[gadabout]

What's the deal with 4WD access at Democrat Point? I tried to go there on Sunday and the guy said you can only get on before 7:00AM or after 5:00PM. What's the reason for that restriction?

Also, I seem to remember that there was an air hose there that was convenient for refilling your tires when you leave the beach. What ever happened to that? Do have to bring your own hose, or what?

 

[Hunt n' Fish]

I had the same aggravation a couple of weeks ago when I got off work early and tried to catch the end of an evening incoming tide. Wound up going to the thumb. The kid told me no, because all of the "hardcore fishers" who have been there all day get mad. What a crock!!!! We pay for the permit which is for fishing only and then we can't get access when the fishing is best. And this is the only park with this stupid restriction. When I went back there at 5:30, there was almost no one there anyway. I wish they would just enforce the "must be actively fishing" rule and let us fish when we want.

The air hook-ups are there, but you do have to bring your own hose.

 

[614880]

Demo 4x4 access

Have they opened up 4x4 access to the bar yet? If not, any rumors on when?

 

[Jaiem]

It's been that way for several years. In the summer you have to get on the beach early or late.

They used to have an air hose there about 10-12 years ago but some people keep stealing it. So now they just have the connection and you need to bring your own. Just as well, the hose wasn't in good condition anyway.

4x4 access to the tip usually opens up in September, if the ploves will leave on time.

Jaiem
ArtsNFlies.com

 

[614880]

Demo Bar

I just read "Beach Talk" in ....well you know where, that 4x4 access to the bar will reopen this weekend. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[Hunt n' Fish]

It's open Rick

I was out on the boat tonight and the trucks were stacked up on the bar. Party boats were also working the Demo shoreline close for weaks.

 

[gadabout]

My question is - what is the real reason for the no access rules between 7:00AM and 5:00pm? I can't help thinking that it is for some very stupid reason. Like preventing beachgoers from using their 4WD permit to get on the beach rather than paying the 7 bucks parking fee.

By the way, where can you get one of those air hoses?

 

[614118]

Reason for times

The reason for the entry time restriction is probably the same as at FINS. To keep as many day tripping yahoos off the beach as possible. The 4x4 area is a fairly small piece of real estate. Can you imagine the traffic out there if with open access all day long? Just look at Smith Point as an example. Despite signs that say "fisherman only" on Burma Road, the place becomes the LIE on the weekends with the ruts getting worse and worse from cut 3 to the inlet.

When I lived in NJ they instituted a similar rule after having the beach open for access 24x7. When it was open 24x7 the only condition was that each adult have fishing gear and be engaged in fishing. They checked for rods and such at the gate house. Well that translated to families buying $10 Kmart Mickey Mouse polls, casting a small jig out, and setting the rod into the sand. No kidding... technically the adults were engaged in fishing. While the authorities knew what was going on they could not very well tell people how to fish or with what equipment. The beach became a parking lot for anyone with an SUV. I think the next season they switched back to a "window of opportunity" rule like RM and FINS.

 

[614880]

Smith Point Day Trippers

Its even worse recenty at Smith Point. Burma Road is closed and you can now ride the beach all the way to cut 3. I went out last nite and about 8am this morning I took a short nap. When I woke up about 10am cut 3 was full of beach umbrellas! Not even an sand spiked pole to make belive their fishing. Bring on the cool weather and Fall!