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Gents, first time member, long time fisherman. Joined specifically to learn more about West Bay and where to fish. Usually head east when I put in at Tiki or the dike. That ends now. West Bay has always intrigued me because of the cuts, sloughs and reefs and because I like to wade. I want to get my boys to start wading with me as well. WB looks like the place to do it. We’ll hope to get out that way in the next weekend or two but I’d like to take advantage of any local knowledge y'all might have Any advice on navigation between the N and S Deer Islands. Is that the best way to access Confederate Reef? Any other thoughts as a boater heads west other than take it easy along that north shoreline. More questions to come as I look this over more. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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Welcome to the site! I kayak that area so can't help you too much there other than to be careful. Very reefy. A lot of the area is pretty muddy too. The good thing is that with the warm weather, the S. Shore coves and the N. Shoreline should be turning on. Much easier wading on hard sand.
Good luck and I'm sure some other members will have more relevant advice. -
Cool deal! I don't have as much experience around confederates due to the boat traffic... As far as running the north shoreline, generally speaking, run about 2-300 yds off the bank and you'll be in the clear headed west. If running in the middle of the bay, watch out for caranchua reef. It runs south from about the entrance to the ICW near caranchua lake. Give the south shoreline a few hundred yard buffer as well. If you decide to venture near SLP, do so with an experienced fisherman down there. I still get stuck in a 19 cat occasionally around bird island. I wouldn't try to go through mud cut unless you have an air boat. There is also a sunken shrimp boat about a mile from the entrance to the channel of SLP heading west. On the south shoreline from jamaica beach to SLP, there are the occasional sticks of PVC that mark underwater obstructions. Also, look up and note the location of the shell reef on the south shoreline near jamaica beach. Near the entrance to chocolate bay, there are two massive wooden poles that stick out of the water about 8 feet and are about 150yds apart from each other.
Those are the main hazards that you should at least know are there. I grew up fishing west bay and love to fish there still! The grass has started to come back more and more each year; I can't wait to see it a few years from now. It takes a lot of time to learn this system, but its completely worth it in my opinion. And, be careful near SLP for sharks in the summer and the crazy currents year round. Best of luck!Comment
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Thanx RE. I'll add this info to my knowledge box.
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Zeke,
The old ICW splits North and South Deer Island. It's typically about 6' to 7' deep through there. There are still a few of the old channel markers sporadically spaced along the bay. It is marked with typical red and green buoys at the entrance if coming from the causeway. Be careful - it's narrow but you can see the reefs on both sides. You will need to pass Confederate reef and turn south to fish it. It's skinny on the North side of the reef from the old ICW - go on the East side of South Deer to get between it and Confederate. You can run the bay down the old ICW. Go now on a calm day so you can see the hazards.Comment
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I'd say it depends on what kind of boat you're running - West bay is pretty shallow for the most part, so make sure to go slow and like dreilly said, go out while the water is still low to try and see some of the reefs that'll be hidden this summer.
As for getting started with wadefishing west bay if you prefer to launch at Tiki - I'd run west down the intercoastal until you get to the cut through for Greens Lake. Go south through the cut (try to stay in the middle) and then west down the south shore of the barrier islands. Watch for the depth to drop from 1.5/2ft to about 4ft, this ridge runs parallel w most of the barrier islands and is friendly to waders (not too soft). Start working this ridge west, learning the bottom (grass/mud/sand/etc) and hopefully you'll get on some!Comment
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Get out your map and check googlearth-those two items will aid you. Watch for Carancua Reef, Shell Island and Snake Island west of Pirates and San Luis Pass aint for beginners. Hire Capt. Greg Francis and tell him you want a learning course on West bay."Hey Hillary, regarding the Benghazi Attack on 9/11-we'll just blame it on that movie, not my total lack of security. By the way, what's so significant about 9/11 anyway-was that a date my buddy Bill Ayers of the Weather Underground blew up a government building?" asked Obama to Hillary. BEAUTIFY AMERICA, RUN OVER A LIBERAL, THEN BACK UP AND SEE IF HE'S DEAD.Comment
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Many thanks guys. Robalo thanks for the tip on Capt. Greg Francis. I did read an article he wrote, a while back I suppose, about fishing West Bay. It was a good piece of work. Gonna give it a shot, maybe when the weather clears this weekend. We'll see.
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Zeke:
Glad to offer suggestion. Greg can show you around some-it's hard to learn in one trip and he'll show you some areas to fish as well as "Uh Oh" spots. Before he got his 25' Majek, he had an old 23 Kenner Deep V and ran that all over, so he knows where to run aground!!
Funny thing, I never saw him hit anything in that old tank!
"Hey Hillary, regarding the Benghazi Attack on 9/11-we'll just blame it on that movie, not my total lack of security. By the way, what's so significant about 9/11 anyway-was that a date my buddy Bill Ayers of the Weather Underground blew up a government building?" asked Obama to Hillary. BEAUTIFY AMERICA, RUN OVER A LIBERAL, THEN BACK UP AND SEE IF HE'S DEAD.Comment
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Ive never fished with Greg before but He has a hell of a good reputation on the water. I would venture to say he knows west as good if not better than me and I've lived and fished this bay for 25 plus years. I also hear he is extremely reasonable with prices and cost. With that being said, West bay is really what you make of it, like any new area you must be cautious. West around north deer and confederate has several access areas to inside reef. Like Robalo and the other FWE crew is telling you coordinate your Google earth with your chart. Idle in to your shallow areas. There are several geo tubes on the south shoreline but they are well marked. Now here's a free spot: If your wading with the young ones like I do with my 9 year old nephew, ease into caracahua cove on the east shoreline on a outgoing high tide. Work the two split drains you will see them on Google earth. Of coarse you can follow all the potlickers around confederate, but this little location does produce some very nice trout all late winter and fall. Good luck and be safe and slow for now.Comment
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Just go to Jamaica Beach boat ramp and when you see a Flatscat and an old grumpy guy...birddog him religiously and you'll figure out where to wade!Don't be a Nancy!
If it smells like fish....you know I've been there!Comment
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Good stuff again guys and many thanx. My NauticStar will run in pretty skinny water but it has been known on occasion to meet up with bottom dwelling hazards as well. That is the price you pay for experience. Safe and slow is the word. It looks like the weather has a chance and my boys want to get out so we'll headed in that direction in the next few days.
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Lol. Robalo's not a grouchy old man. And I didn't know he was a wadefisherman.Originally posted by FlatoutFishin View PostComment
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Hey this is Jrod, Zeke's son. I can not wait to go to west bay if the weather is good this weekend but I need some advice. My dad likes to drown shrimp but I like to throw artificial lures. Can anybody give me some suggestions on what to throw.
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Welcome !
Good luck !GEORGE A. BRANARD, COLOR SERGEANT, CO. L, 1 ST TEXAS INFANTRY, HOOD'S TEXAS BRIGADE, C.S.A. : S.C.V.Comment
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