Texas FlyFishers of Houston: 2026 PINS (Padre Island National Seashore), advance planning Trip Description: We will take four-wheel drive vehicles down Padre Island National Seashore during the anchovy migration, (which we have missed the last 4 years) and target blitzing schools of ladyfish, jacks, redfish, and tarpon.  We will beach camp Friday and Saturday nights, returning on Sunday.

When:    October 9-11th, 2026 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

Meet at Malaquite about 11am on Friday to be prepared for a noon departure. Plan is to leave Malaquite around noon and run down” to “Big Shell”, and camp in that area.

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.  Showers at Malaquite, load for the return about 1400 and drive home.

Trip Leader:  “Puck” and/or a volunteer (TBD) Phone: 28one-865(Dash)32one6 or the volunteer Email:  doncpuckett(at)gmail.com

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).

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. Bonfires are not permitted anywhere in the park. Remove any burned materials (Ex., charcoal) and pack them out with you.

PINS Check List 2026

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, and not recomended) 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 and highly recommended) 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 DEET 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