​It’s been some years since my childhood friend, Ryan Huffman and I fished together.  As kids, whenever we had a chance to get out on Galveston Bay to catch some keepers, we were there!  So, when he came into town this week, and reports started flooding in of trout bites and catches, I knew we had to get back on Galveston Bay to catch some keepers.


Ryan, his son, Blake, Captain Juan, and I left the dock before 6am on Tuesday, and we headed to the wells, and let’s just say it was a busy morning on the boat!  We caught a variety of fish and about 50 speckled trout at eight different wells!  Most of them, though, were under 15 inches and had to be thrown back.  We ended up with 12 keepers. The moral of the story, though?  The trout are here, and it’s a great time to get out there and catch some!

Here are a few tips for you:

1. My biggest tip:  Know the tides.  Trout usually bite when the current starts moving and is moving, and you need to be out on the water and ready when the tide changes.  Do not miss the tide.
2. Trout *typically* never bite on a dead slack tide.  However, you will get some bottom fish feeding on that dead slack tide, like gaff top, drum, sheepshead, hardheads.
3. You can be at a good spot where there are trout, but if you are there on a dead slack tide, you don’t know if the trout will bite.  You have to wait for the tide to move, so be patient and again, know the tides!
4. If you are at a well and start catching trout that are throwbacks because of their size, move to another well.
5. With Live Shrimp, I suggest fishing under a popping cork such as an Attract A Fish rig made by Windy Marshall that we sell at Eagle Point and with Live Croakers fish on the bottom lightly weighted just enough to get to and feel the bottom.

Take advantage of the good fishing this week.  You can catch our sought after Speckled Trout, but you can also fill your boat with drum, sheepshead, and redfish, which have all been caught in a decent abundance this summer.   That’s what we did when we fished with my friend, Ryan, and he and his son went home with enough fish for a huge fish fry for his entire family.

We all plan that perfect day to head out on Galveston Bay, and there are few things more disappointing than our trip being delayed, canceled, or even worse,  being stranded because of a dead battery.


We have talked to thousands of boaters over the years, and we discovered most have battery issues.  Eric did lots of research.   There are a lot of battery options, but unfortunately the measures in place for quality are not the same for each company that sells a battery. After his own positive experience with Interstate Battery as a boat salesman, a boat owner, and through his conversations with Interstate Battery and learning more about their high standards, he decided to move forward and be an Interstate Battery Dealer at Eagle Point Fishing Camp so our customers could receive what we believe is the highest quality battery.


So, what does that mean for you?

• In stock, we have marine and RV batteries
• We can get marine, RV, golf cart, automotive batteries within three hours if available
• Can order ahead of time for you
• Will soon be able to test your battery

We love giving you the best service, and we know having Interstate Batteries available at Eagle Point Fishing Camp will help improve your fishing trip on Galveston Bay.  

Captain Rafael is like family to us at Eagle Point Fishing Camp.  He started fishing out of Eagle Point as a child, and even when he moved away for college and his career, he has made Eagle Point a second home during the summer months.  Captain Rafael keeps his boat and RV at Eagle Point, and in the summer, for years, he's brought his daughters down for long weekends and even weeks.  The girls started fishing with him from about the preschool age, and through lots of practice, they've learned the groove of fishing as a family, and they absolutely love their time together on Galveston Bay with their dad. 

We asked Captain Rafael for his advice on introducing fishing to your children and how to create lasting memories with your family.  Here are his top tips:  


1. Food & Drinks: Bring plenty of things they enjoy snacking and drinking. Things they would normally not get at home. I also try and treat them to lunch/dinner of their choosing afterwards. 

​2.  Shade & Protection:  If they are miserable, they won’t want to come back. Make sure you provide shade for them during the summer and plenty of sunscreen. Sunburns are not fun. 

3.  High Percentage Opportunities: You might fish all day and find it fun, kids won’t. Mix in some Black Drum fishing or something else to help pass the time in between chasing the Trout and Reds.  

4.  Educate Them: Take time to educate the kids on their surroundings. I always have the kids on the lookout for dolphins and stop to watch them work when spotted. We talk about the cloud patterns, the winds, the water clarity, etc. Teach them what to look for and talk to them like a peer, they will learn more than you think. 

5.  Keep It Fun: There are times I can see on their face, they’ve lost interest. Change it up. Let them drive the boat or take them into Galveston for a quick trip to the candy store. They won’t forget it. Remember, if you want your kids to keep fishing with you, you need to be a part-time fishing guide, teacher, babysitter, and father. Promise you…you’ll learn and hear things that will surprise you. 

6.  Stay Patient:  They are going to screw up, get tangled, break rods, etc. Don’t get angry, take a deep breath, and remember, you did the same thing when you were first learning. 

Fishing is more than just teaching them how to fish.  It's about building a bond with your kids.  Rafael adds, "The good lord blessed me with two beautiful girls. They were raised on a boat and go with me everywhere. They know how to hunt, fish, camp, etc. During these times they not only learn about their environment, but I get a chance to learn about them, their friends, how school is going, their troubles, and their successes -- Things they might not tell their mother. These experiences and the closeness you get will keep your kids close to you and not the street. While it makes my wife jealous at times, my relationship with my girls is something I cherish."

Captain Rafael is part of Galveston Bay Fishing Guides and is available for fishing charters for you and your family.  Below is a video of his day on the water with one of his daughters and dog.  

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Memorial Day Weekend is finally here!  It’s the unofficial (official) start to summer for Eagle Point Fishing Camp and Waterman’s Harbor, along with everyone who owns a boat and wants to be on Galveston Bay.  That being said, we expect lots of traffic on the bay this weekend, and we asked Captain Juan and Captain David to share a few tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.

1. Remember part of Galveston Bay is the Ship Channel.  Large vessels will be coming in, and you shouldn’t let these slow-moving container ships deceive you.  They put out huge wakes and don’t move for small boats.  First, keep a substantial distance, and even if you feel like you’re far away from these large vessels, they can still create large wakes, so be alert. Try to avoid these wakes, but if you do encounter one, point your bow into the wake.
2. Wear Your Kill Switch:  It’s the Law!  A kill switch is a vital safety feature that protects you and your passengers.  If, god forbid, you were to fall overboard, the kill switch will automatically stop the engine, preventing the boat from operating and potentially getting out of control.  This can help prevent accidents, injuries, and even fatalities if the boat runs without an operator.  Make sure to wear yours at all times.
3. Keep Distance from Other Boaters:  It’s Etiquette! Keep a distance from other boaters and avoiding creating wakes that could affect their stability.
4. Alcohol and Boating don’t mix!  Many of us like to have a little fun, especially on a holiday weekend, but limiting alcohol intake, especially in the heat and on the bay is always recommended.

Come See Us at Eagle Point for your bait and tackle needs and fishing advice.  We hope to see you this weekend.

Memorial Day Weekend is just a week away, and at Eagle Point Fishing Camp, we’re ready to help you prepare your boat for a fun summer season on Galveston Bay.  After all, we’re all about fishing made simple, and a part of that is not running into problems!  We can’t say enough how important boat maintenance and preparation are to not only have a safe experience on the water but also an enjoyable one.


Here are our four tips to getting your boat ready for Galveston Bay this summer.
1.  Thoroughly Inspect Your Boat:

• Check for any signs of damage, cracks, or leaks, especially in your thru-hull fittings if they are plastic. Also, inspect the propeller. Make sure to check all of your lights and electronics, as well as your safety equipment.

2.  Service Your Engine:

• If it’s been awhile since you’ve had your boat out, just because you or someone else has performed maintenance, that doesn’t mean the engine will work properly under a load, full of people, gear, and miscellaneous items, such as ice, bait, tackle, etc. in the middle of Galveston Bay.  Each season, you should either have your engine serviced or take care of the maintenance yourself. Change the engine oil and filter, inspect the fuel system, and replace any worn-out belts or hoses. Clean or replace spark plugs and ensure the cooling system is in optimal condition.

3.  Check and Update Safety Equipment

• Before leaving Eagle Point Fishing Camp, make sure you enough life jackets for all passengers. Check your fire extinguishers, flares, and other signaling devices for expiration dates and functionality. It’s also a good idea to to keep a stocked first aid kit on your boat and decide ahead of time how you plan to clean a wound if you get injured on the boat.

4.  Stock Up on Supplies:

• Check your anchor, ropes, and dock lines to make sure they are in good shape.  Don’t go out fishing with last year’s fuel.  Make sure to gas up with fresh fuel.  We currently only sell non ethanyl gasoline at Eagle Point Fishing Camp.  Everyone should have extra outboard oil onboard because your engine won’t run if it’s low on oil.  That’s one of the number one requests we get midday at the marina during the busy months.  Make sure you have yours.  Of course, water, food, and sunscreen are musts.  You can purchase most of these at the Eagle Point Fishing Camp bait shop.

Finally, keep your first trip on the water close to the marina and short.  Make sure everything is working properly during your first trip.  Then, plan on the longer trip after you work out any potential kinks. 

​We’re excited for you to get your boat ready and head down to Eagle Point Fishing Camp this summer.

May 10th is National Shrimp Day!  There is nothing more delicious that cooking up some Galveston Bay shrimp right off the boat, and that's what you can purchase for you and your family at Eagle Point Fishing Camp. 
Below is one of our favorite family recipes Girl With the Iron Cast.  
We use a lot of shortcuts at our house because meals need to be fast with three hungry boys.  We buy pre-shredded cabbage for garnish, and when I'm in a rush, I purchase the bottled dressing to drizzle on top of our tacos.  Our favorites are H-E-B Sriracha Ranch or Bolthouse Farms Cilantro Avocado Dressing, and while the latter is healthier, the first is the real winner!  

Here is the Recipe from Girl With the Iron Cast:
Ingredients
SHRIMP MARINADE

• 1 lb shrimp (uncooked, peeled, deveined, tails removed (see note on shrimp prep))
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp minced garlic 
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tsp)
• 3 tbsp avocado oil 

AVOCADO CREMA

• 1 medium avocado (seed removed and flesh scooped out)
• 1/2 cup cilantro
• 1 jalapeño (seeds removed)
• 3 cloves garlic (peeled)
• 2 limes (juiced (3 tbsp))
• 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
• 3 tbsp [avocado oil]
• 3 tbsp water
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

TACO ELEMENTS/GARNISH

• 1 cup shredded green cabbage
• 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
• 8-10 small flour or corn tortillas (lightly toasted)
• Fresh Cilantro
• Lime Wedges

Instructions

• In a small bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients: 3 tbsp avocado oil, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, and kosher salt. Add in prepped shrimp, stir to coat all the shrimp with marinade. Place in refrigerator and marinate for max 30 minutes.
• While the shrimp is marinating, in a food processor or blender add the avocado crema ingredients: avocado, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, lime juice, yogurt, olive oil, water and kosher salt. Pulse until all the ingredients are smooth. If the consistency is too thick, add another tbsp of water. Set aside.
• Using a mandoline or knife, shred the cabbages. Place in a small bowl, add a few spoons of the avocado crema and toss to combine. Save the rest of the crema to drizzle over the tacos at the end.
• You can either cook the shrimp in a cast iron skillet or grill them. Over medium/high heat place the shrimp into the skillet. Ensure they are all laid flat into the pan and not on top of each other, this will allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of the shrimp, they will cook in about 4-6 minutes. Flip halfway through to get a nice char/color on each side. If grilling, skewer them so they do not fall through the grates (see note on cooking shrimp).
• Assemble the tacos: Place the tortilla down, add a few spoons of the cabbage slaw, add a few shrimp, drizzle avocado crema over the top (see note on crema drizzle), garnish with fresh cilantro, serve with lime wedges!

Notes
Prepping the shrimp:

• If your shrimp are whole, remove the head first, then the legs, and then proceed to peel off the outer shell
• Make sure the shrimp are deveined: you can ask them to do it at the seafood counter or if doing yourself, cut a shallow slit in back of shrimp where the dark line is and lift it out with a pairing knife
• When removing the tail, pinch all the way at the back so you do not break off any of the tail meat

Marinating the shrimp:

• Due to the citrus in the marinade, do not marinate the shrimp for more than 30 minutes. The citrus will begin to break down the proteins in the shrimp affecting the texture and causing it to 'cook' similar to ceviche.

Is my shrimp cooked?

• Shrimp cook fast, there are a few things to look for to know that your shrimp is cooked.
• Shrimp will turn from translucent to opaque when cooked through
• They will also form a "c" shape, easy to remember because "c" stands for cooked!

Avocado crema drizzle:

• You can spoon the crema over the tacos, or you can make a pipping bag to squeeze over the shrimp for presentation. In a ziplock bag, add the avocado crema, seal the bag, push all the crema to one corner, using scissors, cut the corner of the bag, then you can squeeze the crema out to top the shrimp.

Nutrition Information
Serving: 1, Calories: 950kcal (48%), Carbohydrates: 173g (58%), Protein: 43g (86%), Fat: 9g (14%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 161mg (54%), Sodium: 935mg (41%), Fiber: 10g (42%), Sugar: 4g (4%)