Nearshore Trips

This is one of the things I'd like to try:

Take the boat out to one of those nearshore rigs you see off in a distance and fish the rig for whatever hangs out down there.
Don't know if that's considered nearshore or offshore?

If you've done that, what are the resources you look at in planning that trip? (Websites, specific charts to look at, etc.)
What is the max sea height & wind speed that you will make that trip in?

I'm in a 24ft Skeeter Bay CC.
Am I crazy?

You are not crazy, if you keep safety as the priority. Pay attention to the seas height and forecast. Make sure your VHS radio works and make sure you understand how to us it. Make 3 feet seas be your upper limit, but also learn about wave period. Short wave period in 3 foot seas can also be iffy and seas conditions can change quickly. Entering and exiting the jetty entrance can be challenging. Cell phone service used to be really good almost all over the gulf, but now it is very limited. If you go past cell service then I would recommend getting an EPIRB. If possible go out into the wind so you have the wind at your back during your return. Have backup battery operated GPS. Use the gas rule of 1/3 tank out, 1/3 tank back, and 1/3 tank in reserve.

I started going offshore in my 21 Kenner decades ago. Work your way up slowly but once you break the jetties it is a whole new world. The close rigs can be really fun but the fantastic fishing starts about 25 miles offshore. I fished over 60 miles offshore in my 21 Kenner so I may be crazy, but fishing th enclose rigs is well within the limits of your boat. I would pick a good 2 feet sea day and go for it. Let us know how you do.

Crazy is what you will see out there; Flat bottom john boats with extra fuel tanks, bass boats, even a pontoon now and then.

Osborn, thanks for the info. The wave periods that you mentioned are new to me. Never heard of that.
So what are your go to resources to find out wave height and wave period?

I got a 24ft boat with a 80 gallon fuel cell and I'm nervous about going. Can't even imagine out there on a flat bottom, bass or pontoon

NOAA is the main site that controls the buoys. Just zoom in to the area then click on a buoy and marine forecast.
https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/

Get a marine radio you can plug in your room. It is the first thing I listen to in the morning. They will announce weather conditions, forecast, and local buoy information.

You will see everything you can imagine. Lots of flatbottoms.

I have everything you mentioned earlier already installed on the boat except the EPIRB.
My vhf is networked through the sonar unit so my radio can send position data. And I can hear the robot guy read off the weather report on the wx stations

You shouldn’t have a problem if you watch the waves. It will only take a little time to get used to the ocean. Make sure you have the coast guard required equipment. Also the fishing regulations change to federal regulations at nine miles out.

I can’t wait to see the pictures! The only bad part is that ocean fishing can be very addictive.

Looking forward to the 1st trip. Hopefully soon.
I got a trailer light overhaul that I'm about to start and a kid who just stepped into select/travel baseball. So I don't know when I'm going, but hopefully soon

I have a 18' center console and go out to the VA Fogg reef and Tall Rock when conditions are right. Both are about 30-35NM from the Freeport Jetty Entrance.

I use Buoyweather.com to look for possible days. I look for 0-1 foot days and will do 2 foot days that have a wave duration of 5-6 second duration. Also you will need to look at wind direction and compare it to wave direction. Swell forecasts do not take into account wind chop. So any wind driven cross chop is not taken into account of just the wave forecasts.

Over 2 feet is a no go for me. Since i need such ideal conditions, I only get out less than a half dozen times during a snapper season in a good year, sometimes only once given my work schedule compounding the problem. Be picky and always wish you would have gone after the fact instead of wishing you had NOT gone in hindsight. Keep the live to fight another day and don't push your luck. I run with a Garmin InReach locator/sat text communication device. They are cheap and the subscription isn't that bad. Also, extra flares, a hand held vhf radio, I wear my pfd and kill switch lanyard at all times when underway. If I am out by myself, I also tie a rope attached to the boat when i am stopped so that if I fall overboard when the tide is ripping and i have my spotlock engaged, that I am able to stay with the boat and not have to rely on my swimming to get back to the ladder. Just always thinking of worst case scenarios and what you will do when it happens.

I have a BoatUS tow policy too.

Just know your boat, know how it handles, know it's limits and captain it like you have your granny along with you. No need to hotdog and be the first one there if you end up not coming back.

S.West wind is a no go from Galveston South Jetties...(been there) Buccaneer Rigs. Never go alone. Meaning go w/ other boats. Go in Ice Cream conditions ..^^^^^ what they said

Thanks Keith!