I have the GPS locations for the Port Isabel reef - taking the family (and boat) to South Padre for a week in June and was wondering about the fishing at this reef. I understand that most other liberty ship reefs are hit pretty hard year-round, but with the location at the border on this one, wasn't sure how much fishing pressure it gets.

Thanks to any who can help. Also may be open to having someone go offshore with me if the redhead & the kid both feel like doing girly things like shopping or playing tourist lol - all I ask is some fuel in the tank.

Well the reef gets hit harder usually in late summer, due to it's 7 mile location from SPI when every bay boat and their moma goes out there on calm days.

Shouldn't be a big problem in June unless it's a weekend.


What really sucks is occasionally you will see divers near this location but usually they stick to other places.


You need to hit the Clipper up since it's so new.. Only takes 4 months of less to really get an artificial reef going.

-Z-

Zack, I think the Clipper is a bit farther out than my little boat can safely range - I think the info I saw was 19 miles or so for the Clipper. I've got a maximum of about 15-16 miles in good weather.

As long as the divers have their flag up & I can see where they are, I can deal with moving to another location ... it's the thought of accidentally finding a diver with my prop when they fail to set their flag that troubles me.

Well they are usually out in big dive boats so you wont have to worry about hitting any.


Mmm 15 miles eh?


So your planning on just hitting the Tugboat and Navy barge then eh? Albatross, Deep 6?

To bad your not gonna hit the Clippper or Donna Nelly, Libbery Ships, Pats wreck, just right there in clear blue water!

It's fish city man!


-z-

Kinda depends - once I get the boat back from the shop, I'm probably going to burn a hefty amount of fuel figuring out average mileage & the actual size of my tank. The dealership which sold it to me claimed it was a 60 gallon fuel tank, but I'm starting to suspect it's more like 40 gallons. Since I've yet to actually fill it up from bone-dry, sort of hard to tell (normally I only put in 10 to 15 gallons at a time).

However, if I find that I have the range to do so safely, I'd be tickled to try other places. Now you've got me digging online looking for coordinates on these other places lol.

Thank you

Well, the shop showed me where to find the manufacturers placard on the gas tank ... open an access hatch, twist your arm into a space not big enough for an arm ... rotate ... get stuck, wipe accumulated dirt off of placard ... shine light into hole, but arm is stuck and blocking light ...

Anyways, I have a 61 gallon tank, so I'll be able to try the Clipper & other spots at 20 miles or so - assuming the weather is cooperative. Also had to reschedule my trip dates, since my mom wants to go fishing in ALASKA for big halibut in June!!! Sooo ... Alaska in June, South Padre in August.

Zeek, be sure to send TFF a post card from the Panama Canal when passing through there on your way to Alaska...

With the TIFT tourny in Late July - Aug and the LKT, Ladies Kingfish Tourny the very next week.


SPI fishing really takes a beatin for 2 weeks. Both bay and offshore.

Not sure when you are going in Aug but anything before the 11th can be a nightmare on the island.



-Z-

My little sister goes back to school Aug 25th (this is important because part of the point of this trip is to take her off my folks hands for that time), so I'm sure I can set aside a week after Aug 11.

Frankly, this will be as much about having the kid catching offshore fish for the first time, so if we're getting lane snapper & beeliners I'll be happy.

Oh, just to clarify ... we're flying Alaska Airlines to Ketchikan, Alaska ... not taking my boat the long way lol This assumes that Alaska Airlines is still in business come June. Since three carriers have closed in just two weeks (Aloha, ATA and Skybus), this could really happen ...