need advice on Rockport long weekend - fishing, beaches, kids (Austin: rentals, houses)

[clarksvillemom]

Hi, I'm from Austin and a group of us are staying at a house in City by the Sea (I'm told about 8 miles from Rockport city center). It was unbelievable how everything up and down the coast was already booked for July and part of August, so I feel lucky to have gotten a house big enough for our group, even if not right on the beach, etc. The house is on a canal and the owner told me you could fish right there (will we really catch anything so close to houses?) and sometimes see dolphins. Anyway, I need some tips on the following:

--where to fish and do we need licenses? there are adults and children all under 10 in my group. Is there a pier or a boardwalk? would that be a good place?

--where to rent poles and buy bait (and if we need licenses, where to buy)?

--for a beach, should we drive to Rockport beach or take ferry to Port A? Are there any specific beaches we should focus on?

--where is the closest good grocery and liquor store?

-- what else should we consider doing/seeing? We're only there for a weekend, but the kids have energy from sunup to sundown!

THANKS from Austin!

[jbtx]

You can buy fishing lic at your local wal mart.

All else, just look for the signs, Rockport is a small town and everything is close at hand.

[no cigar]

--for a beach, should we drive to Rockport beach or take ferry to Port A? Are there any specific beaches we should focus on?
Rockport beach isn't too bad. I always preferred Port A however. Seeing as how it's not that bad of a drive I would vote you try it out. Just, whatever you do, stay away from the Corpus beaches (JP Luby).


--where is the closest good grocery and liquor store?

There is a Jesse's Liquor on 35 and there is an HEB and Walmart there as well for a grocery store.

-- what else should we consider doing/seeing? We're only there for a weekend, but the kids have energy from sunup to sundown!
Besides fishing/beach going and meals, you'd be surprised how fast time flies. I would suggest maybe a boat cruise? If you aren't opposed to the drive, Corpus would be a fun way to kill a half-day or so. The Lexington is always fun if you are in from out of town.


Also, do look into dining at Charlotte Plummers in Fulton Harbor. In all 7 years I lived down there, this was consistently my favorite place to go. I would regularly drive out just to eat here and it's definitely worth it!

[LilyLady]

Your post doesn't indicate when you'll be visiting, but you can also purchase some fishing licenses online. Here's the LINK to Texas Parks & Wildlife that'll give you the regulations and where to purchase licenses online and at retailers.

City by the Sea is on the Intracoastal Waterway so you should be able to fish right there. Some of the homes offered for rentals have their own docks and cleaning stands. Your rental agent should be able to tell you if your rental unit has those amenities.

I agree with the others. Rockport is not far and you will probably be able to find whatever you need right there in town.

Agree on the recommendation for Charlotte Plummers. It's a good restaurant. Here's a LINK to their website. You can also take a look at the menu.

Hope you and your group have a great time. I used to love visiting the Texas coast.

[clarksvillemom]

thanks all!

[achtungpv]

Just got back from there. Jellyfish were bad at Rockport. Port A was great. We also realized that for a 5 year old girl, the Rockport beach was way too boring. We thought it'd be perfect but she wanted the waves so we went to Port A the next 3 days and she boogie boarded until exhaustion each day. In hindsight, I'd say Rockport is great for 3 year olds and under.