Galveston Fishing Report

We are entering the time of year when saltwater inshore fishing tends to be the slowest.

The winter doldrums, as it is called, occurs because so many of our fish have headed to deeper waters along with crabs.

When enough of the strong cold fronts pass through and empty the marshes, this tends to send fish to more stable areas where the water is less affected by the passing cold fronts.

Trout are one of the species that stay in the bays year-round and do not head for the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Experienced trout fishermen know where to look for trout year-round and, while this time of year is challenging, most of the time they can find where they are feeding.

A common pattern this time of year is for trout to hang around deep refuges like channels and pockets of deep water that exist in parts of Offatts Bayou and man-made harbors.

Serious trout fishermen tend to favor the late afternoon within two to three hours of sunset as the water is usually the warmest of the day and baitfish tend to be in the shallow waters that are quickly warmed by bright sunlight.

This also is a time when trophy trout start to show up along the shorelines.

Two species in particular are known for saving the day and providing some excellent tablefare during the winter; sand trout and whiting.

Both fish are widely distributed along the Upper Texas Coast and do not require live bait to catch.
Fresh dead shrimp is an excellent choice for both and for whiting, peeling the shell back to the tail offers an added attraction for the tasty little fish.

Reds also are a wintertime fish and can be caught in the same areas where trout roam during the day.