South Passage Bar - You Blokes Fair Dinkum????

[roz]

Hi Owen,

More often that not there is nothing to worry about on the Tweed and Brunswick bars when the tide is making, I don't think that applies for the Pin or South passage.

I don't want to trivialise either the Tweed or Brunswick as both have claimed lives, but just give an opinion.

You've made a good point with the shark comparison.

Rob,

I gather you've fished down that way at some stage, it is a dodgey little bar though.

Cheers Roz

[redspeckle]

The south passage bar can be like little pussy cat and some days roar its head off like loin just have to pick the weather,swell,wind,tide,dirtection there is three channels northern, middleand amity
When crossing norhtern channel be careful of pressure waves you just have take you time getting throught its not like surf wave catch and ride it in
Just like others said do course with Bill I have worth every cent and if looks to rough go out , just fish in the bay for the day its not worth losing your boat
By the way hope to heading out this Sunday over it
I am like Reel Magic heading out doesn't bother me but heading in does
Mitch
Have A nice day

[jimbo59]

I have been going out of sp for nearly 30 years, back then nobody was there to teach ya, ya had to learn from little mistakes and follow old salts out, i probeblystill dont do it right but it hasnt bitten me yet touch wood i suppose its like making love

[onerabbit]

I usually only do Ballina bar, but I'd rather be going out than coming in, at least you have the choise going out of turning back & not going.
Muzz

[PMC]

I t looks easy, stick to the dark blue bits, and go flat out

(Please do not take this advice as serious.)

[Scalem]

I've not had the experience of going out using my own boat ( mine is just not a blue water boat) but I have been out through S/P a couple of times. Last time the skipper said we'll be alright because the GPS will remember the route we took going out...... Only when out at flat rock somewhere, when it was still OK to fish there, he accidently erased the route. Coming back in was a scary as heck, trying to Navigate amoungst the most white water you will ever see on a bar. It was like a washing machine, and our eyes were glued to the sounder, constantly checking the depth. At least with Tweed or Brunswick, within only a minute or two, you are in or out. South Passage seemed to take forever. Didn't like it one bit! I should have booked a chiropractor the day after LOL I think I will stick to going out through Bribie where my Skipper lives, and putter about the bay in my bathtub in between bluewater trips.

Scalem

[al-straddie]

Coming back in was a scary as heck, trying to Navigate amoungst the most white water you will ever see on a bar. #It was like a washing machine, and our eyes were glued to the sounder, constantly checking the depth. #At least with Tweed or Brunswick, within only a minute or two, you are in or out. #South Passage seemed to take forever. #Didn't like it one bit!

This is the main reason I always use the "Trawler Channel" off Reeders Pt, Morten. It minimises the amount of time over shallow water. 10m deep in the channel and 20m deep outside, and last time out(so DON"T take this for gospel)4m deep for about 150m.

The southern end (amity channel) has a much broarder area of shallower water, hence your washing machine

cheers.....

[RAGINGBULL]

MR BEAN

If you are asking these questions
You definately need a bar crossing course as some have said.
Brunswick is short and dangerous and is more timing and tide related.
SE passage requires a LOT more information and judgement at that moment, possibly for 10 minutes as you cross the bar.
This has to be learnt.

Do not attempt either untill crossed a few times with someone skilled.
Its a looooong swim back.

Mark

[Heath]

I wouldn't take Tweed all that lightly. My worst crossing experience happened on the Tweed on a making tide no less.

No matter where you exit from, good ol' mother nature demands our respect.