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Dallas Fishing Dude · Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

I just bought my first offshore boat and am looking for any tips, tricks and help on navigating the jetty passes. I've been boating for 12 years but all on freshwater lakes. I've been out on the Dolphin Dock boats several times but those boats are much bigger than mine. I know it's rough getting throught the Port Aransas pass. Is the Packery Channel pass any easier?

I don't want to make any headlines so any advice is much appreciated.

kingtender · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 436

Nope packery jetties are a lot closer together. Make sure to set your gps mark a nice distance outside the mouth.

rabbit · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 8:05 pm Post subject:

With and incoming wind and an out going tide it can get real rough at the end of packery. I have seen big breakers in the channel with that combination of tide and wind. Very Happy

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Bluffer · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 8:40 pm Post subject:

From what Ive noticed if its rough heading out you better off staying closer to the south Packery jetty (on your right heading towards the Gulf)
Much easier "groove" there. Same coming in.
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cheeseburger · Horse Mullet Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 187

If you have an outgoing tide, it can get very rough right at the mouth. As you approach, try to look ahead and time you exit so that the BIG swells have a chance to lose energy in the channel. There is usually a gap between swells that can make your exit much smoother and drier (I have had waves come over my bow). If, of course, you have a BIG boat, you don't have to worry about most of this stuff. Just let it cut and jump through the rough stuff and have some fun.

Cheeseburger
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juanpescado · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:18 am Post subject:

If you think about Matagorda its pretty tough , its starting to silt in , it can still be navigated though , just make sure you follow someone out your first time out , if not YOU WILL end up on a bar , Port A has always been good to get out of ...
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Gib · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:58 am Post subject: Slow and easy

It does not matter which pass, they can all be a little intimidating from time to time.

What size boat do you have? You will be surprised what can get through the rough stuff. Just take it slow and easy.

Also, be careful on your way into the jetty as it can also be dangerous. Literally, catch a wave and ride it adjusting your throttle to stay on the wave.

The thought and experience of going over the wave and digging the bow into the water can be a humbling experience especially when your boat fills with GALLONS of water and your tackle washes out the back end. I have not had this expereince (hope I never do), but I have seen and heard of it.

Good luck!!

Johninaustin · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 1121

Just do like I did. When Packery first opened I went out on weekend with a lawn chair and a rod just to watch boats transiting the end of the jetty.

Saw some pretty scary stuff, including one bay boat blasting out that almost went over on his back. (Ever seen a 21' boat standing on the engine?) Learn from others. Wink

GPS is a great help on the return, especially at night. I use 4 separate waypoints on the way back in. My fifth is inside the jetties about 300 yards.

Something else that is helpful is a cheap night vision scope. I got mine at Academy for $140. Detail is lacking but once you get within a couple hundred yards the rocks show up against the water very well.

Dallas Fishing Dude · Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

I planned on observing a lot before I made my attempt. I have a 28' Sea Pro. I've fished the Port A jetties before and I've seen some pretty crazy things there myself. I saw one woman screaming and crying because she wanted to turn back around and go back. I'm pretty sure that the jetty channel is not the place to get broadside in a trough.

iflyabeech · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:45 pm Post subject:

It might be a good idea to take someone knowledgeable with you for your first few trips. You will get good advice here, but someone else who knows what they are doing with you on your boat would be a big help.
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Big Ed · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 3:32 pm Post subject:

I remember the first time I took my little 19' Blue Wave out past the Port A jetties. Since I was a relativly new boat owner overall, I had some real tense moments when I would go down in a trough that was deeper than the boat was tall and see nothing but sky or a wall of water in any direction. The tide was going out and even though the gulf was not too rough, it gets rough at the end of the jetties.
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