Galveston Bay Fishing Charters & Guides

Galveston Bay Fishing Charters

Galveston Bay is the seventh largest estuary in the United States, located along the upper coast of Texas. An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to an ocean or gulf. Estuaries form a transition zone between river environments and maritime environments . The direct connection to the Gulf of Mexico is one of the natural reasons that Galveston Bay is a fishing mecca. It is also surrounded by miles and miles of marshes. And although most of the area is shallow, there are areas with 8-10 feet of water. This helps to protect and multiply the food chain that leads to fantastic fishing opportunities. There are also large numbers of oil rigs and related structures in the area that make manmade structures attractive to fish. In all, the area covers 618 square miles.

Galveston Bay

The area extends thirty miles south to north and seventeen miles east to west. Fresh water from the Trinity and the San Jacinto rivers mixes with the tidal salt water from the Gulf of Mexico through the channel between Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula (Bolivar Roads). During the 1980s the bay provided nursery and spawning grounds for 30 percent of the state's total fishing products. The Houston Ship Channel passes through Bolivar Roads, Galveston Bay, the San Jacinto River, and Buffalo Bayou to the Port of Houston. It’s a huge commercial area; in fact, it was the third largest United States port during the 1980s. The Galveston Bay area is vitally important to the state’s recreational fishing industry, surpassing a $2 billion impact annually. And it’s not just for sports fishing. Shrimp, oysters and crabs are also heavily populated here. When it comes to fishing, there are more than 100 species. From a fisherman’s perspective, the focus is on speckled trout, redfish and flounder. There are also sheepshead, catfish, black drum, croaker and sand trout, plus whiting. Whiting don’t often get a lot of good “press”, but anglers who eat their catch agree that it is the most tasty of the bay fish. Many good fishing opportunities here abound on the shore, where you don’t even need a boat. The best fishing, though, is out in the bay and the Gulf, where many charter captains and guides are available to make sure you get your money’s worth for a day of fishing. The city's beaches, jetties, piers bay reefs and flats provide anglers with easy access to a wide variety of game species.

Fishing Near Galveston Bay

The top areas to fish around Galveston Bay are no secret. The Galveston Fishing Pier, located on the Gulf of Mexico, is a top spot. Although it does charge a daily fee to fish, you can find croaker, cobia, jack crevalle, flounder, king mackerel, pompano, red snapper and speckled trout at various times of the year. Another popular spot in the bay is the 61st Street Fishing pier, which is usually open 24 hours a day. Check before you go for the latest details. There is also a fee here, but you can catch any of the above named fish. Rollover Pass is one of the most popular spots for locals who go after flounder. At least one publication has named it the No. 1 spot for fishing flounder in the state of Texas. The jetties and coves around the Eagle Point Marina are a top spot as well. Some of the best known fishing can also be found on East Galveston Bay around areas like Hanna’s Reef, West Bolivar Flats, Fat Rat Flats, Robinson Flats and Smith Point. For those in a boat, the flats around Pelican Island are not only attractive spots to fish, but are tops for the big three in the bay — redfish, flounder and trout. As with most places, the best way to approach fishing here for newcomers is with a guide or charter trip. That way you don’t spend all your time trying to figure out where to go and what to use for bait. If you go it on your own, remember that live shrimp is the best bait for the most popular fish. Keeping the bait alive helps and you get more bites. But dead bait like frozen shrimp, squid or mullet or shad cut bait will also work. A common way to fish cut bait is under a popping cork. The cork keeps your bait at the proper level and also makes a loud “popping” noise as you move it, serving to help the fish find the bait. Small corks are best for shallow areas, especially areas with grass. Larger corks can help you cast further and work best in choppy waters. Anglers also use a variety of shrimp-like plastic lures and other artificial baits with success. It’s a good bet to take a few minutes and talk to a few bait shop owners to find out what’s catching at the time of your trip.

Book A Galveston Fishing Charter

There are a multitude of fun things to do here, and a day or night tour of Galveston is always fun. They can take you to popular places and point out the historically significant spots. A wide variety of restaurants and accommodations are easily available within easy driving distance. Book your Galveston charter today and start the adventure!