Where:   Fulton / Rockport, Texas – Kayak Fence Lake via the Skimmer

Load Out:   Skimmer Dock, 202 N. Fulton Beach Road, Rockport/Fulton, TX 78358

Trip Description:   Saturday morning, we will be ferried to St. Joe’s Island aboard the M/V Skimmer for a day of skinny water kayak & wade fishing in the Fence Lake area. The Skimmer can carry 12 fishermen and their kayaks. About 3:30 pm, the Skimmer will return to pick us up at the mouth of Fence Lake and take us back to the dock.

Important Note:  Be sure and remove all items in and on your kayak prior to load out on the Skimmer and carry them on separately. It will make it easier to load and stack the kayaks on the mother ship.  

Cost:   Ferry Service aboard the M/V Skimmer will be $30.00 per person, to be paid the morning of the outing. Note: The rate based on a minimum of 10 people. If you need to rent a kayak, you can arrange rental through the Skimmer and, you will need to reserve it in advance. Also, tips for the crew are appreciated but, not included in the ferry fee.

Directions:

Saturday Morning: We will meet up at the Skimmer’s dock, located at the Fulton Harbor, directly behind Charlotte Plummer’s Seafood Restaurant, 202 N. Fulton Beach Road, Rockport, Texas at 5:30 am for loadout.  As you come in to Fulton on HW35, Turn left on Cactus Street and go appx. ½ mile to Fulton Beach Road. Cross Fulton Beach Road and just behind the restaurant to the left is the Harbor and the Skimmer. This is where I’ll collect your filled out Waiver of Liability and your ferry fee. Once we have the kayaks and gear loaded, we’ll shove off.

About the area: Fence Lake is a relatively small and shallow bay (averaging about 1½-3 ft.) nestled along the western shore of St. Joe’s Island. This, combined with the grassy bottom keeps the water clear and should allow you the opportunity to sight cast to fish. The numerous fingers and creeks should provide ample opportunity to explore the area and enjoy a peaceful day of fishing. The fish should be transitioning to their fall patterns, trout will be along the transitions looking for a mouthful and, the red fish will be working the grass / shorelines feeding on shrimp, and crabs. Be sure and keep your eyes along the prop scars, the fish like to sneak along these.

Important items:

• Member dues must be current for you to participate!
• Outing Waiver of Liability, filled out and signed, along with emergency contact information
• Current Texas Fishing License with Saltwater Stamp
• Skimmer Ferry Fee, $30.00 in cash, based on a minimum of 10 anglers
• 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. We will monitor channel ****
• A water proof camera
• A measuring board or tape measure (see below)
• 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 10-12 lb. test tippet. Don’t forget extra leader material and tippet.

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 in Fence Lake, 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.

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.

Note – Friday Trip: If there is interest, we can discuss putting together a Friday (or Sunday morning, fish ‘til noon) trip. Please let me know if you are interested when you sign up and we will discuss.