getting to Flat Lake

[ahlangle]

In a small boat trying to get to Flat Lake running out of Rollover: what should I be looking for (weather) to have a safe run out there?

It looks like about 1.5 mile from mouth of the bayou to the lake, but that 1.5 mile is exposed to gulf (as is the lake).
Don't wanna get in a jam, so any advice appreciated.
May have to bring a friend in his boat too to be safe the first time.

[capt coonassty]

Cant go wrong with a north wind. Unless it drops the water level too much.

[luby]

Watch out-going tide,you could spend the night out there, also watch gulf, it can get hectic when it starts to roll up, always advice going out there in two or more boats.Have a safe trip.

[rardoin]

I've been there several times in a 24ft BW PureBay. The bayou on the NE corner has plenty of draft once inside but the route in is to enter from the gulf at the midpoint between the small island (shell bar) on the west side and the east bank. Then head nearly due north until about 200 yds off the bank and turn 90deg and head straight into the mouth. Look on google earth and find the white sand "beach" on the north bank...head for it then turn right as mentioned. You will have plenty of water in the bayou until you get into rollover lake. I have caught a few specks in Flat lake on high tide. The opening of the bayou and the bar on the south side of it should hold flounder on the fall.

[Jrchip1]

First, getting back into Rollover Bayou on a Low tide is a Challenge. Read the water, where u see Breakers, it's shallow.

If you are skilled and cautious, you could do it in a 14' Flat, BUT.... you'll often encounter 2-3' waves on S-E or -W winds...sooo.... either wait for N winds, or don't go. Saw a swamped 21' Xpress there a couple months ago, stuck on the beach. They had to leave their boat overnight. Boat got sideways in super shallow water....bammm...hit by a 2' wave, flipped it on it's side, and the next few waves filled it full of water. Tried 2 hrs to bail it out, kept filling up, had to abandon it !!!!

[southLA]

Used to do it all the time as a kid in my dad's flat. The Gulf can get choppy but on low tide it got pretty sketchy from what I remember.

[cmac23]

I went in my 15ft tunnel hull boat the Friday before July 4th.
Extremely scary going through the gulf in 4ft rollers, but we made it without any problem besides getting pretty wet. Water is shallow all over in there. We went off some google maps my friend printed along with some knowledge of the area provided by some Pecan Island locals.
Wind shouldn't be too bad rest of this week into the weekend, but
BE VERY CAREFUL!!!
We did the buddy boat thing, just makes you feel a little safer knowing that other boat could lend you a hand if something goes wrong!!

[ahlangle]

Thanks very much for the info. This board is a huge help with things like this (access to info from experience), and has probably saved a lot of yoyos like me in 14' boats!