GALVESTON
Reported by CAPT. DEREK YORK
Email Derek York at spotstalkerfishing@yahoo.com
Online: SpotStalkerGuideService.com
Beating the Heat
LISTEN: (3 Min, 2 Sec)
EARLY MORNINGS and late evenings may be the theme for a lot of us during July and August, with temps nearing triple digits each day, you almost hope to get some of those sea breeze summer showers while out fishing just to survive this part of the summer. With the recent trout regulation changes going to 3 fish per person and a 15-20 inch slot, anglers will potentially be able to chase more species this summer like redfish, black drum, sheepshead and flounder if the trout are biting good early. Most fishermen will be targeting spotted seatrout along the many reefs in our bay system and on the Galveston and Bolivar beachfronts.
When targeting seatrout, a lot of the same tactics for other species will work for you as well. Soft plastics, top waters, live bait such as shrimp under a popping cork and croaker fished on a Carolina style rig are all go-to techniques that have stood the test of time and produced year after year. Finding bait along the beach and in the bay is key along with moving water. This will give you a good starting point and once you find the fish, continue to cast or drift in the same area for best results. But be sure to always be quick on your drag when that bull red hits. We have boated a lot of bull redfish while drifting on the reefs the last several years and they always catch people off guard when they hit!
A lot of my time is spent in the bay during the early part of the day in the summer, but I typically move out to the jetties later in the morning hoping to target some larger species near the pass or just offshore. Sharks, Jacks and numerous other pelagics show up in huge numbers off Galveston this time of the year. And on a good calm day, we will usually head offshore to look for weed lines and check the channel marker buoys and nearby platforms for cobia. Most people are surprised when we come across these unique fish on the surface, often reaching over 60 pounds. And once hooked, you better hold on for the battle that is to follow. I typically have one or two larger 8000 size spinning reels rigged up with a fluorocarbon leader in 60# test with a small circle hook on it to pitch a live bait at these fish. After landing one, they make great table fare and are perhaps my favorite fish to make fresh ceviche out of!
One thing to think about this summer is to make sure and pick up a copy of the current Texas Lakes and Bays Fishing Atlas. You’ll have access to thousands of potential new fishing spots and possibly learn where more boat ramps are in your area you may not be utilizing. With the increased pressure it seems we have every year, a new ramp to use may be the best thing yet!
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