Investment Highlights

• 2733 Acres of prime ranch land on Port Bay.
• Impressive herds of exotics, feeders and blinds also will convey.
• One of few remaining large blocks of land within close proximity to Port Corpus Christi.
• High-fenced, turn-key ranch with metal building improvements and equipment to convey.
• Nearly one mile of frontage on FM 1069; excellent proximity to Aransas Pass, TX.

Property Facts

Description

The Sweatman Ranch represents an extraordinarily unique offering in a coveted region of the Texas Coastal Bend. There are few large land assemblages like this one remaining where South Texas meets the Coastal Prairie. Straddling the border of Aransas and San Patricio Counties, and located minutes from the City of Aransas Pass, this is a rare opportunity to acquire an exceptional ranch property with a diverse range of possibilities available to the land owner. The expansive boundaries stretch from beautiful Port Bay on the west side to Highway 1069 on the east side. The fishing is outstanding, with enviable stretches of undisturbed shoreline on Port Bay, rumored to host herds of 30-40 inch redfish at certain times of the year. Wildlife abounds within the high-fenced interior portions of the ranch, holding a boastful array of exotic animals including scimitar oryx, barasingha and axis deer, to name a few.

This is a duck hunter’s dream with the option to hunt your own private saltwater marsh or toss decoys in one of the multiple freshwater ponds across the property. Doves, migratory ducks, and sandhill cranes are prolific recurring visitors to the ranch, along with a host of other resident and migratory birds including Brown Pelican, American White Pelican, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey, Crested Caracara, Clapper Rail, Piping Plover, Long-billed Curlew, Laughing Gull, and many more.

The ranch has operated successfully as a private recreational hunting/fishing paradise, as well as a working ranch for many years. The existing water wells, freshwater ponds, cattle pens and flourishing salt grass make the property ideal for grazing. The property holds strong potential for continued ranch operations, with additional potential for a corporate hunting/fishing retreat. The ranch also holds attractive investment value for future development, based on proximity to Portland/Gregory/Ingleside and Port Corpus Christi. Wide open spaces! This is truly an exceptional offering in an outstanding location, with direct boat access to Port Bay and nearly one mile of highway frontage on FM 1069. The ranch benefits from the conveniences of its excellent proximity to Aransas Pass, while being approximately 6.6 miles to McCampbell-Porter Airport (two 5,000’ runways), and 11.6 miles to La Quinta Terminal at Port Corpus Christi.

The Land:
The majority of the ranch is high-fenced with the exception of the marsh portions of the property leading toward Port Bay, optimized by a large canal which feeds from McCampbell Slough through the tidal flats of the ranch and continuing downstream to the bay. Vegetation is typical native undergrowth; trees are predominantly mesquite with some hard wood growth. Improvements:

The main quarters compound is believed to sit at a 9.5’ elevation at grade, and consists of a 100’x40’ Mueller building with ample shop space and 1200 square feet of living space, including 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, and a detached bunkhouse which accommodates 8-10 bunks and bath/shower. The main quarters building is furnished, complete with pool table, tv/cable and more. The accompanying barn/shed is equipped with kayaks, decoys and a collection of recreational equipment which will convey with the sale, including a 16’ aluminum duck boat with 20 HP surface drive mud motor and trailer.

The aforementioned shop holds a valuable array of assets including welding/propane equipment, tools, smoker operation and more, which also will be included in the sale. Ranch equipment including tractor and skid steer also will convey. The main compound is fenced around the perimeter with cattle guards in place. At the time of posting, a contractor has been hired to run a 1.5” city water line from the highway to the main quarters which fortifies the water supply, enhanced by three (3) 3,000 gallon trailer tanks for storage of a total of up to 9,000 gallons of fresh water.

• Game feeders, protein feeders, livestock feeders, hunting blinds, and troughs will convey.
• There are two sets of cattle pens, one at the “old homestead site” and another at the main quarters site.
• The primary road leading from the main gate to the main quarters is asphalt-paved; all other roads are regularly maintained.
• All cross-fences and gates are regularly maintained; fence lines were last cleared and mulched December of 2020.
• The metal building situated at the front of the property near the main gate is roughly 85’x50’, consisting of a 2000 square foot living area with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, living, dining and office areas.

Wildlife:

• Redfish, trout and flounder are the favorite angling quarry in the marsh and along the edge of Port Bay.
• The existing herd of exotics will convey with the sale, including: elk, Texas dall sheep, scimitar oryx, barsingha, fallow, and axis.
• Feral hog, dove, quail, bobcat, alligator, a large population of resident black mallards are native to the ranch.

Surface Water:

• The 26-acre+/- fresh water lake is a predominant feature across the north and middle pasture, playing host to excellent fishing and hunting.
• The various potholes and tanks on the ranch are stocked with a variety of fish, with some redfish reported in the brackish ponds as well.
• Largemouth bass and catfish are found in the smaller pond just south of the larger lake. Surface Water:

Ground Water:

• There are four existing water wells in various locations across the east end of the ranch, and one well toward the back/west end. Every pasture can be served by the water wells currently in place.
• There is a non-operating water well on the north end of the ranch.

Resources:
There is currently a dirt mining operation underway on the north pasture of the ranch through a lease agreement with D/W Enterprises out of Ingleside, TX. Clay and topsoil is being excavated at a depth of 12’-18’ and hauled off-site. The lease agreement also allows for lessee’s on-site concrete crushing equipment. Income from the dirt operations yielded $137,000 to owner in 2019. Average income to owner is currently reported at $27,000/month. Upon completion of mining, lessee has agreed to perform finish-work to pack the bottom of excavated areas with clay for the formation of two 50-acre+/- lakes, and the perimeters will be manicured with a gradual incline for cattle access.

This is a surface sale only. There is active production on the ranch; the operator is Kaler Energy Corporation.