Bolivar: FAIR. 60 degrees. 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. 65 degrees. The bay is in decent condition, with water clarity around one foot or better in certain areas. The North Complex is currently in very good shape in terms of clarity. Quality trout are being found in bayous and bends near structures such as laydowns and drop-offs. A productive method for targeting these trout is using paddle tail swimbait in the Glacier Freeze color paired with a �¼-ounce jig head, adjusting presentation based on where fish are holding in the water column. Recently, trout have been holding higher in the column. Anglers are also finding success using popping corks with both live and imitation shrimp. Redfish are holding around rocks and drains. Any location featuring riprap or rocks with moving water is a prime area to target. They are being caught on crankbaits as well as under popping corks using live or imitation shrimp. Drum and sheepshead are being found along main channel rocks and around docks. These fish are responding well to live shrimp or imitation shrimp under popping corks. Always wear your kill switch, monitor weather conditions, and ensure all required safety equipment is on board before heading out. Report by Captain Zackary Scott, Zack Attack Fishing. East shoreline holding speckled trout and scattered redfish on soft plastics and live shrimp. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
East Galveston Bay: GOOD. 62 degrees. Super low tides were on tap again this past week. The water clarity is average for East Galveston Bay, with better clarity in the marsh areas that have been protected from the wind. Good trout catches with a bright pink soft plastic lure with silver and black flakes. 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 was good around drains and in the very shallow water areas back in the marsh with imitation shrimp lures and tails under popping corks, with a 1-foot leader to trigger bites, as well as weightless rat tails and flukes. Remember, 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. The Corky bite also is in full swing, as well as suspending hard jerk baits, so if you like throwing artificials these are great bait to throw, as well as walking topwater baits, as well as slow falling jerk baits, when the conditions are lining up correctly. Report by Captain Jeff Brandon, Get the Net Guide Services, LLC.
Galveston Bay: GOOD. 65 degrees. Conditions have been tough due to wind and the bay is off-colored. Another front is scheduled to arrive this weekend. Upper Galveston bay producing slow to fair catches of speckled trout and better numbers of sheepshead and black drum. A few scattered redfish, along with a few bull redfish and oversized drums with live shrimp. Bull redfish and oversized drum can be caught on live halved crab at the Galveston Jetties. When seas cooperate there are good offshore catches of yellowfin tuna, blackfin tuna, and grouper, along with vermilion snapper. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
West Galveston Bay: GOOD. 65 degrees. Wade anglers are producing catches of speckled trout along with some nice slot size redfish. Trout are good for anglers drifting with soft plastics in protected areas. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.
Houston: GOOD. Water clear; 57 degrees; 0.29 feet above pool. Fishing on Lake Houston is excellent overall, led by outstanding largemouth bass action–recent tournament results topped 22 pounds for five fish, reflecting strong populations. Bass are aggressively striking crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and especially chatterbaits, with white skirts and green paddle tails producing best around drop-offs, docks, back lakes, and cypress trees in 4-6 feet. Crappie are abundant in Lucious Bayou and the East Fork, holding tight to structure despite slightly off-colored water; live minnows, small hand-tied jigs, and plastics are all effective. White bass have moved into the creeks and are staging in holes and channel drop-offs ahead of the spawn, white catfish are active near creek mouths and river inflows on punch bait and fresh shad. Always wear your kill switch and stay prepared for changing weather conditions. Report by Captain Zackary Scott, Zack Attack Fishing.
Texas City: GOOD. 65 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.
