So we recently got a bay boat. 22' CC that can sit in ~18" and needs ~3' to take off. We are keeping the boat at the Houston Yacht Club in the La Porte/Morgan's Point area, far West side of the Trinity Bay Area. Now I have tons of experience with boats, both on fresh and salt, and have done tons of fishing in my life both fresh and salt. BUT, I've only ever fished Trinity one time, and it was several years ago with my uncle who has a place closer to Anahuac on the opposite side of the bay system, so I don't have much of a grasp on the fishery.

I love to fish, and my kids are starting to get into it with me, particularly my middle daughter who is 11. She would live in the saltwater if you'd let her, and I'm all on board with it.

Today we went out for our maiden fishing trip from HYC. We had fun, but me not knowing the area very well, it was a bit hit or miss to say the least. We got into a spot with a bunch of hard heads so I kept her occupied with tight lines and that suited her just fine, but obviously I want to get her on some real fish.

I have typically fished artificial wading in my time, but understand to get young kids hooked on it live shrimp under popping corks until we get the skill set up on casting and everything is probably the better path for now.

Any of y'all know the area well and willing to share some knowledge on some spots we can get to from HYC and put some kids on some fish? I love to fish, but I'm still just a weekend warrior. I'm not going to be stealing your spots 5 days a week. Be lucky if we get out there twice a month honestly, especially with school about to start back up. And I wouldn't pot lick any of you if you were already there. Just looking to have some fun, get them on some real fish, and usher in the next generation of outdoorsfolk.

And any bait shops that don't run out of bait in 15 minutes. Stopped into the bait shop by Sylvan beach for live shrimp at 6:30 and she was already sold out of all live bait. Had to just give it a go with frozen shrimp today.

But in all they had fun. Fished a few hours then played on a beach and collected shells. Just want them to enjoy it and let the serious stuff bloom naturally as they age and get better with each trip.

Thanks in advance gents!

Get Reef Recon from Trout Support. It is cheap and a no brainer. It will have all the reefs and fishing areas and danger areas marked. Tell them I sent you.

SGrem said:

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Get Reef Recon from Trout Support. It is cheap and a no brainer. It will have all the reefs and fishing areas and danger areas marked. Tell them I sent you.

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Is that an app?

It is a file you load into your GPS. Shows every reef around Galveston, Trinity, West Bay, East Bay, Chocolate Bay, Christmas Bay etc.... lifetime of fishing and you wouldnt get to half of it.

It overlays over your GPS map just like putting in 65,000 waypoint markers outlining the reefs and areas to fish.. Changes nothing else. Just overlays over whatever image you like on your GPS. Load it once then use your regular mapping. Its an excellent product.

second what Grem is saying

Reef Recon has been a big help for us as a weekend warrior family.

as for trinity....I fished it a decent bit with a buddy who lived in baytown. he has since moved so don't get there much. Seems like the few times I've gone since Harvey it has not been productive. And I see a LOT less boats. I could be wrong but it seems like for the last 8-10 years it's getting hammered with big fresh water flows.

Granted, I could TRY it more but with limited time already if we had that way we are committed. Whereas you could likely go there and if not good run down towards the jetties and still salvage your day. I would still like to believe it can be good. The fall fishing up in jacks pocket has been awesome before!! I would think if you committ to fishing it regularly for a couple years you could really get on some fish....especially with the info from Tobin (reef recon)

This. It mostly depends on the water coming from the Trinity. Too much too fresh.

It's definitely very fresh right now. My grandparents had a house on Morgan's Point when we were kids we would visit, and I remember the water being crazy salty all the time. Today I got a taste of water from essentially the same area and it wasn't salty at all.

But we have the boat at HYC, so that's the general area I'll be fishing, good or bad. I took the compromise. Rather than keep the boat trailered close to home with maximum flexibility, I was convinced HYC was the best option by my family so they could meet us there when we go fishing and spend the day at the club in the pool and eat and cocktails and everything, maybe tube or ski in the afternoons. Whatever, just happy to have the kids out on the water.

And I realize it isn't Trinity proper, why I tried to word it as Trinity area. I can easily get into Trinity if needed, or East Bay, and will go no problem, just looking for input for the area as a whole from those with experience.

Right off the HYC dock used to be a great spot for black drum. Maybe have the kids throw some dead shrimp while you are getting the boat ready or unloading. I also saw the biggest gar in my life there while kayaking in HYC. Damn thing was as long as the kayak it seemed.
We used to do the baytown loop back in the day. Motor across to Thompsons on the Baytown peninsula and go in the boat cut to Cedar Bayou. Go south and fish the 3 lakes on your way out past the dump. The last lake is no longer called what it once was. No clue as to the origin of the original name. Not sure I would eat a mess of fish out of there, but the few I have eaten haven't affected me much and a third arm comes in handy sometimes.

We've only had it down there a few weeks, so only moved around the harbor a couple times, but every time I have seen quite large gar rolling and swimming along coming and going. Wonder if they are like the dock tarpon in the Keys that just will not take anything thrown by a fisherman, or if the kids could actually get a hook in one.