WHO OF YOU HAVE A BOAT THAT IS ALEAST 18' LONG? BASSBOATS DONT COUNT. THERE IS NO REASON FOR ANY OF YOU TO HIRE CHARTERS TO GO OFFSHORE.FIRST FIND A PORT YOU LIKE. FREEPORT IS MY PORT BECAUSE ITS CLOSE TO FT. WORTH.6 HOUR DRIVE.NEXT MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A WORKING VHF RADIO AND CAN USE IT. START OUT SLOW AND CLOSE.LEAVE THE JETTYS AND GO TO THE FIRST RIG YOU CAN SEE.THERE ARE PLACES YOU CAN FIND WEATHER AND WAVES ON THE NET AND RADIO. WHEN YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE HEAD FOR THE NEXT RIG. A GPS IS HELPFUL. I SUGGEST THAT YOU ONLY DO THIS IN A SMALL BOAT DURING MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUG, SEPT.I WILL E-MAIL PLACES TO GET WAVE HIEGHTS AND FISHING INFORMATION TO ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE IT. THERE IS INEXSPENSIVE TOWING INSURANCE IN CASE YOU BREAK DOWN. I HAVE BEEN GOING OFFSHORE FOR A LONGTIME IN SMALL BOATS. IF ITS ROUGH OUT THERE YOU CAN ALWAYS STAY AT THE MOTEL AND FISH THE NEXT DAY.YOU DONT HAVE TO GO VERY FAR TO CATCH SOME NICE FISH. WE COULD HAVE A SMALL BOAT OUTING ON THE GULF IF TFF WOULD BE INTRESTED.

Sounds interesting Randy. I was planning on doing this also this summer, but got called up overseas (the wrong way) temporarily. Had just installed VHF and will install GPS when I get back. What can I expect out of PortA?? Been on the party boats and have seen plenty of action on small private boats just out of the jetties. Anxious to try it out this year.....Also do you have any personal experience (good or bad) to share, with any of the Sea Tow services?? Thanks...

[This message has been edited by Adkins Angler (edited 06-12-2003).]

Randy,

I have a 19 foot bay boat that is a very rough ride. Even on the calm days, it can beat you pretty good if you get going much over 30 mph and happen upon some swells or large boat wakes. The boat is more than capable of going offshore but, not comfortably.

How fast do you normally go when running to the offshore fishing haunts? If you keep the pace fairly slow, I may be interested. I am in Houston, so I would just meet in Freeport if I decide to go.

Additionally, what range are you thinking about going? I have a 38 gallon tank and a 115 Yamaha so, my range may not be as long as some of the bigger boats. If trolling all day, I wouldn't be comfortable going more than 15-20 miles out.

I have a 17' 1973 Falcon tri-hull with a 115hp Evinrude and have been to the first rig several times(7 or 8 yrs. ago) out of Freeport (approx. 5 miles out-80' deep water).
Believe It Or Not
Me and my uncle pulled a 14' john boat back in that was tied up to the rig.
Just as we where getting ready to leave they asked if we would wait to make sure they could start there 35hp motor.
Well, there battery went dead.
So we towed them back.
So just make sure you have a VHS-Marine radio and a cell phone that works good in the area that your in.Also a extra fresh battery and jumper-cables don't hurt.
But it sounds like your in good -hands with RANDYWOOD AS YOUR LEADER.
Oh Yeah,that day we caught 9 red snappers-on cigar-minnows,lots of angelfish-on on small cut-up pieces of squid,3 black-tip sharks up to 5 feet at the rig and a couple of dozen nice gulf trout(sand trout) at the end of the now Quinita Jetties on our way out.
Seas were 1'to 2',wind was calm out of the S.E.
!!BE CAREFUL OF MOTHER NATURE!!
!!YA'LL BE SAFE NOW HERE!!

.......(GFAFTA).......
FISHINGFOOL40

Randy,

Excellent idea. Count me in. I've got a SeaPro 17'4" center console with the gps and vhs radio. I can go anytime this summer. I live in Austin.

Thanks for the great suggestion!

------------------
Ed Utley

OK. WATCH TH FOURM FOR MORE DETAILS.

THERE IS A LARGE DISSCUSION ON THE STRIPER PAGE ABOUT THIS.

im in for this