Bolivar: GOOD. 72 degrees. Water levels are still high from the south winds and freshwater dumping from the north. The best bite conditions this week will be on the tide changes and edges of the color changes. There are plenty of redfish of varying sizes everywhere! Sand trout, sheepshead, black drum, small speckled trout, and crabs caught along the jetty with a couple stingrays and sharks. The surf is producing black drum, gafftop, stingrays, and bigger sharks mostly off Boyt road and further east towards Gilchrist. People were using everything for bait this past week with good results. Report by Captain Shane Rilat, North Jetty Bait Camp.
Trinity Bay: SLOW. 75 degrees. The Bay off-colored and fresh due to runoff. The salinity reading at Morgan’s Point is near zero. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. The bay is stained and flooded due to the influx of freshwater in the bay from The San Jacinto River and Trinity River. Great time to go through your safety gear for inspection and cleaning. Be safe, be prepared for floating debris and wear your kill switch. Redfish, trout and flounder will bounce back as salinity levels return after the floods. Drum will be hitting first, then the redfish. Huge prayers to everyone affected by the recent floods. Take time to check in your neighbor or friend if they live close to the water edge. Report by Captain Zackary Scott, Zack Attack Fishing.
East Galveston Bay: GOOD. 78 degrees. The bay is mostly fresh and off-colored due to runoff. Target salt water pockets along the south shoreline near Fat Rat Pass. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. Surface water temperature 76 degrees. Water clarity is normal for East Galveston Bay, with the further East you travel the more stirred up the water is. With the high tides and strong south and southeast winds we battled this week we were limited to fishing close to the shoreline over scattered shells and back in the back lakes to hide from the wind the best we could. As in previous weeks, if you see active bait the fish are close by. Anchor or Power pole down and fan cast the entire area, as this week we were able to catch multiple limits of trout from just a couple of small areas. If you get into an area and do not see bait activity, make a few casts, and move on, as our experience has been, if you find good amounts of bait the fish are close by. This week we have thrown 1¼ ounce jig heads with Wac Attack straight tails in monkey milk, topwaters, as well as marker 54 Glide Shrimp, under a 1-2 foot leader and a Fish Smack Popping Cork. The popping cork with shrimp setup was the top performer for our fishing clients this week resulting in some of the most aggressive bites of the year. We also managed to catch several over the slot Redfish this week in the same areas, as well as some nice flounder. Spring is finally here, and fishing is continuing to heat up as the water warms and the fronts blowing through become less disruptive. If you are looking to get out on the water and beat the crowds, now is the perfect time to make it happen. Report by Captain Jeff Brandon, Get the Net Guide Services, LLC.
Galveston Bay: SLOW. 79 degrees. Influx of freshwater continues to enter the bay. A few black drums are being caught near Moses Lake. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
West Galveston Bay: GOOD. 79 degrees. With all the freshwater dumping into Galveston Bay, this might be the place to catch speckled trout. Anglers wading with live croaker are finding good numbers of trout, and a few redfish. Those also fishing with live shrimp under popping corks are rounding out their catch with black drum. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
Houston: GOOD. Water stained; 66 degrees; 1.85 feet above pool. After the recent rains the lake levels are high, water is stained and there is a lot of floating debris. The lake should take a few weeks to bounce back. Current is very strong in certain locations, so please do not take a chance, be prepared and wear your kill switch. Great time to go through your safety gear and take time to run inventory, clean and inspect for replacing. Catfish will be biting great in live and cut shad. Largemouth bass and white bass will light up. Shortly after that the crappie will turn back on. Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone impacted by the latest floods. Great opportunity to take time to check on your neighbor or friend if they live by the waters edge. Report by Captain Zackary Scott, Zack Attack Fishing.
Texas City: FAIR. 78 degrees. Wind has been a factor for those trying to fish the Galveston jetties. Anglers fishing lower Galveston Bay from Swan Lake to the Galveston causeway finding a few speckled trout, black drum and redfish on live shrimp under popping corks. beachfront piers reporting catches of black drum, gafftopsail catfish, jackfish, sharks, and a few speckled trout showing up. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. Texas slams, or speckled trout, redfish, and flounder, are reported every day with some occasional black drums, sheepshead, and gafftop. The wade anglers have caught limits along the levee and mosquito island. Shane Rilat Report by Captain Shane Rilat, North Jetty Bait Camp.
Freeport: SLOW. 81 degrees. Lighter winds in the forecast so expect the bite to improve. Target trout, redfish and drum in the cuts and back lakes with shrimp under a popping cork. Report by Captain Jake Brown, Flattie Daddy Fishing Adventures.
East Matagorda Bay: GOOD. 72 degrees. A few anglers braving the wind are landing catches of redfish and drum wade fishing with croaker, or drifting with live shrimp under a popping cork. Days with calm winds are best targeting fish on the west end of the bay. On days with mild wind a few catches of trout can be had drifting. Report by Captain Charlie Paradoski, Captain Charlie Paradoski’s Guide Service.
West Matagorda Bay: GOOD. 72 degrees. A few anglers braving the wind are landing catches of redfish and drum wade fishing with croaker, or drifting with live shrimp under a popping cork. The tides have been low limiting fishable areas. On days with mild wind a few catches of trout can be had drifting. Report by Captain Charlie Paradoski, Captain Charlie Paradoski’s Guide Service.
