Bolivar: FAIR. 55 degrees. This week should be another wild week to fish the Galveston Bay Area. Plenty of weather changes throughout the week and changing winds with three to four tide days back and forth daily. Check the forecast before you head out or call ahead to your favorite bait shop. Water temperatures are fluctuating with the weather changes. Anglers are still catching plenty of redfish and fewer trout in the surf, jetty, bay-side canals and east bay using finger mullet and mud minnows. Report by Captain Shane Rilat, North Jetty Bait Camp.
Trinity Bay: GOOD. 60 degrees. Speckled trout are being found in deep drains and along drop-offs leading into the main bay, particularly where marshes empty out. Trout are also holding along ship channel drop-offs and have moved up into the San Jacinto River near major depth changes. Anglers are targeting trout successfully with WAC Attack lures in darker colors, along with flukes rigged on 1/4-ounce to 1/8-ounce jig heads, depending on tide flow. A few oversize trout are being caught, mixed in with solid limits. Now is an excellent time to get out and target trout. Redfish are holding tight to rock groins along both the east and west shorelines of Trinity Bay, as well as in the Houston Ship Channel near the Blue Atoll area. They are being caught on live shrimp and imitation shrimp under Redemption Outdoor Gear popping corks. When redfish are hugging the bottom, anglers are also finding success using ⅜ ounce weedless jig heads with 3/0 hooks rigged with Gulp. Flounder are still present in the drains and can be caught by freelining live shrimp or by using Gulp on weedless hooks. Sheepshead activity has slowed somewhat, but black drum remain prevalent over reefs, shoals, and spoil areas throughout the main bay. Drums are being caught using live shrimp or imitation shrimp under popping corks with approximately a three-foot leader. As always, monitor the weather closely, pay attention to wind conditions, wear your kill switch, and navigate safely on the water. Report by Captain Zackary Scott, Zack Attack Fishing. Coldest temps of the winter forecasted for this coming weekend. Small window of opportunity for the anglers on Friday and maybe early Saturday morning. Fair trout, good numbers of drum and big sheepshead and the occasional slot reddish on live shrimp at Tabbs, Scott, Burnet Bay. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
East Galveston Bay: GOOD. 51 degrees. The water clarity is good this week for East Galveston Bay. This past week we had more fronts push through again, as well as super low water levels in the bay system, which is typical for this time of the year. Fish the falling tides in the morning for solid fish and some oversize fish as well. The ticket is to focus on transition zones and drop-offs and fish super slow with 1/4 ounce jigheads with white and chartreuse paddle tails, or suspending hard baits. Watch the major and minor fish times for the best bite. The redfish bite has been consistent around drains and in the very shallow water areas back in the marsh. Use imitation shrimp lures and tails under popping corks with a 1-foot leader to trigger bites, as well as weightless FishBite Paddle Tails over super shallow water. This time of year brings some of the best opportunities for bigger fish, with fewer fishers on the water, and bigger fish on the prowl, so get out and make it happen with your family and friends. Be mindful of the tides, and precise in your navigational skills, as you can really get yourself in a bind if fishing mornings with these low tides this time of the year. Report by Captain Jeff Brandon, Get the Net Guide Services, LLC.
Galveston Bay: GOOD. 59 degrees. Coldest temps of the winter forecasted for this coming weekend. Small window of opportunity for the anglers on Friday and maybe early Saturday morning. In Galveston Bay there are slow catches of trout and redfish, but sheepshead being caught around old pier piling and hard shell bottom on live shrimp. Offshore catches of grouper, vermilion snapper, blackfin snapper, and wahoo being caught out deep, bottom fishing and of course trolling for those wahoo. At the Galveston jetties the bite is fair for bull redfish and oversized black drum. Sheepshead are showing up along the rocks and structure in and around the Galveston harbor. Live crab best for reds and drum, shrimp for the sheepshead. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
West Galveston Bay: GOOD. 57 degrees. Coldest temps of the winter forecasted for this coming weekend. Small window of opportunity for the anglers on Friday and maybe early Saturday morning. Boat anglers drifting over shell and mud mix with soft plastics catching trout, redfish, and a few flounder. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
Houston: GOOD. Water clear; 59 degrees; 0.11 feet above pool. Lake Houston is in excellent condition and fishing has been on fire, with crappie and white bass being caught at a rapid pace and anglers consistently filling quality boxes. Crappie are producing well in the East Fork and Lucious Bayou on small hand-tied jigs, soft plastics, and live minnows, while white bass are actively feeding throughout the system, especially around Jesse H. Jones Park, where Rooster Tails, Road Runners, curly-tail grubs, and tandem rigs worked along the bottom have been most effective. Largemouth bass fishing remains solid, with healthier, larger fish being caught on deep drop-offs, under docks, along ledges, and secondary points using grubs, Texas-rigged worms, and crankbaits. Catfish action is fair, with the best bite along the main channel bends on punch bait fished on the bottom. Always wear your kill switch and be safe! Report by Captain Zackary Scott, Zack Attack Fishing.
Texas City: GOOD. 60 degrees. This week should be another wild week to fish the Galveston Bay Area. Plenty of weather changes throughout the week and changing winds with three to four tide days back and forth daily. Check the forecast before you head out or call ahead to your favorite bait shop. Water temperatures are fluctuating with the weather changes. 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.
