Bolivar: GOOD. 81 degrees. The surf is holding lots of black drum, shark, and some big redfish on cut bait or live on the bottom. The North Jetty Gulf side is holding limits of sheepshead and trout against rocks with an occasional redfish near the end with a popping cork and shrimp. The wreck is holding good numbers of trout on free-line shrimp or croaker close to rocks. Channel side holding some nice trout close and big redfish on the bottom. Sharks are at the end of the jetty on the gulf side. Report provided by Captain Raymond Wheatley, Tail Spotter Guide Service LLC.
Trinity Bay: GOOD. 88 degrees. Anglers fishing the northwest corner of the bay are catching black drum, sheepshead, a few redfish, and at times a few speckled trout. Fish seem to be holding over hard shell or rocks. Best bite on live shrimp under corks. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
East Galveston Bay: FAIR. 88 degrees. Action over open bay reefs is slow. Those wading protected shorelines early, catching a few speckled trout and redfish. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter. Surface water temps 88 degrees and water clarity varies. As previous weeks, the further west you venture the clearer the water becomes. Winds have been out of the southwest all week in the 10-22 mph range, increasing as the day progresses. This has hampered reef fishing efforts, compared to last week. Catches of trout and bull redfish early in the day chasing bait, over shell, but once the sun rises the bite ends. Shrimp imitation lures under popping corks have been the best bait, and Big Poppa Pearl has worked well with ¼ ounce jig heads. Birds are still working in the bay, as fish are still feeding on shrimp, so if you can find them the action can be fast and furious, but short lived. Please remember to drink plenty of water and bring plenty of sunscreen, as we have ventured into the time of year when it gets extremely hot on the water, and it is critical you stay hydrated and do not get overheated or sunburned, as after 10 a.m. you really begin to feel the effects. Report by Captain Jeff Brandon, Get the Net Guide Services, LLC. Little Hanna’s holding speckled trout, and an occasional flounder, or redfish, Yates Bayou drain still holding redfish against grass line on popping cork and shrimp. Siever’s Cut holding redfish near grass lines. Hanna’s, Deep Reef, Moody’s Reefs look for birds and slicks. Gas wells A1 to Eagle Point, holding some trout with live croaker. Goat Island holding Redfish under popping cork with shrimp or Carolina rigged live mullet finger mullet. Report provided by Captain Raymond Wheatley, Tail Spotter Guide Service LLC.
Galveston Bay: FAIR. 88 degrees. Gas wells holding a few speckled trout, but wind is making it difficult to fish the wells. Anglers finding protection along rocks catching a few trout. Good numbers of black drum, a few big sheepshead, and the occasional redfish. Best bite on live shrimp. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. The piers on the island are good for redfish, sharks, and jack crevalle. When water and waves permit, Pleasure Pier to Surfside is hot for redfish, speckle trout, pompano on Live bait, artificial. Live shrimp under a popping cork, croaker on an OCTO Circle with small Chatter weight. The South Jetty is holding some big redfish with a few nice slots, and some nice sharks at the end. The gulf side is on fire for speckled trout, sheepshead, pompano and redfish close to rocks on popping cork with live bait, free-lined shrimp, Carolina rigged float with shrimp, or chatterweight and croaker. Channel side holding trout close to rocks popping cork with live shrimp. Catches of jack crevalle and bull redfish off the 61st and 91st Piers on cut bait. The railroad bridge is holding redfish, drum and a decent number of speckled trout early on live bait. Report provided by Captain Raymond Wheatley, Tail Spotter Guide Service LLC.
West Galveston Bay: GOOD. 89 degrees. Best catches are being taken by those wading with live croaker. Bay reefs are off-colored. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. West Bay’s south shore is producing good numbers of speckled trout and redfish for wade anglers around the coves and grass lines from south of Deer Island to San Luis Pass on both sides of Bird Island. Bird Island flats are holding good numbers of speckled trout, and some redfish for wade anglers. North shorelines between Carancahua Reef and Confederate Reef are holding good trout and redfish with an occasional flounder drifting croaker. Report provided by Captain Raymond Wheatley, Tail Spotter Guide Service LLC.
Houston: FAIR. Water stained; 87 degrees; 0.19 feet above pool. Summer fishing patterns are here like the heat. Catfish are good on cut bait and on baited holes. Crappie are fair on submerged structures with jigs tipped with minnows. Bass are fair with an early morning topwater bite, transitioning to deeper structure with crankbaits and Texas or Carolina rigged worms.
Texas City: FAIR. 86 degrees. Daytime action for those fishing from the Texas City Dike is slow. At night anglers fishing with lights catching fair numbers of speckled trout. Galveston jetty anglers catching a mix of speckled trout, sheepshead, black drum, and slot redfish on live shrimp. Sharks are still good on the outside of the jetties. Those battling bumpy seas are being rewarded with some nice snapper, a few ling and kingfish. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. The Dike is producing catches of trout at night under lights on live bait or artificials. The rock Shoals southwest of the Dike are holding trout and redfish on live croaker, shrimp, or artificials. Look for bird action from Campbell’s Reef to Virginia Point. The gas wells across from Moses Lake are holding trout on live croaker. Moses Lake is holding fish by the gate on both sides. Dollar Reef is producing catches of trout on live croaker. Report provided by Captain Raymond Wheatley, Tail Spotter Guide Service LLC.
Freeport: GOOD. 86 degrees. Fishing is good for redfish, trout and some flounder drifting with live shrimp under a popping cork in the mornings in Bastrop Bay, Christmas Bay and the west end of Galveston. Wade fishing the guts in 3 feet of water has produced good catches of croakers. The river is starting to pick on trout, flounder and a few redfish. Report by Captain Jake Brown, Flattie Daddy Fishing Adventures.
East Matagorda Bay: SLOW. 85 degrees Most reliable bite will be drifting with live shrimp and artificials for redfish, drum, croaker and the occasional trout, or wading with croaker for trout. Report by Captain Charlie Paradoski, Captain Charlie Paradoski’s Guide Service.
West Matagorda Bay: SLOW. 85 degrees. Tides are low, but drifting shallow water can produce redfish on cut mullet. Most reliable bite will be drifting with live shrimp and artificials for redfish, drum, croaker and the occasional trout, or wading with croaker for trout. Report by Captain Charlie Paradoski, Captain Charlie Paradoski’s Guide Service.
Port O’Connor: GOOD. 80 degrees. Catches of big sharks in the jetties with skip jack. Black drum are good at the ends of the jetties on dead shrimp. Bull redfish are good from the back of the jetties to Bird Island on Spanish sardines. Trout are good at Bird Island and jetty washouts in the early morning fishing with live croaker. Report by Captain Marty Medford, Captain Marty’s Fish of a Lifetime Guide Service.
