MOST OF THE AREA OFFERS good fishing entering the new week but the chilly temps will keep the water cool. Water temps are below 60 degrees in Galveston Bay and Texas City, but redfish is good in both areas. The slightly warmer weather near Port O’Connor will offer the chance to catch trout, especially with shrimp.
Trinity Bay: GOOD. 60-62 degrees. Wade fishing the shoreline with artificial bait or drifting over the shell reefs are the best ways to catch redfish or trout this time of year. Flounder are best on minnow. Redfish are good along the north and northwest shoreline. The nearby plant’s cooling canal flows into the north side of Trinity Bay. The warm water flows over a spillway and into a small lake, which in turn spills into the bay. Some of the best redfish action of the year occurs in this area during the winter months.
East Galveston Bay: GOOD. 56 degrees. Flounder are excellent on live shrimp. Redfish and trout can be found around the oyster filled mudflats and have been best with live shrimp under a popping cork. Catfish are fair on cut bait. Sheepshead are good near the jetties on shrimp or around the bayou.
West Galveston Bay: GOOD. 56 degrees. Sheepshead are good on shrimp near the jetties. Black drum is good around the south shoreline coves. Flounder are good on live shrimp. Catfish are fair on cut bait. Redfish and trout can be found around the oyster filled mudflats- best with live shrimp under a popping cork.
Texas City: GOOD. 57 degrees. Redfish are good over shell reefs and wells on live shrimp. Flounder are fair on live shrimp or minnow around the jetties. Speckled trout are good along the shoreline on mullet or shrimp. Black drum is good on crankbaits.
Freeport: FAIR. 60-62 degrees. Water clarity is good. Water temperatures are on the rise, and fishing has been great in the back lakes and marshes. Black drum is good on crankbaits. Redfish will be found along the flats and are best on shrimp. Speckled trout are also good on shrimp. Sheepshead are good on shrimp and will be migrating to the bays and jetties to spawn. The flounder are good around the bridge on mullet.
West Matagorda Bay: GOOD. 62-63 degrees. Black drum is good on bass assassins in fire tiger color. Speckled trout are good on the south shoreline along the bayous on shrimp. Redfish are good on live mullet and soft plastics. Flounder are fair to good on live shrimp around the rocks.
Port O’Connor: GOOD. 62-64 degrees. Trout and redfish are good on shrimp or croakers. Tie on a bottom rig when fishing the rocks. Black drum is fair on blue crab or shrimp. Flounder are good around the jetties on jigs or minnow. Sheepshead are also good near the jetty on live shrimp. When the weather is too rough, Espiritu Santo Bay can be a safe haven and great spot for fishing.
