Rollover Pass

Rollover Pass (also called Rollover Fish Pass) is part of a low-elevation area and was subject to overflow during high tides or storms. A man-made strait was cut through private property on the Bolivar Peninsula and links the Gulf of Mexico with Rollover Bay and East Bay on the upper Texas coast in eastern Galveston County (29°30′N 94°30′W / 29.500°N 94.500°W / 29.500; -94.500). Located on property owned by the Gulf Coast Rod, Reel and Gun Club and managed by the Gilchrist Community Association, the Pass was opened in 1955 by the Texas Game and Fish Commission when they were granted an easement by the property owners. The intent was to increase bay water salinity, promote growth of submerged vegetation, and help marine fish to and from spawning and feeding areas in the bay.

The Pass is about 1600 feet long and 200 feet wide. Large cement walls frame the Gulf side (southeast of Texas Highway 87) and steel bulkheads contain the sides of the Rollover Bay side northwest of the highway.

Rollover Pass earned its name from the practice of smugglers who, from the days of Spanish rule through prohibition, avoided the Galveston customs station by rolling barrels of import or export merchandise (i.e., whiskey and rum) over the narrowest part of the peninsula. A Texas Historical Marker, Number 7166, was erected in 1963 but was damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008. However, a portion of the marker is still visible and several lines of text refer to the action of the smugglers.

Rollover Pass is a popular location for fishing and birding. Visitors come from all over the U.S. to camp, fish, and enjoy family recreation activities. Parking and camping are available on all four quadrants and handicapped or elderly persons are able to fish while sitting in their vehicle.

A unique feature of Rollover Pass is the constantly changing water flow which brings a great variety of marine life through the area. Incoming tides bring in salt water and organisms within, while outgoing tides not only bring them out again but also contain brackish or fresh water species.

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Wikipedia