Help me plan an inshore fishing trip

[tmart]

I've managed to secure about a 4-5 day pass in early March to do a long weekend fishing trip. It would be the 2nd weekend in March. I've debated back and forth between Falcon or the coast. For this thread though, let's assume I'm going to the coast. I've only fished the Texas coast once before so very limited experience. I've read lots of posts here as well as on other sites and done some general research. I've pretty much narrowed it down to Rockport area, POC or Port Lavaca. It will be Spring break in much of TX that week so I want to stay away from that. I'm going to take my 17' bass boat. I'm not willing to make long runs across open water if it's windy, especially my first time down there. My boat will float pretty easily in 6-10" of water. I'd also do some wading if necessary. I've got a galvanized trailer, salt grade wiring and will also pre/post treat with Corrosion X and thoroughly wash everything after each day. I would prefer to throw artificials...gulp, DOA, spooks to live bait. So here are my questions:

Base Location: I like Port Lavaca because it's the shortest drive from my house. But I want to be able to find fish without having to make long runs across open water. And I want to be able to find protection from wind if needed. I don't mind having to drive up to 30 miles to a launch site if that will keep me from having to run across rough water or will give me wind protection. So between Rockport area, POC and Lavaca, which do you recommend as my base?

Which bays? So after I decide where I'm going to stay, next is where to fish. From everything I've read, it looks like my best options will be San Antonio, Espiritu or Copano. I've also read about Powerhorn lake being a good place to get out of the wind?

Equipment: If I clean and oil my freshwater reels after use, will they be okay? Or do I need to buy new stuff?

What else? Feel free to PM or reply to the thread. Thanks in advance for your tips!

[Skeeter Matt]

If port lavaca you could look at powder horn lake in indianola. just watch out for the oyster reefs. you could go to the platforms out in the bay from there and catch some triple tail. p.o.c. is not far from there and has some great opportunities.
you could run the ICW and just fish flats or cuts off that. at least you'll now your running deep water while on plane

[Matt Warren]

That's alot to think about. I think the best way to tackle this is to head to port lavaca since it's closest, get a a guide the first day, then just fish where they take you the following days. It takes years and multiple trips to get a grasp of coastal fishing. So it comes down to whether or not you want this to be a scouting and learning trip, or a fishing trip. You wont have spring breaker problems there. If powderhorn is like the other backlakes around there, you'll need to be able to run on plane in less than a foot of water to get into the channel to get in there. If you target the entrances to backlakes and cuts, that's a good plan. pay attention to where you see birds working. salt is gonna take it's toll on anything it touches, but it sounds like you have it mitigated. I use the same reels for salt and fresh, however I have had to get Corey to rebuild all of them recently

[JT]

That's alot to think about. It takes years and multiple trips to get a grasp of coastal fishing.

That is so true Matt. I'm not there yet and it will probably be several more years before I feel like I have a good grasp.

[tmart]

Thanks Matt. That's why I was thinking Port Lavaca. Indianola, POC and Seadrift are all under 30 miles from there so I'll have multiple options depending on wind/weather. I've read about some pretty good drifting for reds and trout in Matagorda Bay just south of Indianola. As for Powderhorn, my Navionics PC map doesn't give any details for Powderhorn. So the reefs are a little intimidating.

Out of POC, it looks like in addition to the ICW, I could access some pretty good spots in Eastern Espiritu.

[tmart]

That's alot to think about. I think the best way to tackle this is to head to port lavaca since it's closest, get a a guide the first day, then just fish where they take you the following days.

I was thinking of doing just that.

[Matt Warren]

I was thinking of doing just that.

Maybe some folks will chime in on what guides are the good ones out of poc and port lavaca. -

[tmart]

Also would like any recommendations as to where to stay. I've checked with several hotels and while I can get a room at either the Holiday Inn or the Best Western with my travel reward points, neither have electricity for boat parking. Any recommendations on where to stay?

[Matt Warren]

In POC, I've stayed at Captains quarters. It was really nice. I've heard good things about poco loco in poc as well. No clue where to stay in port lavaca

[J-Hooked]

That time of year is good for big uglies. Run from POC out the marked channel to Saluria Bayou. If Matty is behaving, you can venture outside Saluria a bit towards Pass Cavallo. Drop some fresh cut crab down on the bottom in 20 ft of water and hang on to your hat!