West Bay/San Luis Pass Area Experts

[Williep]

I haven't run from West Bay into the San Luis Pass area since before Ike and was wondering how much it has changed. Since my Port O'Connor plans have changed for this weekend I was thinking about hitting West Bay saturday and maybe running down to that area. I've been using the same track on the GPS for 4 years now with no problems getting through there and was wondering how much thing's have changed. This may sound like a newbie post but I don't run that area very often and I'll tell you right now that I don't know a thing about Bastrop Bay and Christmas Bay. Any help would be very much appreciated.

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[WestEndAngler]

Willie, the problem with Google Earth is that the images are pre-Ike, actually in many parts they are 2 years old! I have posted current SLP images and will try and relocate them and post a link to the thread...

I was told I forget by who that SLP is now well marked as of last weekend... We will be putting up more channel markers in the area...

Also, PM 007, Moonpie, Coachlaw, they might chime in... who have run through that area numerous times its unchartted waters for me as well as I've always run a deep V but now that I got my flats boat I've been exploring, I haven't made it that way yet because everytime I'm down there the winds seem to be blowing to hard to go past Cold Pass / Titlum Tatlum

[WestEndAngler]

http://www.fishwestend.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1060&highlight=aerials&page=3

Here's some current aerial shots I found on a quick search

[007]

I've only been as far as Sea Isle from the East and to the water tower from the West. I think with a good pair of polarized glasses you can see the majority of the shallow spots just be careful when you get around the Bird island area because it gets really shallow.

[Race1Mopar]

I've run from JB to the pass but to not stress the fish or risk running over a newly hidden Ike treasure I usually made the run in deeper water and then go in when I get there. I've gone all the wya up to the flats almost turning the corner in my boat but unless you have a shallow runner I would not recomend it. I put my GPS on the point of the bay where it says it goes down to a gut and then work my way in. If you're talking about going through you would have to make the approach from around the other side of that sand bar and I think there are channel markers the guys on here put out but I haven't gone through it yet.

I've concentrated on this side of the Pass for now but when the dog days start I'll play on both sides.

Joe

[Williep]

Willie, the problem with Google Earth is that the images are pre-Ike, actually in many parts they are 2 years old! I have posted current SLP images and will try and relocate them and post a link to the thread...

I was just using it so ya'll would know where I was talking about, sometime's I don't explain thing's very well. Like I said I'll take any advice I can get and If I have too I'll just idle through the first time with the motor jacked up so I can get a track on the GPS.

[WestEndAngler]

I always trim mine down so I know when I'm getting shallow... always easier for me when I was in the Robalo to trim it up and jack up the jack plate if I was off course...

[Williep]

I've concentrated on this side of the Pass for now but when the dog days start I'll play on both sides.

Joe

I just thought that if I was going to be down that way that I would stop by and visit with Sandy (Coachlaw). I've been wanting to see his place.

[WestEndAngler]

Aqua Pimp can also lend some advice he runs from Chocolate to SLP a lot.

[lurefisher]

What do you need to know Will,or were are you trying to get to from westbay?

[Race1Mopar]

I always trim mine down so I know when I'm getting shallow... always easier for me when I was in the Robalo to trim it up and jack up the jack plate if I was off course...

I agree, I start with mine deep and then when I get shallow I will run it between 1 and 3 and work the jack plate up as needed. This way I always have room to play if I need to. I only have a 6" jackplate but at 6" it's up pretty far. I do have water pickups on the snout of the lower unit, Mercury, so I keep full water pressure even at full elevation.

Joe

[aqua pimp]

The main gut really hasn't changed. I followed my original track on my gps that I layed out before Ike and was fine, just run it very slow. If the water is clear you will be able to navigate it just fine. Stay in the dark water.

AQUA PIMP

[coachlaw]

Hope to see you out there Willie!

[HarryK]

the gut has not changed much except they are marked even better(as of last weekend) with very bright, visible orange markers...stay close to the right of the orange markers going into the pass area

[WestEndAngler]

Thanks Harry! Sometimes you don't know which side to stay of those single channel markers...