The Flats
Area Maps Fishing Locally Visitor Info
Interview With A Game Warden
A GUIDE TO: Aransas Pass Ingleside Ingleside on the Bay Surrounding Counties
Published April 30, 2020 The Aransas Pass Progress The Ingleside Index www.aransaspassprogress.com
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Thursday, April 30, 2020
5029 Columbia St. 1510 W. Market St. Rockport, Tx 78382 Corpus Christi, TX 78416 361-814-8770 361-729-9695 www.RonHoover.com
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Thursday, April 30, 2020
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www.aransaspass.org
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Letter from the Publisher
Welcome to the Spring/Summer edition of “The Flats� Visitors Guide. The Progress/Index has combined The Flats and North Bay Attractions into one publication titled The Flats Visitors Guide. Aransas Pass, Ingleside, & Ingleside on the Bay are great places to come for a short trip or a one day visit. We talk about all the fishing there is to do around the area, what you can catch, size limits and everything you can do when you are out for a day of fishing our
great bays. We also have maps of Aransas Pass and Ingleside. We tell you why our cities are so popular and all the fun things to do other than fish. We list a lot of the places to stay overnight and most of the local eateries. If needed, you can hire a guide to take you out fishing, and there are also kayaks that can be used for fishing or sight-seeing. There are a lot of things to do in our area, just ask someone from around here and they will
give you a list of things to do and see. Our edition can be seen on our website plus you can look at each page on the Progress/Index Facebook. Our web-
site addresses are www.aransaspassprogress.com and www.inglesideindex.com Come to visit and stay as long as you wish.
John D. Bowers - Publisher
Thursday, April 30, 2020
The Aransas Pass Progress and The Ingleside Index The Flats Fall/Winter 2018 Publisher John Bowers Editor Sabrina Hutton Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper Maricela Vargas Circulation Cheri Williams Cover Photo Ashley Wirz Fish Photos Redfish/Spotted Seatrout - Chris's Marine Flounder - Captain Kade Shaw Office 346 S. Houston Aransas Pass, Texas 78336 Contact publisher@aransaspassprogress.com editor@aransaspassprogress.com 361-758-5391 aransaspassprogress.com Connect facebook.com/ProgressIndex @progressindexnewspaper in Instagram @ProgressIndexTX on Twitter
DELL FRANKS "Career Car Guy" Your Lincoln Brand Champion and Ford Sales Representative. Let me help you find exactly what you need!!!! Thank you to our customers for your continued business. It is appreciated more than you know. Stay safe!!! Commercial Motor Co., Inc. 160 S. Commercial Aransas Pass, TX 78336 361-758-5361
Dell Franks New and Used Sales Representative New and Used Internet Sales 361-463-8483
Thursday, April 30, 2020
The accessibility of fishing in and near Aransas Pass and Ingleside is abundant, with numerous locations from which to choose. S t e a d m a n’s Flats, from which this publication gets its name, is an area located between the Intracoastal Waterway and Morris and Cummings Cut near Aransas Pass, The Flats offer an extensive grass flat that features sandy potholes and deep water borders on all sides. Primarily known as a redfish haven, its quick access to deep water makes it a good spot for ambushing trout and flounder as well. The City of Aransas Pass, known as Harbor City, is located at
The most frequently caught game fish in local waters is the Speckled Trout, known by the scientific community as the Spotted Seatrout, and locally referred to simply as a “trout” or a “spec.” The seatrout is not actually a trout, but a member of the
the intersection of two major waterways – Laguna Madre and Redfish Bay. Aransas Pass has a rich history in the development of the Coastal Bend’s fishing industry. The Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) is intersected by the Aransas Shrimp Channel, giving Aransas Pass access to some fishing in the Coastal Bend in every direction. The primary fishing area is Redfish Bay, also called Bird Island. The bay is a triangular-shaped area between Aransas Pass, which borders it on the north, and Port Aransas. To the south is the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. Redfish Bay is actually a complex of islands, grass flats, and channels
drum family. It is an aggressive feeder and will often school in large numbers, which is great for anglers. Speckled trout are found throughout the Coastal Bend. On warm, sunny days, trout can be found around bait fish which stay in
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Fishing the Area with the only deep water located on its southern edge next to the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. The grassy flats around Bird Island in the upper portion of Redfish Bay produce redfish and trout throughout the year. The 14,000 acres of fragile grass flats is a rich generator of nutrients for all of the area bay systems and has been designated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a State Scientific Area. Since 2006, the area has been designated as a no-prop zone which makes it illegal to run a boat through the seagrass in a way that would cause them to be uprooted. The restriction does not prohibit access by boats or
going through the area as long as the grass is not disturbed. To be in compliance with the Seagrass regulation, boaters can drift through the area using a push pole or electric trolling motor. The Aransas Channel is also known as the Shrimp Channel or the Shrimp Boat Channel due to the fact it was the main path for the massive gulf shrimp boat fleet housed at Conn Brown Harbor in Aransas Pass. In addition to being a prime navigation feature of the Redfish Bay complex, fishing along various grassy shores and cuts off of the channel produce trout, redfish, flounder, drum and just about anything
Spotted Seatrout shallow water as they prefer shallow bays with oyster reefs or shallow grass beds. T he y will move into deeper cuts or chan-
nels, up estuarial rivers and into the Gulf when te m peratures drop or a lack of rainfall cause a rise in sa-
else the area has to offer. Ingleside is actually two communities on the north side of Corpus Christi Bay. Ingleside by the Bay is a small water front community south of the city. Ingleside Cove separates the two communities and is the location of Cove Park, a water front park with boat ramps, docks and picnic areas. The boat launch at Ingleside offers excellent access to the La Quinta Channel, the north side of Corpus Christi Bay and is just around the corner from the Intracoastal waterway and the south end of Redfish Bay. Other North Bay fishing areas are: Estes Flats Mud Island Point
Big Bayou Hog Island North Pass Stedman Island Hog Island Hole Old Terminal Causeway Super Flats Brown & Root Flats Lighthouse Lakes Quarantine Shoreline SW Redfish Bay Grass Flats California Hole Lydia Ann Channel Ransom Island Terminal Flats Corpus Christi Ship Channel Middle Pass Redfish Cove Traylor Island Dagger Island Morris and Cummings Cut South Bay United Pipeline Channel East Shore Mud Island Steadman’s Flats Yucca Cut Estes Cove
linity in the bays. The temperatures drop during the winter months and bring cold, cloudy days, at which time bait fish move to deeper water so the trout follow them. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department sets the daily bag limits for
seatrout, and the limits vary in different parts of the Gulf Coast (see the chart on page 26). Because of its relative abundance, excellent flaky meat, and good flavor, speckled trout are popular not only as a sport fish, but also as table fare.
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TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT Sport Angler Bag, Possession & Length Limits of Saltwater Fish
SPECIES
DAILY BAG
POSSESSION
MIN. LENGTH MAX. LENGTH (INCHES) (INCHES) Amberjack, greater 1 2 38 No Limit Bass, striped 5 10 18 No Limit Catfish, channel/blue 25 50 12 No Limit Catfish, flathead 5 10 18 No Limit Catfish, gafftopsail No Limit No Limit 14 No Limit Cobia 2 4 37 No Limit Drum, Black (a) 5 10 14 30 Drum, Red (b) 3 6 20 28 Flounder (c) 5/2 5/2 14 No Limit Gar, alligator 1 2 No Limit No Limit Grouper, gag 2 4 24 No Limit Grouper, goliath 0 0 Catch and release only Catch and release only Mackerel, king 3 4 27 No Limit Mackerel, Spanish 15 30 14 No Limit Marlin, blue No Limit No Limit 131 No Limit Marlin, white No Limit No Limit 86 No Limit Mullet (d) No Limit No Limit No Limit 12 Sailfish No Limit No Limit 84 No Limit Seatrout, spotted 10(e)/5(f) 10(e)/5(f) 15 25(g) Shark (in aggregate) (h) 1 2 24/64 No Limit Shark (proh. species) (i) 0 0 Catch and release only Catch and release only Sheepshead 5 10 15 No Limit Snapper, lane No Limit No Limit 8 No Limit Snapper, red (j) 4 8 15 No Limit Snapper, vermillion No Limit No Limit 10 No Limit Snook 1 2 24 28 Tarpon 1 2 85 No Limit Triggerfish, gray 20 40 16 No Limit Tripletail 3 6 17 No Limit a. No more than one back drum over 52 inches may be retianed per person per day and counts as part of the daily bag and possession limit. b. Red drum special regulation: During a license year, one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be retained when affixed with a properly completed Red Drum Tag and one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be retained when affixed with a properly completed Bonus Red Drum Tag. Any fish retained under authority of a Red Drum Tag or a Bonus Red Drum Tag may be retained in addition to the daily bag and possession limit as stated in this section. c. Flounder special regulation: Daily bag is five except for the period Nov. 1-30 when the daily bag is two and flounder may only be taken by pole and line. Possession limit is equal to the daily bag. d. May not take from public waters or possess on board a boat mullet over 12 inches long during October, November, December and January. No limits apply during other months. e. All waters north of FM 457 in Matagorda County. f. All waters south of FM 457 in Matagorda County. g. No more than one spotted sea trout over the stated maximum length may be retained per person per day and counts as part of the daily bag and possession limit. h. Special Regulation: The daily bag and possession limit is one fish for all allowable shark species including Atlantic, sharpnose, blacktip, and bonnethead. i. Prohibited shark species: Atlantic angel, Basking, Bigeye Sand Tiger, Bigeye sixgill, Bigeye thresher, Bignose, Caribbean reef, Caribbean sharpnose, Dusky, Galapagos, Longfin mako, Narrowtooth, Night, Sandbar, Sand Tiger, Sevengill, Silky, Sixgill, Smalltail, Whale, White. j. Special regulation: Red snapper may be taken using pole and line, but it is unlawful to use any kind of hook other than a circle hook when using natural bait.
Thursday, April 30, 2020
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Redfish
Red drum, commonly called redfish, is a bay fish known for it is aggressive fight when hooked, and for also for its edibility. Many guided fishing trips focus on catching redfish which attracts anglers from around the world to the area. The redfish’s most distinguishing mark is one large black spot on the upper part of the tail base. It is not uncommon to see multiple spots, but one having no spots is extremely rare. Scientists believe the black spot
near the tail helps fool predators into attacking the red drum’s tail instead of its head, which allows the fish to escape. The daily bag limit for the red drum is three for keepers which must be a minimum length of 20 inches and maximum of 28 inches. During a license year, one red drum over the maximum length limit may be kept if a properly completed Red Drum Tag is attached to the fish. When a license is purchased, the buyer also receives one Bonus Red
Drum Tag. These yearly tags are in addition to the daily bag limit. For the first three years of its life, a redfish lives in the
“bull red run.” The young redfish feeds on small crabs, shrimp and marine worms. As they mature, crabs and shrimp continue to be
bays or near passes. It then moves from the bays to the Gulf of Mexico. As the large adults move to the gulf, possibly for spawning, it is known as the
part of their diet with the addition of small fish, which is why anglers use shrimp, crab, and mullet as bait. Anglers who want to use artificial lures of-
Coastal Bend waters are home to the southern flounder, a unique game fish highly-sought after for it’s edibility and the unique techniques used to catch it. The flounder swims near the bottom of the bay, parallel to the bottom, and uses its camouflage to ambush prey from drop offs, current swept points, and by burying itself in the sandy flats.
Due to the fact they spend their life on the bottom of the bay and gulf, adult flounder’s eyes are on the same side of their head. They are not born this way, however, as when they are smaller than a half-inch long, their right eye begins migrating to the other side of their head. By the time they reach an inch in length, both eyes
are on the same side of their head. The left side
the right side of a flounder’s body is rarely exposed t o
then begins turning dark to blend in with the bottom. Since
sunlight, it turns white. Flounder can tolerate a variety of
Flounder
ten choose small spoons which can be used in shallow water, and weedless ones in heavy or floating seagrass. Floating or shallow-running fish plugs are often used over the grass flats. Shrimp-like plastic worms and jigs are also popular. If bait is in a column of water, the redfish will take advantage of the opportunity, but in general they are bottom feeders. If they are feeding in shallow waters with heads down in the seagrass, their tail
may be above the surface of the water. This is known as “tailing.” They are often found in water so shallow their backs are exposed while they are swimming. During cold spells, redfish may be found in tidal creeks and rivers since they can also live in freshwater. The skill involved and the excitement of catching redfish has led to the establishment of several fishing tournament trails specifically to test angler’s skill in catching the prized redfish.
salinity levels, but the largest populations will be found in moderately saline waters. Coastal Bend bays have a prolific population of flounder from the month of March through December. This is the time the larger female flounder come into the bays to feed after spawning. Mostly all flounder caught in the bay system
are female, as the smaller males tend to stay in the Gulf of Mexico all year. Male flounder only grow to about 12 inches long, but the females that roam the bay system can grow up to 25 inches. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department sets the daily bag limits for seatrout, and the limits vary in different parts of the Gulf Coast (see the chart on page 6).
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ARANSAS PASS Bakery Cafe Inc. 434 S. Commercial Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-3511 BBQ De Oro Taqueria 324 N. Commercial St. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 226-1239 Butter Churn 1275 Highway 35 Bypass Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-2300 Dairy Queen 535 West Cleveland Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-5341 El Mexicano Restaurant 1842 W. Wheeler Ave. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-7580 Fisherman’s Cove 306 E. Goodnight Ave. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 226-1491 I Love Noodle 1119 W. Wheeler Ave. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 332-4234 Mickey’s Bar & Grill 430 Ransom Rd. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-1562 McDonald’s 2475 W. Wheeler Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 906-0394
Popeye’s 515 E. Goodnight Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-4699 Pizza Hut 275 W. Wheeler Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-2813 Redfish Willie’s Waterfront Grill 322 Huff St. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-9991 San Juan Bar & Grill 922 S. Commercial St. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 226-1011 San Juan Restaurant & Cantina 4696 FM 1069 Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-3335 Sonic Drive In 1662 W. Wheeler Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-6514 SteerBurger Grill & Grub 4407 Highway 35 Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 450-6740 Subway 1919 Wheeler Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-7270 Taqueria Guadalajara 525 S. Commercial St. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-0222 Taqueria Guanajuato 939 W. Wheeler Aransas Pass, TX
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Eateries
78336 (361) 758-2630
Taqueria Mexico 936 W. Wheeler Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 226-3116 The Donut Palace 103 W. Cleveland Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-6111 The Fisherman’s Daughter 3714 FM 1069 Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 226-3736 Whataburger, Inc. 2737 W. Wheeler Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-8700 INGLESIDE Asian Garden 2731 W. Main St. Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 776-7778 Aztec Coffee 2793 Main St. Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 445-8254 Blackbeard’s Too 428 Wood Haven Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 776-0393 Carrie’s Grill & Treats 2826 Main St. Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 776-1747 City Cafe and Bar Mexican Restaurant 2390 State Highway 361 Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 238-4579 Coffee N More 2291 Main St. Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 776-3201
Dairy Queen 2611 State Highway 361 Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 776-2506
Floyd’s Ranch House 2144 State Highway 361 Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 776-3511 Good N Crisp Chicken 107 N. Ave. B Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 776-3659 Granny’s Tamales Too 2814 W. Main St. Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 854-1400 Little I’s Snow Cones & Treats 3019 Main St. Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 238-2081 New Star Chinese Buffet 2448 State Highway 361 Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 776-7949 Pizza Hut 2661 State Highway 361 Suite A Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 758-2813 Sonic Drive-In 2250 State Highway 361, Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 775-2200 Subway 2450 State Highway 361 Ingleside, TX 78362 www.subway.com (361) 776-0588 Taco Bell 2494 State Highway 361 Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 775-0039 Terry’s Thai Cafe
2700 Main St. Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 776-3303 Whataburger 2474 W. Wheeler Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 776-3281 PORTLAND Applebee’s 1820 U.S. Highway 181 Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-2489 Bloom City Coffee Co. Inside HEB Portland, TX 78374 (361) 463-1638 Chicken Express 1700 U.S. Highway 181 Frontage Portland, TX 78374 (361) 704-6817 Chili’s Grill & Bar 2010 U.S. Highway 181 North Portland, TX 78374 (361) 777-0100 China Wall Supper Buffet 1016 U.S. Highway 181 Frontage #C Portland, TX 78374 (361) 777-1688
Firehouse Subs 1850 U.S. Highway 181 A Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-3160 HU DAT Oriental Restaurant 1522 Wildcat Dr. No. 8 Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-7823 IHOP 1830 U.S. Highway 181 Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-4467 KFC 2020 U.S. Highway 181 Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-3000 La Iguana 100 5th Ave. Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-2063 Little Caesars Pizza 1702 U.S. Highway 181, Suite B13 Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-5571 McAlister’s Deli 1704 U.S. Highway 181 Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-1100
Dairy Queen 911 Dallas St. Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-5993/5222
McDonald’s 1300 Wildcat Dr. Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-8115
Denny’s 1670 U.S. Highway 181 Portland, TX 78374 (361) 800-1279
Mike Cotten’s BBQ 1702 U.S. Highway, Suite A-6 Portland, TX 78374 (361) 704-6249
Domino’s Pizza 1500 Wildcat Dr. Portland, TX 78374 (361) 777-0440
Mr. Rigaroo’s Shaved Ice 609 E. Broadway Blvd. Portland, TX 78374 (361) 960-4074
Donut Palace 1306 Wildcat Dr. Portland, TX 78374 (361) 777-3000
Oyshi Sushi 277 Buddy Ganem Dr E.
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Portland, TX 78374 (361) 704-9187 Papa Johns Pizza 1510 Wildcat Dr. Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-0737 Pep’s Restaurant 1807 Highway 181 Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-1531 Pizza Hut 1041 N. Highway 181 Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-7544 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 1670 Wildcat Dr. Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-1555 Sonic Drive Inn 106 Lang Rd. Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-0982 Subway 2030 West U.S. Highway 181 Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-6747 Subway 1001 U.S. Highway 181 Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-9182 Taco Bell 1043 U.S. Highway 181 Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-6898 Taqueria El Tapatio
922 Railroad Ave. Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-1413 Taqueria Guadalajara 1001 Dallas St. Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-8100 Texas A 1 Steak & Seafood 407 Cedar Dr. Portland, TX 78374 (361) 777-3663 Wingstop 1544 Wildcat Dr. Portland, TX 78374 (361) 413-0620 Whataburger 1010 Wildcat Dr. Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-2563 ROCKPORT Little I’s Snow Cones & Treats 2710 Hwy 35, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 450-6660 Mac’s Pit Barbecue 815 E. Market St. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-9388 495 Chesapeake Eats 1008 E. North St. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 450-0116 A Mermaid In Your Kitchen 2321 FM 3036 Rockport, TX 78382 (432) 634-8370
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Apple Dumpling Deli 114 N. Magnolia Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 790-8433
Our Family Kitchen Inc. 324 Highway 35 S. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-1111
Bakery Cafe Rockport 205 Business Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-4985
Panjos Pizza and Pasta Inc. 2744 Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382-5709 (361) 729-1411
Dairy Queen 1729 Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-5425
Paradise Key Dockside Bar and Grill 165 Cove Harbor North Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-6000
Dominos Pizza 1927 N. Highway 35 Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-4700 GLOW - Seafood Kitchen 1815 Broadway St. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-2644 Grandma B’s Sweet Treats 2716 Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 450-1041 Latitude 2802 Coastal Cuisine & Fine Art 105 N. Austin St. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-9009 McDonald’s 1302 Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 790-7828
Pink Octopus Cafe 1941 Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-7465 Poor Man’s Country Club 1009 Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-7667 Rockport Bakery 3114 Highway 35 North Fulton, TX 78358 (361) 729-5044 Rockport Daily Grind 302 S. Austin St. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 790-8745 Rockport Donuts 401 N. Highway 35 Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 790-8544 Rosita’s Taqueria &
Cafe 402 E. Market St. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 790-8513 Shempy’s Grill 3913 Highway 35 S. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-0019
Benchwarmers 104 North Fulton Beach Rd. Fulton, TX 78358 (361) 790-5413
Stevie Lew’s BBQ Kitchen 5340 Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-0002
Boiling Pot, The 201 S. Fulton Beach Rd. Fulton, TX 78358 (361) 729-6972
Sushi Luck Japanese Cuisine 112 Palmetto Ave. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-1960
Charlotte Plummer’s Seafare Restaurant 202 N. Fulton Beach Rd. Fulton, TX 78358 (361) 729-1185
Taqueria Puerto Vallarta 3002 A Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 790-7221 The Groove 2001 N. Highway 35 Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-3663 Tropical Smoothie Cafe 2355 Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 790-5222 Whataburger, Inc. 1805 Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-3022 FULTON Alby’s Seafood Market & Po Boys
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3402 Highway 35 N. Fulton, TX 78358 (361) 729-1521
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Cheryl’s by the Bay 112 S Fulton Beach Rd. Fulton, TX 78358 (361) 790-9626 MoonDog Seaside Eatery 100 Casterline Drive Fulton, TX 78358 (361) 729-6200 Old Fulton Seafood Cafe and Deli 2828 N. Highway 35 Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-2233 FOOD DELIVERY TheFoodCaddy.com 1937 Hwy 35N, Rockport, TX, 78382 thefoodcaddy.com (361) 232-4046 E-mailthefoodcaddy@gmail.com Helpful, knowledgeable service and a great price, guaranteed.
Lumber & Building • Hardware & Tools Electrical & Plumbing • Paint Supplies • Cleaning & Storage HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 7a.m - 5p.m. Sat. 7a.m - 12p.m. 1262 N State Highway 35 Aransas Pass, Texas 78336 (361) 758-5345 • Fax: 758-3338
Fowler Lumber & Hardware
Thursday, April 30, 2020
ARANSAS PASS Fairfield Inn & Suites 2679 Business Highway 35 Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 226-3939 Microtel Inn & Suites 355 E. Goodnight Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-8000 Redfish Bay Cottage 945 N. Commercial Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 463-6683 Super 8 Motel 500 E. Goodnight Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-7888 Sea Breeze Motel & Cottages 1404 S. Commercial St. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 850-0195 Portobelo Village RV & Mobile Home Park 2009 W. Wheeler Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-3378 Hooked Up RV Park 2020 N. Highway 35 Business Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-5348 Country Villa Mobile Home & R.V. Park, LLC 3780 FM 1069 Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 776-7534
Don Ell RV Park & Cabins 128 E. Myrtle Ave. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-5218 Fin & Feather RV Park/Marina 1803 E. Highway 361 Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-7414 Hampton’s Landing Marina & RV Park 430 Ransom Rd. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-1562 Harbor Landing R.V. Park 211 S. Arch Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 542-9661 ICW RV Park 427 E. Ransom Rd. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-1044 Independence RV 2487 County Road 1776 (Resendez Rd) Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 461-1945 Mobil Village RV Park 116 Freeman St. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-4633 Ransom Road RV Park 240 Ransom Rd. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-2715 Redfish Bay RV Resort 300 East Beasley
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Lodging
Ave. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 226-1389 Southern Oaks Luxury RV Park LLC 1850 Highway 35 Bypass Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-1249 The Palms RV Park 2180 Demory Lane Aransas Pass, TX 78336 (361) 758-4000 RV Haven 922 Mack Road Aransas Pass, TX 78336-6624 (361) 230-4440 Salt on the Rim RV Park & Fish Camp 741 Jacoby Lane Aransas Pass , TX 78336 (979) 540-8694 INGLESIDE Ingleside 361 2025 Highway 361 Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 776-2767 Quality Inn 2800 Texas 361 Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 775-2700 Sleep Inn & Suites Ingleside 2810 Highway 361 Ingleside, TX 78362 (361) 238-4625
Studio 6 Ingleside 2920 Rockland Blvd. Ingleside, TX 78362 The Brass Turtle Lodge 1233 Bayshore Drive Ingleside on the Bay 877-728-8785
Tiki RV Park 1452 Highway 361 Ingleside, TX, 78362 (361) 906-8936/ (361) 658-0649 PORTLAND Country Inn & Suites 1705 North Hwy 181 Portland, TX, 78374 (361) 777-1500 Days Inn 1703 N. Hwy. 181 Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-2222 Home2 Suites by Hilton 139 Buddy Ganem Dr. Portland, TX, 78374 (361) 643-1000
Harbour Inn 209 N Austin St. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 450-0107
503 N Austin St. Rockport, TX 78382-2801 (361) 729-6370
Kontiki Beach Resort 2290 N. Fulton Beach Road Rockport, TX 78382-9677 (361) 729-2318
Acorn RV Park 6620 N Highway 35 Rockport, TX 78382 (970) 214-7525
Laguna Reef Condominiums 1021 S. Water St. Rockport, TX 78382-2325 (361) 729-1742 La Quinta Inns & Suites-Rockport-Fulton 2921 Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382-0000 (361) 727-9824
Sea Breeze RV Community / Resort 1026 Seabreeze Lane Portland, TX 78374 (361) 643-0744
Last Resort, The 4321 Hwy 35 S. Business Hwy 35 and Estes Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-1958
ROCKPORT
Lighthouse Inn at Aransas Bay 200 S. Fulton Beach Road Rockport, TX 78382-7736 (361) 790-8439 Miss Kitty’s Fishing Getaways 411 S. Magnolia St. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-0312
Bay View Inn 1105 E. Market St. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-2028 Blue Wave Inn 1212 E Laurel St. Rockport, TX 78382-2817 (361) 729-6379 Drifter’s Resort 4401 Hwy. 35 S. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-9105 Fairfield Inn & Suites 2950 Hwy 35 N. Rockport, TX, 78382 (361) 727-9007
Motel 6 1006 FM Rd 3036 Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 450-0489 Shivam Reef Motel 1011 E. Market St. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 386-0059 Village Inn Motel
Ancient Oaks RV Park 1222 Highway 35 S. Rockport, TX 78382-3914 (361) 729-5051 Angler’s RV Retreat 1012 N. Moline St. Rockport, TX 78382-5126 (361) 205-4737 Bahia Vista Waterfront RV Park & Cottages 5801 FM 1781 Rockport, TX 78382-9620 (361) 729-1226 Bay View RV Resort 5451 Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382-9602 (361) 400-6000 Beacon RV Park & Marina 301 S. Fulton Beach Rd. Rockport, TX 78382-7635 (361) 729-3906 Big Fish RV Park 450 State Highway 35 Bypass Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-9211 Blue Heron RV Park 1142 Heron Lane Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 563-4043 Blue Lagoons RV Resort 717 N Fulton Beach
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Road Rockport, TX 78382-9685 (361) 729-1100 Buffalo RV Park 468 Griffith Drive Rockport, TX 78382-7192 (361) 727-0090 Circle W RV Ranch 1401 Smokehouse Rd. Rockport, TX 78382-7260 (361) 729-1542 Coastal Breeze RV Resort 3025 Loop 1781 Rockport, Texas 78382 (361) 444-4131 Coastal Cove Resort LLC 359 Rattlesnake Road Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 205-2024
Coastal Hideaway RV Park 652 Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 557-0082 Coastal Palms RV Sites 2332 San Antonio St. Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 463-8602 Copano Bay RV Resort 3101 FM 1781 Rockport, TX 78382-7774 (361) 790-9373 Dream Chaser RV Park 4230 Business Highway 35 South Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 658-0649 Drifters Resort RV Park 4401 Highway 35 S.
Rockport, TX 78382-7098 (361) 727-9105 Enchanted Oaks RV Park 990 Highway 35 Bypass Rockport, TX 78382-3908 (361) 729-1112 Estes RV Resort 140 Estes Dr. Rockport, TX 78382 361-386-2263 Goose Island State Park 113 4th St (Lamar) Rockport, TX 78382-7922 (361) 729-2858 Happy Camper RV & Resort 943 Holly Road Rockport, TX 78382 (210) 475-2332
The Gateway to Beautiful Redfish Bay We are only 20 minutes from the Gulf Of Mexico in the Harbor City of Aransas Pass.
Boat Slip Rentals If a boat slip is what you need, we have all levels to suit your needs and budget. Covered slips with lifts and storage as low as $589.60 per quarter. Basic slips for as low as $382.80 per quarter. We also have several levels of slips in-between to suit your needs and budget. All slips have high fence and lighted security. Parking, water and electricity are also included.
Amenities Boat ramps, fishing piers, bait stands and so much more. Give us a call at (361) 758-1890 or come see our beautiful facility.
Thursday, April 30, 2020 Hidden Oaks RV 221 N. Palmetto Ave. Rockport (Lamar), TX 78382-7995 (361) 790-8581 Lagoons RV Resort 600 Enterprise Blvd. Rockport, TX 78382-4335 (361) 729-7834 Last Resort, The 4321 Highway 35 S. Business Highway 35 and Estes Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-1958 Mac’s Landing RV Park 1201 Hardee Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-7775 Majestic Oak Resort 298 Highway 188 Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 727-0034 Palm Harbor RV Park 170 Port Ave. Rockport, TX 78382-9407 (361) 729-0113 Raintree RV Park 1924 W. Terrace Blvd. Rockport, TX 78382 361-729-7005 Rockport Country RV and Cottages 139 Sparks Colony Rd. Rockport, TX 78382-7326 (361) 790-7867 Rockport Oaks RV Park 1402 W. Corpus Christi Rockport, TX 78382-0000 (210) 288-0904
426 Ransom Rd. Aransas Pass 361-758-1890 • sanpatnav@cableone.net www.sanpatricionavigationdistrict.com
Salt Water Flats RV Resort 4221 Highway 35 S
Rockport , TX 78382 (361) 386-2403 Sandollar RV Resort 4022 Highway 35 N Rockport, TX 78382-0000 (361) 729-2381 Seaport Village RV 5340 Highway 35 N. Rockport, TX 78382-7759 (361) 727-0866 Shady Oaks RV Park 1301 Smokehouse Road Rockport, TX 78382-7176 (361) 729-6511 Shorty’s RV Park 716 S Doughty Rockport, TX 78382-4711 (281) 636-7576 Taylor Oaks RV Park 707 S Pearl Rockport, TX 78382-2419 (361) 729-5187 FULTON Hampton Inn & Suites 3677 Hwy 35 North Fulton, TX 78358 (361) 727-2228 Inn At Fulton Harbor, The 215 N Fulton Beach Road Fulton, TX 783581159 (361) 790-5888 Juicy’s Airstream Retreat 108 North Second Street Fulton, TX 78358 (512) 801-6202 Pelican Bay Resort, Inc 4206 Highway 35 N. Fulton, TX 783581722 (361) 729-7177
Sandollar Resort & RV Park 919 N Fulton Beach Rd. Fulton, TX 78358 (361) 729-2381 Bed and Breakfasts: Angel Rose Bed & Breakfast Inn 902 E Cornwall Rockport, TX 78382-2727 (361) 729-3189 Anthony’s By The Sea Bed & Breakfast 732 S. Pearl St. Rockport, TX 78382-2420 (361) 729-6100 Grace Point Bed and Breakfast 5510 FM 1781 Rockport, TX 78382-0000 (361) 729-5418 Proud Mary (Vacation Rental) 409 S Magnolia Rockport, TX 78382 (512) 422-7896 Driftwood RV Haven 701 Mesquite Fulton, TX 783581749 (361) 729-2452 Fulton Oaks RV & Mobile Home Park 1301 Lone Star Rd. Fulton, TX 783820000 (361) 729-4606 Green Acres RV Retreat 1508 Lone Star Road Fulton, TX 78382 (361) 386-4100 Woody Acres RV Resort 1202 W Mesquite St. Fulton, TX 783580000 (361) 729-5636
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Thursday, April 30, 2020
Licenses Needed to Fish in Area Waters
Fishing regulations in the State of Texas are set by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) which designates everyone 17 years of age or older must carry a valid driver’s license or personal identification card issued by the
Texas Department of Public Safety when fishing, with some exceptions. A valid fishing license with a freshwater or saltwater endorsement is required to take fish, mussels, clams, crayfish or other aquatic life in the public waters of
Texas. The first Saturday in June of each year is the annual Free Fishing Day and no person is required to have a fishing license while fishing on that day. A fishing license is not required if fishing from the bank in a state park or in waters
City of Aransas Pass
Welcome to Aransas Pass! If you are looking for a small paradise where the fish are always biting, Aransas Pass, Texas, is your dream home! Come on down for a visit, relax and enjoy the breeze off the bay. Get away from it all in Aransas Pass. We work closely with our citizens to provide services and facilities that provide an outstanding quality of life. In fact, we are dedicated to making Aransas Pass the most desirable place to live, work, play, and visit.
We envision and work toward creating and maintaining a safe and secure environment, an informed citizenry, as well as high quality educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities, all within a robust and vibrant economic environment. We pledge, through a strong sense of teamwork and customer service, to be respectful of individual dignity and rights, to remain fiscally responsible, to ethically and responsively interact with our citizens, to innovate when addressing community needs, and, in doing all
that, be an organization in which we are all proud to serve. The City is home to the Aquatic Center, the Civic Center, the Community Park, Conn Brown Harbor, Harbor Point ark at Conn Brown Harbor, the Flats, Veterans Memorial Park, Newbury Park and Lighthouse Lakes Park. The town is a fishing destination with the Harbor and Redfish Bay. There are several fishing guide services in the area, or you can launch a kayak and go out on the water on your own.
completely enclosed by a state park. All other fishing regulations, such as length and bag limits, remain in effect. Recreational anglers must have a Texas fishing license and saltwater endorsement to possess in state water any fish taken in federal waters or possess fish on a vessel in the tidal waters of Texas. All fishing licenses and stamps issued by the TPWD are valid from the date purchases until Aug. 31 of the following year, with the exception of lifetime licenses and ones purchased for a specific number of days,Recreational
venture? We are only 2 hours from San Antonio and 3 hours from Houston! Ingleside is located 18 miles northeast of Corpus Christi, in San Patricio County. Out of Texas' 254 counties, San Patricio ranks 43rd in terms of growth. Ingleside continues to be the fastest growing community in the county. Approximately 6 million tourist visit the Coastal Bend each year. Peak tourist month
are June and July with an average stay of two days, but thanks to the sunny climate, visitors pass through all year long. The City of Ingleside hosts several events such as Light Up the Park, Movie in the Park, Trunk-or-Treat, Backyard Nature and others. The City boasts a large skate park and splash pad at N.O. Simmons Park and Live Oak Park has a disc golf course.
proved Visa, Discover, or MasterCard. A $5 administrative fee will be charged for those sales. Call (800) TX LIC 4 U (1-800-8954248) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays (closed Saturdays, Sundays, and most holidays), or log on to www.tpwd.texas.gov/ licenses/online_sales. For complete information about licenses and regulations, go to https:// tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/cs_bk_l2000_820. pdf for a copy of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Outdoor Annual.
Aransas Glass Co., Inc. • Auto/Boat • Commercial • Residential • Screens
City of Ingleside
As a resident of Ingleside you are one of the fortunate few who can live where the crime is low, the friendliness is extraordinary and family is a priority. We are centrally located with many activities within a very short distance – live the quiet life yet enjoy the amenities of a larger city! Ingleside is only 15-20 minutes from Corpus Christi and just about anything you would want to do! Want a little more ad-
fishing licenses and endorsements are available at approximately 1,800 locations throughout the state in addition to the offices listed. These locations include sporting goods stores, gun shops, department stores, discount stores, bait and tackle shops, grocery stores, and many other types of stores. Some commercial hunting and fishing licenses are available ONLY at the Austin headquarters and offices listed below. For added convenience, select recreational licenses may be purchased by phone or through the Internet with ap-
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Thursday, April 30, 2020
Inside the Life of a Game Warden:
By Sabrina Hutton Editor
Throughout the year, Texas Game Wardens spend their time enforcing all the laws of the State of Texas, but their main focus on those that pertain to hunting, fishing and water safety. Texas Game Warden Lerrin Johnson, assigned to San Patricio County, talks about how she became a Game Warden and what her job entails. “In this part of the state, Texas Game Wardens spend a large portion of their time patrolling the coastal waters in
their boats,” Johnson said. “Also along the coast, Game Wardens work on enforcing the commercial fishing regulations on the numerous different types of commercial fishing that occurs along the Texas coast.” Texas Game Wardens enforce the laws of the state by actively patrolling during peak times of each season. “We also rely on the communities eyes and ears,” Johnson said. “Unfortunately there are only so many Game Wardens and we can’t be everywhere at once. We frequently
write warning or citations for violations and some violations require an arrest to be made.” Johnson said there are not many fishing regulations that change throughout the year. “Here in the Coastal Bend the biggest season that occurs only during the summer is the federal red snapper season,” she said. “It typically opens on June 1 and runs for a set amount of days that varies each year. This year’s season is set to open June 1 and run approximately 63 days for the recreational fishermen.”
But depending on how many fish are caught early on, Johnson said, the season could close early. “Keep an eye on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website for any changes in dates,” she said. Game Wardens also enforce hunting regulations. “We are currently in the spring turkey season,” Johnson said. “Alligator season is also now open for non-core counties, which, here in the Coastal Bend, includes San Patricio and Nueces counties.” According to Johnson, there are no
seasons for hunting exotic species that are not native or feral hogs. “You must have permission to be on the land you are hunting from though,” she said. “And to hunt exotics, the hunter requires a valid Texas Hunting License.” Johnson said there are a few issues she comes across most often as a Game Warden. “During the spring and summer months we most commonly come across fishermen keeping undersized fish, over the bag limit of fish, not enough
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life jackets for the number of persons on board a vessel, and fishermen not having a valid fishing license,” she said. “Any illegal hunting or fishing activity such as trespassing, keeping undersized fish, taking specific species out of season, and many more violations can be reported to our Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-792-GAME (4263) or your local Game Warden.” Johnson said she always suggest that anyone new to the area who will be boating get a map of the area and be familiar with landmarks,
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The Flats
Thursday, April 30, 2020
An Interview with Lerrin Johnson
navigable channels, water safety requirements, and daily changes in the weather conditions. “One thing that boaters need to be aware of is the sea grass regulations that exist in Redfish Bay,” she said. “It is illegal to uproot the sea grass. Boaters need to be mindful of the areas they are running in to not cause damage to the sea grass beds that are nursery habitats to some of the most sought after fish such as Redfish and Speckled trout.” Johnson most enjoys the daily interactions with the public. “No two days are
the same, and no two people I talk to have the same life experiences,” she said. “I also enjoy living in and being a part of the community that I grew up in. Being a part of the community is a large part of who Texas Game Wardens are as a whole.” One of the most rewarding situations Johnson said she’s been involved in was a rescue she and her now retired partner conducted out in Redfish Bay. “We were called out around 12 a.m. to locate a woman who was lost out in the bay,” she said.
YOUR Coastal Bend
“She and her husband had been wade fishing when then a large swell came by and broke the anchor to their boat loose and the boat drifted off. The husband walked through shallow areas in the bay to land where he called in for help. The wife was recovering from a knee surgery so was unable to walk the long distance through the water and mud, Johnson said. "Thankfully after about an hour of searching in the dark on a very windy night with our airboat, we located the wife and the couple was re-
HOME OF THE
united,” she said. “Being a part of their reunion and seeing the genuine joy knowing the other was alive was very rewarding for both my partner and myself.” As with most jobs, Johnson said there are also downfalls to her job. “Most Texas Game Wardens will tell you the thing they like least about our job is working weekends and holidays,” she said. “Most of the people we contact are out recreating and engaging in activity we enforce on weekends and holidays, therefore we have to work those days.
Most of us adapt our lives around working those days and celebrate holidays and weekends events at different times.” Johnson said there are some requirements to become a Texas Game Warden. “To be a peace officer in Texas you must 21 years of age and not have any Class B Misdemeanor convictions or higher,” she said. “To be a Texas Game Warden we also require a Bachelors degree from an accredited University.” Johnson attended college at Texas A&M University - Corpus
Christi where she received a Bachelors degree in Biology. “While in my senior year I attended a career fair and met the Texas Game Warden recruiter,” she said. “I was very intrigued by the information I gathered from him, so I set out to gather more information. I did several ride-alongs with Game Wardens and really fell in love with the job.” If you have any interest in learning more about becoming a Texas Game Warden, visit https:// tpwd.texas.gov/warden/recruiting-careers/career.
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We accept Medicare, Medicaid & most private insurance.
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Thursday, April 30, 2020
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Thursday, April 30, 2020
COMMERCIAL MOTOR COMPANY 160 S.COMMERCIAL • ARANSAS PASS, TX 78336 361-758-5361
“PROUDLY SERVING YOU & YOUR FAMILY IN DOWNTOWN ARANSAS PASS SINCE 1939”
SELECT MOTOR CARS 2677 W. WHEELER AVE ARANSAS PASS, TX 78336 361-226-1019
Monday - Friday 8 a.m - 7 p.m Saturday 9 a.m - 4 p.m
NORTHBAY LINCOLN OF ARANSAS PASS 160 S. COMMERCIAL ARANSAS PASS TX, 78336 361-758-5361
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Thursday, April 30, 2020
Full-Line Marine Dealership SALES • PARTS • SERVICE BOATS • MOTORS • TRAILERS
MERCURY 1213 W. Wheeler • Aransas Pass • 361-758-8486
ChrisMarineBoats.com