Fishing Report Galveston

During periods involving frontal systems and events in the Gulf of Mexico, warnings are posted to boaters, which appear to be confusing to some. Often we get questions from readers asking about small craft advisories — what they really mean and if it is illegal to operate a boat on the water during such advisories.

There is no legal definition of “small craft.” The small craft advisory is an advisory for sustained winds, frequent gusts or conditions exceeding thresholds specific to geographic areas.

Galveston is included in the southern region, and advisories are issued when forecasts call for conditions with sustained winds of 20 to 33 knots and/or forecasts for seas running 7 feet and higher for more than two hours.

It is not illegal to operate a boat during the time when the advisories are in effect. It is just an alert that dangerous conditions could exist for smaller boats.

The next level beyond the small craft advisory is a gale warning, and they are issued when forecasts call for wind speeds between 34 and 47 knots.

When the advisories are issued, the main concern should be to avoid open waters where waves could be hazardous. While in effect, most fishermen either cancel their trips or confine their fishing to protected waters.

On the fishing scene, Marita Schultz of Pelican Rest Marina reported a productive morning of fishing by Capt. James Plaag and his guests. Using top waters, Mirrolures and Fat Boys while wade fishing early Wednesday, they landed nine trout to almost 6 pounds.

Tuesday, Sweet Pea Woods took a nice haul of fish from the east end beach front. His catch included drum, whiting and sheepshead. Dead shrimp was the bait.

A reader named Curtis called in to say he had gigantic hookup while fishing the 27th Street Rock Groin on Wednesday. The unknown fish stripped 100 yards of line from his reel before breaking off. The fish hit a large hunk of cut squid.

Sounds like he might have tangled with a big Jack Crevalle, as that is characteristic of that species and recent reports indicate a number of such encounters.