Kayaks change fishing, birding in shallow water

F ishermen or birders looking for some serenity along the Texas Coast are

A kayak class paddles gently through shallow waters west of Port Aransas as part of a youth learning experiences. Kayaks can be rented at several outlets in the area. turning more and

more toward a series of paddling trails that snake across the shallow waters and flats west of Port Aransas.

The trails include two along the Corpus Christi Bay side of Mustang Island, extending from Port Aransas nearly to Mustang Island State Park, and four on the South Bay side of Lydia Ann Channel, north of Port Aransas.

Satellite photo maps to any of the trails, including GPS coordinates, are available at several Port Aransas retailers, including the South Jetty, at 141 W. Cotter St.

The Lighthouse Lakes Trails are a series of three intertwining trails that point the way for navigating the black mangrove estuary behind the Lydia Ann Lighthouse. The trails are just north of the State Hwy. 361 causeway between Aransas Pass and Port Aransas. Here you will find great paddling, fishing and birdwatching.

A pair of fly fishing anglers enjoy fishing from a kayak in the shallow waters adjacent to Port Aransas. Anglers have found that using kayaks to get into very shallow water slows their fishing and gets them closer to nature. The Mustang Island Paddle Trail snakes along the bay side of Mustang Island between Mustang Island State Park, past Shamrock Island and terminates near the edge of the Port Aransas city limits. This trail traverses some of the best wildlife habitat on the mid-coast and provides a roadmap for great saltwater fishing.

Either trail offers excellent shallow water fishing and spectacular birding.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department estimates that 80 percent of the kayakers in the Port Aransas area are anglers, except for spikes during bird migrations. Then, birders also flock to the shallow water wetlands to catch a glimpse of the strange or unusual.

The paddling trails have opened up waters anglers just can't get to in a $30,000 boat.