Banana Bend
 

We made our first run up the San Jac river to Banana Bend. I can't believe it took us this long to make it up there. Great area, beaches, and nice run. We took about 6-8 boats up and had a blast. We will definetly be back, if I can find my way across those open areas. Once you get into the river it is no problem.

Gerrit, It is an awesome trip. I always enjoy it. BUT, after the railroad bridge, you REALLY have to watch it. Boats run aground there all the time. It is the tricky part. But I really like the run up there. Go alot. Tommy

Saw all you guys fly past the house. Nice looking rigs. Next time go to Dalmation Island. Thats where the boaters hang out, NOT Banana Bend.

Is Dalmation Island the island right past Banana Bend? Thats where we were on Saturday. Great place. We also like to go further up to Newport Beach.

We stopped at Banana Bend because that's where everyone else was at. Where is the island? We saw a bunch of boats further up the river, past the no wake area and some of the guys have gone and beached there. We saw Plum Crazy go by and head that way. I am not too sure of where I am going. Kind of following the crowd, till I get to know the area.

Tommy, it's nice to have another destination, let us know when you are going, we would like to tag along. Are you trying to tell me you have personal experience with the shallows? The area past the railroad bridge looked fairly well marked. As a matter of fact most of the main channels in the flats looked like they were marked, but typical Murphy's Law, my gps quit sometime after the bridge, so I am not too sure how much I got on my tracks.

Where you saw the boats further up past the no wake zone is where we were. Great area and only way to get there is by boat. I know Visual Contact and they had planned to come up to the island but like you, pulled into BB instead. We only make it up to San Jac a couple of times during the summer, but a great place and alot different than Conroe.

So where is the best place to launch when going out on the San Jac? I've never been... is it best to follow someone else for first time or is it marked well enough to just be careful?

Riverside is the best place to launch. Magnolia Drive off of
I-10. And yes its best to follow someone a few times. Once you leave Riverside and go under a railroad bridge you do have a few buoys where it opens up, but very easy to get off in the shallows. Once you get into the river, an easy run to Banana Bend.

Here is a satelite image of the river from Lynchburg ferry to Rio Villa.

You can see the old pre 1994 flood river banks fairly well.

Here is the run from Rio Villa to Magnolia Gardens. Newport Beach is further north.

The only bad spot is by the second trestle adjacent to Loves marina.

The main trestle is sanded up at low tide and you have to use the second and third spans from the West bank instead.

If you want to launch in fresh water use Goodtimes marina which is just north of Magnolia Gardens and south of Newport Beach

Goodtimes is always fresh water. Has food

Loves is normally fresh depending on the flow over the dam.

Riverside Inn is salt water, normally has food

Just make sure the tide is up if you use Love's. Their ramp falls off pretty quick.

Thanks for the maps. I've been up and down the river probably 100 times but it's interesting seeing it from above with the islands marked.

I watched two boats go the wrong side of the second island yesterday north of riverside inn. I dont know how they made it. There is nothing but stumps and some old foundations out there.

This map shows the two best places to beach a boat

Dalmation Island and Newport Beach

If anybody wants I can send the google earth images so that you can zoom in for more detail.

Gerritm and Keith it was good to meet you both yesterday.

Banana Bend beach and Magnolia Gardens beach have become way too crowded and are no longer boat friendly

Hello everyone. Nice to meet you all.

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Since this thread popped up, I thought I would mention that they will be running the Outlaw winter nationals Jan 23rd at Banana Bend, Outboard River rockets and jet boats will be there for a day long side by side "test and tune" session

Come by boat or car weather permitting.

For those that come up the river. The sand bars North of the railroad bridge at Loves marina have moved again and caution and a depth finder should be used.

Mark, how are you doing. We have not been up there since last year when Keith's Superboat broke down. We stayed in the marked channel coming back and it was very shallow we thought we were going to hafta push. I think local knowledge is needed. Next time we come up can you guide us thru there. I appreciate the warning, did they move the channel markers?

I'm doing well, had a second surgery on my hand last week to remove the hardware and scar tissue. I already see more movement so I am pleased.

There have been two incidents recently where boats were disabled after hitting a stump off the NE end of what I call the second island. The USCG have finally said they will look into marking the channel.

You should not have seen less than 8' of water if you were on track. I'd be happy to show you the line if I am out.

Hope all is well with you and yours.

We followed the channel markers as much as we could find them. Unfortunately both of our gps units didn't work there. We don't have the inland river card, just the bay and gulf to try and follow the channel on the gps unit. We were going slow because of his water pump problems and got into about 2' of water. Hope your hand heals and all is well.

I always wanted to check that area out.

Do they have these races every year?

Yes, except this year it was moved to the new marina down river from Banana Bend. A lot better place and I expect it to take place there again in January.