Miguel Bay Launch Tactics (the guard rail and wall)

[RadioNerd]

I'm planning to fish Miguel Bay for the first time next week. I'd read that the launch is a bit complicated so I stopped by to scope it out this afternoon. I'm curious to hear how folks are getting their boats over the guard rail and down the wall. I'm working to figure out how to get my Prowler 15 down there. I'm sure it'll take some trial and error but I figured it didn't hurt to ask the folks who have gone before me for some advice.

[Todd]

Take a bath mat and put it over the guard rail and go thru the trees there. I would not attempt the rocks.

[MLB01]

Launch on rest area side and paddle under bridge to Miguel Bay. Better than blowing out your back trying to get over guard rail and through the trees

[Mark R]

Take a bath mat and put it over the guard rail and go thru the trees there. I would not attempt the rocks.

Right in the corner, the very South end.

[RadioNerd]

Thanks all for the replies! To clarify, I know where the launch is along the rail. I'm trying to work out how I'm going to get my 15 foot boat over the rail, down the wall, and into the mangrove tunnel.

[Mark R]

It helps to have a buddy! Much easier with two.

[Todd]

Thanks all for the replies! To clarify, I know where the launch is along the rail. I'm trying to work out how I'm going to get my 15 foot boat over the rail, down the wall, and into the mangrove tunnel.

I just told you how.

[DoubleM]

Here's how we do it:

1. Unload kayak and all accessories by rail.
2. Park Car.
3. Shove boat w/o accessories over rail to lower ground
4. Drag kayak to water.
5. Take all accessories to kayak in water.
6. Launch.

It's getting it back over the rail that is the fun part

[MLB01]

PARK CAR ON REST AREA SIDE OR RISK GETTING VANDALIZED

[Rik]

PARK CAR ON REST AREA SIDE OR RISK GETTING VANDALIZED

x2

Please don't go down the rocks. Saw a very bloody accident one morning when Driftomatic - old forum member - tried that. Hospital visit, surgery and a lot of time unable to work.

If everyone that uses that launch would bring a concrete block or two, over time there'd be enough to form steps to make it a lot easier.

[RadioNerd]

Thanks everyone! I definitely won't be going over the rocks. I like my extremities too much to try that.

[shamus]

Don't take Noles with you he's useless

[DaveR]

Don't take Noles with you he's useless

[1okbyme2]

I have launched there a few times & it is a pain. It's not bad with help.
Will consider paddling around from rest stop next time re the vandalism suggestion.
I suggest fishing elsewhere cuz there are no fish in Miguel bay.

[dunfly]

I launch my Prowler 15 there all the time by myself. It is real easy. If you look at the rail at the begining of the mangrove tunnel you will see two heavy wood support posts about 8 feet apart. I line up the kayak parallel to the rail, lift it up and set in on top of the posts. They a big enough to balance the kayak on top of them. Then you can go around and lift it off the posts and place it on the ground at the mouth of the tunnel. From there you can drag it down to the water. I have used the rug method to drag it over the rail and it does not work near as well.

[RadioNerd]

Thanks for the tip dunfly. I had the same idea and I noticed that the spacing and width of the wood posts looked about right to support the boat when I checked out the launch. Good to know that it works!