Bolivar: FAIR. 55 degrees. Winter has definitely arrived. There are a few die hard anglers working the banks, but overall action has been slow. There are plenty more weather changes throughout the week and changing winds with super low tides going back to normal. Pockets of sunshine are expected with temperatures fluctuating. Check the forecast before you head out or call ahead to your favorite bait shop. Anglers are still catching redfish, with fewer catches of trout in the surf, jetty, bay-side canals and east bay using finger mullet and mud minnows.
Trinity Bay: GOOD. 60 degrees. Trout have begun moving back up onto the flats near drop-offs. Drop-offs have been key. Target flats that feature mud and shale near drop-offs, and even better if rocks are present nearby. As the water warms, rocks retain heat and can continue warming surrounding water throughout the afternoon and evening hours, which helps hold fish in these areas. Speckled trout are being caught with light and dark colored flukes using weedless hooks with approximately 3/16-ounce weight, keeping baits tight to the bottom and working them extremely slow. Another productive pattern is fishing deep-water choke points coming out of marsh drains on a falling tide. These areas are producing both speckled trout and redfish. Redfish are mixed in with trout in deeper water during very cold periods, but they tend to move shallow sooner than trout as conditions improve. Redfish are now being found up on muddy flats with shell, especially near rocks. Cast crankbaits, extra large shad paddle tail in a sparkle chartreuse color. Hard baits have also been producing well. Keep your bait in contact with the bottom to improve hookup and success rates. Sheepshead and drum are holding around pilings and rocks near drop-offs. These fish are being caught on live shrimp under popping corks, as well as imitation shrimp. Remember to always wear your kill switch, watch the weather, and be safe when navigating the waters. Report by Captain Zackary Scott, Zack Attack Fishing. Scott’s Bay, Burnet Bay, and San Jacinto Bay are producing fair numbers of speckled trout, black drum and sheepshead with popping corks and live shrimp. Decent action on redfish along the ship channel rocks. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
East Galveston Bay: GOOD. 50 degrees. Surface water temperature 50 degrees. The water clarity is good for East Galveston Bay. Conditions are finally sunny on the water as anglers get a reprieve from the north wind. The majority of our action right now is on or close to the lower water column over deeper shell and mud. Slowly working various size jig heads with salt and pepper colored wacky flukes. Some of the bites are so subtle you really need to be paying attention. The best action has been during the major and minor fish times as well as when the water temperatures rise when the sun is out. Remember the Fish still have to eat in the colder water, although not as often, so be very methodical in your presentation, and fish areas where you have confidence in. Active bait in the area is important, so move on if you do not see bait or signs of life. As the water heats up during the day, some of the fish are moving out to mud flats to feed, so keep that in mind as well. The redfish bite has been consistent around drains and in the very shallow water areas back in the marsh. We are still using Imitation shrimp lures and tails under popping corks, with a 1-foot leader to trigger bites, as well as weightless tails. This time of year brings some of the best opportunities for anglers to catch those bigger fish on the prowl, so get out and make it happen with your family and friends. The corky bite also is in full swing, so if you like throwing artificials that is a great bait to throw, as well as walking topwater baits, as well as slow falling hard jerkbaits, when the conditions are lining up. Report by Captain Jeff Brandon, Get the Net Guide Services, LLC. Winter has definitely arrived. There are a few die hard anglers working the banks, but overall action has been slow. There are plenty more weather changes throughout the week and changing winds with super low tides going back to normal. Pockets of sunshine are expected with temperatures fluctuating. Check the forecast before you head out or call ahead to your favorite bait shop. The trout bite is still on fire, with plenty of redfish and a few flounder everywhere. Fish are in guts and channels. You can still find most of your redfish working the grasses. Trout in deeper water using artificials. Report by Captain Jack Blume.
Galveston Bay: GOOD. 55 degrees. Scattered catches of speckled trout along the western shoreline with live shrimp and soft plastics. Bull redfish can be caught in the open bay under diving birds. Galveston jetties are producing good catches of oversized drum and redfish on live halved crab and dead shad. Live shrimp is producing sheepshead, keeper size drum and redfish. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
West Galveston Bay: GOOD. 55 degrees. Speckled trout are good on drop-offs with soft plastics or live bait. Target areas with a softer bottom over hard shell. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
Houston: GOOD. Water clear; 59 degrees; 0.37 feet above pool. Recent heavy rainfall has muddled area waters again, with Huffman receiving about 3.5 inches, likely delaying fishable conditions on Cypress, Spring, Caney, Peach Creeks, and parts of the East and West Fork for another week or two, though The Woodlands and Conroe areas may clear sooner. White bass are the top target, biting small curly-tailed grubs on tandem rigs–white and chartreuse are best in stained water-with Rooster Tails also effective thanks to added vibration. Largemouth bass are holding near deep drop-offs and secondary points along main channels, responding to dark Texas-rigged worms, and may move shallow onto flats as the day warms. Crappie has been good in the creeks, Lucious Bayou, and the East Fork, but muddy water will slow the bite; small, dark hand-tied jigs are best when conditions improve. Catfish action is decent in deep main-lake channels on punch bait and fresh shad. Always wear your kill switch and be safe! Report by Captain Zackary Scott, Zack Attack Fishing.
Texas City: GOOD. 55 degrees. Winter has definitely arrived. There are a few die hard anglers working the banks, but overall action has been slow. There are plenty more weather changes throughout the week and changing winds with super low tides going back to normal. Pockets of sunshine are expected with temperatures fluctuating. Check the forecast before you head out or call ahead to your favorite bait shop. Anglers are still catching lots of big bull redfish, black drum, speckled trout in pockets, fewer keeper flounder with a lot of small males still prevalent, sheepshead and puppy drum as well. More whiting have started to be caught. The dredge boat is still pumping from the TC Channel to the north beach side of the dike. Live shrimp and finger mullet have been the best baits. Report by Captain Shane Rilat, North Jetty Bait Camp.
