Galveston, Texas

Fishing & Travel Destination

The fishing grounds around Galveston, Texas include just about everything you can see in any direction. Galveston is an island connected to the rest of the state by I-45, and connected to some of the best fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the plentiful, surrounding waters by nothing more than the length of your line. Historic landmarks, a variety of attractions, and miles of sandy beaches make Galveston a wonderful place to visit. For erstwhile anglers, the island can be a veritable nirvana. This is a very friendly community that is practically obsessed with fishing; and the locals are more than happy to impart advice and wisdom to help make your fishing experience successful.

There are a number of docks and piers along the bay and surrounding waters, from which many of the local species are usually biting. Seawolf Park on Pelican Island is open for fishing from sunrise to sunset, Sunday through Thursday; and open all day and night, Fridays and Saturdays. On the Gulf side of the island is Galveston Fishing Pier. This lighted, quarter-mile concrete pier is open every day of the year. Though there is a small fee to use the area, the fishing is good and dependable. Rod and reel combinations are available for rental, along with bait and all the other equipment you will need. If you prefer to go out and get closer to the action, rather than waiting for the fish to come to you, then a number of local charters and guides are available to bring you into the surrounding bays and deeper Gulf waters. Most trips leave from the docks along Harborside Drive, across from Pelican Island.

Fishing from the banks or pier and Seawolf Park gives you easy, dry access to Spotted Seatrout, Black and Red Drum, Sheephead, Flounder, Atlanic Croaker, Pinfish, and more. The best seasons for these areas are spring and fall. Flounder are most prominent from October through December, as they move to the Gulf for spawning and pass through the channel and by the park. Trout, Redfish, Jackfish, Flounder, and a wide variety of Gulf species come within casting distance of the Galveston Fishing Pier.

Half-day charters into the bay and along the jetties usually last around four hours and take the boats up to seven miles from dock. In the bay waters you will run into a bounty of Spanish Mackerel, Croaker, Red and Black Drum, Trout, Whiting, and Catfish. Flounder hit frequently around the yacht basin, and fishing can be most productive around pier structure, close to shore, or in the open bay. Some charters are available for night-time Flounder gigging trips – a unique and successful way to experience Galveston Bay fishing. Day trips into deeper Gulf waters range in duration from eight to twelve hours. These boats will reach distances up to 80 miles from dock, concentrating mainly on rock formations and local production platforms. As some of the only structure in these deep waters, production platforms provide excellent cover for Red and Vermillion Snapper, Barracuda, Triggerfish, and African Pompano upwards of ten pounds in weight. Dorado, Amberjack, and Sharks are also regular catches along the way, as well as Kingfish weighing 38 to 40 pounds. These species also flock over rock formations up to 165 feet deep. Longer charter trips are available, including overnight, deep-sea “Tuna Safaris” that last up to 36 hours, reaching 200 miles away from Galveston. Overnight trips usually allow ‘double limits’ on Snapper, Amberjack, and Kingfish; all during season. These trips primarily focus on Tuna, however, especially Yellowtails weighing as much as 100 pounds and more. On the way out to the maximum limit many other species will run into your bait and lures, in addition to those featured during shorter trips. Stetson Rock is one of the popular stops, lying 72 miles SSE of the island. Farther away are other production platforms, like Gunnison Spar (3,150 feet of water) and Boom Vang Spar (3,450 feet). Catches of Grouper (10-40 pounds), Blackfin Tuna (20 pounds) and giant Yellowfin Tuna (75-100 pounds) are frequent in these depths, justifying the name of the trip. These trip combinations are available as party boats, for large groups of people in a more festive atmosphere.

Especially for the fight with Yellowtail on the Tuna Safaris, it’s a good idea to rest up before anchors are weighed, even though these are overnight trips. As the name implies, Tuna are the main targets and Yellowtail, especially, are strong fighters. The battles to land these beasts can take a long time, requiring a lot of strength and effort. Combined with the many other fish you are certain to catch during these trips, the experience is likely to be quite a workout. After the long, strenuous trip, there is always time to rest. Later, once refreshed, you can take some down time, even a break from strenuous angling; maybe fish from dry land for a change.