Born and raised in Houston, TX and having been fishing for as long as I could hold a rod, it was shocking to my fellow anglers that I had never in my 35 years ever fished the Texas Coast. Well that trend ended this week, when upon winning an iFly Angler’s edge raffle underwritten by Carocol in Port O’Connor, I was awarded a free night stay and a full day of fishing with any guide of my choice. After hearing Tom Horbey present earlier this summer at an iFly event, I knew he was my guy. My goal: to see what the Texas Coast had to offer in terms of variety. Having traveled several times half way around the world to the Indian Ocean and other remote destinations, I was excited to see what I would find, my biggest question…would I find anything of any size?
So this past Monday off I drove. The drive was so quick and so easy, I had to ask myself why hadn’t I done this before??? The two days on the water with Tom enlightened and delighted me beyond my wildest hopes. Not only was the water clearer than I had anticipated, but the variety of fish which presented itself during my adventure there was thrilling. Tom was a great host and guide with his enthusiasm for the sport of fly fishing and for his habitat. I came back from the trip more knowledgeable and more excited than ever about this sleepy little fishing town of Port O’Connor and its productive flats, levies and channels. It was every Houstonian sight-caster’s dream. And only 2.5 hrs away. Did I mention my awesome accommodations??? I stayed at the Poco Loco, recommended by Tom, and was greeted by the owner himself, Mike (who was playing cards in the “living room” with other residents) with an ice cold Coronita. My room was fully stocked with FREE bags ice, sodas, snacks, candy, juices, Starbucks coffee and Tabasco. The A/C was great and cranked down nice and low to keep my sun-burnt body more comfortable and I slept like a baby.
The only blip on the scene was the lack of tarpon. Tom assured me that they do exist, but that they just do not love a strong southwestern, which I encountered both days. Alas the fight with my 21lbs Jack and 28.5 Bull Red more than made up for the no show of the tarpon and was well worth the sore arm and stomach the next day. There’s nothing like sight casting your 12wt to a 20lbs plus fish!! The Bull Reds made a great showing and were all over the place feeding on huge crabs riding the tides out to sea. We must of seen 50 over the course of 2 hours crashing the surfaces left and right. Needless to say, I can’t wait to head back down again to try for the Kings and Tarpon…and maybe a few flats’ redfish on the side. Thanks iFly for hosting not only the Caracol’s raffle, but the event in which first peeked my interest in the Texas Coast and introduced me to Capt. Tom Horbey this past May. What a blast! Here’s to keeping lines tight and work light!
Meredith McCord
Owner/Janitor
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