Offshore fishing and boat size

[Sticky Business]

The weather forecast is calling for 5-10kts out of the SE and 1-2' seas through the weekend. Would you guys feel comfortable running say 30 miles out like to the Buccaneer fields in a 22' CC Fishmaster bay boat with a 225 Suzuki? What is you guys' go- no go rules? Now I have been out there before and I'm pretty sure it was 1 footers going out but 2-3 coming back that evening and I never really felt in any jeopardy. It was bumpy but you get that in chop and seas. I've never been able to retain any snapper in any of my previous trips offshore due to time of year and season already closed and weather. This year I think I have a chance! I'd be interested in hearing this community's thoughts. Be advised I've been operating my boat for over 12 years so I'm not a rookie when it comes to my boat but I am when it comes to running offshore.

[Robalo]

You have a VHF? File a float plan and time expected to return. What's your gas tank capacity? Are you going thru SLP or the Jetties?

If Offshore buoy says 2.5 ft, add 1 foot. Bring extra water, food, ice. Are your flares up to date? Whistles? Bilge pumps working?
Is your GPS worth a ****?

BTW, snapper season is open all year in Texas waters

I don't go if 3' or better since all that does is mess up my aching back and don't go when weather is iffy or spota change like T-Storms or wind increases a lot.

[Sticky Business]

Yes I do have a VHF, who do you file a float plan with? Gas tank is 72 gallons. Jetties. Definitely bringing 2 cases of water, plenty of samiches, gatorade, NO BANANAS, I do have flares and a whistle and bilge pump works fine and I have a hand operated bilge pump just in case. Brand new Humminbird Helix 9 with Navionics plus chip. And yes Snapper season is open all year in Texas waters but where do find water deep enough to hold Snapper that's within the 9 mile limit in the Galveston area? Forecast is wind supposed to be steady at 5-10 kts SE due to a High Pressure system just to our west so should be pretty and stable weather for a bit.

[Sticky Business]

Just looked up filing a float plan. You file it with someone reliable enough to call the USCG in case you don't return on schedule. Got it. Thanks.

[Robalo]

Sounds like you're ready to go. Good luck, flat seas, tight lines and don't forget to look for ling-I suggest you also bring a medium action trout rod(s) in case you run into some small dorados-gulp works great on them. Bring chum also. Those are Roy Crabtree's Snapper, so catch all you can, feed the small ones to the dolphins that will be waiting for you to toss them back. I hate Crabtree.

You realize that only a gas passer platform is still out there? All the production platforms are gone but there were bouys last time I was around there. 72 gallons-in my boat, you'd run out of gas, so watch your gauge and at 1/2 tank, ya best be already headed back.

[WestEndAngler]

$149 for sea tow each year... they'll come get you! VHF is key and so is a sat phone or epirb. Back up vhf and back up gps.

Buddy boating is a good idea too. We'll be out Sunday.

[Sticky Business]

Yeah I had to use Sea Tow one time when I was fishing in the bay and I was on the bow chunking and winding. My trusted lab, Coda, has to always be underfoot and laid down on the motor tilt button tilting it until the hydraulic nipples busted on the transom leaking all my fluid out. I didn't know it and when I went to leave I had enough fluid to turn the engine hard to one side and that was all she wrote. I was stuck going in circles. I used my trolling motor but in the wind it was futile. Not nearly as scary a proposition though being stuck in the bay as opposed to 30 miles offshore. Robalo you say theres only a gas platform out there and I've seen it but I did mark stuff on the bottom with my depth finder near the marker buoy. I have caught snapper there and have had dolphin steal macks off my line while trolling Xraps and big rattle traps.
Any other places you guys might recommend? I'm open to suggestions.

[FishinAddiction]

Snapper season is closed in State Waters Monday thru Thursday. Federal is open Friday Saturday and Sunday thru Labor Day. Texas State water Season opens back up to 24/7 4 day limit after that. Just a heads up.

[Robalo]

Get Hilton's (?) Red Snapper book, but most places are beyond your range. I usually go out SLP-just tricky to do, but can hit VA Fogg and platforms out around GA 350 area. You may wanna try the old Coastal platform-255? Can't remember but it's a nice 8 pile-may be gone now??? You could get a map off the old MMS (BOEMRE now i think) site on platforms or get a hooksetter offshore map I think???

Potlick Coe is my best advice, but you'll need 15-20 Gerry Cans of gas at least!!

[Sticky Business]

Thanks for all the advice. I may not go after all unless I can find a friend with balls as big as mine who will go with me. Have you guys ever fished the Liberty ship George Vancouver off the Freeport coast?