Tired of reading the useless back and forth on COVID vaccines; for those who spend time on SPI what are your recommendations for things to do/places to eat and fishing guides? I've only been down once and we ate at Pier 19, took a group offshore trip and sat on the beach. Thinking about doing an inshore trip for specs and reds this trip. What say ye?

Go to Parrot Eyes, it’s on the north end of the island on the bayside. They have some bay charter captains there, and when done fishing you can get the restaurant to cook your catch.

looking it up now; thanks. Last time we had our catch cooked at Pier 19 and it was awesome but I don't want to make that miserable offshore trip again on a boat moving 2 knots with a 2 stroke detroit running 7 thousand rpms. Not enough beer in the world for that nonsense

There are a couple places in Port Isabel also. White Sands Marina has bay charters and restaurant, across the street from there is R&R Bait stand. They have bay charters. These places are older style places, not as new as Parrot Eyes, just throwing out a couple more places I’m familiar with.

Rudy Garza, Hector Torrez, Skipper Mock out of Parrot Eyes. Book ASAP they book FAST

We always had our catch cooked at The Sea Ranch, Blackbreads or Pirates landing.

where are you staying? I havent been in years and would like to go back. Used to go EVERY summer

The Pearl; my dad has a condo there and we found some cheap flights so gonna make a quick trip before hunting season is in full swing

Seems like we both have the same idea. I was just looking at guides and rentals this morning for port Isabel. Thinking of going down in January.

That’s a good time to go. Motels rates are down, but snow bird population is up.

Everything says go. Glad no one suggested the skinny water. Those guys do more running that they do fishin.

Check out the big boats that stay in the bay. Wife and I went 2 weeks ago and went out for an evening with Break away cruises. Fished from 7-10 and had a good time. Caught mostly sand trout and gaffhead as well as a nice 2 1/2 foot bonnet head shark that fought like a bull red. 30 bucks a head and a pretty good time, they take you in the bay to some deep holes by the bridge. However, dont pay until you show up to check in. We planned on going back one more evening and payed in advance. At 5pm we were called to say the trip had been canceled and are still fighti g to get our refund. Lots of other options for bay boats and diffrent time trips for reasonable rates down there

I'm good friends with Capt. Blaze Sparks (yes, that's really his name) and fish with him every time we go down. Great inshore fisherman.

Cook Your Catch at the Painted Marlin and a Turbo Pina Colada at Wanna Wanna are always stops for us.

Buzz do you always fish out of Parrot Eyes with those specific captains?

Got nothing on guides, but Manuel’s for Breakfast burritos in Port Isabel and Dirty Al’s for Seafood.

this your bud?

https://captainblazecharters.com/

Looks like Big Al's is close to where we are staying so we'll definitely go there. Manuel's is listed as permanently closed on the old interwebz

Dang, I had to look it up then closing. That’s too bad. I have been going there for the last 20 years.