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I'm going to give the Spring Warrior Channel a try this weekend. I figure the moderate tides should allow me a larger window to go in and out. I haven't used the channel before and would appreciate some guidance on it from the more experienced folks on here. I've got a 19' Kenner with a 90 on it. What would be considered 'safe' tide levels to go in and out on? Also, any special maneuvers in the channel required?

With some water you should be fine. Just stay middle/left in the creek and go between the orange ball and the bank at the mouth. From there just stay to the right of the channels markers going out. Good luck.

I disagree with the post above about the orange ball. Keep the orange ball just on the right (starboard) side of your boat as you round the corner and stay between the ball and the oyster bar.

Stinson is correct. Stay on the Gulf side of the buoy coming and going.

Yall are correct. I was thinking one thing and typed another.

Well, I'm glad we have consensus. I will proceed with caution around the left side of the ball headed out:D Thanks to all for your help.

I can give you a little more detail - Don't launch at the lowest of tides. As you leave the ramp and head downstream toward the gulf stay away from the right hand side of the creek along the shore. There are a lot of rocks there. Sort of follow the channel swinging slightly from centerline toward the outside bends as you go downstream. You will go past another private boat ramp on the right and the creek will straighten and widen out - hold to the left side of the centerline here, but not right up on the sawgrass. Continue that line until you reach the 90 degree bend to the left. Make that corner fairly close to the left shore and you will be headed toward the gulf with some oyster bars to your left and also ahead of you a hundred yards or so. Continue to hold left of centerline of channel until you start to reach the sharp right hand bend with the orange ball. Fade toward centerline then make the corner with the ball just off the right (starboard) side of your boat and the tip of an oyster bar just off the left (port) side of your boat. Fade left again and find the channel marker ahead of you. Aim just to your right of the most inshore channel marker and proceed until you reach it. Take a fairly sharp left and you will see a straight line of channel markers in front of you leading out to a tripod. Keep all of those markers to your left and proceed on out to the gulf.

Hope that helps. The first time I ran out Spring Warrior a few years ago, I stopped by Wilson's Bait and Tackle and the guy behind the counter drew me a map on the back of a brown paper bag. It worked - I have torn up a motor or two, but not at Spring Warrior.

Author's Note - This description comes with no warranties, guaranteed or implied. Use at your own risk. Oh, and Good Fishin!

Thanks for the details, I'll try to follow them Should arrive after the rain late tomorrow and staying through Monday.

Note to self... copy, paste to Word and SAVE!

Maybe there should be an official "Big Bend Channels Navigation" sticky page from some of you Old Timers ugh I mean more experienced Captains. Seems like as new people join the forum this is a common question from the common landings and they don't always find it in a search. I think I remember a map from the Aucilla where I just marked it with a large X as far as my boat is concerned.

Don't usually go to SWC unless coming from Keaton on the water but you just never know

Survived our trip to the Warrior We stayed at the Fish camp and had a nice time. I had thought I had picked a weekend that we would not be to hampered by the tides, but I was way off. Sunday we woke up to no water and spent the next several hours waiting and getting to know the folks that were much more knowledgeable about the channel than I. Great group of fisherman that were very kind to a newby. We managed to catch a few fish, not as many as I had hoped, but that rarely happens. We had our best success on Monday morning with no wind (go figure).