The flats from a kayaker’s view

Event: Brown and Root Flats, Aransas Pass/Rockport, Texas

Trip Description:  Saturday morning, we will launch from the beach into Brown & Root flats for a day of skinny water kayak & wade fishing in Aransas Pass. Cars/non 4×4’s can easily make it to the launch site. Usually we launch the kayaks at the water’s edge. About 4:00 pm, return to your vehicle.

When: Saturday, August 10, 2019

Where:   Aransas Pass, Texas – Kayak Brown & Root Flats

Load Out:   Meet up at the Hwy 361 launch – Contact Scott via cell phone or email for exact location

Start Time:   Sat – 6:15 am   Return Time:   Sat – 4:00 pm – Return to vehicles

Sat Evening (6pm) dinner:  6pm at Phil and Pam Stranahan’s house.  Details below.

Trip Leader:   Scott Fossum

Where:   We will meet up at 0615 at the Hwy 361 launch site.   (Sat 0645 when it full light and you will be to drive and see the group, We will launch at east B&R flats. Located at 27.857631 -97.081953  off hwy 361
Go past the bridge (after the Light House Lake parking lot) and turn right on the dirt road, then turn left at the water. Total of about 150 yards on dirt/sand. Plug the coordinates into google earth to see launch location.)

Start   06:15am
End Time:    4:00pm
Trip Leader:  Scott Fossum
Phone:  (two ate one) 7 ate two – uno 160
e-mail:   scott (dot)fossum (at)Nouryon.com

Sat evening (6pm) dinner after fishing.  Food will be provided, but BYOB.
Phil and Pam Stranahan’s back patio
1201 Mesquite;  Fulton, Tx  78358

Friday or Sunday Trip: If there is interest, we can discuss putting together a Friday (or Sunday morning, fish ‘til noon) trip in Light House Lakes. Let Scott Fossum know if you are interested when you sign up to work out potential details.

 How to sign up:
1. Evite link (Click here)
2. Sign up sheet distributed at the monthly meeting
3. Or e-mail / call the trip leader.

How to get waiver forms:  Download Waiver form here

Cost:  Personal expenses and transportation

About the area:

Brown & Root flats is a shallow bay of a few thousand acres with water depths of 6” to 2.5 ft when we will be there. Clear water and sight casting are regular here. This, combined with the grassy and sandy bottom keeps the water clear and should allow you the opportunity to sight cast to fish. The numerous spoil islands and some pipelines should provide ample opportunity to explore the area and enjoy a peaceful day of fishing. Be sure and keep your eyes along the prop scars, the fish like to sneak along these.
Wade fishing has in general good bottom. If you’re in mud, move out and you will find firmer wading.
Google Earth or maps show good details and can help map out a secret strategy

Aerial View of the Brown and Root flats. We will launch off Hwy 361.

Tides for Port Aransas, TX October 11-12, 2019

Important items:

• Member dues must be current for you to participate!
• Outing Waiver of Liability, filled out and signed, along with emergency contact information – See Attachment 1
• Current Texas Fishing License with Saltwater Stamp
• Proper safety equipment INCLUDING a proper fitting PFD and, a backup paddle
• First Aid Kit.
• Extra change of dry clothes (Optional / Just in case)
• Wind / Rain proof jacket
• Comfortable, sturdy wading shoes and sting ray guards
• Soft side cooler with Ice or frozen water bottle
• Lunch, ample water and/or Gatorade, snacks and power bars
• Sunscreen and mosquito repellant (I like to carry the individual packages of Off wipes)
• Wide brimmed hat AND polarized glasses
• Hand held VHF or FRS radio with charged batteries.
• A water proof camera
• A measuring board or tape measure
• A well-stocked wading belt or bag
• A space blanket, this item doesn’t weigh much and doesn’t take up much space but, if you get caught in a thundershower, this can be used to help protect you from the beating rain and will help insulate you.

Recommended Equipment: 6-8 WT outfit with weight forward, floating line, tapered leader with a 12-20 lb. test tippet. Don’t forget extra leader material and tippet, nippers, forceps.

Recommended Flies: Shrimp patterns, Bead Eye Clouser Minnows and light colored grizzly Seaducers are the productive flies. Spoon flies, crab and Kwan style patterns also work well. Size 6 to 2. For surface flies, choose a pattern that will land softly, such as the Gartside Gurgler, a Dink or VIP popper. Note: There can be a lot of floating grass both on top and suspended under the water. You might want to add a weed guard to your flies. You can always snip it off.
The above nonsense was copied from a previous outing description and basically says bring a fly shop.

Scott’s 3 flies to bring:

1. VIP popper – any color
2. Gold spoon – see 1^st word for recommended color
3. Micro mangrove cannibal – size 2 unweighted baitfish in wht/tan (natural colors)

Recommended guidelines for participants:

• Notify the trip leader if you have any potential concerns or health issues.
• Know your limitations. If you are inexperienced then buddy up.
• While we all practice catch and release, I don’t think you will be banished from the Club if you desire to keep a fish or two for the skillet. However, you might want think about to how you are going to transport your catch to the dock. A soft sided cooler with a frozen ice pack should do the trick.