Anglers Rejoice! New Sabine Pass Reef Promises Speckled Trout, Redfish & More

Photo byTexas Parks and Wildlife

It is finally happening. The first materials for the 20-acre near-shore artificial reef were deployed earlier this summer and more materials have been added late this summer. The site is approximately 9 miles from the Sabine Pass jetties and 1.9 miles from the coastline in front of Sea Rim State Park. The artificial reef is being constructed with a mixture of concrete culverts, granite blocks, and pieces of old oil rig structure.

Texas Parks and Wildlife, Friends of Sabine Reefs, and CCA Texas hope that the reef will attract speckled trout, red drum, mackerel, jackfish, and sharks. Friends of Sabine Reefs representative Mic Cowart stated in a press release, "Since 2018 when Friends of the Sabine Pass Reefs was created using the Friends of the Rio Grande Valley Reef as our model, we have been able to create two artificial reefs, HI-20 and HI-54 Shallow. Our first experience with HI-20 experienced a lot of growing pains but, with the collaboration of groups including Friends of Sabine Reefs, CCA Texas, TPWD Artificial Reef Program, Laredo Construction, and others that came together for the HI-54 Shallow deployment, I know we have assembled a team that has the expertise, assets, and most importantly, the passion for creating and sustaining marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico. With this team, the future of artificial reef development is unlimited!”

Photo byTexas Parks and Wildlife

The reef, dubbed HI-54 Shallow, will be in addition to another reef planned for 2025. The new site, HI-54 Deep, will be located about 9 miles offshore about 24 miles from the Sabine Pass jetty. This reef will be in about 45 feet of water.

For more information about the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Artificial Reef Program, please be sure to visit https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/water/habitats/artificial_ reef/ and click on the Nearshore Reefing tab.

What do think of the addition of these reefs to our ecosystem? Let us know in the comments.

Photo byWe Go Fishing

Source: https://ccatexas.org/deployments-begin-at-new-sabine-nearshore-site/

Photo byPhoto by Ellen Ohmstede