Bolivar: GOOD. 57 degrees. Just as the weather cools, it will warm back up again. Fish know it and are already in pockets and deeper waters. Breezy north winds continue this week and three tide days changing back and forth from two to three tides means the fish will only be active a few hours in the morning and at night. Check the forecast before you head out or call ahead to your favorite bait shop. Water temperatures are finally in the 50s. Anglers are catching plenty of redfish and trout in the surf, jetty, bay-side canals and east bay using finger mullet and mud minnows. There are a few flounder and speckled trout being caught along with sand trout with croakers and crabs along the jetty, but it has been hit-or-miss. Report by Captain Shane Rilat, North Jetty Bait Camp.
Trinity Bay: GOOD. 55 degrees. Recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have had minimal impact on Trinity Bay, and fishing on the north end of the bay complex continues to improve. Both wade fishing and boat fishing opportunities are producing excellent results. Redfish are being found shallow over shale and are responding well to paddle tails, soft plastics and flukes. Live shrimp under popping corks are also producing consistent bites. Anglers should adjust leader length based on water depth to maximize success. Trout fishing is outstanding, with fish moving shallow into 2–4 feet of water. Trout are being caught near drains, drop-offs, shale, and sandbars. Paddle tails and rat-tail soft plastics have been effective, with water movement being a key factor. Look for signs of bait activity and birds. The soft plastic lure with a cork body bite is beginning to turn on, making this an excellent time to target trout. Drum and sheepshead are being caught near the ship channel using live shrimp under popping corks. Drum are also being taken on paddle tails and crankbaits, providing multiple effective options for anglers. As always, monitor the weather, be prepared, wear your kill switch at all times, and prioritize safety on the water. Report by Captain Zackary Scott, Zack Attack Fishing. Speckled trout are good in Trinity Bay, Scotts Bay, Tabbs Bay, and Burnet Bay with live shrimp under popping corks. Rocks along the channel are good for sheepshead and redfish. Black drum holding over hard shell bottom. Live shrimp is best. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
East Galveston Bay: GOOD. 57 degrees. Surface water temperature is 57 degrees and the water clarity is still good for the majority of East Galveston Bay. The trout bite has remained steady, catching good numbers and some oversize fish as well on our artificial only trips. The ticket has been very slowly bouncing tails right on the bottom over deeper shell with 1/4 ounce jig heads with soft plastics in lighter colors. The redfish bite is good around grass lines and in the shallow water areas back in the marsh. This week we did not have as much success with slot size redfish, as we were catching more rats, smaller redfish, and oversize fish. This time of year brings some of the best fishing conditions for bigger fish, with fewer fishers on the water, and cooler water temperatures. Get out and make it happen with your family and friends. Remember flounder season is back open and that is one of the better tasting fish in the Galveston Bay system. Report by Captain Jeff Brandon, Get the Net Guide Service, LLC.
Galveston Bay: GOOD. 55 degrees. Galveston jetties are producing catches of bull redfish and oversized black drum on cut bait and live halved crabs. Speckled trout are also being caught on live shrimp. Flounder fishery has reopened. The Galveston Harbor will be the spot to fish. Be aware of the slip work being done. Some are being filled in for the new cruise terminal. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
West Galveston Bay: GOOD. 55 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on deeper shell, channels and bayous with artificial lures. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
Houston: GOOD. Water clear; 69 degrees; 0.02 feet above pool. Muddy water conditions persist across Lake Houston, but flows from the East Fork, West Fork, and Luce Bayou are beginning to settle, and as clarity improves and water temperatures gradually drop, fishing should continue to get better over the next couple of weeks. Largemouth bass are being found in drains within back lakes and along south-end drains where clearer water exists, with secondary points and docks holding fish when shallow areas are less productive; spinnerbaits, crankbaits, grubs, and Texas-rigged worms have all been effective. White bass fishing remains excellent, especially on the south end where larger fish are concentrated, with paddle-tail soft plastics, trolling a No.12 Pet Spoon behind a Jet Diver, and vertical jigging slabs producing steady action once schools are located. Catfish are fair on punch bait or fresh shad fished on the bottom in 8-15 feet of water near main river channels, while crappie are being caught in 10-15 feet on hand-tied jigs and minnows around structure in Luce Bayou and the East and West Forks. Always wear your kill switch and be safe! Report by Captain Zackary Scott, Zack Attack Fishing.
Texas City: GOOD. 60 degrees. Just as the weather cools, it will warm back up again. Fish know it and are already in pockets and deeper waters. Breezy north winds continue this week and three tide days changing back and forth from two to three tides means the fish will only be active a few hours in the morning and at night. Check the forecast before you head out or call ahead to your favorite bait shop. Texas City Dike remains decent for this time of year. Anglers are catching some big bull redfish, big black drum, speckled trout, decent keeper flounder with a lot of small males, sheepshead have started to show up this week and a few puppy drum as well. With the strong winds, most people are fishing with the wind at their back if the kite boarders aren’t cruising the shoreline on the calm side. Live shrimp and finger mullet have been the best baits. Report by Captain Shane Rilat, North Jetty Bait Camp.
