Big Shell fishing/camping trip

Spring high tides are a *****. They WILL come up to the dunes. And the sargassum can be thick, it tends to cover the debris that you need to look for, like boards with nails and ****.
I usually go in September when the reds are running. It is absolutely gorgeous in the Fall when the skeeters are somewhat gone.
I drove in one night, it took me 3 hours to go 60 miles. Went all the way to the Mansfield Cut. When I got out and looked at all the stars, I knew it was worth the stress.

4WD and high clearance are a given.
Besides the camping and fishing stuff, I carry:
Shovel
Floor jack
flares
air compressor (you can get better traction if you lower your tire pressure)
Tire plug kit
Lots of sunscreen
Beer
More beer.
Dry ice.

If you go in the Summer, tent cots are very popular.Check the tide charts, and also watch out for red tide. If you go down there and the red tide is back, you will suffer. The histamine reaction to it is the worst.
 
I used to fish PINS pretty regularly. Mrmyke's list is a great one. If you're driving close to the water on a low tide, don't stop if you can see water in the tracks you just left. Trust me on this one.
 
It helps to let some air out of your tires...down to about 15psi. It is best to run it close to the water at low tide, but it can be a little like a Russian sleigh ride, be careful. If you have to drive up high on the beach, it will take a while.
 
Looks like the beach was closed last week, surf up to the dunes.
I may head down Friday if I can get motivated.
 
Sheesh...or maybe not.

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We won't be going until the 3rd week of June. Hopefully, those mounds of seaweed will be gone by then. My brother-in-law has an offshore boat. Is it reasonable to think he could take his boat? I'm guessing he'd have to drive his boat as it's too big to launch from the beach. Any thoughts?

Thanks for the help so far.
 
Launching a boat from the beach is prohibited.You can launch a Zodiac, but nothing else. I wouldn't bring a big boat in close, the breakers can swamp you pretty quick.
June clears up a bit. But it's f*cking hot, and the skeeters are merciless.
You could launch at the ramp near the ferry landing and do the bays.
Big Shell is more for surf fishing with long rods, or working the wade gut with lighter tackle.
Besides, if you've got an offshore boat, why do Big Shell?
I'd go out to the rigs and go after kings and dorado.
 
We really want to make a camping trip of it and we have too many guys coming to all fit on the boat for a regular deep-sea trip. We were going to bring a couple of 4WD vehicles and some guys would ride down in his boat. Maybe we'll just bag the boat idea and bring another car.

I'll be taking a kayak as I'm guessing we'll need it to paddle bait out.
 
The boat is a very bad idea. Lots of folks kayak out baits for sharks, but make sure you are very good kayakers and have experience in the surf.
 
Dump the boat.
There's Coast Guard choppers patrolling on the beach, if they see you beaching a boat, you're liable to get a friendly visit to your camp by the sheriff and park rangers.
I was gearing up my lines one Fall morning, there was NO one on the beach. I kept hearing chopper rotor noises, but it was windy.
Right about that time, the Coasties came over the dunes at about 100 ft. Gave me a good going over. I could see the guy's name tag on his coveralls they were so low.
Not my pic, but this was how low he was.

Hh65Dauphin.jpg
 
Our trip is this weekend. Any website I can check surf conditions? Our crew is down to 3 because many of friends came up with a case of vaginitis. We got one 4WD loaded up, one kayak, long rods and light tackle. And, all the individual camping necessities. Anything else mandatory?

Also, is there a concern for beach safety with such a small group? In other words, should we be worried about bad folks on the beach at night?
 
I wouldn't worry about unsavory characters...just be sure to stow your ice chests at night. Illegals have been known to pilfer stuff, and the raccoons will raid them as well.
Call the PINS hotline for surf, tides, and beach driving conditions.

Malaquite Visitor Center
PO Box 181300
Corpus Christi, TX 78480-1300
(361) 949-8068
 
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