GALVESTON

Reported by CAPT. DEREK YORK

 

Summer’s Almost Here

 

 

WARM WEATHER, lots of people out on the water and great fishing means it’s almost summertime here on Galveston Bay. I am ready for summer to get here, and May and June are always busy months for me getting people out fishing, especially with schools getting out for the summer and longer, warmer days ahead. Fishing can be fantastic at this time of year both inshore and offshore! 

Right now, in the bay we are catching lots of speckled trout and reds over shell and around marsh drains. I have been fishing mostly in the lower half of the bay lately from lower East Bay to around the middle of West Bay. The Galveston causeway can also be a great place to catch fish this time of year. Popping corks with shrimp and soft plastics on a jig head are usually the way to go. It is also a great idea to start the morning throwing some topwaters and experience the excitement of seeing those aggressive strikes on the surface. 

Jetties are also a good option right now and provide plenty of opportunity to catch sheepshead, black drum, red drum, and speckled trout. You can catch some nice, speckled trout this time of the year out at the jetties on free-lined shrimp. I always have multiple setups to fish out at the rocks, including a popping cork and shrimp, bottom knocker rigs and one or two free-line setups for throwing shrimp up close to the rocks. And it still never hurts to keep one or two big rods out the back of the boat for something big! Bull reds, big black drum and sharks are always looking for a good meal this time of year. 

And when the weather is right, I am running out in state waters looking for cobia around any of the close in rigs and anything I find floating on the surface. We usually have some Sargassum showing up this time of year. These fish are fun to see and catch and can provide a great fight. I keep a couple of big spinning reel setups rigged with a 60-80# fluorocarbon leader and circle hook to pitch a live bait to these fish. They will gladly eat a big shrimp or croaker most days. And if you are lucky enough to get one hooked up and to the boat, be ready when bringing them onboard. I try to get them straight into the cooler if possible. Just think about how wild those bulls are in the pens at the Houston Rodeo are when trying to get the rider off! A “green” cobia on the deck can cause some serious damage to you and your boat if not prepared.

Whether you are bank fishing, wade fishing, on a boat or out with one of the many great guides on Galveston Bay, I know you are going to have a great time on the water. Just remember to stay safe and take a kid fishing!

 

 

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