For an even more unique experience consider creating a short-term DIY “fish camp” at one of these coastal campgrounds.

Story and photography by Danno Wise

Summer is the perfect time for exploring some different waters and the Texas Coast is loaded with options. Virtually every town along the coast has hotel, motel, Air B&B and/or condo options for overnight stays. However, the ability to camp – tent, truck or RV – with easy access to productive fishing areas makes for memorable road trip to some Texas’ best summer saltwater getaways. So, for those looking for an even more unique experience than the typical overnight trip to their favorite should consider creating their own short-term DIY “fish camp” at one of these coastal campgrounds.

Galveston Island State Park – This Upper Coast locale has a little bit of everything. It features rental cabins and shelters, along with tent and RV campsites. Each of these accommodation options offer easy bay and beach fishing access, making it a perfect spot for walk-in waders, surf fishermen, kayakers and those towing small skiffs. The waters surrounding the state park also offer outstanding crabbing, which is a great way to spend the evenings after a day of casting – especially if traveling with the family or young anglers.

The fabled waters of West Galveston Bay can be accessed from the park in various ways. Walk-and-wade anglers have several options. Lake Como is a good spot to start with easy access and plenty of water to explore. Various bayous cutting from the marshy backwaters into the bay offer plenty of shoreline from waders as well as kayakers.

To that end, Galveston Island State Park features three kayak/canoe launch areas. Kayak launch one is on the edge of Lake Como, which exits into Dana Cove. Launch 3 is on Jenkins Bayou, which spills into Carancahua Cove. Launch 2 is on Oak Bayou, which empties into West Galveston Bay between the two coves.

Beachfront access is also available within the park. Indeed, Upper Coast surf fishing can be phenomenal during summer and fall. To find productive waters along the beach, anglers should look for shell pads, guts and breaks in sand bars.

San Jose Island – Commonly called St. Jo Island, this iconic stretch of Texas sand is located just across the channel from Port Aransas. While camping is allowed, there is but one way to get there – by boat. However, those taking the jetty boat across from Fishermen’s Wharf in Port A can have a very unique overnight experience camping and fishing on St. Jo.

Fishing along the beachfront and jetty can be outstanding throughout the summer. Bull reds, speckled trout, sharks, whiting and pompano are all common catches.

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