Protected Waters for Boating Near Houston?

[gonecoastal]

I recently got a relatively small aluminum boat (16' w/ a 50HP) and have been looking for places to get out in/fish that are protected from these seasonal SE winds. Texas surely doesn't have the availability of protected waters that south LA has!

Anyone have suggestions within a 2 hour proximity of Houston? Not picky between lake, river or salt.

[CabezaBlanca]

Colorado River. You can put in at the Altair boat ramp. It's about 45 minutes from Katy.

[Flex]

Man, I would haul over to Sabine or big lake. Not much more than 2 hours and some of the best fishing you will ever find.

Also, I don't think Dam B and the trinity are too far either.

[manwitaplan]

I recently got a relatively small aluminum boat (16' w/ a 50HP) and have been looking for places to get out in/fish that are protected from these seasonal SE winds. Texas surely doesn't have the availability of protected waters that south LA has!

Anyone have suggestions within a 2 hour proximity of Houston? Not picky between lake, river or salt.

Go put in on the south shoreline of West bay!

I have 16' aluminum with a 40 and run all over the bays. I know my limits and if i need to drive further by car I will. I also have to pick my days.

You can also go put in at lake houston, lucy's bayou, Lake raven in huntsville with trolling motor only but a great lake to catch fish. Wallisville boat ramp in the river , etc etc.....

[gonecoastal]

Colorado River. You can put in at the Altair boat ramp. It's about 45 minutes from Katy.

Man, I never thought about the Colorado. Is that river pretty easy to navigate?

Man, I would haul over to Sabine or big lake. Not much more than 2 hours and some of the best fishing you will ever find.

Also, I don't think Dam B and the trinity are too far either.

Sabine is a little more open than what I was thinking, but you're right about the fishing!

[Mr. Whiskers]

Launch at Scotts Ridge on Lake Conroe.

[hopedale]

Anything inshore with the 16' should be fine. But do pay attention to condition for any body of water.

A good wind can create some serious chop in shallow bays or even blow the water out leaving you stranded.


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[Tx_Wader]

In the Houston area, Clear Lake would work for you.

[systemnt]

Theres a fairly large tank off Hwy 59 down by 242... its off in the field a bit... old man that owns it is usually outside , and hes pretty ornery ..so I guess that its protected....
your best bet is between 2am and 6 am...

[Stolle]

Man, I never thought about the Colorado. Is that river pretty easy to navigate?



Sabine is a little more open than what I was thinking, but you're right about the fishing!

Colorado gets really shallow in the spring in summer. Just depends on how much rain falls upstream. Lot of rock bars and sand rock rapids that can tear up your prop and lower unit.

[AgHntr10]

Man the options are limitless.
Somerville, Sheldon, Conroe, Livingston, Houston, Gibbons, Fayette County just to name a few. All of the above are either small enough the wind won't be an issue or have multiple access points so you can always pick a protected ramp with fishing close by.

[GrapeApe]

West Galveston Bay, from the Bayport Terminal to Baycliff. Lots of oyster reefs to hold trout, tons of gullys and cuts, very protected and really easy access. The Seabrook area has wicked flats and some deep channels and you can pull reds, trout, flounder, sharks and a crap-ton of hardheads. Down towards TC, the north side of the Dike along the shoreline has some fantastic trout fishing. All the small back bayou and marsh areas are equally as good.

Hook up some live shrimp under a popping cork or free-line some finger mullet or toss some topwaters at dusk/dawn.

Easy fishing, lots of fun and opportunity.

[gonecoastal]

Colorado gets really shallow in the spring in summer. Just depends on how much rain falls upstream. Lot of rock bars and sand rock rapids that can tear up your prop and lower unit.

Good feedback. May go see how far I can run there this weekend.

Man the options are limitless.
Somerville, Sheldon, Conroe, Livingston, Houston, Gibbons, Fayette County just to name a few. All of the above are either small enough the wind won't be an issue or have multiple access points so you can always pick a protected ramp with fishing close by.

Not too familiar with anything but Somerville, but you're right about the access points on that lake. From what I've heard, Conroe might be a bit too busy/choppy for my little boat. Point well taken though!

West Galveston Bay, from the Bayport Terminal to Baycliff. Lots of oyster reefs to hold trout, tons of gullys and cuts, very protected and really easy access. The Seabrook area has wicked flats and some deep channels and you can pull reds, trout, flounder, sharks and a crap-ton of hardheads. Down towards TC, the north side of the Dike along the shoreline has some fantastic trout fishing. All the small back bayou and marsh areas are equally as good.

Hook up some live shrimp under a popping cork or free-line some finger mullet or toss some topwaters at dusk/dawn.

Easy fishing, lots of fun and opportunity.

Thanks for that information. The Bayport to Baycliff area looks pretty well open to an east wind, but the Moses Lake area looks interesting.

[GrapeApe]

Moses Lake is a fantastic spot!

[CaptainDave]

If you want some protected salt, you could head down highway 6 and launch at Louis' on Highland Bayou (close to I-45). Lots of protected marsh areas to fish and you could also head out into Jones Lake if the conditions were good.