Navigation from Kema to Dickenson Bay ( topwater grill )

[planohog]

Helping my boat club friend again. Safe route from kema to dickenson bay to the topwater grill,
Looking at the charts seems there is lots of gotcha's along the way , most notably redfish island area.
I have a yak and have no idea what running a boat around there might entail. Hints or tips ?

[mreynajr]

Kemah to Topwater notes.

I fish that area often and make the same trip. Only major concerns are staying away from docks that may have been destroyed by the last hurricane and the reef at Eagle's Point. You can run fast off the west shoreline no problem. Give yourself some room from existing docks to be safe. You will see the pilings where the longer docks were. Use the new floating marina as a guide for your distance. (here 29.530637, -95.001565). The next concern is the spillway at Bayshore Park ( 29.508581, -94.958511). On Google Maps you can see the harbor rocks shooting out to the northeast from both sides of the mouth. Some high tides the rocks don't show themselves. Next concern down shore will be Eagle Point. Stay closer to the Point to navigate the gap between the Point and the oyster reef to the East-Northeast. It's a big gap, but the reef is there waiting, especially on a low tide (here 29.498021, -94.902032). Once you turn south after Eagle Point you'll find more piers. Mind your distance again. There were and still are some long docks there. It's all mud bottom from there to Topwater. Should be good to go. If you venture South of April Fool Point head due south. Southwest has a spoil area for about 600 yards. Channel to Dickinson Bayou is clearly marked on other side.

I hope my post hasn't dissuaded your adventure. Just remember docks, spillway rocks, and the reef. If you need any more help feel free to ask. And members please feel free to correct or add additional details. Thanks. Mario

[planohog]

This is excellent and thankyou for spending the time to write it up.


using goog earth this spot near eagle point is BAD some structure 29° 29.670'N 94° 54.557'W ( around the corner south )

[plugger]

Yeah , that was helpful , thanks . I don't go around that area much at all .....partly because of all the things to avoid as you mentioned .

[planohog]

The burgers were very tastey. pretty crowded on sunday. nice doc. Thanks Again.

[lurefisher]

Cool you made it over and back !

[Torque]

You can make a beeline from kemah to eagle point without any concerns. Plus shrimpers are in this area all the time. You only need to worry if you are inside the floating marina (closer to shore) or if you are heading to redfish island There are some wells out there plus some have been taken down, but you can never trust they got all of the pipes.