National Cook Your Catch Day in South Padre Island

If the idea of catching a fish in the morning and eating that same fish in the evening appeals to you, you’ll want to keep reading. Here’s everything you need to know about National Cook Your Catch Day in South Padre Island.

I was invited by the tourism office in South Padre Island Texas, for National Cook Your Own Catch Day. All opinions are mine.

There’s a national day for everything these days. I have given up on keeping up. However, one Saturday in January, I was on time and on track. Here’s my experience with National Cook Your Own Catch Day in South Padre Islan,d Texas. You can easily recreate this trip or use it as a starting point to design your own.

And, it doesn’t even have to be National Cook Your Catch Day. Although National Cook Your Catch Day is on January 23rd, you can do this any time of the year in South Padre Island!

UP WITH THE SUN TO FISH FOR MY DINNER

Like most coastal communities, South Padre Island thrives on the fishing industry. I was up at dawn to go fishing with my designated guide, Captain Eddie Curry. This is a good time to clarify that I’ve never been fishing before. We had a boat when I was a child, and I remember my dad catching fish at Medina Lake and Canyon Lake. I’m sure I probably held a fishing pole at some point, but my knowledge of fishing-related stuff is pretty slim. I don’t recall catching anything ever, so fishing for my own food was a brand-new experience.

FLAT BOTTOM BOATS AND SHALLOW WATER

I met Captain Eddie on the Laguna Madre bright and early. My picture of fishing in the ocean was of a large boat out on the open sea, fighting to reel in a swordfish or marlin roughly the size of me as the boat pitched back and forth on the swelling waves.

I have a big imagination.

This wasn’t exactly like that. The boats are small and flat-bottomed and designed for shallow water. I was astounded to see how shallow the water was far out into the bay. We were fishing for redfish and the water was probably up to my hips at most and we could see the bottom of the ocean the entire time.

These flat-bottom fishing boats (we saw several of them out on National Cook Your Catch Day) are designed to hold six people, although Eddie said he preferred to take smaller groups. Our boat held four people, and moving around would have been challenging with more bodies.

A THREE HOUR TOUR

This trip was as much about fishing education as it was about fishing. Eddie was patient and fun to talk to, and the time went by quickly. We had to move a few different times to find the spot where the fish were biting and not intrude on another boat’s fishing space.

Since the water is so shallow, one of the biggest challenges is keeping the boat from getting stuck on the bottom. Eddie had a good idea of where he wanted to fish – I think all the regulars have their favorite spots or an idea of where the fish will be biting. He’d cut the engine, and we’d coast in so we didn’t scare off the fish.

NO FISHING RECORDS SET

Our group of four caught about eight fish—three keepers. A fish has to be at least 20 inches to keep, and a few of ours fell short of that. A 20-inch redfish will feed two adults, so we had plenty for eating.

THE BEST PART ABOUT HIRING A FISHING GUIDE?

Eddie cleaned and filleted our fish. The pelicans and seagulls knew what was up as they gathered around for their treats – skins and fish heads.

As I said earlier, this was as much an exercise in fishing education as it was in catching fish to eat. I have something to build on next time I go out, and I would definitely hire a fishing guide and choose Eddie again.

I would love to do this with my kids—my boys are 10, and I know they would be super into it. People of all ages can enjoy it, although I don’t think my loud children would appreciate the stillness out on the water as much as I did.

IS THIS EXPERIENCE KID-FRIENDLY?

Absolutely yes. The personality of your guide is important. He or she has to be willing to take/teach kids, but in my limited experience with fishing guides, they seem like pretty laid-back people who love what they do and want others to love it, too.

I’d recommend that a child be at least four and able to listen and follow directions to participate in this experience. You’re in a small space with lots of fishhooks, so be sure your kiddo is old enough to understand and appreciate what’s happening. Also, the idea of chasing an unruly child on a small boat for three hours doesn’t sound like my idea of a good time.

You know your children best. I’d have been comfortable taking any of mine at around four years old.

“COOK YOUR OWN” MIGHT BE STRETCHING IT A LITTLE BIT

Our filets were delivered to VIVA, where we ate dinner that evening. We had two recommendations from the chef on how to have our redfish cooked – blackened or fried. We got to sample both. I preferred it blackened, but the fried surprised me. The batter is light and not what I expected from a fried filet.

The following restaurants will cook your catch for you:

• Dirty Al’s
• Mahi Nic
• Nautico Island Grill
• Daddy’s Seafood & Cajun Kitchen
• Sea Ranch
• Louie’s Backyard
• Padre Island Brewing Company
• Tom & Jerry’s Beach Club Bar & Grill
• VIVA SPI
• The Palms Beachfront Resort & Cafe
• Blackbeard’s

WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COOKING YOUR CATCH?

COOK YOUR CATCH DAY IS EVERY DAY

While it’s fun to go fishing on National Cook Your Catch day, you don’t have to wait to schedule your fishing trip. Fishing guides and restaurants work year-round to provide this experience.

YOU’LL NEED A FISHING LICENSE

I bought mine at a local grocery store the night before my fishing trip, but you can also buy them online.

KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING TO COOK BEFORE YOU CATCH

Make sure you contact the restaurant before your fishing trip to make sure they can accommodate you.

JANUARY IS AN AWESOME TIME TO GO FISHING

The weather is always variable in Texas, but it was very mild and pleasant out on the boat. I’d imagine summer mornings are blazing on the water—and there is zero shade on these boats.

WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU

A hat, sunscreen, a waterproof or water-resistant jacket, and a camera. I mean…you can’t boast about the one that got away if you didn’t take a snap. Pictures or it didn’t happen, right?

I was also advised to take Dramamine, although I didn’t. I’ve been on different types of boats and don’t typically get seasick. You are in shallow water and there’s minimal rocking and pitching. I told my husband (who pretty much gets seasick if he looks at a boat) that I didn’t think he could get seasick doing this.