[Johnboat]

A buddy of mine who grew up in Port Arthur recently launched at Sabine Pass and told me of the new first class triple ramp public launch and park there. This is in addition to the great park and facility at the Sabine Lake causeway and also the public launch and harbor at Pleasure Island on the West side of the main lake....all of these are relatively new. I used to fish out of Port Mansfield and there were excellent public launches and cleaning facilities on both sides of the harbor. The Freeport jetty park is very nice but is useless to boaters. I know what is needed...vision and a commitment by the TPWD for a new facility. But I don't know how to get it done. I'm thinking some greater Houston based fishing/conservation organization could make a presentation at a TPWD commissioners meeting. A video presentation comparing Freeport to other parks and launches would be an eye opener. Local support from the cities of Freeport, Lake Jackson, Surfside and area refining companies would be essential. Is there a fisherman state rep for that area? Does anyone know the outdoors editors for the Houston Chronicle...the poor Freeport facilities would make an interesting outdoors article? Thanks Y'all for letting me rant on the Bluewater board.

 

[speckle-catcher]

I believe Buster Brown is the rep in that area and he's a fisherman

 

[Ernest]

And it will likely be opposed by the local businesses that are making money based on the curent lack of public facilities.

 

[mcgolfer]

the 2 business that it might effect most are becoming small players. buc-ee's is pulling most of the fuel and ice sales in the area and would stand to benefit the most with any type of expansion in the area. neither the bridge bait or the beach bait ramps are very user friendly and are in need of dreging and dock work. maybe when beach bait sells or goes under the next buyer will do what it takes to make it a great place to shop and launch. involving buc-ee's in any lauch facilitiies in the area would be a good thing imho...rick

 

[Badhabit]

I agree Rick

I have always had great service at Buc-ee's, from food to fuel, ice to bait, and some good eye candy too...LOL... I know you fellers with the larger rigs could benefit from more user friendly ramps, and I bet if Buc-ee's was involved you would have them... Also a large live bait shop that opened bout 4 am with lots of piggies and grunts would profit in the area too...

the 2 business that it might effect most are becoming small players. buc-ee's is pulling most of the fuel and ice sales in the area and would stand to benefit the most with any type of expansion in the area. neither the bridge bait or the beach bait ramps are very user friendly and are in need of dreging and dock work. maybe when beach bait sells or goes under the next buyer will do what it takes to make it a great place to shop and launch. involving buc-ee's in any lauch facilitiies in the area would be a good thing imho...rick

 

[mcw]

Boat Ramp

A few years back I attempted to organize a group of local people as well as community officials to get a better ramp for offshore access. I thought that a marina similar to the county facility in Matagorda would work well. The bottom line is the lack of County funds. If I were you, I'd contact a local county commissioner and let them know about your concerns. These guys really do want to help, just need the support of as many people as possible. If I remember correctly, Matagorda County was able to get a rather large grant from the Fed. Government towards the construction of the facility due to other construction that was then taking place by the Corps. Like the granite seawall-barrier that was constructed along the beach in Sargent to prevent erosion into the intracoastal. As far as local retailers not wanting a new ramp, I disagree. I think that any local retailer would encourage improving the access to the gulf, which would then lead to more people visiting the area. FYI, Buster Brown is no longer a senator in that area.

 

[Gunner]

Has anyone heard the latest on the proposed new marina in Freeport. I heard some about it last year and if they worked it like the original plans it would be a benefit. That said, because of the close proximity, I'd love to see Bridge Bait really built out to it's potential.

 

[Mud Skipper]

I agree, Buc'ees does a great job. Not only do they have most of what I need (or forgot)except bait, but I was sold at the bathroom! Nice to know there is a good place to take a seat (clean as home) before spending all day on the water. I walked into beach baits restroom a couple of weeks ago and it was all I could do to keep my breakfast down as I ran out. Turned the truck around and went back to Buc'ees!

It is the simple pleasures that being me back!!LOL
Andy

 

[Boomer]

Regarding the new marina in Freeport, city council has approved plans for a new marina in Freeport. To my knowledge, a private investor has already put forth $6mm and the city has matched with another $1mm for development of plans, environmental studies, etc. My understanding is that a site has already been acquired and that construction is slated to begin during this year. If you want to read more, go to the city of Freeport's website (I don't have the actual site on hand) and there is a link to the Marina information.


I live in Houston and know nothing about Freeport (among many, many other things), I just happened across this information one day while searching for beach houses to rent.

The lack of ramps and idiots using them is one of the reasons why I keep my boat at Kirby Marina. For those interested, there are still many empty lifts available.

 

[Hoover]

Yes I would also like to see Bridge Bait expand. The land to the right of them he was trying to buy but low and be hold one of the chemical plant owns it and will not sell. I think it is Shintec. I love Bridge Bait after a day a fishin to come clean the fish and bs with alot of the guys there have made me some quite enjoyable times only problem is all the idiots that use and block the ramp. If he could get at least 2 more in there he would make more money then he knew what to do with.

 

[Farmer Jim]

It is a mystery to me why Bridge Bait will not do something about the problems at their facilities. One of my biggest gripes is the people (mostly charter captains) who tie up to the very limited dock space and then clean fish, drink beer, socialize and prevent other launching or returning boats getting to the dock. Something as simple as putting up a sign asking people to please recover their boat before cleaning fish or settling in for a few beers would help. We've gotten pretty good at kissing the end of the little pier on the other side of the launch area so Walking Jack can hop off and go get the truck while I hold out in the channel. But on days with a particularly low tide or real strong current, that can be a really tricky operation and there have been ocassions we couldn't pull it off, especially on low winter tides. Also, the ramps are in bad condition. I just can't believe it would cost that much to do a some dredging, extend the concrete on the ramps, increase their angle a little and deepen the area around that narrow pier so that boats drafting over 10" could dock there. The place is becoming more of a bar/honky-tonk than a fishing camp. Maybe they make so much on beer that they just aren't that interested in fishermen. The state built some really good launches on the intercoastal about a mile from where it crosses the San Bernard. They get very little use and you can't even get to the open gulf from there without a long run. Sure seems like the money could have been better spent areound Freeport.

 

[michaelbaranowski]

They are not the best ramps at the mouth of Bernard. But they are good enough for me to use from time to time. And it would be great if the cut into the gulf was deeper. I have heard that there is a plan to build jetties there but seems like that is still several years down the road if by chance it does happen.

 

[Johnboat]

Guess whose opposing the new Freeport marina

Read about it at the www.freeport.tx.us.com. website. click on marina news. also you can get on their email alert list. I am impressed.

 

[Johnboat]

correct address

www.freeport.tx.us.

 

[Boomer]

Johnboat, that is the information that I slightly misquoted in my previous reply. Do you know why they would be opposed to the new marina??

 

[speckle-catcher]

quoted from the link that johnboat posted:

The EDC has successfully negotiated with all property owners, with the exception of two commercial interests, Trico Seafood and Western Seafood. Both of which are in opposition to the marina with Western Seafood going so far as to file a civil suit against the City of Freeport.

With regards to information given to the citizens of the City of Freeport during this week raising the issue of eminent domain with respect to residential property, the City of Freeport has never taken residential property by an act of eminent domain nor is there any plan by the City to take any residential property by eminent domain. In addition, the City has not designated any occupied home in this City as a blighted property. The process for the improvement to the appearance of the City of Freeport by which the City removes dangerous uninhabited and substandard buildings, is an open process, approved in open meetings by the City Council.

My guess is that the City may have proposed to take the land owned by Trico Seafood and Western Seafood through eminent domain. The two owners of those properties are probably holding out for more than what their property is worth, and trying to rally residential homeowners behind them by falsely saying the city is going to take residential homes through eminent domain.

 

[TexasDux]

neither the bridge bait or the beach bait ramps are very user friendly

I loathe Bridge Bait...totally worthless.. I'd like to untie the next boat I find parked in the center of the dock while boats are having to circle in the ICW....and it's USUALLY a certain guide that thinks he owns that dock and ramp.

 

[teckersley]

I hear ya!..I mean COME ON. We would all like to use the facilities and a little common sense and courtesy would go a long way. I guess the first is the hard part. As for me and my crew, we make sure all the gear is on board before getting in line, 2 people launch the boat (1 driving truck and 1 driving boat) while the rest go in and get everything else. If busy, the one driving the boat waits until the others are on the dock are ready and then proceeds to approach dock to pick everything up as quickly as possible. Repeat in reverse on the way out.

Is that too darn much to ask for?

If Bridge Bait doesn't try to help the situation, there goes customers and there goes business. I for one am getting tired of the hassle and looking for alternatives. I fully support the local guys trying to earn a living but not at the expense of a hassle every time.

 

[SSNJOHN]

Bridge Bait

I have only launched there once and that will be the last time. What a cluster. Fortunately, my wife can back a boat trailer down a winding driveway with a few close trees for additional challenges.

As I was giving her hand signals about how far to back in, some yay hoo runs in between me and my trailer and proceeds to do a poor job of getting attached to the dock. I actually think that if my trailer hadn't been for a cat, he would have parked on it.

Never again. I will go further south.

How is the ramp at Ernies # 2 ?????

SSNJOHN

 

[SabineStalker]

The new ramp is great in Sabine. I still use the same ramp I have always used which is the Sabine Pass Public Boat Ramp, but went to look at it a few weeks ago and it is really nice. Thats one thing we have here is several excellent launches. There is three stalls at the new one which is at the Battleground Park(**** Dowling Park). I haven't seen but a few trucks in the parking lot each time. Thats normal here though. The Sabine Public Ramp, when it was pretty much by itself on the Sabine Pass side would seldom get crowded to the point of getting nerve racking, but the new one will take a portion of that and thats going to be nice. Now, If the weather would let us fish we'd be happy.