While most anglers do not consider this to have been an unusual year for coastal fishing, we have seen some fish appear in the Galveston area that normally are found around reefs and offshore structures.
Another example of this occurred Tuesday when Tony Keill caught a smooth puffer, or rabbit fish, from the Galveston Fishing Pier. Smooth puffers are basically offshore fish; however, they do make occasional appearances along the beach front.
Puffers need to be properly cleaned before consuming the meat because their entrails and skin contain a deadly poison. For most anglers, it is best to release or discard the fish rather than try it for a meal.
The warmer waters and higher salinity levels have contributed to a large variety of fish being reported in shallower waters this year. We discussed in a previous report the large numbers of mangrove snapper that made their way into the bays and isolated reports of lizard fish, gag grouper, Bermuda chub, red snapper, triggerfish, pilot fish, small amberjack and others caught around the jetties and Galveston Ship Channel.
Serious flounder fishermen are hitting the water, with many looking ahead to November, as that traditionally is the best month for flounder fishing. Reports continue to indicate that the majority of large females remain in the bays and marshes.
Lori, the Salt Water Hooker, was out Monday and reported finding large flounder at her flatfish hole in West Bay. Saturday, she landed three up to 21 inches and Monday, four to 16 inches. All were caught on her favorite flounder bait, the Flounder Pounders.
Most of the flounder pros feel we will have a repeat of last year and it will be mid-November before action breaks open on the big girls.
Along the beach front, sand trout, whiting, croaker and bull reds continue to dominate the catches, according to Richard Belleau’s report from the 61st Street Fishing Pier.
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