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Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 1:56 pm
by flynut
I wonder if someone could advise- the public boats ramps in Aransas Pass have been closed, but is it still possible to launch a kayak from the shoreline along the causeway leading to the ferry, such as to B&R or LHL? Many thanks for any guidance. I tried the sheriff’s ofc, but they were understandably uninterested

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 2:04 pm
by stangfisher
Been wondering about this also.

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 2:14 pm
by SWFinatic
flynut wrote:the public boats ramps in Aransas Pass have been closed,
Conn Brown boat ramp is not closed.

Whatever you do please consider that you have no idea whether you have this virus and if you will spread it along the way. It's a really tough decision to stay home and not fish. It's a decision I made and again it's not easy. I just don't want to be the guy that gets someone else sick because I was selfish.

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 2:25 pm
by Neumie
361 between Aransas Pass and the ferries is Nueces County, and according to the latest Stay at Home Order you are allowed to fish and kayak as long as you maintain 6 feet from anybody.

Aransas Pass is tricky, because there are essentially 3 governing entities; the city of Aransas Pass, Aransas County, and San Patricio County. Aransas Pass' "SaHO" allows you to fish and launch a kayak. Conn Brown Ramp (it's actually in San Patricio County) is open, but you may only launch a boat as long as it is large enough so all occupants can maintain at least 6 feet distance from each other. Aransas County's "SaHO" allows you to launch and fish as long as you're not using a public park, boat ramp, beach, dock, etc. San Patricio's "SaHO" you should be OK to launch and fish from any site.

The more I read Aransas County/Rockport/Fulton it says boat launches in addition to boat ramps. Wonder how they define either of these?

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 2:54 pm
by flynut
Thanks, gents.
Curious- the lady in the sheriff's office was quite adamant that all ramps in Aransas County were closed.
Really appreciate the help

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 3:00 pm
by SWFinatic
Neumie wrote:361 between Aransas Pass and the ferries is Nueces County, and according to the latest Stay at Home Order you are allowed to fish and kayak as long as you maintain 6 feet from anybody.

Aransas Pass is tricky, because there are essentially 3 governing entities; the city of Aransas Pass, Aransas County, and San Patricio County. Aransas Pass' "SaHO" allows you to fish and launch a kayak. Conn Brown Ramp (it's actually in San Patricio County) is open, but you may only launch a boat as long as it is large enough so all occupants can maintain at least 6 feet distance from each other. Aransas County's "SaHO" allows you to launch and fish as long as you're not using a public park, boat ramp, beach, dock, etc. San Patricio's "SaHO" you should be OK to launch and fish from any site.

The more I read Aransas County/Rockport/Fulton it says boat launches in addition to boat ramps. Wonder how they define either of these?
I was under the impression Conn Brown boat ramp is actually in Nueces County with the harbor being in San Pat. Guessing the county line is the water?

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 3:16 pm
by flynut
Regarding the concern for coronavirus precautions.
I'm planning to drive alone to the launch site, and will be paddling a kayak solo. A friend is driving separately, and will be in a solo kayak, as well. Likely, I'll need to buy gas at some point, and will take the precaution of using gloves and keeping my distance from others.
I'm quite sure that we will be adhering to all CDC and WHO published guidelines, and will have less potential contact than 2 people walking around the same public park.
That said, I certainly appreciate the concerns expressed, and can appreciate the underlying anxiety reflected. If there is a legitimate reason to object to activities such as this, it would be helpful to provide some authoritative reference.

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 3:21 pm
by Neumie
SWFinatic wrote:I was under the impression Conn Brown boat ramp is actually in Nueces County with the harbor being in San Pat. Guessing the county line is the water?
I took a closer look at the map, and you are correct, Conn Brown Boat Ramp is in Nueces County.

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 4:31 pm
by SWFinatic
Yeah it's weird how the county lines come together there.

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 4:34 pm
by SWFinatic
flynut wrote:Regarding the concern for coronavirus precautions.
I'm planning to drive alone to the launch site, and will be paddling a kayak solo. A friend is driving separately, and will be in a solo kayak, as well. Likely, I'll need to buy gas at some point, and will take the precaution of using gloves and keeping my distance from others.
I'm quite sure that we will be adhering to all CDC and WHO published guidelines, and will have less potential contact than 2 people walking around the same public park.
That said, I certainly appreciate the concerns expressed, and can appreciate the underlying anxiety reflected. If there is a legitimate reason to object to activities such as this, it would be helpful to provide some authoritative reference.
I appreciate you not taking my comments the wrong way. I'm not telling anyone they can't go fishing. It's just we now have evidence staying at home does reduce the spread of the virus. We're not going to begin to recover from this and get back to normal until the virus stops spreading.

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 4:55 pm
by TexasJim
Last Friday, 4/3, the only place you could park between AP and the ferry was LHL. Spring & full moon high tides! Conn Brown was open, but only about thirty trucks & trailers. Aransas County ramps, parks and beaches are CLOSED. You can kayak fish in Nueces County, except for within Port Aransas city limits. TexasJim

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 7:03 am
by Tombo
I called the Public Safety Center two days ago. All parks, public boat and kayak ramps are closed in Aransas County. Appears Nueces has similar rules.

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 8:35 am
by SWFinatic
All TPWD parks now closed. I look for Corps of Engineers to follow this soon.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releas ... =20200407a

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 8:44 am
by Ron Mc
Tombo wrote:I called the Public Safety Center two days ago. All parks, public boat and kayak ramps are closed in Aransas County. Appears Nueces has similar rules.
A report on corpusfishing says Nueces county commissioners meet today to make that decision.

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 9:23 am
by Neumie
Tombo wrote:I called the Public Safety Center two days ago. All parks, public boat and kayak ramps are closed in Aransas County. Appears Nueces has similar rules.
Nothing in the current Nueces County or City of Corpus Christi's "Stay at Home" orders" mention anything about closed boat ramps. Could change today since the city of Corpus Christi's "SAHO" expires today.

In the Rockport/Fulton/Aransas County "SAHO" it also mentions all Aransas Pathways birding locations are open from 5am to 8pm. Outdoor activity is permitted as long as social distancing is being practiced. Did they specifically say no one can launch a kayak and go fishing?

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 10:56 am
by Tombo
No, just can't launch at dedicated places. For example, they told me I could take out my boat if launched at my house. Above all maintain social distancing.

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 12:52 pm
by ben_beyer
I need to get Cary Beason to get some information out on doing a Combat Launch on The Salty Yak podcast.

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:08 pm
by Neumie
This is from Aransas Pass PD's Facebook page:

"Folks, do not plan your weekend here in AP or on the coast. Unfortunately, south Texas is closed for business.

The Governor reiterated his order yesterday and said that folks need to STAY AT HOME and avoid unnecessary travel. Despite his order and local orders, we are flooded with folks calling wanting to make their way to AP. Though we are tickled you’re choosing AP, now is just not the time.

More is likely to follow so stay tuned for updates.

#COVID19"

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2020 5:42 am
by SWFinatic
Conn Brown boat ramp in Aransas Pass is now closed.

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2020 12:05 pm
by TexasJim
All ramps in Aransas Pass are closed. Conn Brown and Ransom Road, plus the Aquatic Center. From what I can tell, the AP city limits stop at the Nueces County line, which is the ICW bridge. Unless Nueces County deems the Stedman Island waterfronts and Lighthouse Lakes waterfronts, "beaches", you might legally launch a kayak there. If the Lighthouse Lakes launch is considered an extension of the "State Parks", maybe not. I tend to agree with the attempt to keep the "tourists" from bringing the plague here, just so they can have a holiday weekend. Please stay home and let this thing die a death from isolation. TexasJim

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2020 12:16 pm
by Ron Mc
Texas has already militarized the Louisiana border and banned airline flights from Chicago, New York, Florida, and of course, NOLA. The opposite has been publicly stated by USPS, but the mail is being quarantined.
If this problem gets worse instead of better, we'll see militarized city limits.

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2020 1:20 pm
by TexasJim
This reminds me of when a friend moved to Austin around 1980. He went in a bar and they had a 5-gallon plastic water jug on the bar, about half-full of coins. He asked what it was for and the bartender told him, "We're collecting money to build a climb-proof fence around Houston"! ...............TexasJim...........

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2020 11:23 am
by flynut
Really appreciate all the feedback. I'm not a resident of AP, and despite spending probably 500 days there in the past 10 years, I'll accede to the locals' request to stay away, even though no violation of social distancing was planned.
These are trying times. Hopefully, better ones ahead.
If you need help in the San Antonio, area, feel free to contact.

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:45 am
by Neumie
So, I'm making an impromptu trip this weekend to Rockport and inquired about the Aransas Pathways access points since public parks, beaches, and boat launches are closed until April 30th. The response I received from the project manager of Aransas Pathways was; "Pathway sites are open from 5:00am until 8:00pm daily. Practice social distancing and have a good time."

So, I'm not sure if I'll be wade or kayak fishing but hopefully I'll have a report to post after this weekend.

Re: Possible to launch along AP causeway?

Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2020 10:39 am
by stangfisher
Neumie wrote:So, I'm making an impromptu trip this weekend to Rockport and inquired about the Aransas Pathways access points since public parks, beaches, and boat launches are closed until April 30th. The response I received from the project manager of Aransas Pathways was; "Pathway sites are open from 5:00am until 8:00pm daily. Practice social distancing and have a good time."

So, I'm not sure if I'll be wade or kayak fishing but hopefully I'll have a report to post after this weekend.

Definitely looking forward to hearing from you. 2 brand new kayaks sitting on the trailer with no use is killing me. Good luck. Happy fishing.