UPPER TEXAS COAST

LOCATION: East Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Van-Ta-Un Flats
GPS: N 29 32.794, W 94 45.805 (29.5466, -94.7634)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters and soft plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
captpaul@gofishgalveston.com
gofishgalveston.com
TIPS: “Van-Ta-Un flats has a lot shell and some mud. When you have easterly, southeasterly wind they are light out, same for Pig Pen and Fat Rat Pass…good shoreline to wade.” Capt. Marcaccio

 

LOCATION: East Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Hanna’s Reef
GPS: N 29 28.471, W 94 43.251 (29.4745, -94.7209)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters and soft plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
captpaul@gofishgalveston.com
gofishgalveston.com
TIPS: Drifting East Bay reefs: “Drift Little Hanna’s and Deep Reef if the water temperature is under 60 degrees. Fish are suspended over shell and mud.” Capt. Marcaccio

 

LOCATION: East Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Deep Reef
GPS: N 29 30.802, W 94 40.581 (29.5134, -94.6764)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters and soft plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
captpaul@gofishgalveston.com
gofishgalveston.com
TIPS: “If it’s above 60 degrees, birds should be working, following shrimp migration.” Capt. Marcaccio

 

LOCATION: East Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Pig Pen
GPS: N 29 25.176, W 94 44.116 (29.4196, -94.7353)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Topwaters and soft plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
captpaul@gofishgalveston.com
gofishgalveston.com
TIPS: “The topwater bite is more difficult, but they will work. Wade shorelines using a Baby Spook or a small She Pup, worked slowly and carefully.” Capt. Marcaccio

 

LOCATION: East Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Tire and Tong Reef
GPS: N 29 33.144, W 94 37.785 (29.5524, -94.6298)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters and soft plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
captpaul@gofishgalveston.com
gofishgalveston.com
TIPS: Capt. Marcaccio’s favorite soft plastic colors are plum, limetruese and pearl. He likes the Chicken Boy Lures, a new bait because it has a double tail.

 

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay
HOTSPOT: Sun Gas Wells
GPS: N 29 38.932, W 94 48.436 (29.6489, -94.8073)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters and soft plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
captpaul@gofishgalveston.com
gofishgalveston.com
TIPS: “Drift and start checking out well heads, C Lease and Sun Oil.” Capt. Marcaccio

 

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay
HOTSPOT: Exon C Lease Wells
GPS: N 29 40.446, W 94 45.579 (29.6741, -94.7597)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters and soft plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
captpaul@gofishgalveston.com
gofishgalveston.com
TIPS: “Drift, not anchor. Get a bite and go back around and keep working it until the there are no more bites.” Capt. Marcaccio

 

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay
HOTSPOT: Half Moon Shoal
GPS: N 28 43.371, W 95 46.228 (28.7229, -95.7705)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork
CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
tcountz@sbcglobal.net
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: “East Bay in the past few years has produced some big trout out of the middle of the bay drifting instead of working the shoreline.” Capt. Countz

 

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay
HOTSPOT: Tripod
GPS: N 28 40.147, W 95 54.813 (28.6691, -95.9136)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork
CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
tcountz@sbcglobal.net
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: “There’s some big mud flats south of this area. Look for slicks or bait activity. Make long drifts using live shrimp under a popping cork.” Capt. Countz

 

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay
HOTSPOT: Chinquapin Reef
GPS: N 28 43.994, W 95 47.954 (28.7332, -95.7992)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
tcountz@sbcglobal.net
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: “The key is to use enough leader under the popping cork to get the shrimp down deeper…again make long drifts.” Capt. Countz

 

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay
HOTSPOT: Bird Island
GPS: N 28 43.86, W 95 45.617 (28.7310, -95.7603)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork
CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
tcountz@sbcglobal.net
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: South of Bird Island and towards the east: “Same thing, just a big mud flat.” Capt. Countz

 

LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay
HOTSPOT: Greens Bayou
GPS: N 28 29.738, W 96 13.565 (28.4956, -96.2261)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
tcountz@sbcglobal.net
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: Capt. Countz’s favorite soft plastic baits are MirrOlure Marsh Minnows in black, Morning Glory and Chicken-on-a-Chain while using a 1/4-ounce lead head.

 

LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay
HOTSPOT: Cullen Houses
GPS: N 28 30.45, W 96 12.381 (28.5075, -96.2064)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
tcountz@sbcglobal.net
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: “If I’m wading, I like West Bay, fishing for redfish, starting the day throwing a topwater bait.” Capt. Countz

 

LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay
HOTSPOT: Middle Ground
GPS: N 28 30.742, W 96 13.488 (28.5124, -96.2248)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
tcountz@sbcglobal.net
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: “Look for bait; bait is the key to finding a lot of fish. Check the drains.” Capt. Countz

 

LOCATION: Matgagorda West Bay
HOTSPOT: Long Reef
GPS: N 28 40.388, W 95 53.09 (28.6731, -95.8848)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
tcountz@sbcglobal.net
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: “All that area has oyster reefs lining the shoreline. I like to fish when the tide is falling…then we will move out on the grass beds.” Capt. Countz

 

LOCATION: Sabine Pass
HOTSPOT: Jetties
GPS: N 29 40.03, W 93 49.877 (29.6672, -93.8313)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins
409-673-9211
4097862018@sbcglobal.net
www.fishsabine.com
TIPS: Capt. Watkins first choice in baits is the MirrOlure Lil John, using a variety of colors…Opening Night White, Kitchen Sink, clear with gold and silver glitter and Watermelon Red. “Early in the morning I like the Glow Little John…hard to beat.”

 

LOCATION: Sabine Pass
HOTSPOT: Beachfront
GPS: N 29 40.356, W 93 53.319 (29.6726, -93.8887)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins
409-673-9211
4097862018@sbcglobal.net
www.fishsabine.com
TIPS: “When fishing at the end of the jetties, the trout will suspend at about 10-12 feet deep. I will float the bait down to them and then dead stick it.” Capt. Watkins

 

LOCATION: West Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Campbell’s Bayou
GPS: N 29 21.063, W 94 53.276 (29.3511, -94.8879)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters and soft plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio
281-788-4041
captpaul@gofishgalveston.com
gofishgalveston.com
TIPS: “Southwest winds pretty much stymies West Bay, but in Campbell’s it’s deer water, 10-12 feet deep, with several shell pads between Sand Island and Swan Lake.” Capt. Marcaccio

 

MIDDLE TEXAS COAST

LOCATION: Carlos Bay
HOTSPOT: Spalding Reef
GPS: N 28 6.269, W 96 54.471 (28.1045, -96.9079)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Popping cork and shrimp
CONTACT: Capt. Jack McPartland
361-290-6302
treblejcharters@yahoo.com
treble-j-charters.com
TIPS: Artificials: Spoons, 1/4 maybe 3/8 oz. “My favorite spoon color is copper.” Capt. McPartland

 

LOCATION: Carlos Bay
HOTSPOT: Dunham Island
GPS: N 28 7.109, W 96 55.041 (28.1185, -96.9174)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Menhaden and Mullet cut bait
CONTACT: Capt. Jack McPartland
361-290-6302
treblejcharters@yahoo.com
treble-j-charters.com
TIPS: Flats: “The light-colored patches are the pot holes. Fish cut bait in the pot holes.” Capt. McPartland

 

LOCATION: Mesquite Bay
HOTSPOT: Cedar Bayou Flats
GPS: N 28 7.317, W 96 49.323 (28.1220, -96.8221)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Popping cork and shrimp
CONTACT: Capt. Jack McPartland
361-290-6302
treblejcharters@yahoo.com
treble-j-charters.com
TIPS: “If I don’t see mullet jumping in 2-3 minutes I move to another spot.” Capt. McPartland

 

LOCATION: Mesquite Bay
HOTSPOT: Ayres Reef
GPS: N 28 10.44, W 96 50.238 (28.1740, -96.8373)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Menhaden and Mullet cut bait
CONTACT: Capt. Jack McPartland
361-290-6302
treblejcharters@yahoo.com
treble-j-charters.com
TIPS: “Redfishing in any of the bay systems should be great. On flats look for pot holes or working mullet.” Capt. McPartland

 

LOCATION: Port Aransas
HOTSPOT: Traylor Island
GPS: N 27 55.955, W 97 4.494 (27.9326, -97.0749)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Popping cork and shrimp
CONTACT: Capt. Jack McPartland
361-290-6302
treblejcharters@yahoo.com
treble-j-charters.com
TIPS: “I prefer not weight when throwing cut mullet. I will use a small egg weight if I’m using live bait like a perch or finger mullet.” Capt. McPartland

 

LOCATION: Port Aransas
HOTSPOT: Super Flats
GPS: N 27 54.669, W 97 2.196 (27.9112, -97.0366)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Popping cork and shrimp
CONTACT: Capt. Jack McPartland
361-290-6302
treblejcharters@yahoo.com
treble-j-charters.com
TIPS: “If live shrimp is not available I will use a Down South soft plastic on the hook.” Some of McPartland’s favorite colors are red/white tail and Spicy Pumpkin Seed/chartreuse tail.

 

LOCATION: Redfish Bay
HOTSPOT: Outside Dagger
GPS: N 27 50.644, W 97 9.149 (27.8441, -97.1525)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Popping cork and shrimp
CONTACT: Capt. Jack McPartland
361-290-6302
treblejcharters@yahoo.com
treble-j-charters.com
TIPS: Capt. McPartland chooses the Down South soft plastics because it is a softer bait, “more like a real shrimp.”

 

LOCATION: Redfish Bay
HOTSPOT: Dagger Flats
GPS: N 27 49.754, W 97 10.61 (27.8292, -97.1768)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Menhaden and Mullet cut bait
CONTACT: Capt. Jack McPartland
361-290-6302
treblejcharters@yahoo.com
treble-j-charters.com
TIPS: Mullet jumping: “Just a few jumping here and there is a sign there are redfish. Obviously if you see a big wad moving you know the reds are present.” Capt. McPartland

 

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Kennedy Shoreline
GPS: N 27 14.567, W 97 25.459 (27.2428, -97.4243)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters
CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
tcountz@sbcglobal.net
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: “You can fish the rocks with topwaters and not get hung up.” Capt. Countz

 

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Night Hawk Bay
GPS: N 27 33.196, W 97 16.369 (27.5533, -97.2728)

SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Popping cork/shrimp or soft plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Daniel Land
361-876-7610
rdhuntng16@yahoo.com
TIPS: Switching to a braid line has increase his catches. The thinner diameter line is harder for the fish to see.

 

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: North Bird Island
GPS: N 27 28.402, W 97 18.599 (27.4734, -97.3100)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Popping cork/shrimp or soft plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Daniel Land
361-876-7610
rdhuntng16@yahoo.com
TIPS: Capt. Land uses a jig head for the hook under the popping cork instead of a treble hook. “It’s a lot easier to use the jig head. The jig head lets the shrimp sink instead of fluttering around on the surface.”

 

LOWER TEXAS COAST

LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: North of Carrallos Shoreline
GPS: N 27 15.162, W 97 29.177 (27.2527, -97.4863)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters
CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
tcountz@sbcglobal.net
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: “A lot of times you can fish the edges of the rocks where you see the trout, in be-tween the rocks and pick up some better fish.” Capt. Countz

 

LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Black Bluff Bar
GPS: N 27 14.166, W 97 31.067 (27.2361, -97.5178)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters
CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
tcountz@sbcglobal.net
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: “The sun heats the rocks and fish get up and around them, also baitfish the trout feed on.” Capt. Countz

 

LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Penescal
GPS: N 27 15.672, W 97 25.29 (27.2612, -97.4215)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: 1/16-ounce lead head and Marsh Minnows
CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
tcountz@sbcglobal.net
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: “I like throwing a 1/16-ounce lead head because it doesn’t sink real quick, along with a paddletail soft plastic.” Capt. Countz

 

LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Kleberg Point Rocks South
GPS: N 27 16.371, W 97 36.636 (27.2729, -97.6106)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: 1/16-ounce lead head and Marsh Minnows
CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
tcountz@sbcglobal.net
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: “The Tide Gauge Bar is like a big sandbar that runs the length of Baffin. It’s a lot like fishing the surf in the summertime.” Capt. Countz

 

LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Tide Gauge Bar
GPS: N 27 18.248, W 97 27.593 (27.3041, -97.4599)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: 1/16-ounce lead head and Marsh Minnows
CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz
281-450-4037
tcountz@sbcglobal.net
www.matagordafishing.com
TIPS: “Wade down the edge throwing out into the deeper water, working the bait slow.” Capt. Countz

 

LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Center Rocks
GPS: N 27 16.138, W 97 34.704 (27.2690, -97.5784)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Popping cork/shrimp or soft plastics
CONTACT: Capt. Daniel Land
361-876-7610
rdhuntng16@yahoo.com
TIPS: “Both drifting with live shrimp under a popping cork or a soft plastic will catch fish,” said Capt. Land. His favorite colors on the soft plastics White Ice, Key Lime Pine and Pur-ple Rain.

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