Do boat ramps freeze up

Im thinking of fishing wed morning at lake arlington. Its calling for snow, yet slightly above freezing(34-35). Is it dangerous to launch in these conditions, or do the grated ramps make it easier.

4 WD helps.

Because no body else will be on Arlington the ramps will look just like the unused roads. If the warmer temps melt the ramp it probably won't be till later in the day. Good news is if you start sliding down the ramp you will probably stop when your boat starts floating! :-)

Swing by lowes and get you a few bags of sand and sand the ramp before you back down. But be carefull, once you break traction on a down hill slide you probably won't stop until the truck is floating. But I'd be more concerned about getting the boat back out once you get it in. Thats tough enough sometimes with just a wet ramp. Ice would be even tougher.

Think I would take some bags of kitty litter, just in case and find a ramp that sure isn't very steep.
Do you really think they will be biting after such an extreme drop in temperature?
God Bless

yes, they will bite

this^^^^

You will need help getting in and out if the ramp is like the roads. The ramps may even be worse because of being non used. We have used two trucks before and about 3 tow straps to let each other down the ramp nice and slow. You do the same thing loading up. Once the back wheels of the truck touches the underwater part of the ramp it will hold. Load the back of your truck with bags of sand with a shovel to make a path for both tires tracks. Be safe and use the other truck for support even if you thank is is going to slide. Hook the truck front to front so the safety truck can see what is taking place and creep you down the ramp to unload and pull you up the ramp when loading out.

OK, sand but, we are NOT anywhere nearly as far south as Houston. Man, it's COLD up here in N.Central Texas....bone chilling 28 degree F COLD.
I am of the opinion, it may take several days of sunshine to warm even the shallows up even a small amount....???
IDK....
God Bless

Put your life jacket on before getting in truck

And roll down the window.

If there is ice on the ramps, Ill probably just head back to be safe. Im off on wed mornings and would like to practice jerk bait fishing. No fish is worth sinking my truck. Im hoping the temps being above freezing will just make it cold and wet. I may bring some sand just to help out for loading, and arlington ramps are not very steep.

yes

Get a couple 50 pound sacks of rock salt and a couple of sand and spread on the ramp. In about 30 min or so you'll be good to go

We used to do it at Monti when it was really nasty

I doubt they freeze over.........

Get a winch and find a strong tree.

And may sure your insurance is paid up...

Striper fishing all winter in GA. I can tell you they do. When you get there and they have frost on them the first one down is ok, but when he pulls up the ramp get wet and very very slippery. Many mornings I stopped only when the back tires got in the water and would have stayed there without 4X4. They can freeze over.

The ramp will NOT freeze below the water line. When your back tires hit the water you will regain control if you are sliding.

Don't be scared...do it! Just be sure to have someone videoing it for us!

You could win $10,000 with that video on America's Funniest Home Videos.

Du yes.

The fact that you asked this question gives me pause.

I was being cynical. My next post was going to say I figured they where all heated. I know I'm being a smart [censored] but I don't understand why someone would even ask if they freeze.

Quote of the week! Lmao

The fact that I am a fairly new boat owner that wants to go fishing and am asking a question about safety before just going out and doing it gives you pause? I bet a lot of things give you pause.

Not trying to be rude or mean but they say more snow Wednesday.. Just sounds stupid to go. If u go just don't get mad if something bad happens

The best thing we have used is the ashes out of our fire place. Just spread it out over any ice that is there to help get traction.

Go to ramp and check it without boat. I can tell u the boat ramps at Arlington will freeze no one will use them if it's below freezing and wet it will be Ice

I wasn't aware any boat ramp was exempt from freezing.

Pulled into a gas station with a flat tire. Attendant looks at the truck, and asks "did you get a flat?" - I replied, " damndest thing, I was driving down the road and those other three just swelled up on me"

Here's your sign

I just don't think the science of water freezing at certain temps changes because you want to go fishing.

I remember a tournament on Fork yeas ago a fellow with a winch sat at the top of the ramp and pulled us up after we launched.

I think the city would close the boat ramps down if there is ice on the ramps. They surely don't want people sliding out of control into the lake.

Common sense should kick in at some point. I don't need anyone to tell me not to back down a frozen ramp.

Some people lack common sense

You are correct, but if you read my post, the low on wednesday is 34, in most atmospheric pressures in the south, freezing is 32. It is calling for snow, and I know that snow can stick and then form ice. If there is ice on the roads, I'm not pulling my boat to the ramp.

I go duck hunting a lot in below freezing Temps. Never thought about a ramp freezing up. Last time the water was 37 degrees and the air was 15 degrees.

You usually get traction when your back tires hit the water!!! Duck hunted off way too many frozen ramps over the years.

You will slide until you hit the water line, you'll get traction there unless theres lots of moss or algae

After reading all of this, who in the hell would be dumb enough to try? Who's going to feel sorry for you if you lose your truck backing a damn boat down a ramp that is solid ice when it is 25 degrees outside... Duh....

This is the most entertainment since I sat at the boat ramp and watched the boats frozen on the trailers on Rayburn couple of years ago. (Like at the Classic!)

Seems like putting the boat in the water wouldn't be the issue. It'd be getting the truck back up the ramp, especially once the boat's back on the trailer. Wet ramps can sometimes be slick to begin with pulling a boat out--icy ramps? Good luck.

Just bring a bag of salt or sand with you and throw it on the ramp.good to go.

+1

NO. Ramps do not freeze, only the roads all around them. There are no dumb questions. So we thought. Sorry! :-) Roads(and ramps) frozen around here and I'm board!

Well inquiring minds want to know. Did you go?!

after reading this post, I got in the truck and drove down to arrow head ramp here on LL, its clear no ice on the ramp at all. Still think Ill stay home and wish I went.

You can always get a set of these! You boys up North Texas might need some Too!

http://zipgripgo.com/

Well after looking at OUR forecast for East Texas I might need to go get ME Some TOO!!!

I'm sure with the lower lake levels some Ramps seem like hell these days, but they will still freeze over.

At 34 degrees like the OP asked?

Well I'm no scientist but I have stayed in a holiday inn before. If it's above 32 degrees then I doubt it.

This thread has sure been entertaining. I think more so for some than others.

Lmao. Yep

I've launched at Lake Arlington hundreds, if not thousands of times, in the last 40+ years. I live right by the lake. I wouldn't be backing down those Arkansas Lane ramps in this carp. No way.
Matter of fact, I bet the lake patrol closes them off anyway.

Just my

I'm gonna check out the ramp at hubbard tomorrow. Should be 35 degrees at 11am. I'll probably wait until 1pm when it's around 41 degrees and see if I can safely launch...but I sure the hell won't launch if there's ice on the ramp.

I launched one time at Joe Pool in freezing temps. Was going to be a good weather day, but not yet light. I backed down the ramp, tried to stop, and just kept going. A real funny feeling when your sliding toward the water with the brakes locked. I did stop when back wheels hit the water. I launched, and practically couldn't even pull the trailer back up the ramp. I never even thought about the ramp freezing, but I do now.

It's snowing outside but temps are 34 and climbing. As soon as the snow hits the pavement it melts. So far, no ice or snow on paved roads. Will go out in a lil bit to check the ramps.

There was a world famous photo a while back on here of a guy who put in on the north side of Whitney along the river, while the steep ramp did not freeze, the bunk boards on his trailer did, after a day of fishing as he pulled up the very steep ramp his unhooked boat slid off the trailer right smack in the middle of the ramp,,, wisdom

I have seen water build up ice on ramps when in the 20's.

Boat ramps freeze up, and DOWN! Both directions!

Many years ago it was in the teens and the power plant at north Lake was running Wide open. I couldn't resist So I went and caught a mess. When I pulled the boat out I stopped on the top part of the ramp to put on tie downs and when I walked to the back of the boat I nearly fell and slid all the way down to the lake. It had frozen that fast and it was a power plant lake so Yes they will freeze.

if you really want to fish it, go by an irrigation supply dealer (ewing, John Deere Landscapes, Metro, Longhorn, etc) and buy a bag of "ice melt". put it out on the ramp the night before and the ice will not accumulate on the ramp. if it does, it will be minimal and easy to remove. it is what all the retail stores have applied to their sidewalks and parking lots before big ice storms to prevent liability.

http://www.uline.com/BL_7050/Ice-Melt?gclsrc=aw.ds