Galveston Fishing Report 5-18-16

Galveston Fishing Charter Company

832-917-FISH (3474)

www.galvestonfishingchartercompany.com 

www.fish-n-lodge.com

 

  Once we get by Thursday and Friday, conditions look to improve with light winds and little chance of rain in the forecast.
Wednesday, there was not much taking place on the fishing scene around Galveston. It likely will be Saturday before we see much in the way of change.

The unsettled weather of recent days has the surf in poor shape for fishing; however, once the stormy conditions pass, the water clarity should rapidly improve. Late last week there were some excellent catches reported from all around the Galveston area including the offshore waters.

There is nothing to indicate that the action won’t resume, and this weekend looks to be a good bet for trout from the inshore waters and pelagic fish from the offshore.

Lots of freshwater continues to flow into Galveston Bay causing low salinity levels in Upper Galveston Bay, Trinity Bay and parts of East Bay. It remains to be seen when the floodwaters will slow down or cease to affect Galveston Bay.

Last Sunday’s edition of the Reel Report mentioned a meeting taking place in League City on May 18 regarding comments on the proposed red snapper regulations. The meeting is actually scheduled for next Wednesday, May 25, at the same location and time. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

I will be out of pocket for the next few days while dealing with an unpleasant health issue and ask your patience in receiving timely replies to emails and phone messages. Please continue sending in your fishing pictures and reports, and I will get to them as quickly as possible.

Galveston fishing report 5-11-16

Galveston Fishing Charter Company

832-917-FISH (3474)

www.galvestonfishingchartercompany.com

www.fish-n-lodge.com

Unsettled weather continues to plague the upper Texas Coast.
Early Wednesday, Darrell Watkins and two friends headed out for what they hoped would be a good day of early season offshore fishing. After just over an hour underway, thunder and lightning were taking place along the horizon and the wind picked up.

According to Watkins, that was it, and they headed back to dock. By noon, the wind was gusting to over 20 knots. Not a good day for fishing either offshore or in the bay.

One other report was received Wednesday, and that was from Harry Peterson who hit the water along the spoils of the Intracoastal Waterway before daybreak. Peterson and his neighbor Collin Clark wade fished for two hours using live shrimp and Saltwater Assassins for baits. Their catch amounted to a Texas Grand Slam which included 12 trout to 19 inches, two reds and a 16-inch flounder.

All of the action came within 45 minutes after first light of day.

Capt. Mike Williams sent an update on his Tides of Taurus report that includes predictions of excellent trout action in the near future. Williams said that when the wind drops, fishermen will see the “Bloom of the Plume” as both our resident trout and those surf runners from the Gulf come together, and the line where the northbound and southbound schools meet will be a break point where the salinity level is more in balance.

Williams said that this event, under the right conditions, will produce some of the best trout fishing of the year.

I think all of us anticipate some excellent trout fishing for several weeks ahead.

Galveston fishing report 4-9-16

Galveston Fishing Charter Company

832-917-FISH (3474)

www.galvestonfishingchartercompany.com

www.fish-n-lodge.com

Anglers on the water early Saturday avoided the wind and made some nice catches. Calm waters greeted those early risers, and the nice conditions lasted until close to noon when the wind picked up. Jerry Matthews, of La Marque, sent a note asking what I consider windy conditions as he is accustomed to wind while fishing the Galveston Bay Complex and is not affected by it until velocities reach well over 20 knots.

I replied to Matthews that it sounded like he was more of a lower coast fisherman than someone who fishes the upper Texas Coast. When wind velocities around here are blowing consistently above 15 knots, that is usually the point where anglers have to avoid the open bays, surf and jetties.

I must admit that I have seen boats fishing East Bay Reefs in such conditions; however, most of the time the catches are down when the wind rises to that point.

On the fishing scene, Don Robinson, of Tiki Island, hosted Will Oliver to a West Bay trip Saturday where the guest from Washington D.C. caught a nice-sized flounder, slot red, and released five rat reds, two stingray, a whiting and large blue crab.

All caught on a 2-hour trip using live shrimp for bait.

Randy Bartosh, of Tiki Island, landed a 42-inch bull red while fishing the jetties. There was no mention of which jetty or baits employed.

Last Thursday, Ray Hensarling, his son Oliver and Bob Bates fished the end of the North Jetty with Capt. Michael Marquez and caught reds along with three limits of sheepshead. Hensarling said the water was so calm that you could water ski on it.

Betsy Hatherill, who is gaining a reputation for her ability to find flounder, was at it again Saturday and landed two large flatfish, one considered a saddle blanket, from her canal at Spanish Grant.

Galveston fishing report 3-25-16

Galveston Fishing Charter Company

832-917-FISH (3474)

www.galvestonfishingchartercompany.com

www.fish-n-lodge.com

 

  Anglers seemed to have lucked out this weekend as great conditions appear to be settling in on the upper Texas Coast for the Easter holidays.
Friday started out with moderate winds; however, as the day progressed, the volumes dropped and the forecast for the remainder of the weekend calls for light winds, which is just what everyone on the fishing scene wants.

Several reports were in by press time Friday, and all indicated excellent action on a variety of fish.

Dean Silvers was back on the water Friday with his son Ben and friend Bill Zimmer. They started off at the South Jetty where Silvers said the water was nice, and they caught two undersized reds, a trout and 11 sheepshead.

While fishing Offatts Bayou, Zimmer landed a nice flounder.

Larry Wright and his son Terry fished Green’s Cut and other spots in upper West Bay on Friday and landed six trout and an undersized flounder. Most of the action came from drift-fishing West Bay between Mecom’s and Green’s Cuts in 4 to 6 feet of water. Bass Assassins and Touts were the baits.

Mike Hall and Jerry Sales fished from a lighted dock in Jamaica Beach on Thursday night and landed 11 trout to 16 inches in length. Six of the specks were undersized and live shrimp was the bait. The action took place between midnight and 2:30 a.m.

Our only black drum report came from Raul Cervantes who, along with two friends, fished the Galveston Channel on Friday and landed eight black drum, with the largest being an oversized 34-inch big ugly. In addition to the drum, a bull red was caught, tagged and retained.

A variety of baits were used including live crab, live shrimp and cut mullet. The smaller fish hit the cut mullet, and the big drum and red hit the live shrimp. The crab did not attract anything.

Galveston Fishing Report 2-22-16

Galveston Fishing Charter Company

832-917-FISH(3474)

www.galvestonfishingchartercompany.com

www.fish-n-lodge.com

 

  Monday was a nice day to be on the water, especially later in the day. While conditions were inviting, not many anglers were taking advantage of them. Later this week does not look good for fishing based on current forecasts, at least for anglers looking for comfort while wetting a line.
With no fishing reports to pass on, this allows for discussing a couple questions readers have had lately. While I have been responded to these questions before, they bear repeating.

George Morgan asked about using non-ethanol gas in his new 150 horsepower, four stroke engine. He said that the fuel recommendation in the manual was for gasoline with up to 10 percent ethanol while friends had recommended non-ethanol gasoline.

I replied he should check with the dealer where he purchased the engine. Although he did not mention the manufacturer, I do not know of any outboard engine that would be harmed by using non-ethanol gasoline. In fact, I tend to agree with his friends who recommended the gas.

Unfortunately this type of gasoline is not widely available. I used it in my new 15 horsepower Yamaha at the lake and purchased the gas from a station outside of Lake Jackson.

Often in the Reel Report I mention Sarah Melcer‘s famous recipe for preparing gafftop catfish and readers frequently ask for her recipe. Below is Sarah’s recipe and, if you try it, chances are you will seldom toss back a good-sized gafftop catfish.

“My gafftop recipe is simply pan-seared, lightly floured, gafftop filets in a little olive oil,” Melcer stated.

“Add in some capers, mango, tomatoes, purple onions, cilantro and diced jalapeños. It doesn’t take long and it’s done.”

Enough said and highly recommended.

Galveston fishing report 3-4-16

Galveston Fishing Charter Company

832-917-FISH(3474)

www.galvestonfishingchartercompany.com

www.fish-n-lodge.com

 A moderate wind kept many anglers off the water early Friday; however, by noon conditions improved, and later on, the afternoon bite commenced.
The Galveston Channel was one of the hot spots Friday as black drum were schooling along the channel drop offs from the Pier 19 area all the way to the Coast Guard station.

Harold Wilkins and Rob Schwartz fished the channel edge just out from Pier 19. The two anglers landed eight large sheepshead with the largest measuring 18 inches. To round out their catch, they caught two black drum, a 23-inch keeper and a 32-inch oversized fish. Both drum were released.

Protected areas around Seawolf Park were producing black drum, reds, and sheepshead.

Cyril Manchester fished the rocks near the submarine and landed a 33-inch black drum that was photographed and released. Other anglers were landing sheepshead and reds with a few sand trout among them.

Corinne Bates and her 88-year-old father fished the Texas City Dike on Thursday and landed six sheepshead and a large stingray. Bates used the assistance of a nearby angler to land the big ray and gave the fish to him.

Bates said she refuses to eat stingray and the good Samaritan told her that the wings were as good a seafood delicacy as you can find. Her reply was, “I hope you enjoy them!”

The outlook for the first part of this weekend is good with light southeasterly winds in the forecast. Trout action undoubtedly will pick up under those conditions and stronger tide movement.

Anglers targeting oversized black drum for catch and release likely will find the channel side of the North Jetty to be a good spot along with the edges of the Galveston Channel and possibly the Bolivar Gas Wells.

Upper West Bay should be a good spot for trout of all sizes. Night fishing around lights should continue to be productive.

Galveston Fishing Report 2-24-16

Galveston Fishing Charter Company

832-917-FISH(3474)

www.galvestonfishingchartercompany.com

www.fish-n-lodge.com

Strong northerly winds gusted to well over 20 knots most of the day Wednesday and fishing was nonexistent. Hopefully that will change quickly, and by this weekend, conditions should return to normal with rising water levels.
With no fishing reports, this allows us to address an unpleasant topic to most boaters: ethanol gasoline.

Wednesday, BoatUS, a large organization devoted to boaters, issued a statement warning operators of marine engines that there likely will be a shortage of E0 (zero-ethanol) gasoline available at marinas and gas stations this summer.

In their news release they wrote:

“E0 gasoline, which is sold at marinas and gas stations, is in effect being pushed out of the boat fuel market to make room for the Renewable Fuel Standard-mandated E15 and higher ethanol blends. This means boaters may see shortages of E0 fuel as early as this summer’s boating season. BoatUS believes boaters need a reliable, trusted fuel such as E0 to ensure smooth engine operation and safe navigation”

Currently, the majority of marine engines along Texas Coastal Waters operate on E10 gasoline which contains approximately 10 percent ethanol. This has been the case for years, and boaters have learned to deal with it, knowing how to prevent ethanol-related fuel problems by use of additives and not allowing the fuel to sit up too long in gas tanks and engines.

There is one ethanol-based fuel that should be avoided all together, and that is the E85 blend containing 85 percent ethanol. This high-ethanol fuel is intended only for engines specially designed to accept high-ethanol content fuel blends, such as the flexible-fuel vehicles.

I am not aware of any marine engines that can use that blend without major damage occurring. Before adding gas to your boat’s tank, check the ethanol content. If the e-number is higher than 10, you should consult with your dealer or mechanic before refueling.