Atkinson island and Morgan's point

[heiferhopper]

Does anyone have any experience with that area? What's the barge traffic like out there? Is it easily crossed from Morgan's point and what is the fishing like? Is Mary's bait shop open and can I launch there? Do they charge for launching and how much? I was thinking about going to the north end of Atkinson island this Sunday because it looks promising. Any suggestions, ideas and reports will be greatly appreciated...

Larry

[nicktm103]

I've paddled up to Morgan's Point from Sylvan Beach, but you can launch at Morgan's Point itself. You can launch right where Bayridge Rd dead ends into the Ship Channel. The Point restaurant and the bait camp aren't there anymore. There is just a little gravel parking lot where you can park and launch a kayak, it's free. There usually are a lot of people bank fishing up there.

As far as barges and tankers, you really do need to be careful. It may not seem like a long paddle across the Ship Channel to Atkinson Island, but it is dangerous with the currents and heavy vessel traffic. What makes it dangerous is that you can't see every ship that is coming from the low vantage point in a kayak. Looking at a map, you'll notice that the Ship Channel curves west just north of Morgan's Point, this makes a blind spot so you can't see ships that are coming from the north. Another issue is that not only do you need to worry about the very large ship wakes, you also need to worry about being pulled into the ship itself. There is a noticeable sucking of water before a big tanker comes by, it creates a very strong pull towards the ship.

I think a safer alternative is to either 1) launch at the many boat ramps at the north end of the Fred Hartmann or 2) launch off Evergreen Rd and it will put you on Tabbs Bay, not a far paddle from Hog and Atkinson Islands. Good luck out there.

[heiferhopper]

I've paddled up to Morgan's Point from Sylvan Beach, but you can launch at Morgan's Point itself. You can launch right where Bayridge Rd dead ends into the Ship Channel. The Point restaurant and the bait camp aren't there anymore. There is just a little gravel parking lot where you can park and launch a kayak, it's free. There usually are a lot of people bank fishing up there.

As far as barges and tankers, you really do need to be careful. It may not seem like a long paddle across the Ship Channel to Atkinson Island, but it is dangerous with the currents and heavy vessel traffic. What makes it dangerous is that you can't see every ship that is coming from the low vantage point in a kayak. Looking at a map, you'll notice that the Ship Channel curves west just north of Morgan's Point, this makes a blind spot so you can't see ships that are coming from the north. Another issue is that not only do you need to worry about the very large ship wakes, you also need to worry about being pulled into the ship itself. There is a noticeable sucking of water before a big tanker comes by, it creates a very strong pull towards the ship.

I think a safer alternative is to either 1) launch at the many boat ramps at the north end of the Fred Hartmann or 2) launch off Evergreen Rd and it will put you on Tabbs Bay, not a far paddle from Hog and Atkinson Islands. Good luck out there.

Thanks for the tip. I'll reconsider launching at Morgan's point and look at the other side. Have you ever fished that area?

[1alextorres]

Larry,

As nicktm103 as mention the current that these barges pull can be extremely dangerous at times. I have fished by power boat these area's that you have mentioned. With the current movement you get like an artifical current that make the fishing prime. We have caught a lot of reds in Tabbs Bay around some reefs in the area and along the shore line of Atkinson Island. I too have thought of fishing in my kayak along the shore line from Sylvan Beach to the point around the pier pilens, but the water movement these barges pull can seem to be like your are on a BTB trip (unpredictable). Just be carefull and tightlines.

Alex

[richg99]

Are there actual safe and legal park/launch points on Evergreen road? I'd hate to park, launch and find my vehicle towed when I came back in. Just checking. thanks Rich

[nicktm103]

Are there actual safe and legal park/launch points on Evergreen road? I'd hate to park, launch and find my vehicle towed when I came back in. Just checking. thanks Rich

I've driven down Evergreen Rd a couple times, I didn't notice any no parking signs and I've seen cars parked there. There's plenty of shoulder room to park as well. TPWD even lists it as a place to access the bay: http://www.glo.state.tx.us/coastal/acce ... eston2.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[richg99]

Super news. If the winds ever stop blowing right into that shoreline...I might have to give it a paddle. At least it is closer for me than West Bay! thanks Rich

[Dburt00]

Where is this Atkinson island? Is it a spot that can be seen on google earth or a hook and line map?

[Fin-Addict]

Are there actual safe and legal park/launch points on Evergreen road? I'd hate to park, launch and find my vehicle towed when I came back in. Just checking. thanks Rich

I've driven down Evergreen Rd a couple times, I didn't notice any no parking signs and I've seen cars parked there. There's plenty of shoulder room to park as well. TPWD even lists it as a place to access the bay: http://www.glo.state.tx.us/coastal/acce ... eston2.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yeah, good luck with that!

The only access point on evergreen has huge chunks of concrete with all kinds of rebar. It's tetanus city! Feasible but very discouraging when you get there and see the boulders.

Plus, that area doesn't get alot of traffic. I'd think twice about leaving my vehicle there

Drive by and take a look for yourself

[EZ Rider]

The launch spot at Morgans Point at the end of Bayridge Rd. is also lined with concrete boulders.

[nicktm103]

The launch spot at Morgans Point at the end of Bayridge Rd. is also lined with concrete boulders.

There is a little spot at Morgan's Point that isn't so bouldery, easy launch for a kayak. I was there about a month ago, looked ok.

Are there actual safe and legal park/launch points on Evergreen road? I'd hate to park, launch and find my vehicle towed when I came back in. Just checking. thanks Rich

I've driven down Evergreen Rd a couple times, I didn't notice any no parking signs and I've seen cars parked there. There's plenty of shoulder room to park as well. TPWD even lists it as a place to access the bay: http://www.glo.state.tx.us/coastal/acce ... eston2.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yeah, good luck with that!

The only access point on evergreen has huge chunks of concrete with all kinds of rebar. It's tetanus city! Feasible but very discouraging when you get there and see the boulders.

Plus, that area doesn't get alot of traffic. I'd think twice about leaving my vehicle there

Drive by and take a look for yourself

It definitely is rocky and full of rebar on Evergreen, but there might be a little area on the road that is beachy, I haven't checked it out in person but it might be the best spot. Just don't get your foot stuck in a tire. Yeah I've never seen anyone drive there either, I've only used Evergreen to go to the golf course.

[El yakero]

Has anyone launched from Bayland park? i saw it on the map and was curious. Its looks like a small park at the end of the FRED Hartmann bridge.

[richg99]

Bayland was closed after the hurricane for a long time. It was scheduled to open 6 months or so ago.

All that I know is that it was a big cliff before you could get down to the water's edge. Let us know how it is now.....regards, Rich

[oldsalt]

I use to cycle Evergreen Rd, I would bet the bottom there is very soft with deep mud as I have never seen anyone wading out there. If you're gonna launch I would throw several logs out for support. Bay Land boat ramp would be the safer and my preferred choice.

[Fin-Addict]

The Bayland boat launch has been open for a good while now. The marina is what was closed for a long time

[Chief Brody]

Bayland Marina is open for business - but if you are going to launch a better bet is the city boat ramp on the other side of the peninsula.

I have thought about heading to Atkinson alot lately - anyone ever camped or explored the island itself?

[Yaklash]

I have thought about heading to Atkinson alot lately - anyone ever camped or explored the island itself?

We used to put our john-boat in at Thompson's Marina, out on Simms Rd (forks off of Tri-City Beach Rd). Haven't been there since before Ike and it was pretty beat up the last time I was there - but a decent boat ramp. Also not sure if they would be kayak friendly, but it was the closest launch to Atkinson Island. We used to catch a lot of trout drifting the east side of Atkinson, but that was in the fall when the shrimp were headed out and the birds were working. That whole area between the island and the mainland to the NE is good fishing under the birds in the fall. I've never known Atkinson to be great fishing any time but fall. Off the south end of the island where the island blends into spoil banks is killer trout fishing when fall turns to winter. Trout school up at the drop-offs and where there are breaks (deeper parts) in the spoil banks. We used to go out there and limit out on 20"-22" trout, but it was usually in weather where I would not be caught dead in a kayak that far from safe harbour.

As far as camping there, I would bet that the reclamation project on its east side has bird sanctuary signs on it - not sure - but I know the new island they built up on the south end of Atkinson is a designated bird sanctuary and there are signs forbidding human traffic, to protect breeding grounds for shore-birds.

[richg99]

Sorry, I was thinking of Mc Cullom park. Last time I was there, a year or more ago, it was still closed. From what I could see from the road, there was a "cliff" and a big drop down to water's edge.

If it were open, looks like it would be a PIA to get your yak back up that hill. Anyone know the details of it now? thanks rich

[nicktm103]

I have thought about heading to Atkinson alot lately - anyone ever camped or explored the island itself?

We used to put our john-boat in at Thompson's Marina, out on Simms Rd (forks off of Tri-City Beach Rd). Haven't been there since before Ike and it was pretty beat up the last time I was there - but a decent boat ramp. Also not sure if they would be kayak friendly, but it was the closest launch to Atkinson Island. We used to catch a lot of trout drifting the east side of Atkinson, but that was in the fall when the shrimp were headed out and the birds were working. That whole area between the island and the mainland to the NE is good fishing under the birds in the fall. I've never known Atkinson to be great fishing any time but fall. Off the south end of the island where the island blends into spoil banks is killer trout fishing when fall turns to winter. Trout school up at the drop-offs and where there are breaks (deeper parts) in the spoil banks. We used to go out there and limit out on 20"-22" trout, but it was usually in weather where I would not be caught dead in a kayak that far from safe harbour.

As far as camping there, I would bet that the reclamation project on its east side has bird sanctuary signs on it - not sure - but I know the new island they built up on the south end of Atkinson is a designated bird sanctuary and there are signs forbidding human traffic, to protect breeding grounds for shore-birds.

I was planning on doing a trip out to Atkinson Island sometime this summer, the little manmade marsh inside the island itself looks pretty interesting. But from Google Earth it looks like they're dredging another marsh area on the southeast side of the island, which is probably mucking everything up.



The closest launch is probably Thompson's, there are some photo albums from sea kayaking groups that went to Atkinson and took pictures along the way.
http://taffywaffy.smugmug.com/Kayaking/ ... 36&k=EUKhh" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/560070234PnNnMe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/548468158kfRZDU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/560419561DRvurI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/560153298VkKzsz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sorry, I was thinking of Mc Cullom park. Last time I was there, a year or more ago, it was still closed. From what I could see from the road, there was a "cliff" and a big drop down to water's edge.

If it were open, looks like it would be a PIA to get your yak back up that hill. Anyone know the details of it now? thanks rich

Rich, there was a discussion about it the other day, still sounds like it is somewhat difficult access for a yak:
http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/foru ... 1&t=178363" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[heiferhopper]

Is there anyone here interested in heading out there, say around the 12th? I am seriously considering going there that weekend.

[nicktm103]

Is there anyone here interested in heading out there, say around the 12th? I am seriously considering going there that weekend.

I would join you then but I won't get back in Houston for the summer until the 12th, but keep me posted if you're gonna try and head out to Atkinson sometime this summer. Looks like it's best to paddle out there if you have another kayaker with you.

[topout24]

I will head out there with you sometime later Larry. Prob won't be till The. end of may though.

[heiferhopper]

Is there anyone here interested in heading out there, say around the 12th? I am seriously considering going there that weekend.

I would join you then but I won't get back in Houston for the summer until the 12th, but keep me posted if you're gonna try and head out to Atkinson sometime this summer. Looks like it's best to paddle out there if you have another kayaker with you.

That's cool. I'll repost again later about this when I firm up on the schedule and see if anyone wants to head out there. I am thinking of launching somewhere in Tabbs bay. This will be something to keep in mind throughout the year.

[heiferhopper]

I will head out there with you sometime later Larry. Prob won't be till The. end of may though.

Ok, though not too sure I will be able to go out there again until after the 25th. If not the 12 of this month then I will probably have to wait until 2 June time frame.

[CaptJack]

something you need to consider about eating the fish caught in those waters