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Looking to do some sport fishing in Galveston, Texas? Check out this blog for the best tips and spots to fish!
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Introduction
Galveston is a premier destination for sport fishing in Texas. The island offers anglers a variety of opportunities to catch a wide range of fish, from redfish and trout to flounder and mackerel.
Whether you’re an experienced fisherman or just getting started, Galveston has something to offer everyone. There are numerous charter companies that can take you out on the water and help you land the big one. Or, if you’d prefer to go it alone, there are plenty of public spots where you can cast your line.
No matter how you choose to fish, Galveston is sure to provide an enjoyable experience. So come on down and see what all the fuss is about!
The Best Fishing Spots in Galveston
East Beach
East Beach is one of the most popular fishing spots in Galveston. It is located on the east end of the island and offers easy access to many different types of fish. There are several piers that you can fish from, as well as a jetty that extends out into the Gulf of Mexico. You can also fish from the beach itself. East Beach is a great place to fish for redfish, trout, flounder, and pompano.
Seawolf Park
Seawolf Park is located on Pelican Island, just west of the causeway bridge to Galveston Island. The 1,100-acre public park offers fishing from both the Gulf Pier and Bay Pier, a fish cleaning station, playgrounds, barbecue pits, restrooms, a picnic area and swim beach. Visitors can also tour the WWII submarine USS Cavalla and WWII destroyer escort Sims.
The Galveston Fishing Pier
The Galveston Fishing Pier is located on Seawall Boulevard and offers visitors the chance to fish for a small fee. The pier is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and offers restrooms, bait, and tackle for sale. You can fish for flounder, redfish, sheepshead, drum, and more from the pier. A fishing license is required for anyone over the age of 17.
The Best Time to Fish in Galveston
Most people don’t realize that the best fishing in Galveston is actually in the fall and winter. That’s because the water is cooler, which makes the fish more active. And, there are fewer people fishing, so you’re more likely to get a spot on the pier or at the jetty. Just be sure to dress warmly!
Here are some of the best fish to target in Galveston during the fall and winter:
Redfish – Redfish are a popular target for both inshore and offshore anglers in Galveston. They can be found in large schools near jetties and reefs. Reds can also be caught from piers and surf sandbars. Best baits include crabs, shrimp, mullet, menhaden and live croaker.
Speckled Trout – Speckled trout are another popular game fish in Galveston Bay. They can be found near reefs, jetties, bayous, marshy areas and grass flats. The best baits for trout are live baitfish such as mullet, menhaden or croaker. Lures that mimic these baitfish are also effective.
Flounder – Flounder is a flatfish that is popular among anglers in Galveston Bay. They can be found near bayous, channels, jetties and drop-offs along beaches. The best baits for flounder are live finger mullet, mud minnows or strip baits such as squid or cut baitfish. artificials such as jigs and soft plastics also work well.
Sheepshead – Sheepshead are a member of the porgy family that is popular among inshore anglers in Galveston Bay. They can be found near docks, piers, jetties, channels and reefs. The best baits for sheepshead are live shrimp, crab legs or fiddler crabs.
The Types of Fish You Can Catch in Galveston
Sport fishing in Galveston, Texas is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and have a chance to catch some big fish. There are many different types of fish that you can target, including redfish, trout, flounder, and tarpon. In this article, we will cover the different types of fish you can catch in Galveston.
Redfish
Redfish, also known as red drum, channel bass, puppy drum or simply reds, are a popular game fish found in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Classified as a member of the drum family, redfish have a long body with a tall dorsal fin located far back on their bodies. Their common name derives from their distinctive red hue, which is most pronounced on adults and fades to a pink or gold color on juveniles.
Redfish are relatively easy to catch and make for good eating, which contributes to their popularity among anglers. They can be caught using a variety of methods including live bait, lures and fly fishing. Redfish are also known to be good fighters when hooked, making them an enjoyable fish to catch for sport.
Speckled Trout
Speckled trout are the most popular fish caught in Galveston and are available year-round. These feisty fish average three to five pounds, but eight to ten-pound trout are not uncommon. Live shrimp, soft plastics, topwater lures, and spoons are all good choices for bait. The best fishing is usually early in the morning or in the evening hours.
Most speckled trout are found in Galveston Bay, but they can also be caught in the Gulf of Mexico and West Bay. The largest concentration of fish is usually near passes and along channels where there is an abundance of baitfish. Speckled trout prefer water temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees and can be found in depths of two to twenty feet.
Flounder
Flounder is a common name for a species of flatfish. Both eyes are on top of the head, on one side of the body. The body is very thin, almost oval in shape. The flounder’s coloring helps to camouflage it from predators as well as prey. Young flounder are brown on top with white bellies. As they mature, their coloring changes to match the ocean floor where they live – gray or light brown on top with white bellies. Flounder have masterfully adapted to a bottom-dwelling life. Sand flounder and southern flounder are the most common found in Texas waters.
Conclusion
Offshore fishing is excellent in Galveston Bay and most notably around the jetties and oil rigs. Tuna, wahoo, sailfish, mackerel, and marlin are some of the pelagic fish that can be caught. Spring break is a great time to fish in Galveston as the waters are teeming with fish. For the avid angler, there are many charter companies that offer offshore fishing trips. Fishing from the shore is also possible and there are several piers where one can cast a line. The gulf waters tend to be calm in the springtime making for ideal fishing conditions.
Inshore fishing is also popular in Galveston. Redfish, trout, flounder, and drum can be caught in the bays and bayous. There are many charter companies that offer inshore fishing trips as well as guides that will take you on a boat or kayak to prime fishing spots. Spring is an excellent time to fish inshore as the water temperatures are starting to rise which causes fish to be more active.
Wade fishing is another popular way to fish in Galveston. There are many areas where one can wade out into the shallow waters and cast a line. Wade fishing is a great way to catch redfish, trout, and flounder. Baitfish such as shad and mullet are often used as bait when wade fishing.
Give sport fishing in Galveston a try this spring break!
