Galveston fishing blog

Galveston fishing charter company

832-917-FISH(3474)

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Fishing was shut down by early thunderstorms Wednesday, and while it was disappointing to those who had to change their plans, the storms and steady light rain that followed were beneficial to fishing.

While launching my boat was not an option, early Wednesday I took advantage of the situation to attend a presentation on all of the work going on to protect some of our endangered and threatened shore birds.

Kristen Vale’s presentation was given to the Park Board’s Nature Tourism Committee and was enlightening. Vale, who is associated with Houston Audubon and American Bird Conservancy, showed graphics of the areas where terns and other birds either on the endangered or threatened lists are nesting around Galveston.

Among the many threats facing the nesting birds are anglers.

The parks department has placed numerous signs and other alerts in areas where terns and plover are nesting and is asking the public to avoid those spots. This includes pets that run loose and children.

In a new regulation beginning Tuesday, boaters must drain all water from their boat and onboard receptacles before leaving or approaching a body of fresh water in Texas.

The new Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regulation is designed to help combat the further spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species. It applies to all types and sizes of boats, powered or not: personal watercraft, sailboats, kayaks, canoes and other vessel used on public waters.

The regulation requires the draining of live wells, bilges, motors and any other receptacles or water-intake systems.

On the fishing scene, our only report Wednesday came from Capt. Mike Williams, Tarpon Express Guide Service. Williams said during the last several days, tarpon continue to show in Tarpon Alley in windows where there is no seaweed.

Monday morning, Tarpon Express Guide Capt. Mark Gonzales boated a tarpon estimated to weigh 120 pounds after taking over for an exhausted client.

Tarpon Alley is an area that runs parallel to the Upper Texas Coast beginning just a few miles off the beach front to about 12 miles out. The alley begins in the vicinity of High Island and runs all the way to the Middle Texas Coast.