b'Saltwater RecreationThe 13,000-foot-deep Sigsbee Deep that stretches from 200 miles south of Browns-ville, eastward across the middle of the Gulf of Mexico for more than 400 miles, is among the deepest ocean basins on earth. In the summer months, sub-currents of the Gulf Stream circulate counterclockwise up the Texas Gulf Coast, bringing what we call blue water that originates in the cold depths of the Sigsbee Deep. With that water comes the best offshore fishing of the year.While ample marina space exists on the back side of Padre Island, on Laguna Madre, virtually all boats moored there and launching from those locations are inshore and not offshore. The Packery Channel bridge is not high enough for most of the big, offshore fishing yachts to pass into the gulf. Until a marina is built on Lake Padre, from where almost any sized boat can access the gulf unobstructed through Packery Channel, options for offshore charters are limited to Port Aransas.The most popular gamefish species that are pulled out of the Gulf of Mexico off the Coastal Bend in the summer are Sailfish and Marlinwhich are often confusedalong with Bluefin Tuna, Mahi Mahi (aka Dorado and Dolphin Fish), Red Snapper and Tarpon, which was the original name of Port Aransas.For those who want to go deep sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, its important toGreat Gulf Fishing off the understand the options, and like most things in life, and especially on vacationyouCoastal BendA typical get what you pay for. There are party boats, from about $70 per angler and $40 forprivate, offshore charter riders, and there are private charters, from around $2,000 these days, consideringon a medium-sized boat the record high cost of fuel. Most private charters allow for four to six anglers. At(above) will run $2,000+ least 15 and up to 50 anglers will be fishing on the party boats. for four anglers. The most These sportfishing centers are located in Port Aransas on Cotter Avenue: famous fisherman to catch Tarpon off Port A Deep Sea HeadquartersA fleet of three medium-sized party boats accommodate up to 40was President Franklin anglers each: The Pelican, The King Fisher and the Gulf Eagle. Five-hour offshore trips are of- D. Roosevelt (right) who fered starting at $89 for adults and $68 for kids under 11. 440 W. Cotter Ave.(361) 749-5597 visited in 1937.102THE COASTAL BEND GUIDE TheCoastalBend.com'