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Brian Doty Outdoors
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LAGUNA MADRE
The Laguna Madre is the vast sea grass flats that exists on the southern coast of Texas. It lies between Padre Island and the mainland of Texas.
Padre Island is a long thin barrier island of sand dunes and sea oats that stretches from Corpus Christi on the North to the Border of Mexico. Its only development is the Visitor's Center and related structures pertaining to the Padre Island National Seashore. As can be seen on this map, there is no development on the mainland because it consist mostly of the famed KING RANCH. This makes solitude the most prominent feature of a fishing trip on the Lagoon.
First time boaters are often overcome with the vast dimensions
The Island provides only one pass to the Gulf of Mexico within its entire length from Corpus Christi to Brownsville. The channel at Port Mansfield is approximately 85 miles south of Corpus Christi.
The Lagoon is described as a "sea grass meadow" by biologist. It is 3 to 5 feet deep throughout, though vast areas along the shores of the Island are only 1 or 2 feet deep. So, when boating, be sure to inform all passengers in your boat who are unfamiliar with the Laguna Madre, that in the event of an inadvertant tumble overboard, in order to avoid drowning, usually, one needs to only stand up!
The Laguna Madre is a vast nursery for marine life and provides some of the best fishing available in North America. It is divided into two main portions; the Upper Laguna Madre which extends roughly from Corpus Christi Bay south to an area called the "Land Cut". The Land Cut is simply the part of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway that is cut through an area of mostly dry land. It is 26 miles long and when followed to the south it opens into the Lower Laguna Madre. The Lower portion extends south all the way to the border of Mexico.
Most fishermen choose to drift across the lagoon casting lures or live shrimp (obtained at Bluff's Landing). Drift tracks are designed to cover areas that are known to hold fish. Another approach is to anchor on the edge of the Intercoastal Waterway the runs north and south through the entire length of the Lagoon. The grassline and structure created by the drop-off into the 15 ft. deep canal is a natural thoroughfare for marine life and great catches are often discovered there.
An interesting little island exists in the Laguna 18 miles south of Corpus Christi. It is a source of pride to local naturalists and bird watchers. It is the only marine rookery for white pelicans in North America. 
In the spring when most of their kind migrate north as far as Canada, a portion of the white pelican population remains in the Laguna Madre to nest. They cover the little island with huge white eggs which they simply lay on the ground. In a short time the chicks hatch out and stagger around in a huge mob demanding to be fed. Passing fishermen in the spring can see this activity from a distance. It is only one of the spectacles awaiting the observant outdoorsman in the Laguna Madre.
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