b'Coastal Bend FishingFISHING IN THE COASTAL BEND SPRING 2020Albert Zertuche is known throughout the saltwater fishing world as the one-time world record holder for the biggest shark caught from a pier, a 12 1/2 ft. Tiger Shark at Bob Hall Pier, on August 19, 2011. TCBM is pleased to welcome him as our fishing expert.shore and wade fishing, which does not require a boat and canAboveAlbert Zertuche and an amateur be reached but just pulling off the highway. Coming from Flourangler showing off two beautiful redfish Bluff and heading to Padre Island, take the low road exit wherecaught at the end of the Packery Channel Cos-Way and Red Dot piers are locatedthese places offer directsouth jetty on North Padre Island. Middleaccess to Humble Channel, a prime route from seagrass beds inThe new and best way to watch shark fish-the flats along Laguna Shores Rd., to Packery. Wade fishing in theing in actionGO FISH now on YouTube: flats along the low road is accessed by just pulling over and claim- Team Hard Life. BelowReel cleaning techniques being demonstrated on the ing your spotand the sunsets are fantastic! Team Hard Life YouTube channel, which has The tall bridge to the island crosses over the Intracoastal Water- become the most popular online source for way, the primary barge shipping and general navigation routefishing instruction, professional tips and running south to north in Laguna Madre, and onward for hun- equipment advice for saltwater anglers on dreds of miles around the Gulf Coast mainlythe Texas Gulf Coast.along the inland sides of the barrier islands. If Humble is like Saratoga Blvd., the Intra-coastal is the SPID for migrating fish, but access underneath the JFK Bridge is limited and a little tricky, but can produce great catches in the spring.The completion of Packery Channel in The fishermen will follow the fish, at least if they2006 was one of the best developments for want to catch fish. High winds in spring can be yourgame fishing in the Upper Laguna Madre. biggest challenge to hauling in big specks and blackIn addition to providing much needed fresh drum in the bays, but those who follow migratinggulf waters into Laguna Madre and Corpus gamefish through the same channels we use toChristi Bay, the channel offers excellent, free navigate Laguna Madre and find a path into theaccess to prime onshore fishing from both Gulf, are also those who have the best luck in spring. flats and rock and concrete jetties. The Packery Channel north jetty can be accessed from Zahn Follow the channels in the Upper Laguna Madre forRd., right over the Packery Channel Bridge on reds, specks and drum, that will take breaks along theirHwy. 361. The south jetty can be reached easily by journey to feed in shallow flats. The first route into theturning east (toward the ocean) on Whitecap Blvd. gulf north of Port Mansfield is Packery Channel, whichoff SPID (Park Rd. 22), then follow Windward Dr. to separates North Padre and Mustang Islands. Beach Access Rd. 3-A. The best part about fishing in the Coastal Bend thisFor all the expertise on fishing in the Coastal Bend, time of year is the ample, public access to first-classvisit Alberts YouTube Channel: Team Hard Life.TheCoastalBend.com THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINEQ2.2020 121'