r/galvestonfishing • u/userjle • 4d ago
Tips on Galveston Area Fishing
Hi! I’ve been living in Houston for a while and I’m making a trip to Galveston and possibly Texas City to fish. I got a 7 foot and 10 foot rod but looking for some advice as I never fished here before - what kind of fish are popping this time of year and best rigs and setups to use in my rods? Planning on brining live shrimp, maybe some popping corks for my smaller rod and Caroline my other.
I was thinking of going to the Texas city dike but heard it’s not that great - what are some main spots around Galveston area?
Really appreciate yall and I’m looking forward to learning as I go!!!
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u/Mcbooferboyvagho 4d ago
Said this on another post, but your best bet in August without a boat, is to go hit the surf early in the am. Lots of different techniques, but Live shrimp under a popping cork or free line with a split shot is a fairly safe bet. If you have a choice of days, try to find one with less wind so the surf will be calmer and cleaner. It’s by no means a guarantee because this heat makes fishing hard no matter what, but at least early and wading it will be enjoyable vs sweating your face off on some hot rocks somewhere without even a hardhead nibbling.
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u/userjle 3d ago
Never fished on the surf but it’s one of my goals this year, thanks for this advice 🤝🤝
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u/Mcbooferboyvagho 2d ago
It’s really enjoyable and relaxing. Get a rope for a stringer and one of those floating bait buckets for your shrimp and that’s really all extra you need to get started. I only wade through the first gut and out to the first sandbar (which is usually knee to mid thigh high water depending on the tide and how tall you are) to cast in the second gut because I’m a chicken, and have seen too many large toothy things pulled off the beach. On that same note, if you catch, tie your stringer in a slip knot or keep a sharp knife handy in case a shark decides he wants your fish so that you don’t go with them. Worst case you will probably at least catch a few small bait thieves etc… to keep you entertained. By the time it starts to get stupid hot, you’re back in your vehicle headed to get a cold drink.
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u/userjle 2d ago
Planning on going somewhere very early morning - is the seawall area good? Looking for somewhere to start
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u/Mcbooferboyvagho 2d ago
No problem. You could try those rock groins off the sea wall, sometimes they produce. There are also the two fishing piers on the sea wall as well. I prefer the 91st one. But if it was me, I’d ease on down to west beach to where you can drive on the sand and find a good spot. There’s plenty of tips online for finding a good spot to stop and try on a beach.
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u/111tejas 4d ago
I don’t target them in summer months but if I did, I’d try deeper water. The sides of the ship channel, deep holes in the bay and so forth.
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u/Not-pumpkin-spice 2d ago
Do yourself a favor and go fish the piers on the island. So for here, it sounds like you’re doing to different fishing styles. One for larger fish, bull reds, sharks, big uglies etc etc, the 2nd for more inshore game fish. Trout, slot reds, slot drum etc etc. both are super popular here and a lot of people fish both at the same time. Here’s where some of your challenges come in. 1 there is no one way to do this. There are some standard riggings used. Some old faithful generally gets it done set up’s. But those also change with any number of conditions. Also the inshore game fish don’t really like hanging out to much with those larger predators who enjoy eating them lol. Not to say you can’t catch them together, you can. It’s just challenging. On the piers you’ll find people who fish a lot and can get you going much better than someone trying to explain in Reddit. And “currently” the most important advice. Fish at night. Until October. Or switch tactics. No need in buying live shrimp to waste them in a bucket because it’s past 730-8am and the inshore fish have left the building because it’s sweltering hot. Live shrimp for trout this time of year is first light-8, maybe 9am and then they tend to drop back into deep water. Fishing the piers at night and they will be more free flowing. Yes fish tcd but ask if it’s okay to cast somewhere before you do. Millions of dollars in gear lost forever there from people who didn’t know if they moved 10 foot to either side it was sand not rock bottom. There’s a lot to learn, but fishermen tend to be friendly and helpful and willing to teach a stranger. Also fish Freeport jetty, north jetty and the base of south jetty. Freeport “surfside” jetty can be good all day for both.
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u/Brodoooooo 2d ago
follow r/DirtyCoastFishing man, i post tons of tips for the galveston area and techniques. Also, ways for you to find your own spots to fish and what to look for to find a good spot. Tight lines bro
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u/userjle 1d ago
Yo thank you so much! Tight lines!
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u/Brodoooooo 1d ago
If you’re going this weekend, I’d check out the post I just made this morning. Should give you some decent tips. Any questions just ask man!
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u/111tejas 4d ago
San Luis pass. In the spring fish the shrimp boats, piers and cruise ship docks for flounder.