FIRST MATE VACATION RENTALS Blog

The past couple of weeks have been hot and cold on the catches of salt water fish.  It has all been driven by the weather which is no secret this time of year.  Days of blowing cold rain and wind followed calm warm sunshine has been the norm of late.  South Texas weather is usually like this in February with some years being much colder and others being unusually pleasant-pleasant...

I have always identified with the old adage ‘Fish When You Can Go’ and I always figured it meant just what it seems, the best time to go fishing is any time you can actually go!  This means you will experience some of the very best days of your life on the water but it also means you will fall victim to some of the worst!   Now a bad...

One of our rental owners sent us these photos, actually a great video too which will try to post later…this is October 2022 in Espiritu Santo Bay there was a huge school of bull reds working juvenile galftop and provided hookups a plenty!  All fish released! Thanks Chris P.

By far the months of October and November are my favorite of the year for fishing on the Mid Coast of Texas. Change is the theme during these magical days on the water. We get cold fronts knocking on the door as the heat of the Summer seems long gone and we usher in a Fall feel to the air that makes me think of times gone by and times...

The POC Chamber of Commerce along with many sponsors and partners puts on one heck of a fabulous July FIREWORKS show…to donate to that cause contact us and we can help.  Speaking of fireworks please notice our policy regarding fireworks use and our rental properties which is listed in our FAQ with many other useful points of information…..and have a safe stay in POC: Fireworks are strictly prohibited and banned...

Guests should bring the following items when staying at one of the properties First Mate Vacation Rentals manages: food and drinks personal toiletries paper towels beach towels sunscreen mosquito repellent Please note that Provided linens cannot be removed or used outside the property.

The Lighted Boat Parade officially kicks off the Christmas season in Port O’Connor. Locals, vacationers  and participants from the Freeport-to-Port O’Connor Toy Run, decorate and light their boats to parade down the Intracoastal Canal.  Awards are given for several categories. Lighted Boat Parade Date: December 3, 2022 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST Website: http://portoconnorchamber.com

Birdseye view of Port O’Connor from Boggy Nature Park looking Southeast towards the Gulf of Mexico

CHANGE OF SEASONS The wind has been unusually high lately on the coast and I think it’s due to upcoming changes in our weather patterns over the next few months. As we move from Summer to Autumn in the northern states our winds tend to pick up in anticipation of cold fronts, but by the same token they are often calm after the passage of these mild fronts giving way...

MAGIC TIME One of my dear friends, Jay had a father who was a dream dad, a lot like my own!   Bob Stewart was a man who took care of his family in so many ways. Bob was an unfortunate to be stricken with polio as a child which rendered his left arm unusable but that never stopped him from enjoying the things he loved to do. What a...