Trip Report: 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 an 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 fisher folk 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.
Chris Arceneaux