what's a spoil area?

[diastiss]

Hey guys, i bought one of those hook n' reel foldout maps for galveston bay and they have spoil areas all over it. Are spoil areas just a nother name for good fishing spots?

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: what's a spoil area?

Usually an area where dumping has occured, usually from dredging.

 

[arks]

Re: what's a spoil area?

Yup, and a charted spoil can have depths that range anywhere from an area slightly shallower than the adjacent bottom all the way up to a DRY island.
Don't know how a spoil would help fishermen, but they are always shown on proper nautical charts.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: what's a spoil area?

Spoil areas can be good fishing spots since they create an irregularity for bait and fish to congregate around. We have a spoil area island in our bay and it is excellent fishing. Ask some locals about your area.

 

[diastiss]

Re: what's a spoil area?

there are several spoil areas along side the ship channel and around a spot in the galveston bay called "red fish island" just wondering about them. i'll find out soon enough

 

[Les Robb]

Re: what's a spoil area?

All of the above right on, plus depending on the age of the area it can be a fish magnet. In south Florida the older areas can be covered in mangroves and provide a real haven for snook red fish and trout with quite a few bait snatching snappers included in the group. In Stuart we just called them the flats cause many were islands at low tide and shallow bars at high. Anyway they are great areas to fish or play depending on your whims.

Good luck and enjoy your catch

 

[noworries79]

Re: what's a spoil area?

Spoil areas can also contain old concrete etc. from construction sites. It may make a very irregular, reef type habitat. Be careful dropping anchor.

 

[tnduc]

Re: what's a spoil area?

Spoil areas in S. Texas is, like BaileysBoat said, where they dump what was dredged. They are great spots for speckled trout.