Hi, I am new to this forum and new to Texas fishing. I have fished Hatteras for 40 years but they have almost shut this area down. I would like to be able to talk to someone who drives on the beach and fishes these areas and ask questions. I am a retired and a Marine Vet and kinda dumb so I need lots of help. I drive an 1988 Bronco but have never had to deal with some of the things you guys do on the beaches in Texas. Would also like to know when the fishing gets good in the spring etc. etc,. Any help out there? Thanks Steve Fretz

Make sure your 4wd is operational. Be prepared to unstick yourself, especially on PINS. Take shovels, pieces of carpet, boards, etc. Air down your tires. You'll need to air back up so take a 12 volt air compressor. Take some Fix-a-flat or slime and plugs in case of a flat. There's lots of debris that washes ashore down there.

Don't drive on the seaweed. As it decomposes it will cause voids in the sand. It's kind of like quicksand and will swallow you quick.

A pair of long 2x8's are helpful. Dig the sand out from in front of the rear tires and lay the board down with the rope toward the front. I drill a hole in one end and tie a rope through the hole. Make the rope plenty long. Tie a loop in the other end and throw it over your trailer hitch. Then when you drive off of the boards you'll drag them until you get to solid sand and can stop to retrieve them.

Watch for nesting sea turtles.

Fishing the surf generally starts getting good once water temps get to 68-72 degrees (usually June).

I drive to the east cut on spi all the time in my 05 fx4 usually never have to do more than 4wd high. I love fishing the ocean side of the jettys!