Texas FlyFishers of Houston Event: 2020 PINS (Padre Island National Seashore)

Trip Description: We will take four-wheel drive vehicles down Padre Island National Seashore during the anchovy migration, and target blitzing schools of ladyfish, jacks, redfish, and tarpon.

When:    2020-09-11 through 2020-09-13
Where:       Padre Island National Seashore, 20420 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, Texas
Start Time:  1100, Friday morning.
End Time:    Sunday, at noon, 2 days later
Trip Leader: Tim S. [cp=1(4O9)978(dash)O956] email= [tstokley65(AT)icloud(dot)com]
VHF/FRC radio channel: We plan to use the FRC radios most of the time.
VHF 69 for primary, 71 back-up.
FRS 16

Based on last year’s experience:  Let’s start around noon on Friday at Malaquite and run down to about MM 40+ fishing, and camp in that area.    Low tides are at 1530.  We may be able to get by Big Shell by taking the high road.

A quick run to the jetties Saturday morning, move back to a camp spot between the 40 and 30 mile marker and then the next day, Sunday, fish on the way back.  Shower at Malaquite (if they are open), load for the return about 1400 and drive home.  More to follow.

No interference from Sharkathon this year.: October 2-4, 2020 . November 6-8, 2020 back up date

How to sign up:
1. Evite link <- here. (I don’t plan to send this out to the masses.  Use the link to sign up and keep updated)
2. Or on the sign-up sheet distributed at the monthly meeting
3. Or e-mail the trip leader.

Let me know if you are 4WD driver or not when you sign in:

How to get waiver forms:    TFF RELEASE OF LIABILITY here.  Required  Waiver of Liability, filled out and signed, along with emergency contact information.

Cost: National Seashore Entrance Fee $10 per vehicle

Directions:    About 250 miles (4-5 hours) from central Houston
Search Houston to Malaquite Beach (20420 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, Texas (Padre Island National Seashore)) in an online mapping program

About the area:

At 60-70 miles long, Padre Island is the longest, undeveloped, barrier island in the world. Anglers with four-wheel drive vehicles can access almost all of it.

Fall brings bait migrations and large schools of predators. The water is typically clear (much more so than Galveston).

PINS Webcam

Wind and wave predictor

Tides

•  When the club did this trip in September, 2006, 14 anglers hooked 8 tarpon. Countless large ladyfish were brought to hand, as well as some big jack crevalle.
• In 2014, there were 7 anglers.  Ladyfish and jacks were the most caught species.  Whiting also brought to hand.   We saw redfish, but didn’t hook up.
• In 2016, there were 10 anglers.  Ladyfish and jacks were the most caught species.  Whiting, redfish, bluefish, spanish mackerel, trout were also brought to hand.   One shark hooked, but  not landed.

The typical fishing method involves cruising the beach while looking for signs of fish. When a school is sighted, anglers bail out of the vehicles and start casting. The Port Mansfield jetties (at the very end) offer deep water access.

Driving on the beach can be difficult. Four-wheel drive vehicles are required. Realize that a tow for a stuck vehicle here could cost you thousands (yes, thousands). Cell phones do not work on the island, except at the extreme ends.

The Malaquite Pavilion offers public showers to get off the sand and salt before the drive home.

Campfires are permitted in fully contained barbecue grills or in a pit dug in the ground, unless there is a fire ban in effect. Bonfires are not permitted anywhere in the park. Remove any burned materials (Ex., charcoal) and pack them out with you.

PINS Check List 2020

Fly fishing
Braided wire tippet material
Camera, and spare batteries.
Flies, too many suggestions to list, but start with a Clouser
Fly Rods and reel size 8, 10, and spey, with intermediate or full sink line
Tippet material

Travel safety
Batteries *2/device/day
5 Gallon Buckets *2
First Aid kit
Flash light or head lamp, one per person
Jumper cables
Portable Air Compressor
Portable Battery Jumper
Shovel
Tow Strap
High lift jack

Camping
Air Mattress (optional)
Bungies and tie-downs
Canopy, with ropes (optional)
Chair, folding *2
Firewood, and cheater logs
Lantern, gas or battery
Lighter, or propane torch
Mosquito net. (optional)
Rope
Sand anchors
Tarp (optional)
Tent (optional)
Tentcot (preferred)
Toilet paper
Portable toilet (optional)
Trash bags

Food/cooking
Cast iron skillet
Cooking Oil
Fillet knife
Foil
Ice Chests with Ice
Meals, 2 breakfast & 2 supper per person
Paper Towels
Propane bottles * 3
Sodas (optional)
Water (1gal/person/day minimum)
Zip lock bags

Clothing
Antibacterial soap
Bull Frog, or other waterproof sunscreen
Hand Soap
Off or permethrin
Towels
Waders (seasonal)
Wipes
Sun clothing, long sleeves and long legs (3)

Back-up fishing
Bait bucket
Cast net
Kayak (optional)
Rod Holders
Spinning rods, with braided line (Med)
Surf spinning rod, with braided line
Spoons and Misc Tackle

Drivers and riders list, work in progress (updated 2020-08-05-1700)

Driver	Status	Rider 1	Status	Rider 2	Status	Rider 3	Status
Tim S.	Leader	Jonathan H	Rider	NA		NA
Puck	Driver	Q	Rider	NA		NA
Scott B.	Driver	Matt B.	Rider	NA		NA
Neil T.	Driver	Kris T.	Rider	NA		NA
5
6
7
8
9
10	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
11	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
12	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
13	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
14	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
15	?	?	?	?	?	?
Needs a ride
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9