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BNature wrote:

The nice thing is as you head NE from Hammond, on a NE wind, each wave you bounce over or slosh through is slightly smaller than the previous one.

You are either not serious or mispoke I hope.

Hammond offers zero protection from a NE wind and it is a bit of a ride to get protection.

Woo! Good photo. As AP said, this isn't something you want to do on those 8 footer days. I agree. I've launched at Cal Park often enough to know it's not a piece of cake on a day like that at those ramps, either. There will be some serious swells even at the ramp and those metal piers will beat the chit out of your boat. I don't know about the money machines. All I remember is the scary sorts that would be hanging around when we got back.

Anyway, I always had a deep, fairly seaworthy boat when I bounced out of Hammond. It's always important to know you and your boat's capability and don't push it to the limit. Don't even push it close to the limit.

Next time I leave Hammond on a NE breeze, I'm going to be thinking of those red arrows! Thanks.

Mike - is it a clusterf@#$ of boats out there on N or NW wind days since nobody can launch anywhere else out east? Just curious as I never really launch over there. Always assumed it would a ton of boats.

Damn, glad I got out and caught some fish yesterday. Seems like there's some cabin fever going around. I'm with you Bro, I'll take a 15minute sloppy ride over using the BS ramps with the shrapnel at 95th. I haven't checked the ramp in a couple years, but last time I was there there was cut off twisted metal just below the water line and it was a serious tire hazard. Then there was the submerged cut off piece of metal at the entrance to the harbor area. Anyways you can fish the Calumet Harbor area on days when you cant fish a lot of other spots.

I launched there once this spring. The ramp itself was not bad but the dock is to be desired. I don't recall seeing any metal sticking out anywhere but if there is I got lucky. I can tell you I almost fell in 38 degree water there 2 years ago when I went to step into the boat and the wood broke under my feet. It was a awake up call for me that is for sure .

I've never been in a crowd at Cal Harbor. Usually only go there on crummy days. This will be the first year in many there are any charters working out of Hammond. Perhaps will be more this year with the death of East Chicago. Anyway, it's a huge area to fish. Every bit as large as the "bay" at EC and 2 or 3 times larger than the "usual" spots at Gary.