newbie post#2

[iheartfishing]

hello west-enders, if i were to make my to the surf such as the freeport jetties from pirates cove/jamaica, should i attempt to navigate through SLP? or shoot up to the ICW and putt along until the jetties OR shoot for the north jetties?? looking like the boat we will be taking out is gonna need a min. of 3'-4' of water....

[coachlaw]

I've made that run in a Bertram. If you want to make the Freeport jetties, I'd say ICW all the way in my opinion.

[TTU Wader]

Yeah I agree with coachlaw. Better safe then stranded on a sand bar! When I learned how to run around slp this summer there were some pvc poles marking the channels but that might all be changed from the storm.

[aqua pimp]

From Pirates I think I would go Galvez jetties myself. But if I did go Freeport jetties I would definatly go ICW if you never been through the pass area.

AQUA PIMP

[Gilbert]

galvetraz jetties are better fishing by boat than the surfside jetties

[Unclehandy]

If you need 3-4 feet of water, dont go through SLP. Many of the bars have shifted since the storm and unless you are used to running it, it can get you high and dry real quick. I have seen a 32 ft contender run right into a bar. There was nothing they could do but sit there until the tide moved them off. Actually kind of funny watching it from the shore!

[Robalo]

Yep-haven't taken my 23' Robalo out SLP since Ike and am pretty sure it is substantially changed. As Unclehandy said: 3-4' is what I found Pre-Ike and ya better know the pass before going thru blind or you will be in 6 inches before you know it. Pretty sure I saw that contender a year or two ago-he went straight out and was stuck for awhile-not good. Someday this summer you can follow me out and mark the path-it changes every year anyway and after Ike I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what/where!!

[iheartfishing]

so do you all think 3-4' is abundant enough to recon and drift west bay sat? if we opt for galv jetties, is there a recommended path to take from jamaica?

[marcram]

Yep-haven't taken my 23' Robalo out SLP since Ike and am pretty sure it is substantially changed. As Unclehandy said: 3-4' is what I found Pre-Ike and ya better know the pass before going thru blind or you will be in 6 inches before you know it. Pretty sure I saw that contender a year or two ago-he went straight out and was stuck for awhile-not good. Someday this summer you can follow me out and mark the path-it changes every year anyway and after Ike I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what/where!!

I'd also like to follow you when you make a trip through the pass. My boat can run pretty shallow 1.5' just fine, but I have never gone through the pass.

[Unclehandy]

Yep-haven't taken my 23' Robalo out SLP since Ike and am pretty sure it is substantially changed. As Unclehandy said: 3-4' is what I found Pre-Ike and ya better know the pass before going thru blind or you will be in 6 inches before you know it. Pretty sure I saw that contender a year or two ago-he went straight out and was stuck for awhile-not good. Someday this summer you can follow me out and mark the path-it changes every year anyway and after Ike I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what/where!!

Yep, it was a couple years ago!

[aqua pimp]

3 to 4' is OK out in the middle of the bay but I would be very careful running next to shorelines and would not try to get back in coves. With the tides very low today I wouldn't venture to close to shorelines at all. Be careful. From Jamaica, run the old ICW east towards the causeway. The old ICW splits North and South Deer Islands. Once you split the two islands you will hit the ICW. Follow the ICW all the way to the ship channel. From the causeway to the ship channel is about a 10 to 15 minute run. Turn right once you hit the ship channel/ clear Pelican Island and head towards the jetties. The hardest part of the trip will be running the old ICW between North and South Deer. Alot of shallow reefs in the area, My advice, go slow and watch a few other boaters go through. the depth of the Old ICW is about 6 to 8 feet.

AQUA PIMP

[WestEndAngler]

so do you all think 3-4' is abundant enough to recon and drift west bay sat? if we opt for galv jetties, is there a recommended path to take from jamaica?

Out of Jamaica (I'm assuming you know where Carranchua Reef is) avoid Carranchua make your way out to the middle of the bay and hit the Old ICW pilings that run all the way to the causeway.

Follow the pilings all the way you'll run through Confederate Reef (marked by PVC poles) just stay on the same heading and line yourself up. If your not comfortable doing that you can always run straight across the Bay thru greens cut (marked also by PVC) stay in the middle! Either side of PVC stakes. Then head towards Jetties...

I avoid SLP all the time I hate running the Robalo thru there. To go off shore from Pirates I always run by the Yacht Basin, top off and leave off the South Jetty.

[WestEndAngler]

Also... A good GPS will have the OLD ICW marked thru N & S Deer Island. The reef you need to watch for is on your right as your heading towards the causeway. There used to be Shell Reef Markers big signs and pilings... etc

[Unclehandy]

If the yacht basin launch is up and running, I recommend just trailering over there. It will save you tons of gas and a few hours of driving to and from jamaica on the water. Not to mention no hassle of boating through and area you are not familiar with!

[WestEndAngler]

Its up & runing...