The Brazosport area offers a multitude of facilities for fishing, either inshore or deep-sea. If you choose to keep your feet on the ground, there are plenty of jetties, piers, and beaches where you can cast a line for speckled trout, flounder, redfish, sheepshead, and gafftop. Nearby marinas and beachside shacks sell tackle and bait.

For deep-sea fishing you can hire a service to provide charter boats to take you out further for big-time catches including snapper, marlin, king mackerel, and sailfish. Two reputable outfits are Easy Going Charters (979/233-2947), which can accommodate up to six people on its 35-foot long boat and Johnston’s Sportfishing (979/233-8513).

A popular place to spend a weekend of fishing, camping, and lounging is Quintana Beach County Park (979/849-5711), located on a picturesque barrier island near Freeport. The park’s multilevel fishing pier is a favorite among anglers, and the day-use facilities include shaded pavilions, restrooms, showers, and the historic Coveney House containing a museum and natural history display.

The camping sites include full hookups, showers, and laundry facilities. From Freeport, take FM 1495 south nearly two miles to County Road 723, then head east three miles to the park entrance.