Photo by Rod Kukoda

In order to get to where the fish are, a four wheel drive is mandatory.  Driving in soft sand is not that difficult - it is largely a matter of common sense and knowing a few simple tips and rules.  Make sure you know what they are.  Know the limits of your vehicle, and don't let four wheel drive give you a false sense of security.  Many of the people I have helped get unstuck over the years have been rookies.  Some were driving a brand new rig with the paper Dealer's tag on the back window, and had obviously seen too many Jeep commercials.  One thing for sure - if you stick a four wheel drive, it is usually stuck pretty good.

 Mechanical Condition:  Needless to say, your truck should be in good working order.  Driving in soft sand will place extra stress on your suspension, engine and transmission, and 40 miles offroad is not the place to break down.  You will be parting with several hundred dollars if a tow truck has to come down and fetch you.

Tires:  I prefer tires that leave a big pawprint.  Wider tires will give you more "flotation" in soft sand.  I'm currently running 32 x 11.5 off-road radials, and have never had a problem.  Some people advocate lowering tire pressure, which will increase the amount of tire in contact with the sand.  How much air should you let out?  That depends upon your tires and the size and weight of your vehicle.  I would try lowering to 15 -25 psi.  Some folks go as low as 8 psi.  When driving with reduced air pressure, avoid making sharp turns that could possibly pop your tire off the rim.
When you get back on the pavement, don't forget to air 'em back up again the first chance you get. Excessive tire wear and poor (even dangerous) handling will result if you don't.  Or better yet, bring along a small electric air compressor that will run off your cigarette lighter plug.

Beach Conditions:  Driving conditions can vary considerably.  I've seen times when you could drive down 18 miles in a car with no problem, and I've seen times when you wouldn't make it 50 feet past the Four Wheel Drive Only sign.  I've seen people drive their cars along the smooth beach near the surf line at low tide, and get trapped when the tide came in and the smooth beach disappeared.  Be aware of the tide and changing weather conditions. Usually, when driving in the soft stuff, it is easier to drive in existing ruts, because the sand has been packed down somewhat by traffic.  Be alert for debris in your path, like glass bottles and boards with nails in them.

Set Your Trip Odometer:  The beach is a rather featureless place.  Most vehicles today have a Trip Odometer. The minute I leave the highway, I reset mine to zero.  When you find that fishing hotspot that is exactly 27.3 miles in, chances are very slim that you will be able to return later by dead reckoning alone.

Speed and Momentum:  When you hit a soft spot, you'll be fine as long as you maintain your momentum.  Anticipate the soft spots (it doesn't take much experience to recognise them) and if driving a standard transmission, downshift before you get there.  Avoid lugging the engine and stalling out.  An automatic transmission will handle this for you.  If you stop in the middle of a soft spot, try for a smooth start when you get rolling again.  Punching it will only spin your wheels and dig you in.  If you do start to dig in, STOP IMMEDIATELY.  Odds are, you will only dig yourself in deeper if you stay on the accelerator.  Try shifting to low range and see of you can crawl out (this usually works).  If not, break out the shovel, jack up the offending tire(s), fill in the hole(s), and place boards under the tire(s) for traction.  If this sounds like alot of work, it is!  I've seen people bury their rig so deep the frame was resting on the sand.  They got to spend the better part of an afternoon digging out.  Trust me, you are best off missing this experience entirely.

The central part of Padre Island, known as Little Shell (roughly 18-30 miles in) presents the most challenging driving conditions.  The sand is very soft, and the beach is bermed up several feet higher than the surf line.  I've seen many people get stuck trying to climb the berm.  Instead of taking it head on, look for a gap in the berm to climb up to beach level.

Take Your Time:  There's usually no reason to set any speed records down here.  The area along the surf line may look deceptively smooth, but there may be washouts and washboard conditions that you won't notice until you are right on top of them.  To me, it's simply not worth bouncing my passengers and gear around like they were in a rock tumbler, not to mention the fact that you could lose control of your truck or damage your suspension.

Emergency Equipment:  Always carry a tool box, jumper cables, shovel and a tow rope.  Make sure you have a jack.  Have you checked your spare tire lately?  A CB radio isn't a bad idea.

Beach Etiquette:  Driving the four wheel drive area on Padre Island is like belonging to an exclusive fraternity.  The price of admission is your 4x4 rig.  Most four wheelers are friendly and will stop to render aid to a brother four wheeler in distress.  I can remember having to change a flat tire (ran over a nail), and every single vehicle that passed by stopped to see if I needed help and offered assistance.  I return the favor whenever I see someone else in a bind.  Hopefully you will do the same.

When driving along the surf line, be alert for fisherman with lines out.  Slow down when you approach their camp and go around them if they have lines out - you might snag them by passing in front of them.  Also, always look out for small children and dogs.

Wash Your Truck:  All that corrosive salt water and sand can be tough on a vehicle.  When camping at the beach, I generally have to drive into town every other day for ice and supplies.  While I'm there, I always drive through the car wash and rinse off the worst of the salt spray and sand.  There are a couple of car washes in Flour Bluff that consist of several hoops with sprayers all around (including the underside).  A couple of quarters will buy you about 30 seconds worth of time - you drive through and back up several times, until the water cuts off.  Of course, a more  thorough cleaning is mandatory when your trip is done, but a quickie drive-through rinse is better than nothing.