait houses in Aransas Pass and should not be a problem anywhere else.
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gdavis · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 3:44 pm Post subject:

Last weekend a guy drove into the water... Packery is a mess for boaters.

Chef Lefty · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:45 pm Post subject:

I agree with reel. Great public boat ramp and fish cleaning station. Plenty of ribbon fish and other baits at any of the local shops. Worth the extra drive by land. Alternatively, make your insurance umbrella is up to date. Very Happy

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Hoggeman · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:46 pm Post subject:

How big is your boat and what do you want to catch?
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Fin in the wind

Uncle D · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 8:15 am Post subject:

Hey Dog, Glad to hear you'll be down. Let me know if you need a deck hand. Wink

J/K I can't say about Packery but I've used Port A many times and no problem with bait or vandals. Good Luck.

Hoggeman · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:09 am Post subject:

I would head about 25 miles north out of Port A and stay less than 9 miles offshore. Those rigs don't get fished as much.
Hoggeman
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silvershark06 · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:23 am Post subject:

well i have a 21 1/2ft ski boat and i launch outta billings and go through packy to get offshore never had any problems fished the rigs about 5 miles out and saw a lot of kingfish being caught while trolling with ribbons
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Mad Dog · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:24 pm Post subject:

Mad Dog · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:27 pm Post subject:

Hoggeman · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 3:17 pm Post subject:

Sorry no way points I am old school. If you head out of Port A you just head North go about an hour and hit all the big rigs you see. People that go offshore head out not north.

last trip

I go offshore in a 17 ft whaler you are fine in 3-4ft sea's. I used to go south until the opened up the Packery now you can't buy a fish at the San Me dan rigs ( not sure on spelling)
LOL Hoggeman

Nice boat
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Fin in the wind

Mad Dog · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 4:08 pm Post subject:

Thanks Hoggeman.

In mid August I took the boat out at Packery just to cruise around a bit. I was solo and not rigged for offshore fishing, but could tell that every structure had more than one boat around it. Going out of Port A is a good call.

Just heading north...
MD Wink

BTW Nice catch and couple of handsome young deck hands.
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Hoggeman · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:26 pm Post subject:

Keep the beach in sight it is hard to see because of no hotels. I go until I set a set of rigs in the distance then I beeline strait to them. Keep you motor on once you get to the rig and drop a line if no fish within 10 minutes move. Keep a live perch rigged up in case you see a ling. We use live shrimp, live perch, cut mullet and squid. Troll Russell lures or large Rapala red heads for kings if no hits in two times around the rig move. If you catch snapper within the 9 miles you can keep them. The fishing gets better the closer you get to Port O Conner.
LOL Hoggeman
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Mad Dog · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:10 pm Post subject:

Well I got some good advice and pulled together a day trip with my brother, so here is the follow up.

I was expecting 1 foot seas and light winds out of the north. So, just about sun up we are making the end of the Port A jetties. What we find is a 10 to 15 out of the ENE and a lot of chop. Lots of rock and roll. Anyway we headed for the three jack up rigs to see can pick up some live bait and whatever might be swimming around. All we managed to do was lose a couple of leaders. A few more boats showed up so we decided to move on the north toward the next rig. We trolled a couple of ribbon fish with no hits. The first rig had boat tied off to it. We circled once and proceded to the next rig. This one was vacant so we pulled up to it and tied off. The baits we were trolling dropped to the bottom. One got hammered with a hook up. Not sure what it was because it took a be-line under the boat then cut the line on the engine before we could get it clear. We picked up some bait off the rig and tried the whole water column. We had about five cobia working the rig along with lots triggers and jacks (I think). Thought we hit the jackpot but couldn't pursuade any takers. I played with the cobia several times and got two to strike a She Dog but no solid hook ups.

We figured we were burning daylight so we started to move on. This time we headed toward shore and work along the beach. This was a first for me. The birds were working several spots with a lot of activity in the water. Turned out to be bait balls being worked by birds and skipjacks. When we approached the bait ball headed to us looking for cover. Skipjack are fun but not what we were after. So we put out the ribbons again. No takers but other bait balls popped up around us. I chunked the she dog at one just to see what might hit. On the first cast the lure got crashed and cut off. Since it was cut off just above the leader swivel I figured there were smacks. Put a silver spoon on real quick and hit the next bait ball. Bam, 25" smack. So, we chased them around for an hour landed 6 more and only lost 4 spoons (got the she dog back, they float).

Most of the day was gone by then so we trolled our way back to the jetties with no more action. I had greater expectations but had a very good weekend with my brother. I have a lot to learn about offshore fishing Confused

So, I'll keep trying and learning from the forum.

Here is the only pic I took. To busy for any scenery pics.

Thanks again.
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Ego piscor, ergo sum

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ccbobber · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:04 am Post subject: smaks

glad you had a good trip.
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