The East Matagorda Bay / Beach is new destination as a PACK outing. PACK Membership is not required, however non-members are asked to sign a waiver form. 

It’s been a favorite of many kayak anglers for years. This is a rather secluded spot with little pressure from power boat fishermen. 4-wheel drive transportation IS NOT REQUIRED*, a $6 beach permit is required to drive on the beach. These can be obtained from Stanley’s Grocery in the South end the town of Matagorda. 979-863-7613. We can special orders those through the mail from Stanley’s if we know who needs one and they pay me in advance. Their hours are 5 AM to 10 PM; 7-Days / Week. Also available at Culver's Market 1290 Hwy. 60 South Matagorda, TX 77457. 979-863-1167

Matagorda Area Info: http://www.matagordabay.com

Chris Arceneaux (Click here to send a message cell phone 832-216-2483).

Contact Chris for specific "Off Road" access details provided by B. Sandler and R. Romeis.

Friday 4/20/07 thru Sunday 4/22/07. Short-timers and day-trippers welcome.

Please contact the trip leader, sign up at the monthly PACK meetings or go online http://www.packtx.org/Events/tabid/53/Default.aspx to "Enroll". Note: Must register on PACK sight in order to sign up on line. Provide: name, email address, ACA number and cell phone for last minute updates.

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=28.6454&lon=-95.88238&s=100&size=l&u=5&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&z=12&ll=28.652332,-95.907898&spn=0.128346,0.193291&t=h&om=1

From Houston, take Hwy 59 to Wharton, exit on Hwy 60 South to Matagorda (46 miles), passing through Bay City. Cross the Intracoastal Waterway on the pontoon swing bridge, take 2031 to the end of the road at Matagorda Beach, exit left, drive 7+ miles NE to the campground just South of Hog Island - 28.6458°N, 95.8654°W. Exact mileage and GPS coordinates will be made available after a scouting trip.

All vehicles must display beach driving permit. Bring your usual paddling gear and safety equipment plus appropriate food and drinks. Please patronize the local businesses. Trash bags. A VHF radio is advisable as well as two-way radios. Will report back if cell phone coverage is possible.

WHERE TO STAY:

Camping Headquarters will be at the Lower Colorado River Authority - Matagorda Bay Nature Park.  This is a new, well maintained RV Park bounded by FM 2031, the Colorado River, and the beach.  It has rest rooms, showers, and two fishing piers.  The sites cost $25/night.  Per the local campground manager – Rita, we can spot 3-4 tents per campsite. So get with your buddies to book one site. Preferred site numbers are: 49, 50, 51, 29, 30, 47 and 48. Park Link:

The phone number to call to book a campsite is TPWD in Austin 512-389-8900.  There is an email address in the brochure:  rrmmatagorda@sbcglobal.net.

Alternative Camping / Primative camping up the beach adjacent to Hog Island about 7 miles up the beach, turning left from the Matagorda Beach Road. 4-Wheel drive recommended and protection from mosquitos.

Kayaks can be launched from Rawlings Cut across Rawlings Bait Camp a short distance away for those who want to enter East Matagorda Bay and don't have 4WD.  Parkers Cut is a short distance away for those who want to fish W Matagorda (50-100 yard portage will be necessary).  Surf and pier fishing are within walking distance.  Those with 4wd can venture down the beach and fish the surf or drive to the south shoreline of E Matagorda. Contact Chris for specific "Off Road" access details provided by B. Sandler and R. Romeis.

The cuts, guts, sloughs around the souther shoreline of E. Matagorda Bay to include Boiler Bayou, Hog Island, Cleveland & Kain Coves. Drive back up to “3-mile Lake”. The surf.

 

Local Reports, Bone Colored Super Spooks, Super Spooks Jr, Pearl Corky, Pearl & Black Corky.

 

 

Drifting over mud/shell contours with Chartreuse/white Norton Sand Eels and “Opening Night” Saltwater Assassins

 

 

 

Spring Matagorda Beach Weekend Outing / Headquarters: Matagorda Bay Nature and RV Park

Thursday 4/19: Bruce B. Bob R. and Andrew D. snuck into Matagorda late Thursday to get a jump on where the fish can be found. They sort of camped on the beach / slept in the truck. The catching report was slim from the trio.

Friday 4/20: Most participants began trickling, setting up camp and discussing which fishing direction each were headed to by mid afternoon. There was noted discussion about where to pitch tents. We had about 14 tents spread across 4 sites to help keep the costs low. Jason successfully scored 4 adjacent camp sites across from Herschel “Hawk” H. and Paddling John’s RV. Ms Rita has a special place in her heart for someone. Park management kept and eye on us to make sure we didn’t destroy the property.

The Backlashers set their pop-up camper and were good to go. Ron R. landed two flounder from the backdoor of the campsite along the Colorado River which was flowing clear and green. The winds were unforgiving from the ENE bringing mosquito relief and dry air, but not encouraging from a fisherman’s point of view. 20 participants made this outing. We welcomed some new and almost new faces, Andrew, Kyle, Charley, and Levi who offered to find a way to serve more Blue Bell ice cream at the end of the day.

The PACK group descended on the River Bend Restaurant for seafood and burgers just up the road from the RV park. The dinner was good, but guys, let’s get a handle on group checks, the poor waitress took an hour to get us squared away.

Saturday 4/21: Pre-dawn patrol headed out to Hog Island, 3-Mile Lake, and Rawlings Cut. Jim R. landed the day’s winning 22.5” Red at 3-Mile. Some dink reds and trout were brought to the boat and released. Hawk and Paddling John scored big on flounder at 3-Mile in their private flounder hole. The remaining fisherfolk took off for the SW corner of East Matagorda Bay via Rawlings Cut. No fish were found, but rattlesnakes seemed to come out of nowhere scaring the bejeezins out of Kyle who was walking the shoreline.

Most of the group went to the Waterfront Restaurant at Matagorda Harbor for dinner that night. Good food and good company! Easy checkout this time. The wind seemed to dance around from ENE to ESE during the night at about 10-15 knots at lights out.

Sunday 4/22: Fishing Improves!! About half the group went over to 3 Mile Lake and fished the marsh and opening to the bay. Wind wasn't too bad, water was green to clear. Fish were caught. Hawk and Paddling John both landed more flounder. Jason got a 17.5 inch trout. Kyle got a 22 inch red. Ken moved into a honey hole and found 2 trout and a flounder. Jason reported skittish lone reds that wouldn’t take the bait. The outing’s big-fish tournament bragging rites went to Bruce B (25” Red) and Ken J (20: Trout), splitting the pot.