Galveston debut??

[ardilla]

Some friends and I are going to stay on the west end this weekend. I have never fished the galveston area. Are there any bad places that might take my lower unit, that I should stay away from. And can anyone point a beginner in the right direction. Any advice would be appreciated.

[WestEndAngler]

The main hazards would include SLP - San Luis Pass, Carranchua Reef which runs N to S going from Jamaica Beach to ICW, Confederate Reef which runs parallel to old ICW as it connects West Bay through N & S Deer Islands. Dredge activity on either side of Jamaica Beach on South Shorelines and the two sunken concrete slabs in front of Pirates which are marked by pilings. Careful around any geo tubes as some are misplaced after Ike.

The bay should be glass. I'd look for working birds, slicks and hit the South shoreline early before the Yahoos get out on water. Shell reefs have been producing good numbers and the Pass if you drive down there and wade in can be good. Go to Academy and get yourself a Hot Spots map and you'll see all the marked hazards and find some good areas that it will "hint" you too.

[plugger]

What he said.

[Explorer21]

X2 on what Coe said. I would recommend having someone on the boat who knows west bay.

[Tro-Trout]

Where are you launching at?

[GHSmacker]

Follow the jet skis...they'll show you the way.

[Nwilkins]

Coe knows!!! What kinda boat are ya'll running?

[ardilla]

Thanks Guys, I already bought a hot spot map. Don't know where we are going to launch at yet. I figured we would figure that out on thursday when we come rolling in from Calcasieu. The surf might be another option. We will be in an Explorer 12TV.

[ardilla]

Explorer 21TV

[Robalo]

Watch out for Shell Island between Jamaica Beach and Sea Isle-take a darn good look at Google earth and use your map-also if your GPS has a chip, use yoiur zoom out feature and look for reefs. Don't try crossing into ICW without knowing where to cross-there is rebar down towards chocolate/alligator point and many shallows/reefs along north shoreline along entire ICW. Please be courteous of other fishermen as well-there will be many novices out, so also be on lookout for inattentive jetskis and boat operators. plan on game wardens being thick as well as USCG, Sheriff and jamaica Beach water patrol-make sure all equipoment is current and lifevests/safety features are in place and be careful.

[WestEndAngler]

The "West End" is big so where exactly would help so we can suggest ramps for you to try and launch from...

I'd say Pirates is a nice ramp but there are no amenities there after Ike. If you do launch from there shoot me a PM and I'll help you learn the bay real quick and give you a crash course on where & where not to go.

I'd bring a handheld GPS so you can follow your route back out... It easy to get turned around after fishing the geo-tubes and then you look up and hmmm which way did I come in again...

[ardilla]

We have a house in sea isle. I think there is a boat ramp there. It is near snake island cove. I think we might try and wade that area first and move around to the other side and then maybe to caranchua reef. How does that sound, or am I totally off.

[Race1Mopar]

Ditto what he said!!!

Jerry, good thing I have a shallow running boat, I didn't know about the rebar down towards Alligator and cross down there a lot in many places.
Joe

[Robalo]

The public ramp at Sea isle can be tough (next to marina). The double ramp south of the swimming pool area is for residents and is usually chained and locked so you need a key. Sometimes the resident ramp is unlocked when ya leave/use it and then locked when ya come back, so be aware of that. Good luck and be safe.